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LifeSkills city guide

Edimburgo

United Kingdom

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and a UNESCO heritage city, combines historical beauty, culture (the famous Festival Fringe) and a large university center led by the University of Edinburgh, among the best in the world. It is safe, walkable and the UK's second largest financial centre; on the other hand, rent costs are among the highest in the country after London.

Explore neighborhoods Compare neighborhoods
Safety 78/100
Affordability 42/100
Student-friendly 88/100
Nightlife 82/100
Transport 78/100

Last reviewed: 2026-07-21. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.

Interactive map

Wards di Edimburgo

Official administrative boundaries: Wards. Select an area to view the available data.

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Visible Wards 0

Verified geographic dataset

Boundary source: Office for National Statistics — Wards, May 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0; contiene proprietà intellettuale OS e ONS). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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Neighborhood ranking

Best neighborhoods for students

  1. Southside / Newington 92/100
  2. City Centre (Old Town / New Town) 88/100
  3. Leith Walk 84/100
  4. Leith 86/100

Best neighborhoods for nightlife

  1. City Centre (Old Town / New Town) 88/100
  2. Leith 86/100
  3. Leith Walk 84/100
  4. Southside / Newington 92/100

Best neighborhoods for quiet living

  1. Morningside 84/100
  2. Inverleith / Stockbridge 84/100
  3. Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart 82/100
  4. Sighthill / Gorgie 76/100

Best neighborhoods for low rent

  1. Sighthill / Gorgie 520 GBP
  2. Leith 620 GBP
  3. Leith Walk 650 GBP
  4. Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart 650 GBP

Best neighborhoods for safety

  1. Morningside 84/100
  2. Inverleith / Stockbridge 84/100
  3. Southside / Newington 92/100
  4. City Centre (Old Town / New Town) 88/100

Neighborhood cards

Where to live in Edimburgo

Southside / Newington

Student hub

Southside / Newington: The university district par excellence: the central campus of the University of Edinburgh (George Square), Marchmont and Newington full of students. Central and lively

Room
700 GBP
Studio
1,050 GBP
Apartment
1,300 GBP
Safety 78 Student-friendly 92 Nightlife 78 Commute 88
Pros
  • student-friendly: 92/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: 700 GBP.
  • Useful for University of Edinburgh (Central Area).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
student-friendlynear universitiesbalanced

City Centre (Old Town / New Town)

Premium

City Centre (Old Town / New Town): The UNESCO heritage heart: the medieval Old Town with the Royal Mile and the castle, the elegant Georgian New Town, the Grassmarket and the theatres. Central, iconic and expensive

Room
750 GBP
Studio
1,150 GBP
Apartment
1,400 GBP
Safety 76 Student-friendly 88 Nightlife 88 Commute 92
Pros
  • transport: 92/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: 750 GBP.
  • Useful for University of Edinburgh (Central Area).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
premiumnear universitiesnightlife

Leith Walk

Balanced

Leith Walk: The long avenue connecting the center to Leith: trendy and multicultural, with cafes, breweries, independent shops and the new tram line. Strongly rising

Room
650 GBP
Studio
1,000 GBP
Apartment
1,250 GBP
Safety 72 Student-friendly 84 Nightlife 84 Commute 86
Pros
  • transport: 86/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: 650 GBP.
  • Useful for University of Edinburgh (reachable).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
balancednightlifenear universities

Leith

Nightlife

Leith: The ancient port reborn: The Shore with its restaurants (including starred ones), breweries, the waterfront and one of the best gastronomic and nightlife scenes in the city

Room
620 GBP
Studio
1,000 GBP
Apartment
1,250 GBP
Safety 70 Student-friendly 82 Nightlife 86 Commute 82
Pros
  • nightlife: 86/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: 620 GBP.
  • Useful for University of Edinburgh (via bus/tram).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
nightlifebalancednear universities

Study

Major universities in Edimburgo

University of Edinburgh

Public research (~40,000 students, among the best in the world)

See on the map
Letters and human sciencesScience and engineeringMedicineEconomyInformatics
Nearest neighborhoods
Southside/NewingtonCity Center (Old Town / New Town)Morningside
Commute from top areas
  • Southside/Newington5-10 min (Central Area)
  • City Center (Old Town / New Town)5-15 min
  • Morningside15-25 min (King's Buildings)

Heriot-Watt University

Public specializing in engineering, science and economics (~23,000 students)

