StreetWhiz

Where to Live in Edinburgh, According to Reddit

r/Edinburgh r/Scotland r/AskUK r/IWantOut

Last updated: 2026-04-25 · Next refresh: 2026-07-24 · Methodology

1193 threads · 2790 comments · 2011-08 to 2026-04

This page is based on mined Reddit discussions about where to live in Edinburgh. Comments are classified by neighbourhood, sentiment, and recurring topic, then aggregated into the analysis below.

Reddit skews younger, rental-oriented, and more online than the Edinburgh population at large. Read the results as structured signal from this dataset, not as census-level truth.

The short answer

19 Edinburgh neighbourhoods, ranked from 2790 comments across 1193 threads. 58% of 3432 mentions are positive. The most-discussed topics are safety, cost, and transport.

Ranked by score (see methodology).

Highest rated

#1
Trinity / Inverleith / Canonmills
0.71 106 mentions · 79% positive
cost transport commute
#2
Abbeyhill / Meadowbank / Willowbrae
0.7 115 mentions · 78% positive
safety transport cost
#3
Bruntsfield
0.69 165 mentions · 76% positive
cost student_density family_suitable

Lowest rated

#19
Wester Hailes / Sighthill / Clovenstone
0.11 119 mentions · 17% positive
safety cost character_loss
#18
Old Town / Royal Mile
0.13 66 mentions · 21% positive
tourists safety cost
#17
Pilton / Muirhouse
0.15 221 mentions · 19% positive
safety cost transport

All Edinburgh neighbourhoods, ranked

Click a column header to re-sort. Click a row to jump to the detail card.

Rank Neighbourhood Score Mentions Positive % Negative % Top concerns Last mention
1 Trinity / Inverleith / Canonmills 0.71 106 79% 6% cost 27 transport 9 commute 8 2026-04
2 Abbeyhill / Meadowbank / Willowbrae 0.7 115 78% 8% safety 24 transport 24 cost 23 2026-04
3 Bruntsfield 0.69 165 76% 13% cost 41 student_density 12 family_suitable 10 2026-04
4 Corstorphine 0.68 124 76% 10% transport 34 commute 21 family_suitable 19 2026-03
5 Portobello 0.66 146 73% 14% cost 27 commute 24 transport 20 2026-04
6 Dalry / Gorgie 0.65 348 70% 13% cost 92 safety 80 transport 64 2026-04
7 Morningside 0.65 155 73% 17% cost 43 family_suitable 14 transport 11 2026-04
8 Stockbridge 0.64 196 70% 17% cost 62 family_suitable 14 commute 12 2026-04
9 Haymarket / West End 0.63 61 75% 11% transport 21 cost 15 commute 10 2026-04
10 Polwarth / Fountainbridge / Tollcross 0.62 118 70% 12% cost 24 safety 14 student_density 14 2026-04
11 Newhaven 0.6 47 74% 13% cost 18 transport 10 commute 7 2026-04
12 Leith 0.59 800 62% 19% safety 188 cost 162 transport 79 2026-04
13 Marchmont 0.58 111 68% 20% cost 32 student_density 21 safety 7 2026-04
14 Newington / Southside 0.51 125 60% 18% cost 30 student_density 26 nightlife 11 2026-04
15 Granton / Western Harbour 0.24 186 31% 38% safety 95 cost 30 transport 15 2026-04
16 Craigmillar / Niddrie 0.16 223 21% 57% safety 153 cost 11 family_suitable 11 2026-04
17 Pilton / Muirhouse 0.15 221 19% 63% safety 159 cost 27 transport 11 2026-04
18 Old Town / Royal Mile 0.13 66 21% 62% tourists 18 safety 13 cost 11 2026-04
19 Wester Hailes / Sighthill / Clovenstone 0.11 119 17% 64% safety 80 cost 11 character_loss 3 2026-04

Most-discussed topics

How often each topic appears across all neighbourhood mentions. Some are clear concerns (safety, cost, cold flats); others are recurring discussion themes (nightlife, family suitability) that can read positive or negative depending on the commenter.

What's changed recently

Comparing the last 12 months of positive mentions to the 12 months before that, the two neighbourhoods that moved the most are below.

Is the rental market getting easier or harder?

Reddit comments split into two camps: ones framing the market as tough (brutal, packed viewings, prices climbing) and ones framing it as easing (more options, prices flattening, less competition). Aggregated by year so a single brutal week doesn't dominate.

Neighbourhood breakdowns

One card per neighbourhood: sentiment split, top concerns, recommended audiences, and a link out to the source threads on Reddit.

#1 Leith
800 mentions · 62% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Leith Walk, The Shore, Leith Links, Bonnington
Sentiment
Positive (497)
62%
Negative (150)
19%
Mixed (153)
19%

