One week’s accommodation in Edinburgh for new PhD student

[MilanAndChrissie]

My DS is starting a Physics PhD at the University of Edinburgh in September. The first six months of the programme will be based in York, so he will not need permanent accommodation in Edinburgh until March.

However, he needs to be in Edinburgh for an induction from 6 to 12 September, and we're trying to find reasonably priced accommodation for those six nights.

It does not need to be anything fancy, just clean, safe and reasonably accessible to the university (King's buildings). I'd appreciate any recommendations please, obviously we're looking at airbnb, but Edinburgh prices are rather alarming, and the university doesn't offer any support whatsoever.

Any specific recommendations would be very welcome. Thank you.

Prices are awful. Try going south of KB . Liberton, gilmerton, bonnyrigg, penicuik the latter 2 are about 20 mins on the bus. Or even out towards the royal infirmary... There's a number of b&bs but not showing prices on the website. Or could you look at "spare room" websites. I live 3 minutes walk from KB so if you need to ask any questions about the area please do!

Thank you @Musicaltheatremum. I appreciate your offer and also the information you've provided. I'll look at those areas. We're in the South East and unfamiliar with Edinburgh so it's hard to know what areas will work!

Meadows share
Spare room
Edinburgh Housing FB page

Private halls may do a week.

Have you looked at Youth Hostels?

Also look at the likes of Stirling and travelling in to Edinburgh. Even with train fares likely to be much cheaper than Edinburgh

He might find a sublet in a student flat for a week if he looks on the usual room share sites ( not sure which ones are popular in Edinburgh).
he could also try House sitting al though its maybe too late to get that sorted out.

Even a Travelodge should work for a week. The one at Cameron Toll is relatively cheap and not far.

anywhere as far as gala on the tweedbank line

This was going to be my suggestion. Super close to KB and perfectly fine. Going up into town from there, there are a million b&bs so might find something affordable there too. The issue with hostels is they’re all in town and KB is on the edge so can be a bit annoying to get to - check the bus routes.

Edinburgh Central youth hostel is good, and unlike a hotel you get use of the self-catering kitchen facilities.

I suggest you ask HIM to email his supervisor to message round the physics postgrads to see if anyone has a spare bed or sofa. If they do it would help him to settle when he moves permanently. Please don't do it for him, he's now a graduate and thus capable.

Maybe he could find somewhere in Inverkeithing (or elsewhere on that train line - Dalmeny, Queensferry North or South- and get the train in? Trains are frequent and can get you into central Edin in 20 mins or so

Just sleep on newhaven road. Bus stop on doorstep.

Thanks, but I am getting a quote that exceeds £1K for the 6 nights!

If he doesn’t care about en-suite, there’s a b&b on booking - https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/allisonhouse.en-gb.html

otherwise there are shared dorm hostels in town. I can’t see anything being less than that for a private room in edinburgh. Depending on the times he needs to be there, he could look outside the city but kings buildings isn’t that close to Waverley so it would be a bus or a very long walk from the station.

Edinburgh student coop has a subletting request form. He could complete that and see if anything available. It will be cheap as they are banned for subletting for more than their own rent/utilities.

I agree with PP that Meadowshare is a good shout. Parents of University of Edinburgh Students on facebook might be worth you joining and asking if anyone would put your son up for 6 days. They were super helpful to each other when I last was a member a year ago.

Forgot to add that agree with PP that Meadowshare is his best bet.

Thank you @PurpleThistle7, he definitely won't care about en-suite, but that place has no availability at all.

There is a big youth hostel on Leith Walk. It looks a long way away from KB but the no. 7 bus goes from there virtually right to KB. I used to do that commute daily.

Thank you @FrancisBlundy, really good idea, I have requested to join.

Has he tried the summer stays at Pollock Halls number (tel:+441316512189 441316512189). They will have RA training and pre session courses running so might have a room for a student even if nothing on booking.com

Is it not the 6-12 September?

Yes, it is. I mean, there's availability but £1K plus for the 6 nights.