So, it's settled! You got into one of Edinburgh's prestigious universities; congratulations! What's next? Now that you've secured your spot at your dream university, there's much more to plan, including where you will stay during your education journey. This guide will help you explore what's available across the city, so you know what to expect before you decide.

Edinburgh is a multicultural city with a historical background and vibrant culture. It is renowned for its Georgian architecture and mediaeval Old Town. Known for its diverse nightlife and long, glorious history, Edinburgh is an exciting Scottish city. Students and young professionals alike find it to be a popular travel destination.

So since we've established what a wonderful city Edinburgh is, let's start breaking down all its great neighbourhoods and student accommodation! Come on, let's dive in!

1. Old Town

A lot of ancient architecture comes to mind when you think of Edinburgh, along with perhaps cobblestone streets and winding alleyways. When you think of it, you likely picture Edinburgh's Old Town, where most visitors to the city spend the majority of their time. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, souvenir stores, and walking tours available there, so you won't run out of things to do.

The Old Town is obviously one of the most interesting places to stay, and it's also an excellent place for students to live since it has several student housing spots and the Old Town Campus of the University of Edinburgh lurking just around the corner. A couple of well-known options for students in Old Town are Brewer's Court and Panmure Court Roost.

Panmure Court Roost

Starting from 375£

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2. New Town

The New Town is located north of the Old Town. The two together make up the city's heart, but they are rather distinct from one another. The New Town is loaded with Georgian townhouses, expansive squares, and many more exquisite spaces and structures, although it lacks the Old Town's dramatic mediaeval atmosphere.

This area houses the Edinburgh Waverley train station, which offers connections to Glasgow, London, and other significant cities. There are more options for mid-range and low-cost accommodation, and the Scottish National Gallery and Scottish National Portrait Gallery are the main attractions there.

3. Haymarket

The Haymarket neighbourhood is highly diversified and has many restaurants, and cafes. You may find cuisine from all over the world as well as a good mix of chain and indie hangouts. With Haymarket's large, well-connected train station, many other places in the UK are easy to reach.

Lastly, Haymarket is one of Edinburgh's greatest areas for students and young people because it is reasonably priced and has a young population. Students looking for a well-connected base often consider this neighbourhood. Edinburgh Napier University is just a short ride away from this area.

4. Stockbridge

The quaint, small neighbourhood of Stockbridge, which has a village-like character, is located to the northeast of the city centre of Edinburgh. It offers a glimpse of real life in Edinburgh, together with a scattering of respectable cafes, restaurants, and pubs.

The area was once a village that was integrated into the city. It's one of Edinburgh's greatest neighbourhoods if you're looking for a cheap place to live because there are many terraced houses and residential areas, making it feasible to find accommodation at a reasonable price. One popular option for students in this neighbourhood is McDonald Road. The University of Edinburgh is just a 12-minute ride from this neighbourhood.

iQ Elliott House

Starting from 280£

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5. Leith

There are few places like Leith where innovation and heritage coexist. The notorious area of Edinburgh's city centre used to be Leith. While other areas of Leith are still catching up, the neighbourhood has become a hipster hotspot of its own, and many people consider it the best section of the city.

The neighbourhood has experienced an astonishing transformation without sacrificing any of its local identity, thanks to massive regeneration projects and the tremendous gentrification efforts of its residents. A well-known option for students in this neighbourhood is iQ Elliott House.

6. Southside

The University of Edinburgh, which is surrounded by stunning open spaces, unique shops, and a sizable student population, is located in Southside. In this thriving neighbourhood near Old Town, you may unwind in a busy pub, discover Scottish history at the National Museum of Scotland, or take in the scenic views of The Meadows. This neighbourhood is worth considering if you're comparing places to live close to campus.

The Bridge House

Starting from 155£

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7. Fountainbridge

The Fountainbridge neighbourhood of Edinburgh has undergone redevelopment over the past few years. It is now a contemporary business district with a leisure district that includes a multiplex cinema, bowling alley, casino, restaurants, pubs, and the canal basin with barges that can be rented or used for a leisurely cruise and dinner.

From Fountainbridge, it only takes five to ten minutes to walk to the city's West End or, going the other way, to sights like Edinburgh Castle and the Grassmarket. This area has a good concentration of housing worth comparing, including The Bridge House, iQ Fountainbridge, and Vita Fountainbridge.

And there you have it! That wraps up our breakdown of Edinburgh's most popular student neighbourhoods. Hopefully it helps narrow down where you'd like to live.