Best place to live in Edinburgh
Are you looking for a home and considering the best place to live in Edinburgh to suit your lifestyle and property requirements?
In this article, we highlight some of the top locations within Scotland’s capital city that you might wish to include in your search for the ideal property.
New Town
Best place to live in Edinburgh for being centrally located but with fewer tourists
Largely Georgian-built, New Town is a series of wide cobbled streets and sweeping crescents. The area boasts some of the finest examples of Georgian architecture and has UNESCO World Heritage status.
Property for sale in New Town ranges from tenement flats, which are often very spacious, enjoy high ceilings, and include beautiful period features. Fine examples of these buildings can be found on Great King Street and Darnaway Street.
There are also some truly exquisite Georgian townhouses in New Town, usually arranged over several floors and enjoying private gardens such as those on Moray Place and Heriot Row.
Many residents also subscribe to the well-kept communal gardens; Queen Street Gardens, Moray Feu, and East Circus Place are all such members’ gardens.
The main shopping area in New Town can be found at the southern boundary, near the city centre on and around George Street.
Stockbridge
Best place to live in Edinburgh for a village feel
Stockbridge is positioned to the North of the city centre, the area has a village feel and boasts many wonderful shops, restaurants, and bars.
There are also regular markets held locally, and a strong sense of community that contributes to it’s position on the list when considering the best place to live in Edinburgh.
House hunters considering property for sale in Stockbridge will find a variety of styles and sizes from townhouses on Ann Street, Dean Terrace, and Danue Street to mews houses on Circus Lane and Dean Park Mews.
Stockbridge has a bohemian feel in parts and is ideally located for access to Edinburgh city centre.
Another appeal of the area is its close proximity to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Inverleith Park.
West End
Best place to live in Edinburgh for being in the heart of the local culture
Located to the west of Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town areas, West End, as the name suggests, is at the western edge of the city centre and is considered by many to be the best place to live in Edinburgh.
The West End is home to a large number of offices and is ideally positioned for the Haymarket train station, which makes it a popular business district.
The area also has an array of beautiful homes from townhouses, such as those found on Rothesay Terrace, to apartment buildings including those on Drumsheugh Gardens, and mews houses such as Belgrave Mews.
The Water of Leith is a river that runs near the West End and on the opposite side of the river is Dean Village, which is another wonderful place to live in Edinburgh.
Dean Village
Dean Village is known to be a tranquil and green area of Edinburgh on the Water of Leith, opposite the West End.
Properties for sale in Dean include grand Georgian properties which have ready access to Dean Gardens.
Not only are the properties in Dean Village beautiful but it is just a five-minute walk from Princes Street and much of central Edinburgh.
Dean is often included in searches for properties in the West End area due to their proximity to one another.
Murrayfield and Ravelston
Murrayfield is located to the west of the city center and offers excellent access to Edinburgh airport and the Zoo is just a short walk away.
Properties for sale in Murrayfield are often expansive detached and semi-detached stone-built Victorian houses that hugely appeal to families seeking spacious places to live near Edinburgh’s center.
There are some attractive new developments in the area but in the main, they are of a traditional build.
Nearby Ravelston is a suburb that leads on from Murrayfield; these neighbouring locations are thought to be the best place to live in Edinburgh by many who have chosen to call the area home.
Homes in Ravelston are well placed for ESMS Schools and St George’s School, and the Modern Art Galleries are nearby too.
Leith
Best place to live in Edinburgh for enjoying scenic port setting and recent gentrification
Leith is a dynamic port district located at the northern edge of Edinburgh known for its rich maritime heritage and eclectic character.
The area has undergone significant transformation in recent years, blending its historic charm with contemporary developments and is now considered to be one of the top locations when deciding the best place to live in Edinburgh.
The waterfront in Leith is a focal point, offering scenic views and a lively atmosphere with numerous bars, restaurants, and shops.
Property options here range from modern apartments to traditional tenement flats.
These properties often feature spacious interiors and are situated close to essential amenities and transport links.
Notable residential streets include The Shore and Bernard Street, where period architecture meets modern conveniences.
Leith is also home to several green spaces, such as Leith Links and Victoria Park, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
The area’s community spirit is reflected in its bustling local markets and cultural events, making Leith a vibrant and appealing place to live.
Hillside
To the east of Edinburgh’s city centre is the serene residential area of Hillside.
The Hillside neighbourhood is known for its peaceful atmosphere, tree-lined streets, and elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture.
Residents of Hillside enjoy access to several well-maintained outdoor spaces, including Regent Gardens and the expansive Holyrood Park.
The area also benefits from excellent transport links, making it convenient for commuting and exploring other parts of Edinburgh.
Properties in Hillside are primarily period, many of which feature high ceilings, original cornicing, and large windows.
Prominent streets such as London Road and Royal Terrace showcase some of the finest examples of these architectural styles in Hillside.
Hillside’s close-knit community and proximity to cultural landmarks, such as the Edinburgh Playhouse and Calton Hill, contribute to its appeal as a desirable place to live, and perhaps add to its appeal to many who deem it to be the best place to live in Edinburgh.
Colinton
Although now a well-established and popular leafy suburb in the south-west of Edinburgh, the original heart of Colinton was once a stand-alone village near the city.
Many original buildings and speciality shops remain intact to this day in the heart of Colinton village.
Colinton Dell is a tranquil park that extends along The Water of Leith, local residents can readily enjoy peaceful woodland walks. Walking upstream takes you toward the Pentland Hills.
The properties in the Colinton area range from large detached houses, such as those on Spylaw Park, to unique mill conversions.
Those looking for property to buy in Colinton can expect to find a mix of modern homes and period houses.
The Grange
About a mile south of the city centre, The Grange is a popular residential suburb, characterised by large early Victorian stone-built villas.
The Grange is regarded to be one of the best places to live with a family due to the size of the properties available to buy and the large gardens that properties often enjoy, together with the excellent local schools, both state and private.
Addresses such as Newbattle Terrace and Dick Place boast particularly fine examples of Victorian houses in Edinburgh.
For those seeking a more modern property, the neighbouring areas of Pitsligo and Woodcroft offer newer properties.
Inverleith
The area of Inverleith in Edinburgh is well known for its green spaces including Inverleith Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
There are also several independent schools in the area that have extensive sports grounds, further adding to the overall green space.
Inverleith is particularly popular with families due to ready access to a number of good schools.
Fettes College and The Edinburgh Academy are nearby.
There are many houses of different shapes and sizes to be considered, from large Victorian properties, such as those on Inverleith Terrace, to townhouses including those on Howard Place, and there are also some stunning apartments.
Inverleith is a truly wonderful part of Edinburgh and many homes enjoy views of the cityscape including Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat.
For it’s positioning, the properties available and top schooling options many consider Inverleith to be the best place to live in Edinburgh.
Trinity
Conveniently located, boasting good amenities, access open green spaces, and being close to the coast.
Trinity is one of the most desirable places to live in Edinburgh.
In addition to being well positioned for live in Edinburgh, Trinity offers a diverse range of property types of all styles and ages, making it an appealing place to live for a multitude of preferences who are seeking a city home.
East Trinity Road is a typical example of the varying property styles with houses on the road ranging from original mansions, Victorian terraces and tenements, cottages, and even modern developments.
Best place to live in Edinburgh
With so many areas to consider, it can be challenging to navigate the local markets when looking at property for sale in Edinburgh.
An Edinburgh Property Finder can not only assist in deciding on locations that best work for your lifestyle and preferences but will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of the perfect property.
For a no-obligation discussion regarding your plans to buy a property in Scotland please do get in touch.
