Moving to Edinburgh: the Ultimate Family Guide. If your family’s going to be Moving to Edinburgh, or you’ve got a son or daughter moving to this beautiful city for university, Removal Services Scotland can help. Moving to a new city can be a scary prospect when you haven’t made all the preparations, or need some pointers on getting around your new home. But with the help of this handy guide on moving to Edinburgh, you’ll find all the tools you need for a seamless move to the capital – and expert tips on this city’s many, many hot spots.
The Family Factor
When you’re moving with a family, there are special considerations to be made. The transition isn’t as simple as packing up your old life and starting your new one – because this process is by no means a simple thing for your kids. Before any family move, it’s essential to prepare your children for this big milestone – and ease them gently into what will be a massive change in their young lives.
Get your children involved in the process as early as possible – that way they’ll feel like an equal and valued part of the transition. This also gives them time to prioritise what they want to take with them to their new home, and activities like this bring an element of fun to an otherwise confusing time for children.
Also essential is making sure that you’ve scoped out your new surroundings before you take the leap. And if you’re feeling a little lost on the countdown to your Edinburgh experience, here’s a breakdown of everything the capital has to offer families – and it’s plenty.
Coming to the Capital
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and one of the UK’s most noteworthy historical and cultural hubs. Vibrant and varied, Edinburgh offers an array of must-see attractions, tourist spots and family fun – with every parents’ needs completely catered for. Renowned as a great family city, Edinburgh has tons to do with your kids – from baby groups to family-friendly city attractions, and everything in between.
Whether you’re looking for flats to rent in Edinburgh or have your sights set on a house in the Scottish capital, ESPC.com is your ultimate resource for Edinburgh property.
Education in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a fantastic city for your children’s schooling, with a range of great catchment areas guaranteeing your kids the best possible education. Linlithgow is one of Edinburgh’s leading catchment areas, with Linlithgow Academy reigning as Edinburgh’s top performing secondary school in a zone – boasting easy transport links and great shopping access. For more information on schools in Edinburgh, take a look right here.
The Necessities
Being the capital, it should be no surprise that Edinburgh’s got everything you and your family could possibly want from a city. With everything from failsafe chain stores to vibrant independent establishments, Edinburgh is a city with a lot to brag about.
Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal shopping centre is an epicentre of retail therapy, with everything from department stores and pharmacies to phone shops and clothing outlets. Here parents can indulge in the city’s wide array of shopping options and find just about anything their kids could possibly want or need. Complete with its own gym, cinema and even soft play area, Ocean Terminal is the ultimate Edinburgh hot spot for family fun and retail therapy – under 15 minutes from the city centre, with free parking to boot.
If you’re hankering for some homeware to fill your new home in Edinburgh, you’re in luck. This city is fit to burst with offbeat home stores and emporiums, including the exquisite Life Story and the Present Boutique. Here you’ll find unique accessories, handmade gifts and home & kitchen essentials – all with a tasty vintage touch.
If you’re a self-professed bookworm or have a child making the move to Edinburgh for uni, you’ll find everything you need in the capital. Edinburgh’s shopping scene is diverse and plentiful, with high street favourites complemented by exceptional independent offerings. The Edinburgh Bookshop is one of the city’s many independent gems, with a fantastic selection, international renown and a wonderful children’s corner guaranteed to keep the kids occupied.
Families looking for quality eats will find a culinary paradise in the city of Edinburgh. The capital’s cuisine ranges from good old-fashioned Scottish grub to a taste of gourmet dining – and Edinburgh’s restaurants are recognised worldwide for their magnificent menus. Ondine is a seafood restaurant with a sterling reputation, while Castle Terrace Restaurant – winner of the 2013 Travellers’ Choice award – is a Scottish dining experience like no other. With eateries throughout Edinburgh boasting spectacular specials, your family will never go hungry in the Scottish capital.
The Cultural Core
Home to the acclaimed Fringe Festival, Edinburgh has a vivid cultural history and is celebrated far and wide for its access to world-class art, film and comedy.
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is an unmissable epicentre of contemporary greats and unique artistic endeavours. Tourists consider this gallery an essential part of any Edinburgh trip – and with spots like this on your doorstep as an official resident, living in Edinburgh offers some great rewards for culture lovers.
Cinemas are plenty in Edinburgh’s city centre, with both Cineworld and Odeon accessible at the heart of the capital. Screening everything from Hollywood blockbusters to offbeat independents, these cinemas guarantees fun for the whole family – offering some ideal weeknight entertainment on a budget.
The single largest arts festival on the planet, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival brings comedians, musicians and artists of all varieties to the Scottish capital in the name of culture. And now that you’re living in this hub of arts and entertainment, the Fringe is your local festival. Located in the centre of Edinburgh, this infamous event is just one of many reasons you’ll love living in Edinburgh.
If you need some help with practicalities of the move, Removal Services Scotland are happy to help. We take the stress out of the moving process – and can get you into your new home without the hassle, leaving you to absorb the excellence that is Edinburgh with your family.
