Is Edinburgh a Good Place to Live?

Made famous by a plethora of academic minds, attractions, and rich cultural heritage, Edinburgh stands out as a place that has something for everyone.

With a mix of ancient architecture, musical charisma, strong history, and plenty of green spaces, Edinburgh is a city that draws people from all over the world.

But what is it like to live in Edinburgh? Is Edinburgh a nice place to live?

In this article, we take a deep dive into life in Edinburgh, exploring the city’s history, culture, job opportunities, housing, and more! So, whether you’re considering moving to Edinburgh or are looking for specific information on the costs of living – we’ve got you covered. Let’s jump in.

A Brief History of Edinburgh

Rich in history, the beginning of Edinburgh dates back over a thousand years. Established as a royal burgh by King David I in the 12th century, Edinburgh progressed into a commerce hub in the 14th century thanks to its export of wool and leather goods.

Despite the rise of constant battles and hardship with the English, Edinburgh has continued to grow and prosper into the hub of trade, education, and rich culture that it is today. The city now stands as a home to iconic landmarks, such as the Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile, that are featured on UNESCO World Heritage List – cementing its place as one of the world’s most historically significant cities.

Rooted in history and culture, Edinburgh now crucially stands as a modern and bustling metropolis that offers visitors a thriving arts, music, and literature scene along with an excellent transport network and booming economy.

The Main Benefits and Drawbacks of Living in Edinburgh

While living in Edinburgh can offer a wide-range of benefits and drawbacks, these can often be subject to personal preference. As such, we’ve provided a quick overview of the top 3 main benefits and drawbacks of living in Edinburgh, including:

Top 3 Benefits:

• Rich Culture and History

In short: Edinburgh’s rich cultural and historical landscape is hard to beat.

While the world-famous attractions like Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Mile are easy to shower with praise, the splendid variety of cultural and historical buildings surround you wherever you stand, creating an echoing chamber of heritage and delight.

You can find unique bookshops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes on each street, and there is always a song or tune skipping through the air around the Royal Mile. In addition, the city also hosts major events like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, attracting artists and performers from around the globe.

• Employment Opportunities

With a booming economy it will come with no surprise that Edinburgh is an employment powerhouse. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the city’s employment rate was higher than across Scotland as a whole in the year ending December 2024.

Today, the main economic sectors in Edinburgh include finance, technology, education, and tourism. Notably, companies like the Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life offer plenty of job opportunities, with Edinburgh University making the city an academic hub for research and employment.

• Access to Green Spaces

Although Edinburgh stands as a beacon of historical architecture, there is still a variety of green spaces all around. Located just outside Edinburgh city centre, Arthur’s Seat provides clear views of the city, and Holyrood Park offers scenic walking trails. For real nature lovers, the Royal Botanic Garden is the perfect and peaceful retreat that can be found in the heart of the city.

Top 3 Drawbacks:

• High Living Cost in Edinburgh

The biggest challenge that many face when reviewing whether or not Edinburgh is the right place to live is the cost of living. With a booming tourism scene and a roster of attractions and benefits, it follows that the cost of housing in Edinburgh is expensive.

According to ONS, the average property prices in Edinburgh is around £294,000 and rent in the city centre can cost between £1000 – £1,400 per month. While this is not as pricey as places like London, it remains one of the more expensive cities in Scotland.

• Unpredictable Weather

Though the city remains stunning in all weathers, it is worth noting that Scotland is renowned for frequent rain and cold winters, which might not be the perfect climate for those searching for sun and sizzling summers.

• Traffic and Congestion

Lastly, traffic congestion can become extremely frustrating, especially during festival events and popular performances. Due to the city’s narrow roads and limited parking, commuting by car can be very difficult at times, and while public transport is available, this can also get extremely crowded during peak times.

Education and Employment Opportunities in Edinburgh

For families wondering about schools in Edinburgh, you’ll be pleased to know that Edinburgh offers a host of excellent schools, with both public and private options available.

For those searching for higher educational opportunities, Edinburgh University provides one of the most prestigious educational institutions and ranks among the top universities globally. Additionally, Heriot-Watt University provides another very highly respected institution, famous for its focus on business, engineering, and technology.

As noted in the top 3 benefits, Edinburgh boasts a diverse economy with lots of different employment opportunities. In fact, the ONS records show that Edinburgh had the lowest unemployment rate across comparable areas in Scotland:

The finance sector is most notably strong, with companies like Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life providing a steady stream of job opportunities. However, there are other booming industries, including technology, tourism, and education, all of which are growing rapidly with new start-up companies and established companies looking for employees to help bolster their businesses.

Attractions, Entertainment, and Cultural Landscape

As Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh is a city that is brimming with attractions and entertainment, all infused with the unique Scottish culture. In short: Edinburgh is the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland – and there’s a reason why.

While an entire book could be dedicated to the wonders and attractions that Edinburgh and its surrounding areas provide, we’ve tried to narrow down some of the most popular and famous attractions that you’re likely to experience when living in Edinburgh.

Standing proudly above the city, you will find iconic Edinburgh Castle. While a visit to the castle can provide you with excellent panoramic views and insights into Scotland’s rich history, it also happens to be located at the very top of the Royal Mile.

For those who love the outdoors, Arthur’s Seat provides a perfect perch to view the entire city. For nature lovers who know their peonies from their roses, a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden, a peaceful oasis that is home to a variety of plants from all around the world.

Music enthusiasts will find no shortage of live music venues in Edinburgh. With a cultural connection to the famous bagpipes, the city also hosts a thriving music scene with places like The Usher Hall and Queen’s Hall putting on a wide range of performances ranging from classical to contemporary music.

The city’s art scene is also world-renowned, with several galleries and museums, including the Scottish National Gallery and Museum of Edinburgh.

Naturally, no discussion about entertainment and Edinburgh’s culture would be complete without mentioning the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (EFF). As the world’s largest arts festival, the EFF transforms the entire city of Edinburgh every August into a main stage, with thousands of performances across all genres.

What is the Average Property Value in Edinburgh?

As the capital city of Scotland, property in Edinburgh is one of the more expensive areas to live in Scotland.

According to the ONS records, the average house price in Edinburgh is around £294,000 with monthly rent being estimated at £1,424.

It is worth noting that there has been a steady growth in the price of property over the past few years.

Compared to other major cities in the UK, such as London, Edinburgh remains a very affordable alternative with a host of benefits that a capital city provides. For example, Edinburgh offers better affordability than properties in areas like Mayfair or Chelsea in London.

Contact a Mortgage Broker in Edinburgh

Securing a property in Edinburgh can be an exciting journey, but navigating the mortgage process in order to purchase your dream home can feel overwhelming.

Thankfully, we’re here to help you!

At Boon Brokers, our dedicated mortgage advisers can provide you with a fee-free service, helping guide you through each step of the process in securing a mortgage in Edinburgh. So, whether you’re buying your first home, moving to Edinburgh, or investing in property, Boon Brokers can help you find the best deal that’s tailored to your requirements, helping you save your time and money.

Contact Boon Brokers today and start your property journey with confidence.