Local area guide

Living in Edinburgh (EH1 & EH2)

Edinburgh is home to a buzzing city centre, striking architecture, endless eateries and captivating culture stops. With beautiful beaches nearby, the much-loved capital of Scotland has something for everyone.

Your guide to moving to Edinburgh

Why Edinburgh is a good place to live

Edinburgh is Scotland's captivating capital city. Its unique blend of historical charm and modern liveliness make it an exceptional place to live for pretty much anyone.

The much-loved city is renowned for its art and cultural scene, festivals, awe-inspiring architecture and beautiful surroundings.

Living in Edinburgh comes with a strong sense of community and belonging. It frequently tops polls as one of the best cities to live in the UK, as well as one of the safest, offering locals both an exciting and secure way of life.

With a wide range of schools, universities and research centres, Edinburgh provides ample educational opportunities for families and individuals alike.

What is Edinburgh famous for?

Edinburgh is famous for its cultural landmarks, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the ancient volcano of Arthur's Seat.

Edinburgh is globally renowned for its arts and cultural events. The famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival draws performers, artists and spectators from around the world, making August a bustling and exciting time to visit.

Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle is a symbol of the city's historical significance and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

The Royal Mile, a bustling street that runs from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is lined with charming shops, cafes and historical sites.

Edinburgh's natural beauty is evident in its sprawling parks, such as Princes Street Gardens and Arthur's Seat, a popular hill offering panoramic views of the city.

There are also some fabulous beaches to explore. The award-winning Portobello Beach offers miles of sandy shores and beachside cafes and bars.

Average asking prices in Edinburgh today

We update our average asking prices every day using data from millions of properties for sale.

Terraced

Avg. asking price

£349,500

166 properties for sale

Detached

Avg. asking price

£549,000

144 properties for sale

Semi-detached

Avg. asking price

£350,000

65 properties for sale

Flats

Avg. asking price

£280,000

827 properties for sale

Properties currently for sale in Edinburgh

Whether you're looking for a family home or a beautiful apartment, we've got you covered.

See all properties for sale in Edinburgh

Local pubs in Edinburgh

In partnership with
useyourlocal
  • Newsroom

    Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1

    We are situated in Edinburgh's east end, minutes away from Princes Street gardens, the Playhouse theatre and Waverley train station. We are currently the only establishment to present two 500 litre stainless steel tanks of Krusovice Imperial, Czech Lager

  • Guildford Arms

    Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2

    Lively historic Victorian bar with etched glass and cornicing, real ale and upstairs gallery dining.

  • Voodoo Rooms

    Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2

    The Voodoo Rooms is an award-winning bar & restaurant located in central Edinburgh which opened in November 2007 with the aim of further boosting the city's vibrant bar, restaurant and live music scene!

  • Juniper Cocktail Bar

    Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2

    Located on historic Princes Street, with panoramic vistas overlooking the city, we are proud of our reputation as Edinburgh’s most innovative bar, with creative cocktails that don’t disappoint.

  • Lady Libertine

    Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2

    We’ve drawn inspiration from what we know you love; deliciously fresh food and an incredible array of cocktails and wines all set over two floors in stylish and sumptuous surroundings.

  • Beer House

    Edinburgh, Lothian, EH1

    Pub with classic pub dishes and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

Transport in Edinburgh

Trains

There are two mainline train stations: Edinburgh Waverley in the city centre and Haymarket Station in the West End. Trains connect the city to various destinations across Scotland and the UK with direct routes to Glasgow in about 50 minutes, Manchester in 3 hours and London in 4 hours.

Trams

Edinburgh's tram system is convenient and efficient, connecting the city centre with the airport via 15 stops across town.

Buses

Living in Edinburgh, you'll enjoy access to a well-developed bus network with comprehensive coverage of Edinburgh and its suburbs.

Park and Ride

Edinburgh's Ingliston Park and Ride service allows commuters and visitors to access the city centre via efficient bus or tram connections. It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the heart of the city.

Car

Edinburgh is well-connected via major roads with the A1 connecting Edinburgh to the south towards Newcastle and London. The M8 provides a direct route to Glasgow and the M90 links Edinburgh with Perth and Dundee to the north.

Edinburgh is a relatively compact city where everything is within walking or cycling distance, so you probably won't need to drive much if you live in the centre.

Airports

Situated just a few miles from the city centre, Edinburgh Airport has extensive domestic and international flights. With excellent public transport from the airport, it's a well-connected gateway for travellers arriving in or leaving the city.

Transport connections

Edinburgh
National Rail
0.1 miles / 0.2 km
Haymarket
National Rail
1.3 miles / 2.1 km
Leith Newhaven Harbour Ferry Landing
Ferry Port
2 miles / 3.2 km
Slateford
National Rail
2.8 miles / 4.5 km
Brunstane
National Rail
3.5 miles / 5.6 km
Kingsknowe
National Rail
3.8 miles / 6.1 km

Schools in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is known for its esteemed educational institutions. It offers a diverse choice of primary and secondary schools, both state-funded and independent. Many of these schools have excellent academic reputations and a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Edinburgh is home to several universities, with the University of Edinburgh being one of the most prestigious. It's known for its world-class research and academic programmes which attract students from around the world.

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University, and Queen Margaret University are also prominent institutions in the city, offering a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Schools in Edinburgh

Royal Mile Primary School
 
St Mary's RC Primary School (Edinburgh)
 
Drummond Community High School
 
Leith Walk Primary School
 
Abbeyhill Primary School
 
St Thomas Of Aquin's High School
 

Sold house prices provided by Land Registry/Registers of Scotland. © Crown copyright 2025. Our website is completely free for you to use but we may receive a commission from some of the companies we link to on the site.

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