Edinburgh Local Property Guide
Welcome to Edinburgh
No other city comes to mind when you think of a Gothic architecture, doused in rich history with an actual volcano. As the Scottish capital, Scotland is a powerhouse of industry and culture, though it’s a romantic city at heart with beautiful historic buildings. Walk the streets of Edinburgh and you’ll quickly see how easy it is to fall in love with the cobbled streets, medieval architecture and castle on the hill. Composed of the Old Town and the New Town, both are regarded as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Historians estimate that Edinburgh was founded in 600 AD, and even today, there remain plenty of age-old cultural attractions. The most notable is Edinburgh Castle, a distinct feature of the city’s skyline, which began as a hill fortress during the Iron Age.
The Old Town in Edinburgh is all about eye-catching Gothic architecture with streets and alleys with a distinct Harry Potter feel to them. Unsurprisingly, it’s the very city that inspired JK Rowling to create the world of Harry Potter, and fans can find dozens of references to Edinburgh in the books, from the small alleyways to colourful boutiques and quirky buildings. Fans of the books and history buffs will enjoy the little nods to the world of Harry Potter that live within the city.
But not only is it a city steeped in history and culture that’s exceptionally beautiful, it offers stunning green spaces (with over 100 parks and half a million trees), is a hub of activity for creative festivals and is home to 3 excellent universities.
If you’re considering moving into the area and scouting out flats or houses for sale in Edinburgh, take a peek at what’s on offer and how to meet local estate agents in Edinburgh.
Find your local estate agent in Edinburgh
There’s no doubt about it: Edinburgh is a desirable place to live. And if you have a property to sell, you may want to take advantage of the demand. To see how much your house is worth, get in touch with your local estate agent in Edinburgh by simply entering in your postcode. Once you connect with agent, they’ll give you an accurate valuation and let you know how in-demand your property may be for buyers today.
Living in Edinburgh at a glance
You’d be hard-pressed to find an Edinburgh resident who could say that they don’t enjoy living in or around the city. It’s beautiful, it’s magical and it’s not hard to see why! With so much on offer, as well as the marvellous architecture, Edinburgh is steeped in history and culture, with friendly locals to boot. It offers a great schooling system as well as a thriving economic industry that supports local jobs and expansion. Along with the pockets of communities, Edinburgh is a great place to live for students, professionals, couples and families alike.
If you’re interested in looking for a great house sale in Edinburgh, keep reading to discover suitable neighbourhoods for your needs.
Getting around Edinburgh
Located in south-eastern Scotland, Edinburgh is bordered by the Firth of Forth in the north, Pentland Hills in the south, the Water of Leith in the west and the River Esk in the east. It’s around 407 miles from London and 46 miles from Glasgow.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is located in the Ingliston area, just 6 miles west of the city centre. The tagline for the airport goes: “Where Scotland meets the world”, and we’d say that’s just about right with the high number of tourists that visit the area every year.
Being a compact city, it’s easy to get around Edinburgh on foot, though there are plenty of transportation options locally and beyond.
By train
There are two mainline Edinburgh train stations: Waverley in the city centre and Haymarket Station in the West End. The two stations are linked, and it takes around 5 minutes to travel (via train) between the two. To get to London, you’re looking at around a 5-hour journey via train, whereas it can take 7.5 hours by car. Edinburgh train station has direct links to Manchester, Birmingham and Cornwall, with lots in between.
Alternatively, if you head up north by the West Highland Line to Mallaig (voted the top rail journey in the world), the train will take you through the highlands and across the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Inverness-shire – best known for the Hogwarts Express route in the Harry Potter films.
By car
Looped around Edinburgh is The City of Edinburgh Bypass, with many A roads feeding into it, including the A1, A90, A71 and A68. The M9 and M90 are easily accessible on the west side.
By car, you can go on to explore the highlands along the scenic A82, travel down into England or explore the surrounding areas of Edinburgh thanks to the well-connected A roads. The options are endless!
By bike
By British standards, Edinburgh is very bicycle friendly, with safe cycle routes, cycle lanes and forward stop lines at traffic lights. With many people in Edinburgh preferring to walk rather than drive to their destination, cycling strikes a good balance of accessibility, safety and speed. And the views are just as good from the bicycle seat!
By bus
Within the city centre, Lothian Buses operate the majority of services, taking you just about anywhere in the city. The flat-rate fares are some of the lowest in the UK. If you’re looking to travel further afield, First Buses connect Edinburgh with the rest of the Lothians and beyond, while National Express and Scottish CityLink offer regular coach travel to cities all across the UK. So, where to next? Distances and journey times are approximate and were sourced via Google Maps.
Cost of living in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is relatively good value compared to living in London but it does cost to live in one of the most beautiful cities. If you plan to live in a central area, the prices can be high, with accommodation taking up a sizeable portion of one’s budget. However, this can be reduced if you look at Edinburgh property for sale in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Property for sale in Edinburgh
The city is known for stunning architecture, world-class festivals, vibrant nightlife and friendly locals. It’s a city for a wide variety of ages and demographics, making it a popular place for people to settle. The homes for sale in Edinburgh are varied, though the city centre offers some stunning high-spec, new build flats and apartments with unrivalled views. For those seeking more space, surrounding neighbourhoods offer more footage for families with easy access into Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is home to some of the best universities in the world, including the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University. Unsurprisingly, there are a great deal of students in the city, with many choosing to stay once they’ve completed their degree, whether through renting or buying a flat in Edinburgh to step on the property ladder.
