The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Edinburgh

Edinburgh is often cited as one of the best cities in the world to live in and is without a doubt a beautiful city, with that stunning castle as the centerpiece of the city, but what is it like to live in Edinburgh rather than visit as a tourist?

In this ultimate guide to living in Edinburgh, we will give you lots of local inside knowledge, look at the cost of moving to Edinburgh, living costs, and much more.

You may also like to read: Moving to the Coast of Scotland. If you are undecided exactly where you would like to live in Scotland then you may like to read this article about the best places to live along the coastline of Scotland.

Should I Move to Edinburgh?

Well, there are certainly plenty of good reasons why you should move to Edinburgh, and despite a couple of drawbacks, most residents believe it is a fantastic place to live.

So what are the pros and cons of moving to Edinburgh?

What are the pros of moving to Edinburgh?

#1 It is a beautiful city

Visually, Edinburgh is a gem, with a castle perched on top of a hill at its epicenter.

There is a beautiful mix of architecture from Gothic to Georgian and everything in between.

The Meadows is a stunning park where you can take while away many hours walking or at the children’s play areas.

#2 Top centres of education

There are two great universities and a number of very well-regarded schools in Edinburgh, including some excellent private schools.

#3 Friendly people

Edinburgh is full of very friendly people and the majority will take the time to help you if you need it. It makes getting used to a new city so much easier.

#4 A city of culture

The National Museum of Scotland, theatres, art galleries, and plenty of bookshops ensure your cultural needs are well met.

#5 Stunning countryside

There is some stunning Scottish countryside and coast right on your doorstep.

#6 Great social scene

There is a huge choice of bars, restaurants, live music venues, art exhibitions, and things to do in Edinburgh, so it is easy to make friends in your new home city.

#7 The city is walkable

Edinburgh is an easy city to get about and walking is a great way to see and experience Edinburgh, although it is a bit hilly in places.

But there is also a great bus network if walking is not your thing.

#8 There are lots of golf courses

If you like golf then you will be spoilt for choice as there are about 7 golf courses in Edinburgh.

#9 The Edinburgh Festival Fringe & International Festival

The highlight of the year in Edinburgh is the International Arts Festival and the Fringe when the city attracts hoards of people to the innumerable events that the city holds every August.

#10 Edinburgh Castle is built on a volcano

What else needs to be said? That is so cool.

What are the cons of moving to Edinburgh?

#1 The high cost of living

Although cheaper than London, Edinburgh is generally more expensive than most places in the UK to live.

#2 Limited housing

Finding a home in the centre of Edinburgh will come with a big price tag, although as you move away from the centre there is more choice and prices decreases.

#3 The weather

Edinburgh is not as sunny or dry as most residents would like.

#4 The Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the International Festival

With the pros, there are also cons. Prices skyrocket and the city becomes jammed with people. But that does not detract from what fantastic events these are, they just make Edinburgh slightly crowded.

You may also like to read: How to Decide Where to Live Next. In this guide, we suggest 12 things to take into consideration when deciding where to move to.

Is Edinburgh a Safe Place to Live?

• 82% of people living in Edinburgh would recommend the city as a safe place to live as reported by the Edinburgh News.
• Of course like any town or city, there are places where you should exercise caution but generally, Edinburgh is a safe city in which to live.
• For local Policing advice and information in Edinburgh visit scotland.police.uk
• To view the crime statistics for Edinburgh visit www.gov.scot

You may also like to read: Choosing Where to Live: Location, Location, Location. Often, where your home is situated can determine your quality of life. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living on a main road, near shops, schools, public parks, open fields, or by river.

What is the Average Property Rental Cost in Edinburgh?

When moving to an area you are unfamiliar with it usually makes sense to rent first so that you get to know an area before committing to buying a home there.

Here are the average costs of renting a home in Edinburgh.

• The average rental cost of a 1-bedroom home in Edinburgh is £1,713 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 2-bedroom home in Edinburgh is £1,830 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 3-bedroom home in Edinburgh is £2,948 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 4-bedroom home in Edinburgh is £3,197 pcm

Average property rental costs are taken from www.home.co.uk April 2024

What is the Average Property Price in Edinburgh?

