Best areas for renters in Edinburgh
Whether you are a student, a couple, a professional or a family, renting can allow you to try living in an area before committing to buying a property. The effect of the Scottish Government’s recent rent freeze legislation (which is expected to last until March 2023) on Edinburgh’s rental sector is hard to predict. However, if you’re thinking of renting a house or flat in Edinburgh, you can’t go wrong with the below areas which are among the best places to live in the city.
New Town
There’s no better way to experience Edinburgh’s rich Georgian heritage than by living right in the centre of it. The city’s New Town was built in the 18th and 19th centuries as a solution to the overcrowding in the city’s Old Town. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks.
Shopping is available on Princes Street and George Street. The artistic heart of the city, the area is home to lots of galleries and museums, including the Scottish Gallery, the Ingleby Gallery, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
The New Town is full of green spaces such as Dean Gardens, Queen Street Gardens and Calton Hill. Waverley Station is within easy reach for commuters and Queensferry Road provides good links to the M8, M9, the Queensferry Crossing and Edinburgh International Airport.
For families, there are a number of highly regarded state and private schools nearby, including Edinburgh Academy, Fettes College, Stewarts Melville, Mary Erskine and St George’s.
According to ESPC and Citylets data from Q3 2022, the average rent for a one-bed flat in EH3, which covers the New Town, is £1167, a two-bed flat is £1656 and a three-bed flat is £1922.
West End
Located to the west of the Princes Street and Lothian Road intersection, Edinburgh’s West End is full of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants as well as Victorian residential streets.
The area appeals to those who love art and culture as it contains the Usher Hall, the Royal Lyceum, the Traverse Theatre and the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art.
Dean Village can also be found in the West End – an old settlement in the city which is home to a section of the Water of Leith and beautiful buildings.
The average price of rent for a one-bed flat in EH1, which covers the West End, is £1058, a two-bed flat is £1405 and a three-bed flat is £2051.
Bruntsfield and Morningside
Bruntsfield sits adjacent to two huge green spaces: The Bruntsfield Links, which is believed to be one of the world’s oldest golf courses, and The Meadows.
Morningside is just a short walk away from Bruntsfield. At only 10 minutes by car and 30 minutes on foot, Morningside is very close to Edinburgh city centre but far enough away to have its own identity and feel. Residents have access to great shops, cafes, restaurants and bars on Morningside Road.
The average price of rent per month for a one-bed flat in EH4, which covers Bruntsfield, is £1065, a two-bed is £1233, and a three-bed is £1566.
The average monthly rent price for a one-bedroom flat in EH10, which covers Morningside, is £960, a two-bed flat is £1331, and a three-bed flat is £1715.
Newington
Located to the south of the city centre, Newington is a popular area with students due to it being close to Edinburgh University. The area is also a fantastic place for families, couples and young professionals to live as it is close to green spaces as well as great cafés, restaurants and shops that cater to every taste.
Newington is an area approximately 15 minutes’ walk from Edinburgh city centre. The Meadows and The Grange lie to the west and Holyrood Park and Prestonfield to the east.
There are a range of flats on offer in Newington, both tenement and new-build, as well as larger family homes.
The average monthly rent price for a one-bed flat in EH8, which covers Newington, is £842, a two-bed flat is £1174, and a three-bed flat is £1743.
Corstorphine
Corstorphine is a popular, family-friendly suburb of Edinburgh approximately four miles west of Edinburgh city centre. Property in Corstorphine ranges from Victorian family villas and traditional bungalows to modern flats. Many properties in the area have gardens and parking.
The main thoroughfare, St John’s Road, is lined with independent boutiques and eateries and the Gyle Shopping Centre is located close by for further shops and amenities. Residents can also enjoy urban green space at the sprawling Hillwood Park, which lies behind Edinburgh Zoo. You'll also find BT Murrayfield Stadium and Edinburgh Airport not far from the suburb's boundaries.
The average price of rent per month for a one bed flat in EH12, which covers Corstorphine, is £925, a two-bed flat is £1169, and a three-bed flat is £1490.
Stockbridge
Once an outlying village, the desirable Stockbridge area was incorporated into Edinburgh in the 19th century when the New Town was built in the space between. Due to its cobbled streets and picturesque charm, Stockbridge has been used as a filming location on numerous occasions (films include Rebus and Low Winter Sun), and it even has its own Instagram page.
Three of the most expensive streets in Edinburgh are located here (Ann Street, Saxe Coburg Place and Danube Street). However, there are also affordable properties in Stockbridge as it is largely residential with lots of terraced houses.
The area has great access to green spaces with the Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Park and the Water of Leith nearby.
The average price of a one-bed flat in EH4, which covers Stockbridge, is £1065 per month, a two-bed flat is £1223 and a three-bed flat is £1566.
Portobello
Situated three miles from the city centre, this coastal suburb was once a popular resort for holidaymakers. Now, the beachfront is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants and independent shops and cafes can be found on Portobello High Street.
The Portobello Swim Centre situated on the promenade is home to one of only three remaining Turkish baths in Scotland, as well as The Portobello Sailing and Kayaking Club and RowPorty, a community-run coastal rowing club.
Those looking for a flat to rent in Portobello are spoiled for choice as the area has a mix of property types. There are the traditional Victorian tenement flats and townhouses that Edinburgh is known for, as well as sleek and modern apartments overlooking the sea.
According to home.co.uk, the current average price of rent for a one-bed flat in EH15, which covers Portobello, is £857 per month, a two-bed flat is £1153 and a three-bed flat is £1350.
Leith
Historically Leith was a wealthy mariners’ town and entirely separate from Edinburgh but in recent years Leith has emerged as one of the Capital’s most popular locations for young professionals.
The area has a busy port with stunning cruise liners regularly making an appearance. It is the home of the Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal, and an extremely generous selection of shops, bars and restaurants.
While Leith doesn’t boast the large green open spaces like the city centre, there is Leith Links which offers an open area and of course you can always walk along The Shore.
Leith is home to a wide range of flats to rent, with Victorian tenement flats and new-build developments found in the Shore area. There are also lots of detached and semi-detached houses, particularly around the Leith Links area.
The average rent per month for a one-bed flat in EH6, which covers Leith, is £806, a two-bed flat is £1051, and a three-bed flat is £1598.
Dalry, Gorgie, Stenhouse and Sighthill
These areas are popular for both young professionals and students as rental costs can be cheaper, allowing residents to experience vibrant city living without the usual price tag. Plus, there are excellent bus services available to transport residents to all areas of the city, including Heriot Watt and Edinburgh Napier universities.
Gorgie is home to a popular free-entry city farm, as well as Fountain Park, a leisure and entertainment centre, and Tynecastle Park football stadium.
As students and young professionals continue to move to the area, more and more bars and cafés popping up in the area and along the canal towards Polwarth and Fountainbridge. The canal is particularly popular for those that love to run or cycle, or you can head the other way to Saughton Park and Gardens or enjoy the Victorian baths at Dalry Swim Centre.
The average rent per month for a one-bed flat in EH11, which covers the above areas, is £808, a two-bed flat is £1087, and a three-bed flat is £1517.
Find out more
Whether you are looking for a house, flat, bungalow, apartment, new build or any other kind of property to rent, ESPC may have the one that you are looking for.
ESPC magazine
This article appeared in the November 2022 issue of the ESPC magazine. Find out more about the ESPC magazine and read the latest issue online.