Concerns

safety
188
cost
162
transport
79

Recommended for

20s_30s_professionals
80
new_arrivals
65
families
42
couples
37
students
22
first_move
17
retirees
5
beach_lovers
3
Mentioned across 215 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f wk5a3 15y85w 19794q 1c9muq 1cuu3p 1izcmf 1izkei 1k7ymg 1vkas4 27kvay 2eisan 2ncde7 2tpjdt 37kua4 3f1emr 3oqjyn 3pr1h0 3qgkcn 3vxo87 44g6ih 4b9mnc 4hgu1o 4li320 4lzcav 4q2hzo 56dn34 5sa0ut 5stcp3 5thkmd 63m6kt 662nan 6cclh1 6dxvlk 6khd0z 6rlx6m 70zv0r 7d7x8q 7vruqk 7yet92 87qfxm 8kcwsk 8kvbml 97x06e 98qdi7 a3dfnl ajc8mw bee35z bfak2m bh4xac bjvm4d busonv crshh0 cziner d1irk5 d2457u dp8hlf e4524c gxc6fb il3u1k in6erw j3svkj jcfrob jj2cy6 jqtomu jweowk jxn6x3 k92q6z kvv0z5 kyld5o lkjwc7 loe1az lufj0c n131mm n1xapc ng0i9j nnjd6h o4w38z o8eioy opa8yf opk6ld opz33d os8fnu p62thg pyfvdq q2lb7n s0c6r3 seoamr seu62z sp3nh0 ssgjv3 su6cub sunjvg tfdlti u1acs6 u1tt9c utv578 vhh7ii vpv5u8 vtqci4 vwenna wh3fth wqioyj wtul06 wwejux wz7696 x0q9ev ycicoa yphsea z4s70h zf7nw5 103z55g 10a24sw 10d7ert 10ro222 110gqs0 116ec54 116n1fw 117olyl 11cmb6j 11f2akt 123tn7s 12gn3n0 133nt1y 14988k5 14hl8vl 14mddjk 14qkpxr 15h4uy8 15htqg6 15p17un 15uxkl7 16brmjt 18z5ath 18zxjgo 1977xx1 19bcotb 19djhpu 1am5cb0 1az1dk2 1b0t6ks 1bgwbgu 1bqlrrt 1buuzp5 1bv0vrt 1bz0qsc 1cdhsgc 1cjwptd 1cpuibl 1czhpnt 1doxas4 1eq0b7e 1f8144h 1fkjik1 1g23c4r 1gaxwdr 1gree20 1guxmxg 1hf3il7 1hn2jpn 1hvc717 1hzm971 1i7cx2f 1iichxq 1it4hq3 1itckmw 1j174d9 1j2fv8a 1j5ltrv 1j9fgws 1jbb39n 1jbxaza 1jhbv72 1jp1lxs 1jtm1to 1k47xpq 1kptvgm 1lagmfk 1lf4x90 1lsjvk9 1lwakhm 1lwinf5 1mcp3ji 1mgwx76 1mog1se 1mudaqz 1mytlp9 1n4xm3e 1ngv025 1niajh2 1nov90f 1nq79xf 1nvkzgd 1oc9znu 1oh97u1 1ol5mws 1oxh13p 1oye02u 1pkpkyf 1ppoz9v 1q1hrc7 1q8n7k8 1qbr3dh 1qhu8cp 1qtvk3n 1r1dnbv 1r4z3a4 1r57ytt 1rjxyw8 1rllmgf 1rvn5kf 1s9luxl 1spu2oa 1sria2h
#3 Craigmillar / Niddrie
223 mentions · 21% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Craigmillar, Niddrie, Craigmillar Park
Sentiment
Positive (47)
21%
Negative (126)
57%
Mixed (50)
22%

Concerns

safety
153
cost
11
family_suitable
11

Recommended for

families
21
20s_30s_professionals
6
new_arrivals
6
students
4
first_move
3
couples
2
Mentioned across 79 threads on Reddit
j6cfc 19794q 1c9muq 1izcmf 1izkei 1kot3d 2lsce2 2rek6v 2t234t 3pr1h0 4bi705 4hgu1o 4li320 4lzcav 56dn34 6dxvlk 708god 7cmy51 8kcwsk 8kvbml 9dke01 a3dfnl agxtf8 bjvm4d busonv cxnxh7 i2nk32 i989ov ij907t jcfrob jj2cy6 jqtomu jweowk l0qn0u m8j1tb ng0i9j p62thg sunjvg u855lx vpv5u8 wz7696 zf7nw5 103ti5u 10ro222 116ec54 11f2akt 11yg7ek 13d1nrs 15htqg6 15uxkl7 17etp1d 17z72hi 18zxjgo 1az1dk2 1bqlrrt 1bu2xh8 1bv0vrt 1czhpnt 1fgljjd 1fgtkwl 1hvc717 1ihbvtd 1iichxq 1itckmw 1j5ltrv 1jhbv72 1k6lxvx 1kwqy8i 1lsjvk9 1mgwx76 1mudaqz 1n4xm3e 1ol5mws 1oxh13p 1qbr3dh 1qtvk3n 1rr0f9e 1s19flz 1sria2h
#4 Pilton / Muirhouse
221 mentions · 19% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Pilton, Muirhouse, Granton Road, Drylaw
Sentiment
Positive (43)
19%
Negative (140)
63%
Mixed (38)
17%

Concerns

safety
159
cost
27
transport
11

Recommended for

families
13
20s_30s_professionals
9
first_move
7
new_arrivals
6
couples
5
students
2
Mentioned across 88 threads on Reddit
j6cfc 19794q 1c9muq 1izcmf 1kot3d 1oy5ue 1tyfet 2euaye 2lsce2 2t234t 3pr1h0 4li320 4lzcav 56dn34 5sa0ut 6cclh1 6dxvlk 6rlx6m 708god 8kcwsk 8kvbml a3dfnl agxtf8 busonv cziner d2457u eliy8i etw573 i2nk32 i989ov jcfrob kvv0z5 kyld5o m8j1tb n1xapc ng0i9j o8eioy opz33d seu62z sunjvg tbq5if u0o546 u1acs6 u855lx uh5vcd vnw46m vu1s5z wz7696 10zz6ue 116ec54 11cmb6j 11f2akt 13d1nrs 14hl8vl 14v90is 15htqg6 15qxj64 17etp1d 184vqwr 18zxjgo 1bv0vrt 1c38wtj 1czhpnt 1g7lvuh 1gree20 1hvc717 1hzm971 1i7cx2f 1ihbvtd 1iichxq 1itckmw 1j5ltrv 1kvonm5 1n4xm3e 1oc9znu 1oh97u1 1oig6c7 1ol5mws 1oxh13p 1p86289 1q1xpi4 1qbr3dh 1qtvk3n 1r4z3a4 1rllmgf 1s19flz 1sria2h 1sulmjw
#5 Stockbridge
196 mentions · 70% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Stockbridge, St Stephen Street, Comely Bank
Sentiment
Positive (138)
70%
Negative (33)
17%
Mixed (25)
13%

