Edinburgh

What rent costs

Edinburgh is one of the most expensive places to rent outside London. Expect £1,100-£1,400 a month for a 1-bedroom flat in central areas and £850-£1,050 further out. A 3-bedroom flat or house typically costs £1,500-£2,800 depending on area.

Where to look

• Leith and Gorgie: good value, with trams and buses to the centre
• Stockbridge, New Town and Bruntsfield: central but pricey
• Portobello: beachside living, popular with families
• Corstorphine and Musselburgh: quieter and often cheaper

Scottish tenancy rules

Private tenancies in Scotland are private residential tenancies: they have no fixed end date, and landlords can only end them on specific grounds. Landlords must be registered with the council, and deposits must be protected in an approved scheme. Letting agents cannot charge tenants fees apart from rent and a refundable deposit.

Tips for renters

• Many flats are in tenement buildings with shared stairs and no lift
• Search early: good flats can attract dozens of enquiries in a day
• Avoid starting a tenancy in late summer if possible, when students are also searching

A realistic monthly budget

A single person renting a 1-bedroom flat typically spends £1,900-£2,400 a month. Sharing a flat can bring this down to around £1,300-£1,600.

• Rent: £900-£1,400
• Council tax: £120-£180
• Energy, water and broadband: £140-£210 (tenement flats can be cold)
• Transport: £60-£80
• Groceries: £260-£330
• Eating out and socialising: £150-£250

Everyday prices

A pint costs around £5.50-£6.50, a cappuccino £3.50-£3.80 and a casual lunch £10-£15.

Things that are cheaper in Scotland

• Prescriptions are free
• Water charges are collected with council tax rather than billed separately
• Under 22s and over 60s get free bus travel

Things that can cost more

• Income tax is higher for middle and higher earners
• Heating a large, older flat through a long winter

Key industries

• Financial services: asset managers, banks and insurers, including major employers such as Baillie Gifford, NatWest Group and Aegon
• Tech: a strong startup scene built on data science and software, supported by the University of Edinburgh's informatics school
• Government and public sector: the Scottish Government, Parliament and NHS Lothian
• Education and research: universities are big employers of researchers and staff
• Tourism and hospitality: particularly busy from spring to autumn

Salaries

Pay is generally a little below London but similar to other large UK cities. Remember that Scottish income tax means take-home pay is slightly lower for people earning over about £30,000 than for the same salary in England.

Finding work

• LinkedIn, Indeed and S1jobs (a Scottish job board)
• Work for Scotland lists public sector roles
• Tech meetups and university networking events

Research careers

Researchers can use the Global Talent visa if endorsed, or join universities under the Skilled Worker route.

Buses and trams

Lothian Buses run a dense network across the city, with frequent services and night buses. Edinburgh Trams run from the airport through the city centre to Leith and Newhaven.

• Pay by contactless on buses and trams, with a daily cap
• A 4-week Ridacard gives unlimited bus and tram travel (excluding the airport tram fare zone)
• Free bus travel is available across Scotland for residents under 22 and over 60, once you apply for a National Entitlement Card

Walking and cycling

The centre is compact, but hilly and cobbled. Cycle paths along old railway lines, such as the Water of Leith walkway and the Innocent Railway, are great for commuting.

Trains

Waverley station has trains to Glasgow (under an hour), the Highlands and London (about 4 hours 30 minutes). Haymarket serves the west of the city.

Airport

Edinburgh Airport is about 30 minutes from the centre by tram or the Airlink bus.

Festivals and culture

In August the city fills with the Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe, the Book Festival and the Military Tattoo. Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year celebration, is another highlight. Outside festival season, the city has a lively theatre, music and comedy scene.

Outdoors

• Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, right in the city
• Portobello Beach for swimming and seaside walks
• The Pentland Hills for hiking just south of the city
• Weekend trips to the Highlands, Loch Lomond and the Isle of Skye

Food and drink

Leith has some of Scotland's best restaurants, and the city has countless cosy pubs, whisky bars and cafés.

Community

Edinburgh has a large international population because of its universities and financial firms. It feels smaller and calmer than London, and it is easy to build a routine.

Weather

Winters are dark and windy, with daylight around 7 hours in December. Summers are cool and long, with light evenings until after 10pm.