As you’d expect, Edinburgh property sales vary with the market, as well as the property types. Detached properties tend to sell at a higher price point than flats, with detached houses in Edinburgh selling for an average of £771,900, while flats and apartments sell for around £253,000.
The average costs by property type in Edinburgh (at the time of writing, November 2023):
Detached house: £771,900
Semi-detached: £476,644
Terraced: £380,424
Flat: £253,165
Neighbourhoods in Edinburgh
Edinburgh New Town
Average property price: £442,900
Built in the 18th and 19th centuries, New Town is at the centre of Edinburgh. New Town was built to accommodate the growing population of Edinburgh, and as such, it consists of wide avenues and grand Georgian townhouses. The affluent area is made up of professionals, high-end homes and a thriving retail industry.
It’s considered prestigious because of its enviable location and abundance of amenities. Stretching through the city centre are Princes Street and George Street, some of the best shopping areas in Edinburgh, as well as some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks. It’s also here that Edinburgh’s world-famous Christmas celebrations take place. It’s no wonder that this excellent neighbourhood is one of the most in-demand in Edinburgh. From smart semis to 2-bedroom apartments and Edinburgh flats for sale, there is plenty on offer here.
Bruntsfield/Morningside
Average property price: £461,800/£479,900
Friendly and modern, Bruntsfield sits adjacent to The Bruntsfield Links, (which is believed to be one of the oldest golf courses in the world) and The Meadows, which are two vast green spaces perfect for sports and sunbathing.
A short walk from Bruntsfield, you’ll find Morningside. Both suburbs are affluent, family-friendly areas with a wide choice of quirky independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants to cater for the whole family.
The schools in Morningside certainly make it a popular area for families with children. The area boasts a solid choice education with James Gillespie’s High School ranked as one of the top 3 state secondary schools in Edinburgh.
West End
Average property price: £653,700
As its name suggests, West End is located to the west of Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town areas, and it’s the ideal spot if you want to live centrally. West End includes much of the New Town (built between 1767 and 1850), meaning that many of the Edinburgh properties for sale are beautifully maintained Georgian houses. There are also some wonderfully diverse apartment buildings for those looking for houses and flats for sale in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh’s West End is very well connected with two train stations nearby: Haymarket and West End. The tram also stops in the West End, so you can travel just about anywhere before needing to consider the car. It’s a bustling area with independent shops and bars, enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.
Portobello
Average property price: £323,600
As one of the prettiest Edinburgh suburbs, Portobello is a highly sought-after location, located just 3 miles from the city centre. Here, you’ll get to enjoy the sunny Scottish days as it’s the home of Edinburgh’s seaside, with a long, sandy promenade. Just a few steps away is Portobello High Street, filled with independent shops and cafés. Portobello sits just off the A1, making it easy to travel in and out of the city.
Despite drawing holidaymakers on summer days, there’s a wonderful community feeling in Portobello. There are several community initiatives in place, as well as events, Parkruns, a farmer’s market, library and leisure centre. There are also plenty of property choices, whether you’re looking for a house for sale in Edinburgh or a flat.
Stockbridge
Average property price: £770,100
With pretty pockets of greenery and charismatic cobbled street, Stockbridge’s appeal is enough to win anyone over. If you’re not strolling down the Georgian streets, you can visit the traditional pubs and restaurants, all just a short walk away from Princes Street, the high street hub. Stockbridge makes a pleasant place to live for families, young professionals and those established families thinking of relocating for a change of scenery.
Leith
Average property price: £273,100
The up-and-coming port of Edinburgh has started to find itself a new space in the city landscape. It’s continually in the process of rejuvenation with a cracking food scene from dockside restaurants, a thriving pub and great shopping locations. Property tends to be a bit more affordable, and the transport links are good. Trendy Leith has put itself on the map as the next great neighbourhood of this fine city.
Corstorphine
Average property price: £343,000
Once a village, Corstorphine is now part of the city of the Edinburgh, yet it retains its relaxed vibe and community feel, making it a popular choice for couples and families. The main thoroughfare, St. John’s Road, is packed with independent shops and eateries, and there are plenty of green spaces to explore. Although it’s a little further out of the city centre, it’s very well-connected, so you’ll never feel too far from the latest goings on.
As a largely residential area, there’s a wide variety of Edinburgh property for sale, suitable for a range of budgets. You’ll find modern flats, semi-detached houses and large detached stone houses for sale in Corstorphine. Many properties have gardens and parking, making it a great choice for families.
See all properties for sale in Edinburgh.
Quick facts
Edinburgh Castle is built on an extinct volcano
It’s home to the largest of the arts festivals: The Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh has all the spooks: ghost stories and haunted locations
Time to London: 5 hours
Population: 554,000
Average temperature in winter: 3C
Average temperature in summer: 14C
Average house price: £335,000
Average monthly rent: £1,372
Households: 553,569
158 schools in Edinburgh
Helpful links
All of the city services and information, including council tax, schools and healthcare:
Transport via train in Edinburgh and around Scotland:
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Find your next house for sale in Edinburgh
Are you considering a move to Edinburgh? Perhaps the cobbled streets captured your heart, or you’re looking to place your child in the marvellous education system, or perhaps you’re looking for that Edinburgh buzz that comes with living there.
Whatever the reason, find the right house sale in Edinburgh to suit your needs and budget. Kick off your search by connecting with the local Edinburgh estate agents in your area.
See other Purplebricks local property guides.