Concerns

cost
62
family_suitable
14
commute
12

Recommended for

new_arrivals
24
20s_30s_professionals
21
families
15
retirees
13
couples
9
students
3
first_move
2
quiet
1
Mentioned across 104 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f wk5a3 15y85w 1c9muq 1k7ymg 1oy5ue 1tyfet 27kvay 2ncde7 2t234t 3k4e39 3vxo87 3yi6ju 44g6ih 4lzcav 4q2hzo 56dn34 5sa0ut 6cclh1 6khd0z 77sei3 7vruqk 84skkd 97x06e 98qdi7 9b0hae 9wx062 cg7x76 cziner d2457u e4524c gofkef hkqa1u hs6ylv i2nk32 in6erw jqtomu k81po6 lkjwc7 loe1az lufj0c mmjei5 opz33d p667qg sp3nh0 tfdlti u1acs6 v4plul vhh7ii vpv5u8 wh3fth wz7696 ycicoa 10a24sw 10d7ert 116ec54 11g8t3r 11wegtu 15p17un 15uxkl7 16brmjt 17v1a77 17z72hi 18ibr49 18zxjgo 1bz0qsc 1cgahd4 1cpuibl 1eq0b7e 1fgljjd 1g23c4r 1gree20 1guxmxg 1hf3il7 1hn2jpn 1i7cx2f 1iichxq 1itckmw 1j5ltrv 1jbxaza 1jlxf7f 1jp1lxs 1k0wonq 1k167t3 1mgwx76 1mo8km3 1mog1se 1mytlp9 1n4xm3e 1niajh2 1nov90f 1oh97u1 1ol5mws 1oxh13p 1p5mwkc 1p86289 1pkpkyf 1ppoz9v 1qtvk3n 1r1dnbv 1rr7lb7 1s19flz 1s9luxl
#6 Granton / Western Harbour
186 mentions · 31% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Granton, Western Harbour, Granton Harbour, Granton Square
Sentiment
Positive (57)
31%
Negative (71)
38%
Mixed (58)
31%

Concerns

safety
95
cost
30
transport
15

Recommended for

20s_30s_professionals
9
new_arrivals
8
families
6
first_move
5
couples
4
quiet
3
students
3
beach_lovers
1
retirees
1
Mentioned across 76 threads on Reddit
j6cfc 15y85w 19794q 1c9muq 1izcmf 2euaye 2t234t 3pr1h0 4lzcav 5sa0ut 6cclh1 6dxvlk 6rlx6m 7a46zw 8jdyqa 8kcwsk 8kvbml 9wdbwi agxtf8 busonv cziner d2457u eliy8i etw573 i989ov kvv0z5 molxoj mtu3qt o4w38z o8eioy opz33d pyfvdq seu62z sunjvg tbq5if tdapv6 u0o546 vnw46m wtadt3 wz7696 10ro222 116ec54 123tn7s 15qxj64 15uxkl7 17etp1d 18zxjgo 1977xx1 1buuzp5 1c38wtj 1f8144h 1fwkvbt 1fylmhu 1g7lvuh 1hvc717 1i7cx2f 1iichxq 1iqrw6n 1j5ltrv 1jtm1to 1kvonm5 1mudaqz 1my5e8s 1nq79xf 1oh97u1 1ol5mws 1oxh13p 1p86289 1pkpkyf 1ppoz9v 1q1hrc7 1q8n7k8 1qhu8cp 1r4z3a4 1rllmgf 1sria2h
#7 Bruntsfield
165 mentions · 76% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Bruntsfield Links
Sentiment
Positive (125)
76%
Negative (22)
13%
Mixed (18)
11%

Concerns

cost
41
student_density
12
family_suitable
10

Recommended for

new_arrivals
16
students
15
20s_30s_professionals
13
families
13
retirees
6
couples
3
first_move
3
Mentioned across 82 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f wk5a3 15y85w 19794q 1c9muq 1izkei 1k7ymg 1vkas4 2c6lsm 2ncde7 3pr1h0 3qgkcn 3vxo87 44g6ih 4b9mnc 4lzcav 4q2hzo 4zbt01 5sa0ut 6dxvlk 77sei3 7vruqk 8gggpc 8jb7py 97x06e ajc8mw bee35z bh4xac bjvm4d cziner ejya6a g9mpxi hkqa1u iapagl jweowk jxn6x3 k81po6 mfnvld mmjei5 n1xapc opz33d u1acs6 wz7696 ycicoa 15htqg6 15p17un 15uxkl7 17v1a77 18ibr49 1bqlrrt 1cgahd4 1g23c4r 1gree20 1guxmxg 1hf3il7 1hn2jpn 1i7cx2f 1j5ltrv 1jbxaza 1jlxf7f 1jp1lxs 1kg07it 1lkic4i 1mbcmwj 1mgwx76 1mog1se 1mytlp9 1n4xm3e 1niajh2 1nov90f 1oh97u1 1oxh13p 1oye02u 1pkpkyf 1ppoz9v 1q1hrc7 1qtvk3n 1r1dnbv 1rjxyw8 1s19flz 1s9luxl
#8 Morningside
155 mentions · 73% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Morningside Road, Churchhill
Sentiment
Positive (113)
73%
Negative (26)
17%
Mixed (16)
10%

Concerns

cost
43
family_suitable
14
transport
11

Recommended for

retirees
16
families
13
students
10
20s_30s_professionals
9
new_arrivals
7
couples
6
first_move
2
quiet
1
Mentioned across 84 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f 15y85w 19794q 1c9muq 1k7ymg 1tyfet 2c6lsm 2ncde7 2rek6v 2t234t 3pr1h0 44g6ih 4hgu1o 4lzcav 4q2hzo 4zbt01 56dn34 5sa0ut 6dxvlk 77sei3 7vruqk 84skkd 97x06e a3dfnl apjoaj bjvm4d c8av1u cziner d2457u gxc6fb hkqa1u j3svkj jweowk k81po6 kvv0z5 lkjwc7 mmjei5 n1xapc opz33d p62thg sp3nh0 u1acs6 vpv5u8 vwenna wz7696 ycicoa 116ec54 11g8t3r 133nt1y 13d1nrs 14np0dk 15p17un 15uxkl7 17v1a77 18ibr49 18zxjgo 1cpuibl 1fgljjd 1g23c4r 1gree20 1guxmxg 1hn2jpn 1i7cx2f 1j5ltrv 1jjen5z 1jp1lxs 1k167t3 1kg07it 1mog1se 1mytlp9 1n4xm3e 1niajh2 1nojim0 1nov90f 1ol5mws 1oye02u 1pkpkyf 1qhu8cp 1qtvk3n 1rjxyw8 1s19flz 1s9luxl 1sria2h
#9 Portobello
146 mentions · 73% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Portobello, Porty, Portobello Beach, Joppa
Sentiment
Positive (107)
73%
Negative (20)
14%
Mixed (19)
13%

