Know Your Area

words Claire Sawers

This seaside resort in east Edinburgh used to be a summer holiday destination for Glaswegians, but now the peaceful suburb is becoming a property hot spot for young families and professionals looking to live ‘beside the sea'



There's definitely an air of nostalgia about the seaside town of Portobello. There are street names like Brighton Place and Beach Lane, and old fashioned sweet shops selling buckets and spades, giving the streets a flavour of days-gone-by. It's a good, relaxing spot to head for sandcastles and ice cream if the sun is shining, and many adults remember coming to the promenade for summer walks, or learning to swim at the old outdoor baths. Speak to children of the ‘70s and ‘80s who grew up in Edinburgh and they probably attended at least one birthday party at the Portobello trampoline centre or blew a fortune on the slot machines. But while the east Edinburgh suburb still keeps one foot in the past - with its bingo halls, chippies and amusement arcades on the prom - it is also an increasingly popular spot for young families.

Besides having the sound of seagulls and the lapping waves on your doorstep, Portobello is well connected to Leith and the city centre, so it's possible to spend the weekends at ‘Joppa-on-sea', and the working week at the desk.

Property

There's a variety of housing, from ex council flats along the High Street to very large seven or eight bedroom properties towards Joppa. Michael Annan, owner of Remax Portobello, says the value of properties has increased considerably in the last three or four years, as more people want to live ‘beside the seaside'. "I've been approached by people looking for one bedroom flats in Portobello for £100,000 which, unfortunately, you don't get anymore. The starting price would be more like £120-125,000. The area is becoming very desirable and when a For Sale sign goes up, it doesn't stay up for very long."

There have been proposals to build new flats in the site of the football pits towards King's Road which have, so far, been met by strong opposition from the local community. Plans to develop the nearby Seafield garages into coffee shops are also being discussed, as well as a project to turn Baileyfield Industrial Estate into blocks of flats. As far as Michael is concerned, it's all very positive news for the area. "Developers wouldn't build there if it was going to be a white elephant. It reflects how popular the area is becoming." In the meantime, the most desirable areas according to Michael are John Street, Morton Street, Dalkeith Street, Abercorn Terrace, Brighton Place and Seaview Terrace where bigger three-storey buildings can sell for up to £750,000. "Portobello is very popular with families and we notice a lot of people who grew up in the area moving home but still staying in the area."

Cafés, Food and Shopping

The mix of shops on offer is getting more eclectic as Portobello is beginning to attract young professionals. There are still the long established pubs, greasy spoons and bakeries along the High Street stretch between Kings Road and Joppa, plus an award winning butcher - Findlay's of Portobello - which opened back in 1974 and has shoppers coming up from London for the special haggis blend. But, creeping in alongside the likes of Robertson's Wool and Haberdashery with its cute knitted teddies in the window display, and the plethora of hairdressing salons, are new gift boutiques like La Vie En Rose selling baby clothes, jewellery and accessories for the home. Further up the road, Fort Kinnaird is good for shopping if you can't face the parking prices in the city centre.

If proof were needed of Portobello's popularity with young families, there's Reds, a ‘child-friendly bistro' on the High Street that serves up homemade puréed baby food and won't moan at you to move your pram out of the way. For drinks, the area has yet to open a ‘neighbourhood style bar', but the influx of young things probably means that new delis and bars could start springing up. In the meantime, Dalriada on the promenade is a good spot for Sunday pints and evening bar meals.

Amenities

Many locals who've been in the area for years still talk about Portobello's ‘community spirit', and there's something comforting and old fashioned about walking along the High Street and seeing the police station across from the town hall, with the local library up a side street. ""There is definitely a close knit community identity," says Michael Annan. "People are fiercely protective of the area, especially the older generation, because they are very fond of it. So they are always keen to get involved in things like local petitions."

Down on the promenade - which is a big draw for dogwalkers, parents with buggies and general fresh air seekers - there is also Portobello Swim Centre which contains Turkish bath facilities with a hot room, steam room and cold plunge pool. There are public parks with play facilities towards Joppa, and for getting to the centre by bus, the 15, 21 and 26 pass by fairly frequently. Although ‘Porty' was briefly linked to Fife last year by the hovercraft service, the landing point has been moved to Ocean Terminal instead. Commuters can rely on trains though - and there are links at Brunstane and Newcraighall.