If you’re a student and are thinking of moving to Edinburgh, you might be wondering what it’s like living in this fantastic city. It’s not only a great place to study but also a brilliant place to live.
The city offers a variety of student accommodation from university-owned halls to private apartment living. You can also find some amazing studio flats and 1-bed flats if you want to be able to live alone!
Old Town
Edinburgh’s Old Town is one of the city’s most historic and fascinating areas. It’s a labyrinth of medieval streets and closes, lined with cobblestoned pavements and darkened passageways.
It’s also home to a range of intriguing attractions for students. From an underground warren of historical rooms and narrow staircases to lots of Edinburgh nightclubs buzzing with atmosphere.
You can also visit the Camera Obscura, a dazzling gallery that explores visual illusions and explains how they work.
New Town
The New Town, which was built in the 18th century as a solution to overcrowding in Old Town, is a true marvel of urban planning and elegant Neo-Classical architecture. It is home to a number of historic sites and monuments, including the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound and the National Portrait Gallery.
In recent years, demand for real estate in the prestigious New Town has been strong and prices have risen 4.5% over the last year, according to Knight Frank.

The Nightlife
With an abundance of bars and pubs open late, Edinburgh is a great place to fill your nights in between classes. It’s also blessed with liberal licensing laws, which means there are no problems finding places open till midnight any night of the week.
Whether you’re looking for a swanky club to dance the night away, or a student bar to catch live music, there is a place in Edinburgh to suit all tastes. With so many options it’s hard to choose just one, but we’ve compiled our pick of the best clubs in town based on TripAdvisor reviews.
University
Edinburgh is home to some of the world’s finest universities. These include the University of Edinburgh, a world-leading centre for teaching and research in medicine and science. It is also known for its humanities and philosophy departments, including the oldest Department of English Literature in the UK.
During your first year you will likely live in student halls, which are usually provided by the university. They are typically affordable, provide on-hand support and have access to facilities like gyms and learning centres.
You’ll also have the option to live in private accommodation, which is a great way to make friends and get involved in your local community. Many unis offer this type of accommodation to students during their first year, and it’s an excellent choice if you want to meet new people in your area.