To ask you what you love about Edinburgh

[Moanaohnana]

DP is being relocated to Edinburgh for work and I am currently a somewhat reluctant follower. I don't know Edinburgh at all and the only time I went I was very cold and there was a strong smell I think from a brewery.

I really want to be positive and on board with this move so please tell me all the great things about Edinburgh so that I can get excited about it and start looking forward to it. I'm desperate to fall in love with it. Literally anything please - what's great about living there?

Stunning architecture, and plenty of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. The people are very friendly too.

Oh it's just romantic! Beautiful, friendly, loads to see and do... But not overwhelming like London, it's manageable... Great independent shops, fabulous people, great cafes and restaurants.. I am so jealous!!

Everything! I just got back on Friday, we go every year for a week in the beginning of December, we do the Castle, the Museum (over several days) the market, the traditional Scottish Food. The shops are ok. But mainly I just love the feeling when I’m there, the fresh cold air, the greenery around me, the old buildings and the diversity of people.

You have fairly easy access to the seaside at Portobello (miles of golden sand), the countryside in East Lothian, and of course the city itself, with shops, museums, open spaces in the middle, the Botanics etc. Schools are pretty good, people are mostly friendly. There's the buzz of the Festival in August, and loads of other cultural events throughout the year.

Just stay away from Dalry Road lol!

The train to Glasgow!

Everything - it's one of the best cities in Europe.

The main thing I love about Edinburgh is it's size and layout - it's very very walkable and never feels overwhelming.

The architecture is stunning.

There are lots and lots of amazing cafes restaurants and independent shops

Incredible parks

Lots of events and celebrations throughout the year - you would never be bored.

Very creative city, full of artists and authors

Great pubs

Less than 1 hour to Perthshire to get your fill of mountains, lochs and heather!

Beautiful beautiful homes

Good rail links to London and good air links to the rest of the world.

What's not to love! 😊

As above plus it is great to walk around - most things are not too far away

Easy to get to some fabulous beaches for weekend walks
Love Craigmillar Castle - used to be our favourite place when we went with kids.
Big, spacious flats with gorgeous views

I lived there for a long time and loved it. Everything in the centre is within walking distance. Its has a great culture, history, festivals, traditions, nightlife, transport, theatres .... its a very international city and with not to many Scottish people definitely the best place in Scotland to live.

I lived in Edinburgh for years and loved it (and I moved from London!) Yes cold sometimes but often blue skies. Beautiful Old Town, New Town, Stockbridge,
Water of Leith, popping down to Newhaven for runs along the shore,
Park Run at Cramond, my leafy suburb of Trinity, cosy pubs, great restaurants, cute cafes and bookshops, driving across town in 20 mins, access to the countryside and seaside. Had to move for work or I would still be there!

Oh wow I'm getting flutters of excitement in my tummy for the first time. Thank you all so much. Lots of that sounds really, really appealing to me. I should probably go back on a sunny day - when I was there it was so cold and dark and rainy.

We're not on a big budget so I don't think we'll be living in a very nice house though. Good opportunities (hence the move) in the next few years so hopefully that'll be the end goal. :)

Julie8008 are you serious?!! 'with not to many Scottish people definitely the best place in Scotland to live'
That is possibly one of the rudest things I've ever read. 🤨
It's also bollocks. Yes Edinburgh is very international which is wonderful but it's the Edinburgh locals that help make it such a fantastic city.

I met my DH there, spent 5 blissful years there, we both miss it to this day, even though I love where I live now. It’s really unique city, so much to do, see, eat! I’d move back in a heartbeat, but there’s no chance.

Being the trailing spouse is hard, the only way to a social life (if that’s important to you) is to fling yourself into it, accept any and all invitations and try to find your people. It’ll happen!

I love everything. The buildings, the castle, the surrounding countryside, the zoo. Nice cafes and restaurants, good public transport. I've only visited as a tourist, but I'd move there if I had the chance.

Fantastic architecture and history everywhere. Clear air and friendly people. Lovely wee shops and great seasonal markets (especially during the Festival and Christmas). Huge Georgian flats in the New Town. International and local at the same time. Everything is more integrated, with the Government, Parliament and courts amongst the people. Great fresh food shops and restaurants. Wonderful pubs. Views of the hills and sea. Parties like nothing on earth. A huge park and hill in the middle of the city and green spaces everywhere. Avoid the shops on Princes Street and the most obvious tourist traps on the Royal Mile but there are lovely wee gems of shops on the Royal Mile and its side streets and wynds. Easy to walk the centre. What a capital city should be.

It's my favorite city and I'm lucky enough to visit it most weeks for work.

It is really green with Princes Street gardens, Arthur's seat and Calton Hill, it has great restaurants and bars, the festival. It's really friendly, everywhere is walkable and you'll get fit with all those hills.

Glasgow and great shopping less than an hour a way and beautiful countryside and beaches less than an hour as well.

I love Edinburgh! I live in Glasgow but often go for overnight stays.. It's full of tourists but nice, friendly and welcoming. Pretty central & easy to commute via train to other cities, it is cold but you cant have everything! @julie8008 can't imagine you would be very welcome in many other Scottish places if you hate us so much so probably just aswell you have moved away! Unnecessary and rude comment!

From your heading I thought meant to visit.
I was going to say the Fringe.
I guess you may feel different if you are a resident!

My first visit to Edinburgh was in 2001. I came off the train at Waverley and heard the bagpipes, the sun was shining, there was a breeze in the air - so romantic. Beautiful history, architecture, food, great nightlife. I cried on the train home when I left but I’ve now gone back 12 more times!

The history, the castle, the zoo, go and see the pandas

Living on the other side of the Meadows and walking into work each day.

when I was there it was so cold and dark and rainy That is one of the downsides, you get a lot of those days.

Fantasticmissfoxy, wasn't commenting on Scottish people. Central Edinburgh is full of students and tourists, when I lived there it was unusual to hear a Scottish accent.

There's more to Edinburgh than the centre, students and tourists.

You're forgetting all the glorious grit and grime of Trainspotting. But those might be the Scots you'd sooner avoid.

When I was there last week I got attacked and it turned out a woman got raped on the royal mile the same night the guy has been detained now. That doesn’t put me off Edinburgh though, just love it and long to live there one day.

More positives: You get free prescriptions and middle class children get free university.

I am a edinburgh girl (well 42 now) but born and bread there. Live just outside Edinburgh now but every time I drive in I am reminded how beautiful and vibrant it is. No matter what you want or crave it's no further than 30mins away. There is always something to do or see - charming beautiful place to live and raise a family I am sure you will be happy here.