The best areas for professionals to live

Edinburgh is a hotspot for professionals with plenty of jobs, restaurants, museums and green spaces nearby. The 25 to 44 age group was the largest in 2022 with a population of 183,812, and the city has more 30-year-olds than anywhere else in Scotland.

Professionals are easily catered for with the array of flats available to buy including traditional tenement styles with period features and low maintenance new build developments.

Whether you want to live in the city centre, by the sea or in nearby towns with an easy commute, here are the areas that will best suit professionals.

West End

Just minutes from the renowned shopping establishments on Edinburgh’s George Street and Princes Street, the West End enjoys all the benefits of city centre living without the hustle and bustle. The West End is also one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful areas and The West End Conservation Area even forms part of the UNESCO Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

Haymarket Train Station is located within Edinburgh’s West End and residents located in the eastern part of the West End are only a ten-minute walk from Waverley Station, where they can take a train to numerous locations across the UK.

The area is also close to green spaces such as Princes Street Gardens, and the Water of Leith Walkway also passes through the West End, via the Dean Village. You can also find the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art here.

Flats are the most popular type of property in the West End, especially flats in a Georgian or Victorian style.

Stockbridge

If you want to combine charming, cobbled streets with easy access to Edinburgh’s bustling city centre, then Stockbridge is the ideal location for you.

Stockbridge is just a stone’s throw away from Princes Street, next to the New Town and Comely Bank. The actual Stock Bridge was built in 1801 and spans the Water of Leith, making it a popular location for people who want to live somewhere beautiful and rich in history.

There is a good selection of pubs in Stockbridge where you can enjoy a drink with friends. If you’re looking for a proper night out, you’re a walkable distance from George Street where you will find nightclubs and high-end bars.

Properties for sale in Stockbridge tend to be older as there has been very little new build development in the area. Styles of property include townhouses, tenements and colony houses. There are also mews houses on Circus Lane – a picturesque street in Stockbridge where the colourful garages were once used as horse stables.

The average selling price in Stockbridge is £331,419.

Newington

Newington is a great choice for professionals, offering the very best of city living as well as easy access to some of Edinburgh’s best outdoor spaces.

It is also just a short hop from the Meadows; a large public park with a children’s play park and tennis courts, and Arthur’s Seat; an extinct volcano which sits 251 metres above sea level and offers fantastic views over the city.

The average selling price in Newington is £317,789.

Leith

In recent years, Leith has become one of Edinburgh’s best areas for young professionals as it is home to highly-rated restaurants, some of Edinburgh’s best bars, vast green spaces, independent shops and a great selection of properties.

The Shore in particular is packed full of great eateries and drinking spots. Leith is also home to great public transport links. Bus routes connect it to all other parts of the city while Waverley Train Station is handily positioned at the eastern side of town, not far from the top of Leith Walk.

Leith is home to a wide range of flats, including the traditional tenement flats that Edinburgh is known for as well as modern apartments.

The average selling price in Leith is £236,174.

Portobello

Dreaming of a life beside the sea with good city centre access? Look no further than Portobello which is three miles from Edinburgh city centre along the Firth of Forth.

Portobello boasts a fantastic sandy beach, as well as a plethora of local bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, green spaces, excellent transport links and a friendly community spirit.

People looking for a flat in Portobello are spoiled for choice. There are the traditional tenements, as well as sleek and modern apartments.

The average selling price in Portobello is £336,174.

South Queensferry

Another seaside option is South Queensferry which is located on the south bank of the Firth of Forth. The town is known for its beautiful views across the Forth and the iconic three bridges. It also has a great range of properties to suit professionals, including Victorian houses and modern developments of villas and flats.

Edinburgh can be reached in as little as 10 minutes, meaning South Queensferry offers the ideal balance of tranquil, waterside living with the city close at hand.

The average selling price in South Queensferry is £291,955.

North Berwick

Often regarded as one of the most desirable places to live in Scotland, North Berwick is positioned on the shores of the Firth of Forth. With beautiful beaches, a bustling high street filled with fantastic local businesses, luxurious hotels and renowned golf courses, plus an easy commute into Edinburgh, North Berwick is an ideal place to put down roots.

The average selling price in North Berwick is £385,321.

Dunfermline

Dunfermline in Fife has a population of nearly 60,000 and was awarded city status last year. Lovers of the great outdoors living in Dunfermline will find stunning walks and climbs a short distance away, including Loch Leven and the Fife Pilgrim Way trail.

It’s a popular choice for professionals and first-time buyers due to its reasonable property prices (an average selling price of £199,665 compared to £295,835 in the City of Edinburgh), easy commuting distance to the Capital and Perth, as well as offering a generous selection of employment opportunities in its own right.

Figures are based on properties marketed and sold through ESPC. Figures relate to the three-month period ending on 28/02/2023

ESPC magazine

This article appeared in the March 2023 issue of the ESPC magazine. Find out more about the ESPC magazine and read the latest issue online.