Find your Edinburgh
Moving to Edinburgh? Every neighbourhood tells a different story. We've researched all 20 to give you honest, practical breakdowns — rents, transport, vibe scores, and who each area actually suits.
⚖️Moving from England or Wales? Scottish tenancy law is different — no-fault eviction is banned, and the Private Residential Tenancy replaced Assured Shorthold Tenancies in 2017. Our Tenancy Rights guide explains what this means for you.
All 20 neighbourhoods
Leith
Edinburgh's coolest waterfront quarter
Once a separate port town, Leith has reinvented itself as Edinburgh's most dynamic neighbourhood.
New Town
Georgian grandeur meets modern city living
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's finest examples of Georgian urban planning.
Old Town
Living inside Edinburgh's medieval heart
The Royal Mile, Grassmarket, and Cowgate — living in Old Town puts you at the centre of everything Edinburgh is famous for.
Stockbridge
The village Edinburgh residents actually want to live in
Stockbridge consistently tops 'best Edinburgh neighbourhood' lists and for good reason.
Morningside
Edinburgh's most genteel suburb — and proud of it
Morningside is Edinburgh's quintessential middle-class suburb, with a reputation for respectability that locals both mock and enjoy.
Bruntsfield
Young, social, and next to the Meadows
Bruntsfield sits between the Meadows and Morningside, combining the best of both.
Marchmont
Student heartland with surprising quality of life
Dense Victorian tenements, the Meadows on the doorstep, and Edinburgh University around the corner.
Newington
South Side hub: affordable, connected, underrated
Newington (sometimes called the Southside) runs along Newington Road and Causewayside, just south of the university.
Portobello
Edinburgh's sandy secret — seaside living in the city
Scotland's answer to Brighton has Edinburgh's only sandy beach, a proper promenade, and a village high street independent shops.
Tollcross
Central, connected, and properly Edinburgh
The junction at the heart of Edinburgh's southside.
Haymarket
The commuter's smart choice — underrated and well-connected
Right next to the tram and train, Haymarket has been quietly improving for years.
Canonmills
Edinburgh's hidden gem between New Town and Leith
Sandwiched between the glamour of New Town and the energy of Leith, Canonmills is an underrated spot that gets both right.
Dean Village
A medieval mill village hidden in the city centre
One of Edinburgh's most photographed spots.
Murrayfield
Affluent, spacious, and very family-oriented
Home to Scotland's national rugby stadium and some of Edinburgh's most prestigious addresses.
Dalry / Gorgie
Affordable, authentic, and closer to the action than people realise
Dalry and Gorgie form Edinburgh's most underrated affordable belt.
Corstorphine
Family suburb with a village high street and easy airport access
Edinburgh Zoo is here, and it sets the neighbourhood's family-friendly tone.
Granton
Affordable waterfront on the verge of transformation
Granton is Edinburgh's most ambitious regeneration project — a former industrial harbour being transformed into a sustainable waterfront district.
Trinity
Quiet, residential, and surprisingly close to the Firth
Trinity is Edinburgh's understated north coastal suburb — a quiet grid of Victorian villas and tenements, good schools, and easy Firth of Forth access at Newhaven.
Liberton
Spacious, suburban, and an easy route to the bypass
Edinburgh's southern fringe — large gardens, good schools, and quick access to the A720 bypass.
Meadowbank
Athletic, up-and-coming, and quietly excellent value
Home to Edinburgh's new Meadowbank Sports Centre and a short walk from Holyrood Park, this east-end neighbourhood is on the up.
More guides coming soon
Scottish tenancy rights, NHS registration, council tax, schools catchments — everything you need when moving to Edinburgh.