What Do I Do with my Edinburgh flat?

I need to come to some kind of decision in the next few months as to what to do with my Edinburgh flat. I’ve decided that, since my BF has now got a full-time job here in London, I’ll make a commitment to staying here for a period of at least 6 months, and see how it goes. I have a lodger in my flat at the moment and she’s moving out at the end of June, and then there’ll be no one in there from July onwards.

The problem stems from the fact that my Edinburgh flat isn’t actually owned by me, nor is it rented from the private sector. It’s a council flat (not a high-rise or anything horrible - it’s very nice). I won’t give it up as it’s notoriously difficult to get a council flat in the first place! I think I have three options:

1. swap it for a council flat in London: this is something that I have been pursuing in some shape or other for the last 2 years or so. The problem with council flat swaps is that it’s very difficult to find a swap where both parties equally like the other person’s flat. I don’t want to swap to a flat that is inferior to mine, or in a bad location, or in a rough area (of which there are plenty in London!). Also, a swap would mean that I’m ‘tied to London’ as it were, and, given that I’m not particularly fond of it, it’s not ideal.
2. take in another lodger: probably most likely to happen. Given that I still ‘commute’ between Edinburgh and London to some extent, this would leave the option open for me to return there again after my stint here, or in any case ‘leave the door open’
3. buy my flat and sublet the entire flat: I have right-to-buy and from September on I will be able to buy my flat. That’s something I would potentially consider; however, this is very much a question of money. I’d need to do my sums very carefully and it would entail a major planning and operational effort on my part, something on which I’m not very keen on at this point in time. I might look into that option when I have the time - maybe when I’m on holiday (in 2 weeks’ time).

We’ll see what happens. I just know I’ll have to deal with it at some.point.in.the.future.