Cost of living is a nightmare - the most expensive in Scotland. Probably why it's most suited to people with rich parents who will foot the bill
On 25th June 20
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Cost of living is a nightmare - the most expensive in Scotland. Probably why it's most suited to people with rich parents who will foot the bill
On 25th June 20
Living in Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital is an incredible hub of culture and events, perfect for students. The universities are University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University.
Being in Scotland, there are a few obvious things you need to try. Find a man in a kilt, drink a dram of whisky, force down a fork-full of haggis (with a helping of neeps and tatties if you like), withstand the blare of some bagpipes, resist the urge to try and clamber up the two giraffe statues outside the Omni centre… Oh, and climb Arthur’s Seat. This massive hill is probably the first thing you’ll see as you approach the city. It’s the remains of an ancient volcano, but even if you’re slow it shouldn’t take you more than an hour to get to the top. It’s not often you get to see your city from this kind of viewpoint, so wear your sensible shoes, wait until the weather is good, and you’ll be rewarded with a phenomenal view from the summit.
If you’re a sports fan then you should definitely make it your job to get over to the Murrayfield Stadium, just behind Roseburn Park. There you can watch the national rugby union team and, literally just round the corner, the Edinburgh Capitals, the city’s ice hockey team in the Murrayfield Ice Rink.
Edinburgh hosts so many festivals every year that it’s going to take some serious willpower to stay in your room and study. The city is the cultural hub of Scotland, and has a great mix of modern and traditional events. You could exercise your brain at the International Science Festival, check out the fireworks and bagpipers up at the castle, watch a Viking longship go up in flames at the Hogmanay celebrations, and say hello to Dolly the cloned sheep in the Edinburgh museum (admittedly she might not wave back).
When that’s all finished, maybe you can catch a show. Egged on by the huge success of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it’s not hard to find a theatre showing something you’d like to see. A quick way to suss out some of Edinburgh’s hidden gems is to get hold of a magazine called ‘The Skinny’. It contains culture reviews and updates of everything that’s going on, including more niche entertainment, so you can work out how best to spend your time.
Top three Festivals:
- Edinburgh Fringe: People pay through the nose to get to Edinburgh during this, the world’s largest arts festival, but for you it’s just a step outside the door! Leave extra time to get around as the city’s population will double while it’s on, and you’ll probably get distracted by an impromptu street performance anyway.
- International Book Festival: Well you are a student, aren’t you?
- Beltane Fire Festival: This updated take on an ancient celebration marks the start of the summer and features, you guessed it, an awful lot of fire. Get in there quick because tickets go like lightning.
Food and Drink:
- Illegal Jack’s: A South West Grill (a kind of Mexican/Scottish fusion. We promise you it works!) where you can either keep it cheap and cheerful or splash out on an epic steak. Have you ever tried a haggis burrito?
- Kebab Mehal: This very affordable Indian restaurant and takeaway comes with an official thumbs-up from the locals.
- The Bow Bar: Don’t be fooled by its simple exterior, this is a ‘proper pub’. Still serving Scottish beer, ale and whisky in the traditional way, coming here is like downing a pint of history.
Read Edinburgh Reviews
Cost of living is a nightmare - the most expensive in Scotland. Probably why it's most suited to people with rich parents who will foot the bill
Expensive but magical place
Edinburgh is the most magical place on Earth and I wouldn't change it for the world. It is expensive though and the public transport is not that efficient.
I love the city. It offers a great deal of different opportunities. The city is the only thing that has been really good about this experience. I wish the school was as welcoming and pleasant as the city.
There is an abudant of things to do in Edinburgh including a wide variety of cuisines and activities
I love Edinburgh safe and quiet
Edinburgh is a very beautiful city, which really attracts me. I really love this city, especially the beautiful scenes and fresh air all day.
Edinburgh is a very nice historical city with plenty of things to do in your free time
A beautiful and artistic city.
It's a little too expensive. And the got no Uniqlo.
Amazing city. Highly reccomend
Life in Edi is pretty convenient , and living price is acceptable comparing to other big cities.
Lecturers and students are of the lowest profile alike. Most of the lecturers here were low-grade students who got into MSc program, brushed up by the University by being awarded PhD here, and allowed to teach afterward. Because the University can't afford high-profile business teachers elsewhere. Finally, the student satisfaction stat confirms everything my cousin says. Edinburgh is one of the 5-bottom worst Universities in the UK https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?sortby=student-satisfaction. Gosh, she should see this chart before going there.
It is a world-class city nothing else to say.
I do love Edinburgh. The city is beautiful, the people are helpful and kind and there's always something to do or explore. Lothian buses is absolutely not the best public transport company I've encountered, and I definetly had my issues with them. In all, Edinburgh is an amazing city for students, workers and families, and I'm 100% happy with my decision to move here.
Edinburgh is such a wonderful city. It has made me so happy that I am able to study in such a beautiful place.
Pretty good, all in all. :)
Too expensive and dirty. A bit dangerous.
Amazing public transport, great nightlife
Beautiful old city, with so much history, unfortunately nights out might be a little bit scary, seeing so much drunk people, since then spending night out in my accommodation playing board games with flatmates
It’s just too cold here
Great city to live in and have fun.
Edinburgh is really beautiful, and local residents are nice.
