Tab guide: Where to live in Edinburgh

Because we can’t all afford New Town

9 years ago

It’s that time of the year – time to find somewhere to live.

Leaving halls and not sure where to go?

The Tab has gathered some useful tips on the best student spots around Edinburgh, so you don’t have to worry about picking the perfect place to live.

Newington

Pros: Claims of “I’ve never had to pay for a taxi on a night out” and “I swear I once got connected to the uni’s wifi” is why we love Newington – close to uni, close to night clubs and has everything we could ever want: a choice of supermarkets, fast food places and fairly good charity shops.

Cons: It’s busy at all times of the day.

One second year student said: “I overheard a break up, a fight and then a football song, all in the same night, all outside my bedroom window”.

Favourite Spot: Kilimanjaro Coffee

Affordable, comfortable, opens fairly late and has wifi – who could complain?

Marchmont

Pros: Jam packed with students, close to uni buildings, affordable flats and more flats than none look out over the meadows, which are a student hub during the good weather (when there is some.)

bloody gorgeous weather

Cons: If you don’t want to party, don’t live here.

There’s always something going on. Flats are affordable – for a reason.

One student said: “My flat is absolutely freezing and damp, however I don’t use heating”.

Favourite Spot: Margiotta Food and Wine

proper Scottish

One student said: “It’s the heart and soul of Marchmont.”

Affordable prices for those forgotten items and all local produce.

Bruntsfield and Morningside

so posh it has its own character

Pros: Two very quiet areas leading into each other, close enough to the Meadows and main uni campus with a very friendly atmosphere and tonnes of coffee shops.

Perfect for fourth years wanting to get their head down for that dissertation!

Cons: Very family oriented and quite posh, mainly mature and Napier students here.

Rent is usually more expensive and bigger supermarket is Waitrose – a little bit more expensive than students’ favourite Lidl.

Favourite Spot: Salt Café (Morningside)

so hipster

Amazing breakfasts, tasty lunches and quite a nice dinner menu.

Tollcross

Pros: Massively student based and close to Cowgate and Grassmarket areas – great for those keen for clubs, bars and individual shops.

Has practically everything you need on Lothian Road and also quite close to Fountain Park.

Cons: Can often be quite expensive, with even the student halls located there as being up to £129.15 weekly.

Favourite Spot: Cameo Cinema

Nothing beats this old-style cinema. One student said: “It has the best popcorn in the world.”

Newtown

look at that view

Pros: Typical Georgian style flats, cobbled streets and close to Prince’s Street for shopping and of course the nightclubs around that area. Stockbridge area is also close which is full of tonnes of restaurants.

Cons: You will need a massive budget to live here and not being near the uni’s campuses means you’ll also need some extra cash for a bus card or have to try to remember how to ride a bike.

Favourite Spot: Peter’s Yard, Stockbridge

Amazing pastries, artisan coffee and not to mention their own crispbread, Peter’s Yard is a perfect place to hang out or to get some studying done.

So happy flat hunting! We truly hope you don’t end up like these poor people…