The best areas for families in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife

Looking for a new family home? Trying to decide on the right location can be tricky – you need to consider school catchment areas, the green spaces nearby and the availability of family-friendly activities. Here’s some our favourite areas for families to live in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife.

Corstorphine

Corstorphine lies to the west of Edinburgh city centre and is home to a number of independent shops and eateries. The area is in close proximity to several highly regarded schools including Craigmount High School and Royal High School. Corstorphine Hill offers an excellent setting for family walks and boasts lovely views over the city. Corstorphine is also well-placed for accessing the airport, ideal for those family holidays.

Dalgety Bay

Dalgety Bay is a lovely coastal town in Fife is perfect for families who want to live near the beach. With easy access to the Fife Coastal Path, weekend family walks are sorted. Plus, there’s a host of amenities on offer in Dunfermline, which is just a short distance away, and there is a direct train service to Edinburgh Waverley.

Winchburgh

Winchburgh is located just 10 miles from the city centre of Edinburgh, with a direct bus route between the two. It is also conveniently located just a 15 minute drive from Edinburgh airport. The town is also just a short distance away from the historic burgh of Linlithgow, full of lovely shops and fun family activities, including Linlithgow Palace.

Bruntsfield and Morningside

Just a short bus ride south of the city centre, Bruntsfield and Morningside are highly desirable areas for many people who wish to live in Edinburgh. It’s particularly great for families due to the proximity to Boroughmuir High School, which was is an extremely highly regarded school. The green spaces of The Meadows and Blackford Hill are also close by.

North Berwick

Lots of the towns in East Lothian are great for families. North Berwick is particularly great, thanks to the beautiful beaches, ideal for family walks, and the highly regarded schools. It also benefits from a plethora of lovely shops and eateries along its High Street. Commuting to Edinburgh is a breeze with a regular and fast train service running to Edinburgh Waverley.

Dalkeith

Set in Midlothian, Dalkeith is a great area for families thanks to easy commuter routes to the city centre of Edinburgh. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities on offer at Dalkeith Country Park, with the Fort Douglas adventure Park and the Restoration Yard.

Balerno

Located on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Balerno offers easy access to the hills and reservoirs of the Pentland Hills Regional Park, making it the perfect base for families who like to spend time outdoors. The area also benefits from excellent primary schools and a highly regarded secondary school.

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