See on the map
EngineeringPhysical sciencesEconomics (Edinburgh Business School)Textile design
Commute from top areas
  • Sighthill / Gorgie15-25 min (Riccarton)
  • Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart20-30 min
  • City Center (Old Town / New Town)30-40 min

Edinburgh Napier University

Public (~20,000 students; campuses in Merchiston, Craiglockhart and Sighthill)

See on the map
InformaticsEconomyEngineeringHealth and social sciences
Commute from top areas
  • Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart5-15 min (Merchiston / Craiglockhart)
  • Sighthill / Gorgie5-15 min (Sighthill)
  • City Center (Old Town / New Town)15-25 min

Edinburgh College of Art (ECA)

University of Edinburgh Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture

See on the map
ArtDesignArchitectureMusic
Nearest neighborhoods
City Center (Old Town / New Town)Southside/Newington
Commute from top areas
  • City Center (Old Town / New Town)5-10 min walk
  • Southside/Newington5-15 min
  • Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart10-20 min

Queen Margaret University

Public specializing in health, arts and management (~5,000 students)

See on the map
Health SciencesSpeech therapyPerforming artsManagement
Nearest neighborhoods
LeithSouthside/Newington
Commute from top areas
  • Leith15-25 mins (ScotRail to Musselburgh)
  • City Center (Old Town / New Town)20-30 min
  • Southside/Newington25-35 min

Rent analysis

Average rent by neighborhood

Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.

City Centre (Old Town / New Town)
750 GBP
Southside / Newington
700 GBP
Leith Walk
650 GBP
Leith
620 GBP
Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart
650 GBP
Morningside
650 GBP
Inverleith / Stockbridge
700 GBP
Sighthill / Gorgie
520 GBP
Neighborhood cardsRoomStudioApartment
City Centre (Old Town / New Town)750 GBP1,150 GBP1,400 GBP
Southside / Newington700 GBP1,050 GBP1,300 GBP
Leith Walk650 GBP1,000 GBP1,250 GBP
Leith620 GBP1,000 GBP1,250 GBP
Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart650 GBP1,000 GBP1,250 GBP
Morningside650 GBP1,050 GBP1,300 GBP
Inverleith / Stockbridge700 GBP1,100 GBP1,350 GBP
Sighthill / Gorgie520 GBP800 GBP1,000 GBP

Cheapest: Sighthill / Gorgie, Leith, Leith Walk

Mid-range: Leith Walk, Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart, Morningside

Premium: City Centre (Old Town / New Town), Southside / Newington, Inverleith / Stockbridge

Safety

Safety notes

Safer neighborhoods

Morningside, Inverleith / Stockbridge, Southside/Newington

Areas to be careful with

some streets of Gorgie and to the west in the evening, around the Cowgate and Grassmarket late at night, areas of the station and the center during the Festival (crowds and pickpocketing)

  • Edinburgh is one of the safest large cities in the UK; the main risk is petty crime in the nightlife areas (Cowgate, Grassmarket) and during the Festival.
  • Perception changes from street to street: evaluate the single street and the evening journey, not just the name of the neighborhood.
  • For late returns, Lothian Buses also have Night Buses to the main neighbourhoods.

Student perspective: Students: Southside/Newington and Marchmont (University of Edinburgh), Fountainbridge (Napier); for life: centre, Leith and Leith Walk. For tranquility and families: Morningside and Stockbridge (Inverleith).

Nightlife

Where to go out

Cowgate / Grassmarket

pubs, clubs, student life

The heart of the student night in the Old Town, among historic pubs and clubs under the bridges.

The Shore (Leith)

cocktail bars, restaurants, gastropubs

The most gourmet and relaxed scene, along the water in the reborn port of Leith.

George Street (New Town)

cocktail bars, chic clubs

The most elegant venues in the city, in the large Georgian spaces of the New Town.

Leith Walk

breweries, indie clubs, international cuisine

Alternative bars, craft beer bars and multicultural restaurants along the avenue.

Lothian Road / West End

clubs, theatres, live music

It concentrates theatres, cinemas and some of the largest clubs in the centre.

Transport

Getting around Edimburgo

Edinburgh is compact and walkable, served by the extensive Lothian Buses network, a tram line (airport–city centre–Newhaven) and ScotRail. There is no subway.