I love this city with beautiful sceneries. But the shopping places are a few
Great for having a good time. No shortage of places to have fun and go out. Just remember you're here to study! Sighthill campus is on the edge of the city and far away from the centre and many students living arrangements. The closer you live to Sighthill, the further you will be from the life of the city
Great for having a good time. No shortage of places to have fun and go out. Just remember your there to study!
Easy to access by bus
Edinburgh is a really good city for uni.
Expensive but lovely place
Beautiful city. Great place to study.
The most beautiful city with hills and beaches and volcanos. An extremely clean and pure environment with amazing transport network.
AmaZing! So many cool bars and restaurant. Very friendly people
Edinburgh is a beautiful city, worth the hassle of being mistreated at the University of Edinburgh
As said, the city of Edinburgh is a s******. Infrastructure is non-existent, and this town is so poorly managed that looks like some sort of post-apocalyptic hellscape. I would not recommend.
Buses finalllllllly are contactless but hey ho they still ask for exact change. Still some dragging out of the dark ages is required in edi
Will update as I get to know to the city more. Currently just blown away by the beauty of the city. I have previously lived and studied in England, and prices for eating out certainly seem less than in London or Cambridge. Plenty of pubs and clubs and shopping available everywhere. There are also lots of buses and trams to get around, as well as taxis.
Amazing except for the terrible accommodation
Such a beautiful city!!!
Amazing city. Great shopping, food, night life and public transport.
It is a capital city so the cost of living is a little above average - and the same goes for food. Although, there are normally always student deals and apps that bump down the price of eating out. Public transport is great. You can get a bus anywhere in the city for £1.50 and to be honest, it is easy enough to walk too if you prefer walking! There are different clubs/pubs to suit everyone. If your in to dress and heels - George street! If your up for wild hip hop nights - cow gate! If you just want a chilled pub - grass market! It's great. Princes street is so close and it has every shop a girl needs!
Fantastic city: there's so much to do (and soooo many cool bookshops!), but it's also quite a small city meaning you can walk everywhere by foot. Perfection.
Beautiful. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else
I would argue the greatest city in the UK. Large, bustling with life and friendly. Easy to get to know and unmistakably gorgeous. Whilst this will to some degree be biased. The city is amazing no matter who you ask.
Stay south of Princes St, and the prices are student friendly. Plenty of places to eat with a variety of prices and cuisines. Nights out are brilliant, whether it's the Big Cheese at potterrow on Saturday, downing chilli shots at Vodka Revs, or even shisha at Hanam's overlooking the Grassmarket on their terrace. Shopping is good; their Primark even looks quite nice! And buses are the main way of getting around (£1.50 for a single), but you can walk just about everywhere/ get a bike.
Nice city to live in.
A lot going on. Club scene is good/quiet, poor compared to some big cities but still good fun. Public transport is brilliant.
A tad expensive but only what you would expect in a great capital city. Everything else is great
Edinburgh is just the best. I knew the city well before moving for uni but it can still surprise you! Nights out are just the best and everyone is so friendly. Everything is easily accessible with good transport links. Also for spending all of that student loan, the shops are great, just don't spend all you're time in them you are there to study haha
Love Edinburgh it's a beautiful city with a lot to do
I love Edinburgh so much! It is the perfect student city in the way that there is something for everyone, and you have loads to do when you're there. It is a capital city, so there's tons going on. A big music scene, lots of galleries/museums, some lovely parks, plenty of shops (highstreet and more vintagey) some awesome pubs and bars, plus plenty of clubs! Obviously you get all of that in lots of cities, but the thing about Edinburgh is it's beauty. Both the old town and the new town have beautiful architecture with lovely old buildings, cobbled streets, little market squares etc. (there's a great farmers market every Sunday in new town!). Plus you have Arthur's seat, which I think is awesome. Just a giant hill in the middle of the city! You get a fab view of the city and surrounding mountains from the top, and it looks beautiful from below with holyrood park surrounding it. It's almost like a snippet of the countryside thrown into the centre!
Great clubs and bars
I've never felt more at home that in Edinburgh. It's a nice size, the people are nice, coming from the Lake District the air and water are as nice as home. I'm definitely going to try and get a job here after uni.
Expensive! Good busses though
Edinburgh is but so worth it it's literally the best place ever. On hot days half the student body will be found drinking, bbqing and playing sportsbon the meadows. It's glorious.
Edinburgh is amazing! Everything is easily accessible, either by walking or by reasonably priced buses. There's so many shops and restaurants everywhere you look, and it's such a pretty city too.
Amazing city. Really good prices for a capital. Loads of green spaces and beautiful buildings. The city makes the uni worth it.
Variety of different priced and themed clubs and bars - awesome student nights every night of the week
wonderful place to study; great atmosphere!
Has everything I needed even if a bit pricey
High cost of living, but that's just what comes with living in a capital city. There are plenty good places to eat out, as well as many bars and clubs. Shopping isn't the best here, you'd be better taking a trip to Glasgow, but it's still good enough. Public transport is excellent and reliable with very regular buses throughout the city.
Fresher
Edinburgh is a fantastic place to live, I don't think I could have picked a better place to go for my first experience of living away from home! It's a safe city, and although it's fairly sizeable it doesn't stifle you the way somewhere like Manchester does. The university (of Edinburgh) is incredible - and wherever you go in the city, it looks like Hogwarts!
Cons?
It's an awfully long way from home, and my partner.