Concerns

cost
27
commute
24
transport
20

Recommended for

beach_lovers
27
families
26
new_arrivals
9
couples
8
20s_30s_professionals
4
retirees
4
first_move
2
quiet
2
students
1
Mentioned across 81 threads on Reddit
15y85w 1c9muq 1k7ymg 2ncde7 2t234t 3k4e39 4lzcav 4wqckn 5sa0ut 6cclh1 6khd0z 7o4e2i 97x06e bee35z c8av1u cziner d2457u d527nd euoc92 gxc6fb jcfrob jj2cy6 k81po6 kvv0z5 kyld5o l0qn0u mkkl1q n1xapc ng0i9j nnjd6h odkiby u1tt9c vwenna wtadt3 wwejux wz7696 x0q9ev ycicoa zf7nw5 10ro222 110gqs0 117olyl 11g8t3r 14hl8vl 15p19y9 15uxkl7 16brmjt 16wvf6v 18zxjgo 1bbzo3y 1bjiks4 1bqlrrt 1bu2xh8 1bv0vrt 1f8144h 1g23c4r 1i7cx2f 1itckmw 1j5ltrv 1j9fgws 1jhbv72 1k7f70g 1kazkvs 1kwqy8i 1mo45jy 1mog1se 1my5e8s 1mytlp9 1niajh2 1nov90f 1nq79xf 1ol5mws 1oxh13p 1p5mwkc 1pkpkyf 1q8n7k8 1qtvk3n 1qxstre 1rgiqfx 1s9luxl 1slf888
#10 Newington / Southside
125 mentions · 60% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Newington, Southside, Causewayside
Sentiment
Positive (75)
60%
Negative (22)
18%
Mixed (28)
22%

Concerns

cost
30
student_density
26
nightlife
11

Recommended for

students
34
20s_30s_professionals
13
new_arrivals
11
families
7
quiet
3
retirees
3
couples
2
first_move
1
Mentioned across 82 threads on Reddit
j6cfc wk5a3 19794q 1c9muq 1k7ymg 2ncde7 2rek6v 2za4zs 3jebv8 3qgkcn 3vxo87 4063zk 4hgu1o 4lzcav 4zbt01 662nan 6dxvlk 6khd0z 7yet92 97x06e 98qdi7 99oubt a3dfnl aps02n cziner d1irk5 d2457u gxc6fb hkqa1u iapagl j3svkj jweowk kyld5o mtu3qt n131mm n1xapc ng0i9j nnjd6h oegi30 os8fnu u1acs6 utv578 vpv5u8 vwenna ycicoa 10a24sw 117olyl 11g8t3r 11wegtu 13lc56l 14hl8vl 14np0dk 15p17un 15uxkl7 17z72hi 184vqwr 18c0whl 18zxjgo 1bqlrrt 1bz0qsc 1c38wtj 1czhpnt 1doxas4 1g23c4r 1guxmxg 1i7cx2f 1iyq5nt 1j1suct 1j5ltrv 1jbxaza 1jp1lxs 1k167t3 1mgwx76 1mog1se 1mudaqz 1mytlp9 1n4xm3e 1oye02u 1q1hrc7 1qbr3dh 1r57ytt 1s9luxl
#11 Corstorphine
124 mentions · 76% positive · last mention 2026-03
Includes: Murrayfield
Sentiment
Positive (94)
76%
Negative (12)
10%
Mixed (18)
15%

Concerns

transport
34
commute
21
family_suitable
19

Recommended for

families
25
couples
7
new_arrivals
7
20s_30s_professionals
6
retirees
3
first_move
2
quiet
2
Mentioned across 63 threads on Reddit
j6cfc 15y85w 1c9muq 1k7ymg 2q4f03 30l3sz 37zl0q 3vxo87 4b9mnc 4lzcav 4q2hzo 4r7wci 740cy4 7yet92 8kcwsk cziner d2457u ejya6a jj2cy6 m8j1tb p54qxh sp3nh0 tfdlti u1acs6 u1tt9c vpv5u8 wz7696 x0q9ev ycicoa z8wsan 11cmb6j 11g8t3r 133nt1y 15uxkl7 16brmjt 17v1a77 18ibr49 18w3134 18zxjgo 1bu2xh8 1bv0vrt 1c6x5lz 1f5sosr 1fkjik1 1i7cx2f 1ilbpn9 1iqrw6n 1it4hq3 1j5ltrv 1j9fgws 1jbxaza 1jlxf7f 1k0wonq 1k167t3 1k6lxvx 1mytlp9 1nov90f 1nvkzgd 1pbg4dw 1pkpkyf 1q1hrc7 1qxstre 1rr7lb7
#12 Wester Hailes / Sighthill / Clovenstone
119 mentions · 17% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Wester Hailes, Sighthill, Clovenstone, Longstone
Sentiment
Positive (20)
17%
Negative (76)
64%
Mixed (23)
19%

Concerns

safety
80
cost
11
character_loss
3

Recommended for

new_arrivals
7
families
5
students
4
first_move
3
20s_30s_professionals
1
Mentioned across 66 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f 15y85w 19794q 1c9muq 1izkei 1kot3d 2eisan 2lsce2 2t234t 37zl0q 3pr1h0 4li320 4lzcav 4r7wci 708god 7d7x8q 8kcwsk 8kvbml 90y8hl ajptmx ay247l bjvm4d busonv i2nk32 jcfrob kvv0z5 kyld5o n1xapc wz7696 ycicoa 10ro222 116ec54 117olyl 11cmb6j 15htqg6 15uxkl7 16brmjt 17etp1d 18zxjgo 1bv0vrt 1c38wtj 1czhpnt 1hvc717 1i7cx2f 1ihbvtd 1iichxq 1iqrw6n 1itckmw 1jtnpfn 1kkavzx 1kvonm5 1kwqy8i 1l6iu3s 1n4xm3e 1nq79xf 1nyzow1 1oc9znu 1oh97u1 1ol5mws 1oxh13p 1q1hrc7 1rllmgf 1rr7lb7 1s19flz 1sria2h
#13 Polwarth / Fountainbridge / Tollcross
118 mentions · 70% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Polwarth, Fountainbridge, Tollcross, Gilmore Place
Sentiment
Positive (83)
70%
Negative (14)
12%
Mixed (21)
18%

