Best Areas for Students to Live in Edinburgh

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Adorned the rugged mountain ranges overlooking the ocean, Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most attractive cities. It’s a metropolis that’s inextricably linked to its surroundings, with residences and monuments situated upon cliffs and surrounded by hills. From the medieval housing estates and serenity of the Old Town to the magnificence of the Georgian New Town, Edinburgh keeps providing its visitors with a continuously evolving perspective.

Home to some of the world’s most renowned universities like The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, and Heriot-Watt University, the city attracts thousands of students every year.

Furthermore, Edinburgh, as a bustling metropolis, provides Michelin-starred restaurants, flourishing café subculture, bustling and diversified nightlife, excellent shopping, and a modern and sophisticated cultural scene to its residents, making it a desirable place to live.

Thus, below are some of the best areas to live in Edinburgh.

Old Town

A location in Edinburgh’s Old Town is ideal for soaking up the city’s vibe. The region is lively at all hours of the day and night time, with wonderful cafés, pubs, and stores strewn throughout its twisty lanes. The Old Town suburb is steeped in culture, which can be observed at every corner as you stroll through the magnificent streets lined with historical landmarks. Students studying at The University of Edinburgh, Old College, and the Medical School gain better accessibility to their classes if they stay in the vicinity of Old Town,

Newington

Newington is a buzzing academic hub with everything a student might want, from a prime neighbourhood near the University of Edinburgh and with plenty of entertainment to easy accessibility to the supermarkets and shops.

Newington is one of the busiest spots in Edinburgh. There’s no chance you will get bored here because the suburb keeps surprising you now and then. Moreover, rental prices are quite inexpensive, making it suitable for a wide range of student budgets. With a commute time of 10 to 25 minutes to the University of Edinburgh, it’s pretty evident as to why Newington is so popular among the students. Students at Edinburgh Napier University will find it useful as well.

Marchmont

Marchmont is one of Edinburgh’s most popular student-friendly neighbourhoods. It comes with a vibrant social scene, reasonable housing expenses, and beautiful views. The area is densely packed with ancient Victorian tenement flats, with stores on nearly every block. It’s also only a 5- to 10-minute walking distance to the University of Edinburgh, according to which section of Marchmont you’re on. The atmosphere in the neighbourhood is a fantastic mix of liveliness and serenity.

City Centre

If you like to be in the thick of things and adjacent to all of Edinburgh’s famous spots, staying in the city centre is the perfect choice for you. Many universities, including The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University, and others, are within walkable distance, while others are accessible through efficient public transportation. Furthermore, with a myriad of places right in your neighbourhood, you’ll don’t have to venture far for entertainment.

Tollcross

Tollcross is a bustling student neighbourhood that’s always popular with students wishing to live in the city outside of their dorms. Cowgate and Grassmarket are close by, so you’ll find lots of stores, eateries, pubs, clubs, and theatres to keep you entertained and delighted. given its proximity to the Meadows, it is cost-effective in comparison to other localities. Moreover, with George Square being only a 10-15 minutes commute away, accessing university buildings is not very difficult.

In a nutshell, these are all the wonderful neighbourhoods in Edinburgh which cater to all your requirements as a resident. However, if you have been seeking student accommodation Edinburgh in any of these places, be sure to check out the list on our website.

Top 5 Student Accommodations in Edinburgh