These are the average prices you can expect to pay for a home in Edinburgh:

The average price of a detached home in Edinburgh is £551,237

The average price of a semi-detached home in Edinburgh is £403,988

The average price of a terraced home in Edinburgh is £401,365

The average price of a flat in Edinburgh is £281,124

Average home prices are taken from www.zoopla.co.uk April 2024

You may also like to read: Is Life Better in the Countryside, the City, or the Suburbs? When moving to Edinburgh you are blessed with the option of living right in the city, in the suburbs, or some stunning countryside. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living in each of those locations.

Is Edinburgh Expensive to Live?

According to www.numbeo.com, the average monthly costs excluding rent or mortgage repayments are:

• A single person on average will need £893 pm to cover living costs
• A family of 4 on average needs an income of £3,036 pm to cover living costs

Cost of Living in Edinburgh vs Major UK Cities

According to data from www.expatistan.com here is a comparison of the cost of living in Edinburgh with other major UK cities

• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 39% cheaper than in London
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 5% cheaper than in Birmingham
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 32% cheaper than in Leeds
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 30% cheaper than in Liverpool
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 7% more expensive than in York
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 23% more expensive than in Leicester
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 11% more expensive than in Glasgow
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 24% more expensive than in Cardiff
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 18% cheaper than in Bristol
• The cost of living in Edinburgh is 12% more expensive than Plymouth

Find out the council tax bands for Edinburgh at www.edinburgh.gov.uk

How Much Does it Cost to Move to Edinburgh?

How much does it cost to move a 1-2 Bedroom home to Edinburgh?

Each home move is different, and the only way to get an accurate removal cost estimate is to request estimates from reputable removal firms.

Must do: Get a home removal cost estimate for free.

But to give you a rough idea, excluding packing costs, you can expect to pay on average the following home moving costs when hiring a professional removal firm to move you to Edinburgh.

• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from London to Edinburgh costs on average £2,005
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Birmingham to Edinburgh costs on average £1,810
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Leeds to Edinburgh on average costs £1,690
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Liverpool to Edinburgh costs about £1,615
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from York to Edinburgh costs about £1,670
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Leicester Edinburgh to costs about £1,835
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Glasgow to Edinburgh costs about £1,410
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Cardiff to Edinburgh costs about £1,990
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Bristol to Edinburgh costs about £1,945
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Plymouth to Edinburgh on average costs £2,135

On average expect to pay about £275-£475 for a professional packing service for a 1-2 bedroom home.

You may also like to read: How much is the average cost to move a 1-2 bedroom home? In this guide, we compare the costs of moving a 1 or 2-bedroom home yourself against the cost of hiring a removal company.

How much does it cost to move a 3 bedroom home to Edinburgh?

• Moving a 3 bedroom home from London to Edinburgh on average costs £2,140
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Birmingham to Edinburgh on average costs £1,945
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Leeds to Edinburgh on average costs £1,825
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Liverpool to Edinburgh on average costs £1,750
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from York to Edinburgh on average costs £1,805
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Leicester to Edinburgh on average costs £1,970
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Glasgow to Edinburgh on average costs £1,545
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Cardiff to Edinburgh on average costs £2,125
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Bristol to Edinburgh on average costs £2,080
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Plymouth to Edinburgh on average costs £2,270

On average expect to pay about £450-£950 for a professional packing service for a 3-bedroom home.

You may also like to read: How much is the average cost to move a 3-bedroom home?

Where are the Best Areas to Live in Edinburgh?

Thinking of moving to Edinburgh? Here is an Edinburgh neighbourhood guide with the 6 best places to rent or buy a home in the Edinburgh area.

The 6 best areas to live in Edinburgh are:

#1 Stockbridge

Sunday Times reports that Stockbridge is the best place to live in Edinburgh.  

Just a 10 to 15-minute walk to the city centre, Stockbridge feels more like a village than a part of a city.

The Botanic Gardens are adjacent to Inverleith Park and there is a wonderful walk along The Water of Leith which runs alongside Stockbridge, which adds to the village feel of this neighbourhood.

Circus Lane is considered one of the most beautiful mews in the whole of Edinburgh, and house prices here reflect that.