Concerns

cost
24
safety
14
student_density
14

Recommended for

students
16
new_arrivals
13
20s_30s_professionals
10
families
2
first_move
1
quiet
1
Mentioned across 74 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f wk5a3 15y85w 1c9muq 1izkei 1vkas4 27kvay 2c6lsm 2eisan 2ncde7 37kua4 3qgkcn 3vxo87 4063zk 4b9mnc 4q2hzo 4zbt01 6cclh1 6dxvlk 6khd0z 6rlx6m 7d7x8q 87qfxm 8gggpc 8kcwsk 8o0moa 97x06e a3dfnl agxtf8 ajc8mw bjvm4d hkqa1u iapagl j3svkj jxn6x3 nnjd6h o8eioy othk4o p62thg pyfvdq seu62z sp3nh0 u1acs6 u1tt9c vhh7ii vpv5u8 vtqci4 vwenna ycicoa 121mv1o 16092m1 16brmjt 17v1a77 18zxjgo 1bqlrrt 1g23c4r 1hf3il7 1hn2jpn 1hyy2f5 1j1suct 1j5ltrv 1jp1lxs 1kptvgm 1mgwx76 1n4xm3e 1ol5mws 1oxh13p 1q1hrc7 1qbr3dh 1qtvk3n 1r1dnbv 1r4z3a4 1s9luxl
#14 Abbeyhill / Meadowbank / Willowbrae
115 mentions · 78% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Abbeyhill, Meadowbank, Willowbrae
Sentiment
Positive (90)
78%
Negative (9)
8%
Mixed (16)
14%

Concerns

safety
24
transport
24
cost
23

Recommended for

families
10
20s_30s_professionals
6
couples
6
first_move
5
new_arrivals
3
quiet
3
students
3
beach_lovers
1
Mentioned across 52 threads on Reddit
2e9laq 2lsce2 2ncde7 2tpjdt 4lzcav 6cclh1 6khd0z 6rlx6m 7oesl5 8kcwsk bjvm4d busonv cjoai7 g9mpxi j3svkj jcfrob jweowk m8j1tb os8fnu seu62z sunjvg u1acs6 wz7696 10ro222 116n1fw 11f2akt 14flsqn 18ibr49 18w3134 18zxjgo 1977xx1 1bv0vrt 1efn1d0 1gree20 1hn2jpn 1itckmw 1j5ltrv 1jhrbpe 1k7f70g 1knzo09 1mgwx76 1mog1se 1mudaqz 1n9ubz7 1nov90f 1oxh13p 1q1hrc7 1qxstre 1rr7lb7 1s9luxl 1spu2oa 1sria2h
#15 Marchmont
111 mentions · 68% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Marchmont Road
Sentiment
Positive (75)
68%
Negative (22)
20%
Mixed (14)
13%

Concerns

cost
32
student_density
21
safety
7

Recommended for

students
21
20s_30s_professionals
11
families
8
new_arrivals
8
couples
2
first_move
2
quiet
2
retirees
2
Mentioned across 68 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f wk5a3 15y85w 19794q 1c9muq 1vkas4 2c6lsm 2ncde7 2rek6v 37kua4 3qgkcn 3vxo87 4063zk 4b9mnc 4lzcav 4q2hzo 4zbt01 5sa0ut 6dxvlk 99oubt bjvm4d cziner ejya6a hkqa1u iapagl jweowk k81po6 lkjwc7 mfnvld mmjei5 nnjd6h opz33d sp3nh0 tfdlti u1acs6 vpv5u8 vwenna wz7696 xk5rg9 ycicoa 13lc56l 18zxjgo 1az1dk2 1bgwbgu 1cgahd4 1czhpnt 1d74gpw 1g23c4r 1gv74x1 1i7cx2f 1j5ltrv 1jp1lxs 1kg07it 1mgwx76 1mo8km3 1mytlp9 1n4xm3e 1n9ubz7 1niajh2 1nov90f 1oxh13p 1oye02u 1ppoz9v 1q1hrc7 1r4z3a4 1rjxyw8 1s9luxl
#16 Trinity / Inverleith / Canonmills
106 mentions · 79% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Trinity, Inverleith, Canonmills, Warriston, Goldenacre
Sentiment
Positive (84)
79%
Negative (6)
6%
Mixed (16)
15%

Concerns

cost
27
transport
9
commute
8

Recommended for

families
10
20s_30s_professionals
6
new_arrivals
4
retirees
3
couples
2
Mentioned across 62 threads on Reddit
j6cfc 15y85w 1c9muq 1kot3d 2ncde7 2t234t 37kua4 4lzcav 4q2hzo 5sa0ut 6cclh1 6khd0z 7vruqk 87qfxm 8kcwsk 93ngrt a3dfnl cziner il3u1k j3svkj jj2cy6 jxn6x3 m8j1tb opk6ld pwfdct sp3nh0 tbq5if vnw46m vpv5u8 wz7696 ycicoa 116ec54 11g8t3r 160htlq 18ibr49 18zxjgo 1buuzp5 1f8si7f 1fkjik1 1fwkvbt 1g23c4r 1gree20 1hf3il7 1hn2jpn 1i7cx2f 1k7f70g 1kptvgm 1lkic4i 1mgwx76 1mog1se 1mytlp9 1nov90f 1nq79xf 1nvkzgd 1oxh13p 1p5mwkc 1q8n7k8 1qbr3dh 1r1dnbv 1rjxyw8 1rllmgf 1s9luxl
#17 Old Town / Royal Mile
66 mentions · 21% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Old Town, Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Cowgate, Canongate
Sentiment
Positive (14)
21%
Negative (41)
62%
Mixed (11)
17%

