[JessyPhil]

specifically Edinburgh

My mum is moving to Edinburgh in September. We currently live on the East coast of Essex so it's a massive change for us. I don't know whether I'm going to go with her or not yet, and I'd like to do some research on it before I decide anything. We're going up there in April to have a look around, but I want to get an idea of things before I go - things like cost of travel, food, living expenses compared to here? I can't imagine it being much different but any input from people who already live there (either for uni or otherwise) would be great

[Rian1988]

(Original post by JessyPhil)
specifically Edinburgh

My mum is moving to Edinburgh in September. We currently live on the East coast of Essex so it's a massive change for us. I don't know whether I'm going to go with her or not yet, and I'd like to do some research on it before I decide anything. We're going up there in April to have a look around, but I want to get an idea of things before I go - things like cost of travel, food, living expenses compared to here? I can't imagine it being much different but any input from people who already live there (either for uni or otherwise) would be great

I live there just now. It's not a massive city but big enough and got lots of things to do. Quite a lot of greenspace if you like that. There are a lot of tourists but the city does have a good student scene with four universities based here.

To give a rough outline of costs:

Travel - £1.40 any single bus ticket
Food - think I heard Edinburgh has the largest amount of restaurants per person, there really is lots so the price does vary. But if you look around many places offer great deals during the week.
Living expenses - rent is more expensive than other scottish cities (not sure about england though) but not sure if that will apply to you

Any questions feel free to ask.

[No Future]

Edinburgh is lovely.

I'm from down south (nr London) and prices seem pretty normal. Not cheap, but not expensive either. A bit cheaper than London perhaps. Depends on your lifestyle really. Most things cost the same. Rent is probably lower, but depends where you live.

[Alex_K123]

It won't be more expensive compared to essex and in most cases it is cheaper. Just remeber that apart from Glasgow and Edinburgh being close getting further North takes a long time.
Food is cheap altough I found not as fresh, the scots love their sweet and fried stuff....

[RFC1872]

Edinburgh is dreadful, Glasgow is far better.

[YetAnotherMember]

can anyone give an insight what are some good AND not very expensive areas to live in edinburgh?

[Kennyy]

(Original post by RFC1872)
Edinburgh is dreadful, Glasgow is far better.

Yeah, much better, if you want to get stabbed.

[RFC1872]

(Original post by Kennyy)
Yeah, much better, if you want to get stabbed.

Edinburgh is boring and full of pretentious snobs who think anyone from the west is a peasant. Anyway, they are hardly without their dodgy areas, it just so happens Glasgow is more working class but it is 10x the city Edinburgh will ever be.

[Foghorn Leghorn]

Edinburgh is a great city. It's probably not a huge change to go from essex to ediburgh. I would assume there's probably more tourists in ediburgh than essex, but if you are used to london then edinburgh will seem a lot easier. Plenty of bars and clubs, shopping is decent, plenty of stuff to do, loads of students, in general it's nice. Coming from glasgow I think edinburgh is a lot more relaxed than glasgow (depsite more tourists) which might be appealing to you. But if you feel the need for a good buzz then glasgow is not far, about 30min on the train.

[..lauren]

Edinburgh is actually a pretty small city, much smaller than you'd expect a capital to be. I'm not sure about good/bad areas 'cause I live in the west, but there's lots of choice food wise and prices are on par with any other city really. It's a very pretty city and there is lots to do but there is always lots of tourists.

I don't think it's right to say that "Edinburgh is boring and full of pretentious snobs who think anyone from the west is a peasant", because that would be generalising to a massive extent. Glasgow might be '10x the city Edinburgh will ever be' but there ARE working-class people in Edinburgh too... Just 'cause they don't live in hideous tower blocks in the city centre doesn't mean that they don't exist. I must add though that Glasgow IS a friendlier city, but at the same time you're far more likely to 'get stabbed' in Glasgow.

On a whole, I do think that Edinburgh seems like an alright place to live, and it'll be less of a culture shock than Glasgow would be to an English person anyway - unless you're living in a really **** part.

[harisdr]

loads of perks about living in Scotland. The govt spends more per person here than in england! No perscription charges, no tuition fees, better health and education system. esp if you are planning to move here long term in terms of the future getting married, kids and what not! Edinbrugh has great scenery! I would say glasgow is a better city but thats nott really what youre asking lol

[JessyPhil]

Thanks to everyone that replied, I went to Edinburgh last week to have a look around and I absolutely love it, so should be moving there in a few months