Edinburgh halls

[somethinginthewater]

Any recommendations?
1st year, self catering, course based on central campus.

Most sc is very similar in style, layout, facilities etc. If Ensuite preferred sc accommodation is generally on the way to Leith but there are bus links. Brae House is nice but as far away(and dd says very hot in summer!). Salisbury Court (private Unite Students) is ensuite but expensive.

Of the not ensuite sc Fraser Court(Pollock) is not far and on bus route. Riego Street is a decent location but is often offered to returning students. South Clerk Street is a good location as is Sciennes. Cowgate is noisy and especially Kincaid Court is known for partying.

Dd suggests avoiding those on far side of the Meadows from campus if your dc is female and likely to be walking back after dark.

DDs list would be similar to @LIZS with the addition of the Warrender halls (she's never been bothered about crossing the Meadows late at night). Friends liked Hermits Croft. Avoid New Arthur Place as its really run down and close to Dumbiedykes.

That's really helpful, thankyou and yes it is my Dd who has never lived in a city so Pollock seemed like a good call until we realised it was mostly catered.

Fraser court was on the shortlist.

DDs has stayed at Fraser Court during training weeks (does a halls job). Says it is a good choice.

Do Edinburgh still ask you to pick 5 choices? If so try not to get too hung up on any one choice.

DD stayed in Pollock. She wasn't over impressed with the food, but it was edible. The whole site is really nice though and rooms are a reasonable size. Staff seemed really nice and pleasant (DD had to have an emergency operation in her first year and they were supportive). She shared to save money and ended up with a lovely girl. I guess the other larger self catering at Edinburgh do it, but freshers week they also planned activities so they could meet others in Pollock, meal times were set initially so they were eating with people on their floor, and there were things like movie and pizza night and a walk up Arthurs Seat. There was also a massive kitchen so they could cook for themselves, make sandwiches etc.

Pleasance was brand new about 6 years ago. Walking distance to the Royal Mile and uni buildings. Each room is within a sort of ‘flat’ set up, so about 6 rooms, behind a front door, including a kitchen, seating, tv area.

Though I do know that some students were allocated halls way out of the centre.
Pleasance and the ‘flats’ was a very easy route to making friends. All of them had ‘met’ online before they even arrived, even so organised as to work out who was going to take the various extra bits of equipment that they needed so that they didn't end up with ‘6 toasters’...😉

Think about walking home at night - possibly alone . I wouldn't want my dc living near the Cowgate and walking home alone.

My DS has been allocated an en suite at Beaverbank. It was his second choice but he is now delighted with it.

We actually visited this weekend just gone and it is in a great area - 2 mins walk from Tesco and Lidl, 5 min walk from the bars and restaurants of Broughton St and around 30 min walk to George Sq with a free courtesy bus or public bus as options too. It's set in a cul de sac so there should be limited street noise.

I also loved the short stroll to the Botanic Gardens.

Can definitely second Beaverbank. Mine has been there this year and liked it.