Concerns

tourists
18
safety
13
cost
11

Recommended for

20s_30s_professionals
7
new_arrivals
6
students
3
families
1
quiet
1
retirees
1
Mentioned across 47 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f 19794q 2ncde7 3k3ajr 3pr1h0 3qgkcn 4lzcav 4q2hzo 4zbt01 busonv iapagl jok24v kvv0z5 mmjei5 n131mm n4d8zo ng0i9j o8eioy pyfvdq svdnvd wrxpic wz7696 10ro222 110gqs0 13d1nrs 13lc56l 14988k5 15p17un 18zxjgo 1bgwbgu 1bqlrrt 1bz0qsc 1dztfc5 1gi8jj9 1gicedo 1it4hq3 1jp1lxs 1mytlp9 1n9ubz7 1nq79xf 1oh97u1 1q1hrc7 1r57ytt 1rllmgf 1s53ves 1sria2h
#18 Haymarket / West End
61 mentions · 75% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Haymarket, West End, Dalry Road
Sentiment
Positive (46)
75%
Negative (7)
11%
Mixed (8)
13%

Concerns

transport
21
cost
15
commute
10

Recommended for

20s_30s_professionals
8
new_arrivals
7
students
6
couples
1
quiet
1
Mentioned across 40 threads on Reddit
j6cfc wk5a3 19794q 1c9muq 1izkei 2eisan 37zl0q 3vxo87 4063zk 4b9mnc 4mlln4 4q2hzo 8gggpc 8wokhk 9wdbwi lkjwc7 nnjd6h opz33d tfdlti vpv5u8 vtqci4 wz7696 11g8t3r 16brmjt 17v1a77 18c0whl 18zxjgo 19ce784 1bbzo3y 1bqlrrt 1bu2xh8 1bz0qsc 1jqw4q0 1mbcmwj 1mciygy 1niajh2 1oxh13p 1qhu8cp 1qtvk3n 1s9luxl
#19 Newhaven
47 mentions · 74% positive · last mention 2026-04
Includes: Newhaven Road, New Haven
Sentiment
Positive (35)
74%
Negative (6)
13%
Mixed (6)
13%

Concerns

cost
18
transport
10
commute
7

Recommended for

20s_30s_professionals
6
families
5
first_move
3
new_arrivals
3
couples
2
students
2
beach_lovers
1
quiet
1
Mentioned across 38 threads on Reddit
1izcmf 2ncde7 4lzcav 87qfxm 8kvbml 9wdbwi bh4xac hs6ylv j3svkj jj2cy6 kyld5o opk6ld pyfvdq q2lb7n seu62z vhh7ii wz7696 x0q9ev xk5rg9 zf7nw5 10ro222 11cmb6j 15uxkl7 1bqlrrt 1buuzp5 1czhpnt 1g7lvuh 1i7cx2f 1itckmw 1j5ltrv 1mgwx76 1nkwdiq 1nq79xf 1nvkzgd 1pkpkyf 1qbr3dh 1r4z3a4 1s9luxl

Cross-city patterns

Themes that cut across neighbourhoods. Ranked by thread coverage.

Rental market feels brutal

160 of 1193 threads · 13%
Comments describe the market as brutal, fast-moving, or structurally hostile.
Mentioned across 160 threads on Reddit
1k7ymg 1vkas4 2ncde7 2q4f03 2uz28n 2za4zs 30uzjf 43v1u5 5hmtey 6dxvlk 6khd0z 6x66tf 84skkd 8gggpc 8kvbml 8quss5 8tphan 8wokhk 9wx062 ajc8mw aplgrw busonv crshh0 d2457u dp8hlf ejya6a eliy8i et9rp4 in6erw kiglju kyld5o lhlimt n1xapc odkiby os8fnu othk4o p62thg pgs8bf pyfvdq q2lb7n qcqxz4 rey91d s0c6r3 sdywvu snhmgb sp3nh0 sunjvg tfdlti u1tt9c uaco5l v0e1w5 v4plul vnw46m vpv5u8 vwenna w3xvsh wrxpic wtadt3 wtx863 x0pr67 xk5rg9 xkydt2 ycicoa yj921i z0w2tb 103ti5u 10d7ert 10ro222 116ec54 11cmb6j 11lewwl 11v4tyn 11zqpix 123tn7s 12gn3n0 12k0lz9 13ht3x4 13lc56l 13qvwlz 14988k5 14bv54n 14hl8vl 14qkpxr 15ly0pw 15uxkl7 16092m1 171gvrt 17vlpbu 17vx77x 17z72hi 184vqwr 18z5ath 18zxjgo 192cfmr 19ce784 19djhpu 1am5cb0 1b1jh1c 1bbzo3y 1be80iv 1bg7kn1 1bu2xh8 1buuzp5 1bz0qsc 1cdhsgc 1cjwptd 1cpuibl 1czhpnt 1doxas4 1dztfc5 1f4ptbk 1f8144h 1fhs42i 1g23c4r 1gaxwdr 1gdkp3j 1i2am8u 1i6lnkp 1io2968 1iqodja 1iqrw6n 1j9fgws 1jbxaza 1jm82rq 1jtm1to 1k47xpq 1kazkvs 1kvonm5 1kwqy8i 1l51wxg 1laps3z 1lpyxf0 1mbcmwj 1mgwx76 1mo45jy 1mog1se 1n4xm3e 1ngv025 1niajh2 1nkdk57 1nojim0 1nppjzb 1ny3g2n 1o3ekvg 1oh97u1 1oig6c7 1oxh13p 1oye02u 1p19mzp 1p86289 1pbg4dw 1pkpkyf 1q1hrc7 1qqe8ws 1qtvk3n 1r8dbfy 1rgiqfx 1s9luxl 1sria2h 1stnnrw

