What's it like to live in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh - the capital and heart of Scotland. Full of history, art, pubs and cafes and home to the famous Edinburgh Castle. It's a small city which is easy to navigate, but be prepared to spend big on property, as the city was recently declared as the 2nd most expensive place to live in the UK, only behind London.

According to Zoopla, the average price paid for a property in Edinburgh is £311,001, which compares to £198,825 in Glasgow, £227,895 in Newcastle and £699,433 in London.

The commute

Edinburgh has an excellent and well-utilised bus network so you won't have any issues travelling around the City easily. The recently launched tram network gives you another option and this includes a park and ride at Ingliston for commuters from outside of the city.

If you prefer to drive, parking can be challenge in the city centre.

Edinburgh airport is around 10 miles from the centre, accessible via tram, bus and taxi. The airport will feel much smaller than other UK city airports, but it's busy and offers plenty of route options including routes to Dubai, Barbados and New York.

Where to live in Edinburgh

Affluent areas

If money is no object, then you’re spoilt for choice in Edinburgh.

Barnton is one of the most sought after areas of Edinburgh, with an average property selling price of £408,793. Barnton offers luxury houses and villas and is surrounded by countryside while only being an 11-minute drive to the airport and a 15 drive to George Street for shopping and work. You're also paying to live within short proximity to a range of top schools including The Royal High School (state) and Cargilfield (independent). For your sporting needs and networking, Bruntsfield Golf Course and Barnton Park Lawn Tennis Club are nearby.

Want to live a little more centrally? The West End / Dean Village, just a 5-minute walk to Princes Street, offers historic properties and picturesque views of the Water of Leith. The hilly, cobbled streets give the area real character.



Balerno, with an average property price of £409,726, is a fabulous and family-friendly village just seven miles South-West of the Edinburgh city centre. There's a farmer's market every second Saturday, a local newspaper, two churches and a couple of strong school options.

Student and other lower budget areas

Marchmont has a residential feel yet is close to Edinburgh University and the Meadows and is a short walk to the pubs and clubs. Apartments in the old Victorian blocks of Marchmont are affordable.

A little further up the road is Newington, also popular with students and a little cheaper. Newington has a vibrant and sometimes noisy atmosphere.




Studying in Napier or Herriot Watt? Tollcross is central and is on the right side of town to travel to Uni.

If you work in Edinburgh but can't afford the house you want, then you might want to consider moving across the Forth Road Bridge to Fife. A 40-minute train journey or a 40 - 80 minute drive (depending on traffic) but you will get a lot more for your money in the Fife property market.

Areas for new families

If you can afford it, Edinburgh is a great place to live for new families.

Morningside offers a village feel with its local cafes and restaurants, yet you can walk to the City Centre. Morningside also offers a range of well-respected schools.

For a bit more green space, consider Colinton. You will get more space for your money here and there is an abundance of parks and green space, although it sits a few miles from the city centre, so a bus or drive to work would be required.

Areas for young professionals

Only a 5-minute walk to town, New Town is the place to check out for young professionals. Even though it is so central, New Town has a residential feel and is also surrounded by great little areas like Stockbridge and Broughton.

Leith, a 10 - 15 minute bus ride from town, has been redeveloped over recent years and offers young professionals the option to buy more modern yet affordable apartments overlooking the Forth.

Things to do in Edinburgh

St Andrew Square which was recently re-developed is surrounded by popular eateries such as the Ivy, Dishoom and Gauchos. Also next to St Andrew Square is the Harvey Nichols department store and a small street of luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton and Sandro.



For a more arty evening out away from the chain restaurants, try the Grassmarket, just behind the Castle. There are endless options for pubs and bars down the Grassmarket - no need to plan. For eating, check out the Mussel and Steak Bar, O'Oliviero and Mamma's American Pizza.

There are plenty of activities to do during the day too. Jump on the 22 bus to Ocean Terminal in Leith for some shopping and the cinema, and here you can also tour the Royal Yacht Brittania. When the weather isn't too bad, climbing Arthur's Seat is a popular and healthy way to spend a couple of hours and at the bottom, you can check out the Scottish Parliament, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth or have a walk up the Royal Mile.

Coffee shops and cafes

Edinburgh is booming with rustic cafes and coffee shops, typically busy with a mix of locals, students and tourists. We recommend checking out Brew Lab, which was set up by a couple of Edinburgh University students and has a great selection of coffees and cakes, eTeaket on Frederick Street which specialises in teas, Artisan Roast in Stockbridge for a great atmosphere and Fortitude Coffee in York Place for a top espresso.

Should you move to Edinburgh?

Whether you're an aspiring student, a professinal looking for a change or a family escaping London, Edinburgh should be top of your consideration list. While just a small city, residents are spoilt for choice for eateries and activites and there are a good range of employers particularly in the Financial Services sector. You will pay for the privilege of living in Edinburgh though, with it's high cost of living - though for many it is worth it.