Rise in Edinburgh property buyers moving out of city to East Lothian for 'better lifestyle'

Residents are moving out of the city centre to lead a “better quality of life.”

East Lothian has seen a significant increase in demand for homes as post-lockdown sales increase in the area.

A study, done by property consultancy Galbraith, revealed the interest comes mainly from city-dwellers looking for a better lifestyle in a less populated area.

Since the property market re-opened in Scotland on 29 June, demand has been buoyant and a number of closing dates for properties in the region have been held.

East Lothian beaches and the Old Post Office in the village of Tyninghame (bottom left)

The study also revealed a significant percentage of buyers were residents relocating from central Edinburgh.

Jennifer Jeffrey, who heads the Galbraith team for the Lothians said: “This first sale demonstrates the strength of the market in East Lothian since the market re-opened.

"Many of those who viewed the property were leaving Edinburgh city centre to enjoy a better quality of life. The experience of being in lockdown has clarified for many people that lifestyle is the most important criteria when house hunting.

"The advantage of East Lothian is that it is easily commutable but feels a million miles away.

“Furthermore, some people may be able to continue to work from home indefinitely from now on, or just go to the office once a week, which opens up the market to a larger pool of buyers. In addition to lifestyle factors, some people are also considering the price differential between the city centre and rural areas – there is a significant advantage.”

In East Lothian the first property promoted by Galbraith is already ‘under offer’.

Green Corner in Tyninghame was viewed by 40 families and received several competing offers before a successful closing date was held.

Galbraith is currently marketing The Old Post Office in the village of Tyninghame.

The property forms part of Tyninghame Estate, owned by the Earls of Haddington since 1628. The existing village is mainly a creation of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with most of the houses being built by the estate mason, Thomas Hannan, between 1840 and 1845.

The name Tyninghame derives from its situation, the old form ‘Tiningaham’ meaning ‘the village of those dwelling by the River Tyne’. It is one of the oldest Anglian place names in Scotland.

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