Living in Portobello
Can't decide between the city or the beach? Then Portobello, Edinburgh's beachside suburb, might be for you. If you're thinking of moving to the area, we have all the information you need below to decide if it's the right fit for you.
Portobello at a glance*
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Portobello is located 3 miles from Edinburgh city centre along the Firth of Forth. It has a long promenade fronting a wide sandy beach. The Portobello Swim Centre situated on the promenade is home to one of only 3 remaining Turkish baths in Scotland, as well as The Portobello Kayaking and Sailing Club and RowPorty, a community-run coastal rowing club. Then the High Street is home to many local businesses including a butcher, fishmonger, green grocer as well as many cafes and bars adding to the area's community feel.
People looking for a flat in Portobello are spoiled for choice. There are the traditional tenement flats that Edinburgh is known for, as well as sleek and modern apartments. Houses are available to buy in Portobello, though they are slightly less common. Have a look at the houses for sale in Portobello here.
SEARCH HOMES FOR SALE IN PORTOBELLO
What the locals say
Elizabeth who currently lives in Portobello tells us a little about the area:
It's a lovely wee community on the edge of a big city so you get the best of both worlds. You are right next to a lovely beach, which is great for walking the dogs, and there are lovely wee shops and places to eat and drink down the main street and on the promenade. There are excellent bus links into town so it never takes long to get to the city centre, and it's only five minutes drive from Fort Kinnaird and the Jewel for shopping. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else now that I have lived here.
Amenities in Portobello
Below you'll find a list of the amenities available in Portobello.
Education
High School
Holy Rood RC High
Portobello High School
Primary School
St John's RC Primary School
Towerbank Primary School
Transport
Portobello doesn't have its own dedicated train station, but residents in the south of Portobello can walk over to the Brunstane train station. The train station is roughly a 20 minute walk from the Portobello Promenade. There are however several bus routes that go through Portobello. Lothian Buses run the 45, 26, 49 and 19 which take residents to different parts of Edinburgh and East Lothian. You can keep up to date with the timetables on the Lothian Buses website.
If it's a nice day and you're a keen walker, you can walk to Princes Street in just over an hour from Portobello.
Food Shopping
ALDI
Sainsbury's Local
Scotmid Co-operative
Active & Outdoors
Portobello Beach
Portobello Community Garden
Rosefield Park
Straiton Place Park
Towerbank Playpark
Health
Portobello residents can register with a GP at Portobello Surgery. There is also a small selection of dentists to choose form. There is also a local opticians, Portobello Optics.
Religion
Church of Scotland
Portobello & Joppa Parish Church
Other denominations
St Mark's Episcopal Church
Portobello Baptist Church
Portobello Spiritualist Church
Portobello United Reformed Church