moving to Edinburgh?? help needed

Thanks to all those who have responded. DD has now got her own flat in central Edinburgh so we are visiting quite a lot! ESPC were really helpful when we visited their office and gave us a list of areas that might be suitable so we are having a good look around these. I had not thought of Fife - maybe - it is a feeling that if we move to a small town and it doesn't work, then we are stuck!! I guess we want to be in Edinburgh to access all the usual activities offered in cities.
Marieeliz - I know nothing about Housing Trusts so the only thing I can suggest is that you contact the Head Office to find out what is going on. it is so important to know who your neighbours are!

How close do you want to be to Edinburgh ? There are very good rail and bus links from Fife to Edinburgh . You would find the house prices there a lot less than city prices. Many people comute from Fife each day . I think people are friendlier there especially in the small towns . It all depends on what you are looking for .

Does anyone know the rules for Housing Trusts. I own my own property and next door belongs to a housing trust. A tenant was given keys in March and has only actually stayed one night. They are never there but building workers are dropped off most days and I have to put up with all the noise. These are not Housing Trust employees.

Access doors have been changed. I did speak to the Trust in June and was told that they were doing "bits and bobs". They informed the tenant that I had been in touch with them which caused me a problem. I am 76 and have no relatives.

It seems strange that there is a supposed housing shortage and houses are allocated and no one moves in.

Try Portobello it's not far from Edinburgh city centre the properties cost less it's safe and the people are friendly. It's only a short walk from the High Street to the large clean golden sandy beach beside the Firth of Forth. There is very good public transport to lots of different places . Best of luck with your search and let us know how you get on.

Thanks everyone for your replies - it means a lot. Elegran's suggestion to look at the ESPC website looks really helpful and I'm going to go through that carefully. I guess I want somewhere that feels like a safe neighbourhood with good public transport and shops nearby - I am not getting any younger so need to be practical about where I spend my old age! Grandchildren live abroad so it also needs to have a spare room if and when they come to visit.

So does one of my DDs and her family, alea. It is only an hour or so on a plane!

Oh Elegran , you tempted me to go on their website and start daydreaming about living in Scotland!

<Write out 100times" Your DC and DGC live SOUTH of Spaghetti Junction, get a grip">

The Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre advertises many properties at all kinds of prices, and describes the different areas. espc.com/

When you are planning to come to see a few, do let us know so that you can meet up with some of us in Edinburgh.

Look at houses online that are within your price bracket and arrange to come and see a few.

There are a lot of small towns and villages a few miles from Edinburgh too, which could be less expensive.

Edinburgh is expensive and neighbourhoods vary. It depends what you need to take into consideration: children's school, access to public transport etc etc. So many variables. Cant suggest any area that will automatically be friendly or accepting of you. You'll need to come up and drive around to get an idea of where you might like to live/type of housing etc

Can't help with Edinburgh city, but the train link with the Borders (Edinburgh Waverley - Tweedbank) is due to reopen this September and you get brilliant value for money in the Borders.