Anti-social behaviour

103 of 1193 threads · 9%
Repeated comments flag nuisance, harassment, or disorder around specific streets, hubs, or schemes.
Mentioned across 103 threads on Reddit
j6cfc kze7f 1c9muq 1cuu3p 1izcmf 1k7ymg 1s7rl0 1tyfet 2eisan 2euaye 2lsce2 2ncde7 3pr1h0 4bi705 4li320 4lzcav 4r7wci 56dn34 6cclh1 6rlx6m 708god 70zv0r 7cmy51 8kcwsk 8o0moa ay247l cxnxh7 eliy8i etw573 gxc6fb hkqa1u hs6ylv i989ov ij907t jcfrob kvv0z5 lhlimt molxoj n1xapc ng0i9j o4w38z o8eioy opz33d q2lb7n seoamr su6cub sunjvg tbq5if vpv5u8 vu1s5z wrxpic wwejux 10a24sw 10ro222 116n1fw 11cmb6j 11f2akt 11yg7ek 17etp1d 18z5ath 18zxjgo 1977xx1 1bqlrrt 1c38wtj 1cpuibl 1czhpnt 1eq0b7e 1fgljjd 1fgtkwl 1fkjik1 1g23c4r 1g7lvuh 1hvc717 1i7cx2f 1ihbvtd 1iichxq 1jbxaza 1jhbv72 1jhrbpe 1jqw4q0 1kwqy8i 1lkic4i 1lsjvk9 1m1kf1g 1mcp3ji 1mo8km3 1mudaqz 1my5e8s 1oh97u1 1ol5mws 1oso82y 1oxh13p 1oye02u 1ppoz9v 1q1hrc7 1q1xpi4 1q8n7k8 1qtvk3n 1rjxyw8 1rllmgf 1spu2oa 1sria2h 1sulmjw

Airbnb and STL pressure

69 of 1193 threads · 6%
Short-term lets and tourism pressure weaken long-term residential life in central areas.
Mentioned across 69 threads on Reddit
3k3ajr 5sa0ut 8kvbml 8quss5 8wokhk apjoaj bh4xac bpaq04 busonv et9rp4 hkmmf3 hkqa1u i2nk32 kiglju lkjwc7 mfnvld n4d8zo opk6ld phnqw6 pyfvdq s0c6r3 sdywvu sunjvg svdnvd u0o546 u1tt9c uaco5l v4plul v9wwc6 wrxpic wwejux wz7696 xfsy62 ycicoa yon56l 110gqs0 11cmb6j 11f2akt 123tn7s 14qkpxr 15b8t76 15htqg6 15p17un 18zxjgo 19bcotb 1b1jh1c 1bbzo3y 1bu2xh8 1bv0vrt 1cdhsgc 1cpuibl 1doxas4 1eq0b7e 1jm82rq 1kwqy8i 1lkic4i 1mcgc2b 1mcp3ji 1mnowzy 1mo8km3 1mudaqz 1nq79xf 1o3ekvg 1oh97u1 1oye02u 1q1hrc7 1q8n7k8 1r57ytt 1snt8k4

Cold flats and poor insulation

45 of 1193 threads · 4%
Older stock is often described as cold, dark, or expensive to heat.
Mentioned across 45 threads on Reddit
1cuu3p 1k7ymg 1kot3d 2q7t2x 2za4zs 6x66tf 84skkd 9wdbwi g9mpxi j3svkj khry4c loe1az n1xapc pyfvdq seu62z tbq5if vnw46m wz7696 yj921i yqx9lx 101ejsu 116ec54 14bv54n 14qkpxr 15p19y9 18c0whl 18z5ath 18zxjgo 1bbzo3y 1buuzp5 1dztfc5 1g23c4r 1gv74x1 1igvuke 1iyq5nt 1kvonm5 1l51wxg 1lkic4i 1lwinf5 1oh97u1 1okravg 1pkpkyf 1rjxyw8 1rrphe0 1s9luxl

Cobbles, hills, and stairs

36 of 1193 threads · 3%
Wet cobbles, hills, and tram tracks show up as recurring practical friction, especially for cycling and everyday movement.
Mentioned across 36 threads on Reddit
15y85w 1kot3d 2ijna3 2j1ykh 2q7t2x 3iep78 4q2hzo 5dirjt 6rlx6m 98qdi7 99oubt 9wx062 hs6ylv i2nk32 lkjwc7 mkkl1q n4d8zo opk6ld wrxpic 15kf2hd 16brmjt 173whjm 17u7zw7 1bqtxep 1d74gpw 1eq0b7e 1gree20 1j174d9 1lkic4i 1mytlp9 1n6grfg 1n9ubz7 1oh97u1 1oye02u 1r4z3a4 1rr7lb7

Festival eviction pressure

36 of 1193 threads · 3%
Comments describe tenants being cleared out for August festival lets or other short-term peaks.
Mentioned across 36 threads on Reddit
2za4zs 31crxh 8gggpc 8jdyqa 8wokhk bee35z hkmmf3 i2nk32 uaco5l ugubn7 v4plul vwenna w1yx1u 116ec54 11lewwl 12gn3n0 13lc56l 14qkpxr 15p17un 17z72hi 1b1jh1c 1bbzo3y 1bevhy3 1bu2xh8 1buuzp5 1f4ptbk 1i2am8u 1j9fgws 1jj0j2u 1kwqy8i 1mnowzy 1mo45jy 1n4xm3e 1oh97u1 1q1hrc7 1s9luxl

Overseas guarantor barrier

35 of 1193 threads · 3%
Overseas movers are often asked for UK guarantors or large amounts of rent upfront.
Mentioned across 35 threads on Reddit
wk5a3 1k7ymg 2q4f03 2uz28n 3p3pzr 9c4zzw 9dke01 aps02n bh4xac d288l5 mtu3qt pgs8bf qcqxz4 ugubn7 wrxpic yj921i 12gn3n0 13lc56l 14988k5 16092m1 17vx77x 184vqwr 1am5cb0 1b1jh1c 1czhpnt 1dztfc5 1fhs42i 1jbxaza 1jm82rq 1kvonm5 1l51wxg 1laps3z 1ngv025 1p19mzp 1s9luxl

Factor risk

29 of 1193 threads · 2%
Building-management quality is treated as a meaningful liveability or buying risk.
Mentioned across 29 threads on Reddit
6khd0z 7ral82 8kcwsk etw573 mtu3qt n1xapc o8eioy opz33d pyfvdq vu1s5z 18zxjgo 1dztfc5 1g7lvuh 1hf3il7 1hvc717 1igvuke 1j4a1hm 1l51wxg 1lf4x90 1lhp6nw 1lkic4i 1lpyxf0 1mo8km3 1mudaqz 1obj3x3 1qhe4r5 1r4z3a4 1rrphe0 1stnnrw