#2 Leith

Leith too was listed by the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in Scotland.

Leith is Edinburgh’s historic port and now hosts some wonderful eateries and bars.

Being on the northern edge of the city, there is a great range of local amenities and the city centre itself is easily accessible.

#3 Bruntsfield

Just a mile from the city centre, Bruntsville has some great places to eat and many independent shops.

There is a primary and a secondary school in Bruntsfield and because of the village feel of this suburb, right by The Meadows Parkland and Bruntsfield Links golf course, it is an area sought after by families.

#4 Marchmont

The affluent area of Marchmont is located about a mile south of the Old Town.

There are great transport links to the city centre which is just 10-15 minutes away.

Marchmont consists of mainly 4-storey Edwardian and Victorian homes which are very popular with both students and families.

Marchmont has many chic and independent shops, as well as some fabulous cafes and restaurants.

The area is home to James Gillespies High School and a campus of Napier University.

Brunswick Links and the Meadows are right on your doorstep offering plenty of recreational opportunities.

#5 Morningside

Edinburgh News has rated Morningside in the top 10 places to live in Scotland.

Despite being just 20 minutes from the city centre Morningside has a distinct feeling of being a beautiful countryside village.

The houses are a mix of Georgian and Victorian, offering spacious accommodation.

There is a wonderful mix of local and independent stores and cafes in Morningside.

Families are particularly drawn to move to Morningside because of the schools, South Morningside Primary and Boroughmuir High School as two of the most highly regarded schools in Edinburgh.

#6 Corstorphine

From 1930s bungalows to 1-bedroom flats, to large detached homes, this is a popular area to live in with a good range of various style homes.

Corstorphine has many open green spaces and easy access to some beautiful countryside.

There is the Gyle shopping centre just a mile outside town as well as numerous small cafes and shops in Corstorphine.

Within the area, you will find some fine schools as well as some of Edinburgh’s highly regarded private schools.

Corstorphine is just 15 minutes from both the airport and the city centre and is an area popular with both couples and families.

You may also like to read: Which is More Important: Location or Home? In this guide, we suggest 31 things to consider when choosing a home or a location to move to.

Moving to Edinburgh Alone

Are you thinking of moving to Edinburgh alone, perhaps as a student or for work? Is Edinburgh a good place to live for single people?

Here are some essential things to know when moving to Edinburgh as a single person.

• Consider renting a room in a shared house, or flat sharing, if you want to save some money, get to know the area, and make instant friends. Useful websites for finding rooms to rent in Edinburgh include: gumtree.co.uk, www.spareroom.co.uk, or www.nestpick.com
• Join local social media groups to find out all the best places to go and get the low down on Edinburgh city life.
• meetup.com has plenty of local groups to join so that you quickly find new friends and get to learn all about living in Edinburgh.
• Consider volunteering in your spare time, it is a great way to meet new people and help the local community at the same time. Check out projectscotland.co.uk for some ideas about volunteering opportunities in Edinburgh.

You may also like to read: Is Retiring to the City a Good Idea? Edinburgh would be a fantastic place to retire to and in this guide, we look at 16 great reasons why moving to the city in retirement makes so much sense.

Living in Edinburgh as a Student

If you have been accepted as a student in Edinburgh or are considering becoming one, then this section is for you.

There are 6 Universities in Edinburgh. Click on the university name below to go to their websites where you will find a wealth of information about going to university in Edinburgh.

• The University of Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Napier
• Heriot-Watt University
• Queen Margaret University
• Royal College of Surgeons Of Edinburgh
• Scotland’s Rural College

Why choose Edinburgh to study in?

• Edinburgh is safe: Edinburgh is regarded as a very safe city for students.
• World-Class Education: The universities offer world-class education, with the University of Edinburgh often ranked amongst the best in the world, as reported on www.timeshighereducation.com
• It is a beautiful city to live in: Edinburgh is a stunning city to live and study in. And you have easy access to some stunning countryside for recreation and relaxation.
• Culture and heritage: Edinburgh is steeped in history and culture and there will be countless things to stimulate your interests here.
• Social Life: As you would expect there is a great nightlife in Edinburgh to cater to every taste in food, music, and style of bar. There is also a huge range of clubs and societies that you can join, no matter what your personal interests are.
• Great support network: Being a city with so many students Edinburgh is well-prepared to support and help you if you need it.