Metro No tube: extensive Lothian Buses networkTram: single line from the airport to the center to NewhavenScotRail for Glasgow and the rest of Scotland
Tram / busLothian Buses covers the city extensively (single £2.40, daily cap £6 with TapTapCap); the tram connects the airport, the center (Princes Street) and the Newhaven waterfront.
TrainEdinburgh Waverley is the main station in the heart of the city: frequent connections to Glasgow (~50 min) and London (~4h30), as well as the entire ScotRail network.
Pass info Single bus/tram £2.40 Daily £6 (TapTapCap roof) Monthly RidaCard student £58 (adult £74), unlimited bus + tram
WalkabilityExcellent: the historic center (Old Town and New Town, UNESCO heritage) is compact and walkable, among hills, closes and gardens; one of the most beautiful cities to explore on foot.
Bike-friendlinessDiscreet but hilly: growing cycle network and routes along canals and former railways, but the climbs in the center require a bit of training.

Transport sources Lothian Buses / Edinburgh Trams — rete e tariffeScotRail — treni ed Edinburgh WaverleyCity of Edinburgh Council — mobilità pedonale e ciclabile

Cost of living

Monthly budget estimate

Reference monthly budget £1,200-1,700/month

room + utilities + groceries + transport · exempt from council tax, excluding university fees

Spending items

Food around £220-300/month (personal spending) cheap meal ~£15
Transport RidaCard students (unlimited buses + trams) £58/month single £2.40; daily £6 (TapTapCap cap)
Utilities around £200 for 85m² (utilities) sharing £70-110 per person
Coffee / bars cappuccino around £3.40 cheap meal around £15

Budget sources Numbeo / University of Edinburgh — costo della vita a EdimburgoLothian Buses / Edinburgh Trams — tariffe e RidaCard

Decision guide

Pros and cons of living in Edimburgo

5 strengths

  1. Edinburgh is compact and walkable, served by the extensive Lothian Buses network, a tram line (airport–city centre–Newhaven) and ScotRail. There is no subway.
  2. University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University: poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
  3. Students: Southside/Newington and Marchmont (University of Edinburgh), Fountainbridge (Napier); for life: centre, Leith and Leith Walk. For tranquility and families: Morningside and Stockbridge (Inverleith).
  4. Edinburgh is, after London, among the most expensive cities in the United Kingdom for rent: the very high demand (universities, festivals and tourism) makes finding a room very competitive (often £550-800/month).
  5. City Centre (Old Town / New Town), Southside / Newington, Leith Walk sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.

5 drawbacks

  1. Edinburgh is one of the safest large cities in the UK; the main risk is petty crime in the nightlife areas (Cowgate, Grassmarket) and during the Festival.
  2. The University of Edinburgh estimates around £1,546 per month for an undergraduate student, including accommodation.
  3. Among the most expensive areas
  4. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.

FAQ

Questions about moving to Edimburgo

Is Edinburgh a good city for students?

Yes: the University of Edinburgh is among the best in the world and the city, with Napier, Heriot-Watt and Queen Margaret, is a great university hub. It's beautiful, safe and rich in culture (Festival Fringe); the critical point is the cost of rent, among the highest in the United Kingdom after London.

Is Edinburgh a good city for workers?

Yes: it is the second financial center in the United Kingdom (banks, asset management, fintech), as well as tech, tourism and the public sector (home to the Scottish Parliament). After Brexit, EU citizens need a work visa for skilled positions: check the updated requirements.

Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?

For students: Southside/Newington and Marchmont (University of Edinburgh), Fountainbridge (Napier); for life: the centre, Leith and Leith Walk. For tranquility and families: Morningside and Stockbridge (Inverleith).

Which neighborhoods are cheapest?

Sighthill/Gorgie, parts of Leith and areas to the west have the lowest rents; the historic center and Stockbridge are the most expensive.

Is public transport convenient?

Good: Lothian Buses cover the whole city and the tram connects to the airport, center and waterfront. The city is compact and walkable; there is no subway.

How much budget is needed?

For a student approximately £1,200-1,700 per month including room, utilities, expenses and transport (exempt from council tax); the University estimates ~£1,546/month. Those in work are most often between £1,800 and £2,800.

Is Edinburgh an expensive city?

Yes, rather: after London, it is among the most expensive cities in the United Kingdom for rent, due to the very high demand and tourism. It is best to look for a house well in advance, avoiding the Festival months (August).