Furnished-only stock

14 of 1193 threads · 1%
Rental stock is often furnished by default, which works against long-term renters with their own furniture.
Mentioned across 14 threads on Reddit
52x3x3 5thkmd 8gggpc hkmmf3 in6erw mzrbcm vwenna 14jetss 18zxjgo 1bbzo3y 1hf3il7 1nyzow1 1qqe8ws 1rgiqfx

Gentrification

14 of 1193 threads · 1%
Gentrification
Mentioned across 14 threads on Reddit
2ncde7 44g6ih 4hgu1o 4li320 6cclh1 7yet92 sunjvg 11f2akt 17vlpbu 1jbxaza 1lsjvk9 1oxh13p 1q1xpi4 1rllmgf

Rental market feels softer

11 of 1193 threads · 1%
Comments describe the market as easing, sitting longer, or showing price flexibility.
Mentioned across 11 threads on Reddit
gcfc0q hkmmf3 lkjwc7 xk5rg9 z0w2tb 11f2akt 14qkpxr 18zxjgo 1gaxwdr 1jm82rq 1jp1lxs

Buses over trams

9 of 1193 threads · 1%
Bus coverage is treated as the more useful day-to-day transport network than the tram.
Mentioned across 9 threads on Reddit
4b9mnc 4q2hzo 9wdbwi u1acs6 vwenna x0q9ev 1g23c4r 1pkpkyf 1r57ytt

Student Density

5 of 1193 threads · 0%
Student Density
Mentioned across 5 threads on Reddit
123tn7s 1bqlrrt 1j9fgws 1jbxaza 1mo8km3

Character Loss

3 of 1193 threads · 0%
Character Loss
Mentioned across 3 threads on Reddit
11f2akt 1g23c4r 1q8n7k8

Flood Damp

2 of 1193 threads · 0%
Flood Damp
Mentioned across 2 threads on Reddit
84skkd 1gv74x1

Tourists

2 of 1193 threads · 0%
Tourists
Mentioned across 2 threads on Reddit
3j07l4 18z5ath

Commute

1 of 1193 threads · 0%
Commute
Mentioned across 1 thread on Reddit
vbgeuy

Noise

1 of 1193 threads · 0%
Noise
Mentioned across 1 thread on Reddit
1igvuke

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to live in Edinburgh?
Based on 2790 comments across 1193 threads, Leith is the most discussed and most recommended neighbourhood: 62% positive across 800 mentions, and the top audience pick for 20s and 30s professionals, families, couples, and first-time movers. Bruntsfield (76% across 165) and Morningside (73% across 155) have higher positive ratios but fewer mentions. Newington and Southside leads for students; Portobello leads for those who want the beach.
Which Edinburgh neighbourhoods should I avoid?
Wester Hailes, Sighthill, and Clovenstone have the lowest positive ratio at 17% across 119 mentions. Pilton and Muirhouse follow at 19% across 221 mentions, Craigmillar and Niddrie at 21% across 223. Granton and Western Harbour attract heavy discussion (186 mentions) and sit at 31% positive. Across all of these, safety is the dominant concern, with anti-social behaviour and isolation from the rest of the city repeatedly cited.
Is Leith a good place to live in Edinburgh?
Yes, with caveats. Leith is the most-mentioned neighbourhood at 800 mentions, 62% positive, and the top pick across five audience tags including 20s and 30s professionals and new arrivals to the city. Common positives: independent food and bar scene, relative affordability versus the New Town and Stockbridge, and improving transport links. The recurring caveat in the comments is variation by exact street: Leith Walk, the Shore, and the port end are repeatedly described as different places.
What are the main concerns when choosing where to live in Edinburgh?
Across the dataset, safety is the most cited concern (877 mentions), followed by cost (704), transport (350), commute (231), factor charges and management (161), and family suitability (155). Two universal warnings appear in nearly every thread: check the exact street rather than trusting the district label, and check whether the area still functions as a residential neighbourhood rather than as short-let or festival accommodation.
Is Edinburgh expensive to rent?
Cost is the second most cited concern, at 704 mentions across 1193 threads. The New Town, Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, and Morningside are consistently described as the most expensive. Leith, Dalry and Gorgie, and parts of Newington are recommended as more affordable alternatives with good city-centre access. The rental market timeline shows a recurring brutal vs softening flip; the most recent periods sit closer to softening than the 2023 to 2024 peak.
Is Stockbridge a good area to live in Edinburgh?
Stockbridge sits at 70% positive across 196 mentions. Frequently praised for its village feel, independent shops, the Water of Leith walkway, and easy access to both the New Town and Comely Bank. The recurring downside is cost: Stockbridge is one of Edinburgh's more expensive residential areas, and several positives in the dataset carry an explicit affordability caveat.

Methodology

City
Edinburgh
Topic
Where to live
Subs sampled
r/Edinburgh, r/Scotland, r/AskUK, r/IWantOut
Date range
2011-08 to 2026-04
Threads
1193
Comments
2790 mentioned, 27012 total
Extraction date
2026-04-25
Refresh interval
90 days (next: 2026-07-24)
Score
The lower bound of the 95% Wilson confidence interval on positive ratio. It rewards a high positive ratio but penalises small samples, so a place with 5 of 5 positive does not outrank a place with 80 of 100 positive. The result is a single 0 to 1 number that is sortable, comparable across neighbourhoods of different popularity, and stable across refreshes. Wilson score interval.
Neighbourhood gazetteer
Neighbourhoods come from OpenStreetMap. Every place=suburb inside the Edinburgh boundary is a primary option. place=neighbourhood and place=quarter entries whose names share a prefix with a suburb (for example "Niddrie House" is recognised as part of Niddrie) are aliased to that suburb; otherwise they stand as their own primary option. There is no editorial merging — Pilton and Muirhouse are not pre-grouped, Stockbridge and Comely Bank are not pre-grouped. If OSM treats two places as separate, this page treats them as separate. The "Includes:" line on each detail card lists exactly which OSM names roll up into a group.
Bias note
Reddit skews younger, more online, and more rental-oriented than the broader city population.