Is Edinburgh expensive for students? It is well documented that Edinburgh is expensive, if not THE most expensive university city in the UK. Check out this useful guide on student living costs from the University of Edinburgh

Despite the costs of studying in Edinburgh, it is considered one of the best cities in the world for being a student as reported by www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com

You may also like to read: Everything you need to know about moving to college. In this guide, we share some useful tips for making moving to college or university easier and cheaper.

Moving to Edinburgh with Family

Is Edinburgh a good place to raise a family?

In the quality of life surveys, Edinburgh often ranks as one of the best places in the world to bring up a family.

Edinburgh has plenty of great things to do and acres of green and open spaces for you and the family to explore, with the beautiful countryside of Scotland right on your doorstep.

There are some great schools and of course universities in Edinburgh.

There are several career possibilities in Edinburgh and the unemployment rate in Edinburgh is lower than the national average.

There is a useful website dedicated to people looking to move to Edinburgh with kids. And you will find a wealth of information that you will find useful there.

Where are the best family areas in Edinburgh?

www.edinburghwithkids.com lists these as being the top 5 areas of Edinburgh to move to if you have a family, taking into consideration schools, catchment areas, nurseries, parks, and local amenities.

• Stockbridge
• Morningside
• Colinton
• Corstorphine
• Cramond

You may also be interested to know:

• How to register with a GP in Edinburgh
• How to register with a dentist in Edinburgh 
• How to find a Scottish Childminding Registered childminder in Edinburgh 
• How to find nurseries and childcare in Edinburgh

Which are the Best Schools in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a great place for your children’s education with some very highly rated schools, both state and private.

Which are the best state schools in Edinburgh?

www.schoolguide.co.uk rates these three as the best schools in Edinburgh:

• Boroughmuir High School, EH11
• James Gillespie’s High School, EH9
• St Thomas of Aquin’s High School, EH3

You may also be interested in visiting www.schoolguide.co.uk which allows you to compare all local schools in Edinburgh.

Which are the best private schools in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is also home to many of the top private schools in Scotland. www.mytopschools.co.uk lists these as the top 3 private schools in Edinburgh:

• Edinburgh Academy, EH3
• Fettes College, EH4
• Merchinston Castle, EH13

You can also find lots of useful information about schools in Edinburgh at www.education.gov.scot

You may also like to read: What Type of Property is Right For Me: House, Bungalow, or Flat? In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of various styles of home to help you choose which would best suit your lifestyle.

Is There Much Employment in Edinburgh?

Not only is Edinburgh a great place to live, but it offers some great employment opportunities.

Edinburgh has an unemployment rate that is lower than the national UK average, and 82% of the population is in employment.

What are the biggest employment sectors in Edinburgh?

• Public administration
• Health
• Education
• Banking and Finance
• Tourism
• Emerging industries include life sciences, software, creative, digital, and tech industries.

You may like to look at these websites to find out what employment opportunities there are in Edinburgh.

• totaljobs.com
• jobsite.co.uk
• reed.co.uk

What are the Best Ways of Getting Around Edinburgh?

• Walk: It is easy to walk just about anywhere in Edinburgh and you can walk from the centre to the outskirts in about 45 minutes. www.edinburgh.gov.uk has some useful walking maps and advice.
• By Bike: Edinburgh is very cyclist-friendly with most of the main routes having cycling lanes. There is a really useful page at edinburgh.gov.uk that shows some cycle routes, where to park your bike, and even the ability to plan a cycle route of your own.
• Tram: The tram runs from Edinburgh Airport to York Place with various stop-offs along the way. You can find a tram map, timetable, and ticket information at www.edinburghtrams.com
• Bus: Edinburgh has a reliable and extensive bus network. Visit www.lothianbuses.com for timetable, route, and ticket information.
• Park and Ride: There are 7 park and rides in and around Edinburgh. Here is a map and more details about where the park and rides operate from.
• Car: Many parking spaces in Edinburgh are resident permit only but you can find out the best places to park your car, and the cost of parking in Edinburgh, here.
• Car Share: Edinburgh has its own tripshare scheme where you can find people who travel in your direction and will share their ride with you. It is a great way to save money and the planet.
• Train: If you plan or travelling further afield, Edinburgh has two train stations at Haymarket and Waverley.

