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?

I love Edinburgh. I moved here age 21, moved to London for two years, but came back here again. I've almost lived up here half my life. Everything that everybody has already mentioned, so not much more to add. People sometimes call it The Village, as it has such a lovely atmosphere, and everything is in walking distance. You don't need a car, but if you've got one, then you can be stood in the mountains in no time. I regularly head into the Trossachs for some decent scenery. East Lothian has some amazing coastlines (Gullane, and Yellowcraigs if you want to head a bit further out).

I used to live next to The Meadows, and it was just amazing in the festival. I stay away from Princes Street at Hogmanay though. I've done the street party enough times now that the crowds are more bother than it's worth.

Give it a chance though - it grows on you, and seeps into your bones until you find it almost impossible to leave.

The festival and the accent.

We've recently moved a bit further out (to get more house for out money).

You don't have to be in the city centre is regularly enjoy edinburgh any more. With the Borders rail link it's now a lot more convenient to be in the sticks than it was before.

We were a short walk from Princes St. I echo what others have said - the greenery(Corstorphine Hill is - good place to walk), the food (Usquabae is a hidden gem IMO) and the heritage are fantastic.

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

It is the best city in Scotland and one of the best in the UK.

August during the festivals is amazing- there is no other city which matches that.

Contini, The Honours although I have to say 2 of the most disappointing and over priced meals I've eaten anywhere were in these restaurants!

Davidson's Main has a villagey feel great for kids close to Cramond beach & only about 4 miles to centre of city

Due to its size, everything is very accessible, you can head into town with very little effort. Commutes are shorter than other capital cities. I obviously don’t know your budget regarding a house, but south queens ferry is beautiful- a village feel and only a half hour train to the city. I only know the north side. Blackhall, Silverknowes and Davidson’s mains are lovely areas- and good schools. Also the other side, portobello, beach but further from city but still not far. The festival is amazing!! I miss living there every day.

...and with not to many Scottish people definitely the best place in Scotland to live.

and with not to many Scottish people definitely the best place in Scotland to live Strangely for me that hit the nail on the head as to why I do not like Edinburgh as a place to live. I always felt slightly uncomfortable there. It's great to visit as a tourist.

I’m Edinburgh born and bred and I LOVE it.

It’s great for kids, there’s so much to do.

Are you planning to buy or rent?

Cramond is lovely, as are trinity, barnton, bruntsfield, morningside, Stockbridge, bits of leith.

Check out the ESPC, there’s properties to buy and rent online, should give you a feel for prices.

Edinburgh is expensive, apparently bucking the U.K. housing market trend right now.

I was going to say that you can get to Glasgow quickly and easily but someone beat me to it 😂

Edinburgh is lovely and very accessible to go places and of course you have Murrayfield if you're a rugby fan. Lots of shopping, restaurants and things to do. People are friendly although not as friendly as us Glasgow folk

Oh it's so so beautiful! Stunning architecture, loads of things to do, brilliant nightlife, the zoo, the shops, not too far from amazing countryside.

I would be absolutely amazed if you didn't love it!

@Moanaohnana I can only echo what most other folk have said - Edinburgh is a fantastic place to live. You asked about what it's like for kids - depends what age they are, but if they're small you'll find Edinburgh for Under Fives invaluable https://www.efuf.co.uk/

If they're older there're all sorts of things in the city and nearby: the parks, museums, beaches, cinemas (the Dominion and the Filmhouse as well as big chains), so many theatres, the Commonwealth pool, climbing and bouldering at Alien Rock, skating in the middle of the city at Christmas and all year round at Murrayfield.

For somewhere to live, if budget is tight, there are lots of lovely places on the outskirts that are a very easy short commute and let you have all the benefits of the city amenities, but you might need to have a car (you won't need one if you're in town).

Been here 22 years and love it so much. For all the reasons everyone has given and more. Regularly people have come to visit over the years and then never left! It really does seep into you . It's wonderful living Somewhere where people wander round thinking " I love this place". It really shows.

Best still affordable places to live with kids in my opinion are around leith links, abbeyhill, portobello, Musselburgh, newtongrange and canonmills,

What sort of budget have you got? We might be able to be a bit more specific.

We moved here a year ago and have loved every minute.

What sort of place are you coming from? Big city/town etc?

Really wish I hadn't read this-longing to move back there now!

I live 8 miles outside Edinburgh and use borders railway line and Lothian buses. In the past 3 weeks there has been 2 broken down buses, 1 train not turn up and 1 broken down train. Public transport can be good...when it bloody works! Traffic is horrific in rush hour. What’s usually a 20 mi ute car journey can take up to (last week was a record slow) of 1 hour and 25 minutes. So, I’d keep that in mind. However you won’t find a 3 bed house with front and back garden in city centre for the price we bought our house, that’s the trade off. Edinburgh is stunning (apart from August when it’s like some kind of irritating person convention) mostly because there’s not enough room for everyone. Lots of free things to do with kids (museums, city farm, parks, beach)

I love that within an hour your can be in the highlands. 30 mins and you are at glorious beaches in East Lothian. And it is a fabulous city. The darkness in winter does take a bit of getting used to but the long summer days are glorious.

The schools are not fabulous, a lot of folk go private.

I adore Edinburgh. The history the architecture the people...it has the feel of a city inside a village. Love it. Could live there quite happily

Edinburgh is fab, I used to think it was ‘2 streets and a castle’ it’s so much more. I hate the festival, too cramped but you can make a packet by goibgnon holiday and renting out your home.

Anyone else really want to move to Edinburgh now?

Edinburgh is a fantastic place to live - I've been here for nearly 20 years, my son is born and bred here.

So many amazing things to see and do. I never get tired of it.

If you could give a rough of your budget OP people may be able to suggest some good places to start looking?

nowt particularly wrong with the schools, some brilliant, some good, some struggling , like anywhere. apart from all the private ones churning out idiot yahs. ;-)

Hooochy not all private school pupils are yahs.* Many pupils are on partial or full scholarship, or have parents that scrimp and save.*
DH went to one and he is most definitely not a yah.**

I did wink! I know that not everyone is a yah, I was just being cheeky to the poster who suggested all Edinburgh's schools were lacking and you have to go private. I'm sure your DH is lovely