CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Flat hunting in Edinburgh

(8 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by rob_88_rover
  • Latest reply from Dave

  1. rob_88_rover
    Member

    Hi
    A couple of months ago, I posted in this forum saying that I was considering moving to Edinburgh and I asked for advice on job hunting. I’m pleased to say I have now been offered a role in your city and I hope to move up there in the next couple of months or so.

    So, next question!…can anyone offer advice on flat hunting?

    I have had a quick look on rightmove.com for flats…there isn’t a great deal of selection. Is there a more popular website in Edinburgh to use, or is the rental market quite competitive?
    My job is going to be based in Edinburgh Business Park and I was thinking of looking in the area to the west of the city (near to Haymarket) as that obviously has great connections to bus, train and tram. Do you think I could find a decent 1 bedroom flat for around £550 a month (I couldn’t really afford much more!)
    Thanks for reading
    Bob

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. mogwai1375
    Member

    Congrats on the job!

    I've personally found the rental market very competitive - it's not unusual for flats to be let within days of being posted, especially July-October, when students are looking for places to stay. I've always used a combination of rightmove, citylets, and gumtree when looking for flats. Gumtree is espcially good if you prefer private landlords (as I do - I've got cats, and they're easier to negotiate with than agencies).

    Regarding your price, I haven't lived in Haymarket myself (I've done Old Town, Cannonmills, and various bits of Leith), but £550 seems just about doable. It may not be enough to get you a nice place, however - the flats I've stayed in that were comparable in price were either fairly run down, downright awful, or full of the owner's attempts at DIY (in one memorable case, the toilet would tilt forward alarmingly whenever sat on).

    That said, ymmv. I'm sure others have had different experiences.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. gembo
    Member

    I hope one bed flat in Dalry comes within that bracket?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. SRD
    Moderator

    A nice one bed in Leith does, so would think one in Dalry or Slateford would too.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Dalry, Gorgie, Leith, Saughton, Stenhouse, Slateford... I think you'll probably be able to find somewhere fairly nice 1-bed at that sort of price.

    If you take yourself out of the city centre a little bit and away from the des res areas such as Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, Marchmont, Grange, Murrayfield, Roseburn you'll find the prices drop a wee bit. There are a couple of other train stations around, some may have a tram stop or good bus routes nearby. It's worth considering not being too set on vicinity to Haymarket.

    Edinburgh's pretty compact for walking and even more so when you get your bearings on the bike. Worth looking in areas near the main bike paths as you'll be surprised just how quickly you'll find yourself in the city centre or near Haymarket.

    By "Edinburgh Business Park" do you mean Edinburgh Park? there's the station there and at South Gyle and former is fairly near tram (although not too near housing). Consider looking at the bus map or tram route and working back along it through housing areas?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. rob_88_rover
    Member

    Thanks for everyones reply, its very kind of you.

    Im still in the very early stages of planning (i dont even have a start date yet!) but your advivce here will be very useful to me as i attempt to settle in to Edinburgh.

    thanks again

    Bob

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. geordiefatbloke
    Member

    Not sure if someone else has mentioned or but espc.com is the main site for buying/selling property in Edinburgh and it has a rental section so you may get some more choices there?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. Dave
    Member

    As a generalisation, the south of Edinburgh is nice to live in, but terrible for cycling whereas the north, north-west and north-east have quite a decent continuous path layout considering. I rented/owned in Marchmont / Newington / Sciennes for many years, but if I had my time again I wouldn't. Depends on priorities as always.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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