What is There To Do in Edinburgh for Free?

There is so much to see and do in Edinburgh, and there is lots to experience in Edinburgh for free.

What can you do for free in Edinburgh? 5 Things to do for Free in Edinburgh

• Climb a volcano. Arthurs Seat is just 15 minutes from the city centre and was formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. At 250m high it is higher than Edinburgh Castle and will give you fantastic views out over the city.
• Visit a museum. There are way too many free museums and art galleries to list them all but they all have something different and unique to offer you. The National Museum of Scotland, Museum of Childhood, and The Museum on the Mound (where you can see what a million pounds in cash looks like) should all be on your to-do list.
• Harry Potter Tour. JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter based on many locations within Edinburgh and you can take a self-guided tour around the city to discover all those wizard locations.
• Royal Botanic Gardens. 72 acres of stunning scenery, just a mile from the city centre. It is open all year and hosts a full calendar of exhibitions and events.
• Festival Fringe. Every August is the Festival Fringe and many shows are free.

The Best of Edinburgh

If you are moving to Edinburgh you will probably be overwhelmed by the number of things to do, the great restaurants, bars, and clubs. So here are our top 5 of the best of Edinburgh to help you.

5 of The Top Rated Restaurants in Edinburgh

These are the top 5 rated restaurants as ranked by www.tripadvisor.com

• One20 Wine Café EH3 5DQ
• Aizle EH8 9QY
• Makars Gourmet Mash Bar EH1 2LP
• The Table EH3 6QG
• New Chapter EH3 5EP

Top 5 Pubs in Edinburgh

www.designmynight.com lists these 5 as the top bars in Edinburgh

• Wahaca EH2 2AU
• The Refinery EH2 2BD
• Cold Town House EH1 2JU
• Bar Soba EH2 1DR
• Dishoom EH2 2BD

Top 5 Clubs in Edinburgh

www.designmynight.com lists these 5 as the top nightclubs in Edinburgh

• Shanghai Club at Le Monde EH2 2PF
• Sneaky Pete’s EH1 1JW
• Tonic Bar EH2 3BN
• Bourbon Bar and Club EH2 2JR
• 99 Hanover Street EH2 1DJ

Top 5 Unique Things to Do In Edinburgh

• See the Burke and Hare Victim Effigies: Between 1827 and 1828 Burke and Hare murdered 17 of their lodgers to sell to the anatomy school in Edinburgh. A couple of years later two boys discovered 17 dolls buried in the city park. The dolls are alleged to be effigies of the 17 victims of Burke and Hare and can be seen at the National Museum of Scotland.
• Make a cocktail: Let fate create you a unique cocktail at Hoot the Redeemer, a subterranean bar in Edinburgh. Using a coin-operated claw machine, known as the Pinch ‘n’ Sip, drinkers can create a cocktail from the balls that they catch with the claw.
• Visit a floating palace: The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored in Edinburgh and you can tour the 5 decks.
• Solve the mystery of Gilmerton Cove: Explore the secret chambers and passageways beneath Edinburgh’s streets. Nobody knows when or how they were created which makes them all the more fascinating.
• Have coffee with cats: At Maison De Moggy you can pet one of the 12 cats there whilst you sip your cappuccino. Definitely one for the cat lovers out there.

Top Local Edinburgh Removal Firms

Luckily some great removal companies can help you with your home move to Edinburgh.

Finding top-rated local removal companies to move you to Edinburgh is an important step to experiencing a stress-free home move.

It is vitally important to choose your removal company wisely as all removal firms are not equal, unfortunately.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. In this guide, we take you step-by-step through the process of choosing the best removal company for your particular home move.

• Find great local Edinburgh removal firms here.
• Find a local removal company to move you to Edinburgh here.

And no doubt you will have many more questions regarding your home move, so be sure to visit our resources section where you will find a wealth of useful information to make your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.

Good luck with your home move to Edinburgh and your new life.