Old Town
Old Town sits right at the heart of Edinburgh, and the surrounding neighbourhoods reflect that central position well. You're on the doorstep of restaurants, bars and culture, with two railway stations nearby, tram access to the airport, and monthly transport costs as low as £80, well below what you'd pay in most UK cities. GP practices, pharmacies and hospitals are all close by, so healthcare is easy to access despite the dense city setting. The trade-off for this central convenience is a lack of local state primary and secondary schools right in the Old Town itself, though Tollcross Primary and St Thomas of Aquin's High School are within easy reach, and the University of Edinburgh's strong presence makes the area a natural draw for students and young professionals.
Beyond the immediate centre, the wider area opens up into a varied mix of settled, family-friendly neighbourhoods. Places like Inverleith, Corstorphine, Morningside and Southside offer strong school options, including both well-regarded state primaries and independent names like Fettes College, George Watson's College and Mary Erskine, alongside good GP and dentist coverage. Green space is a recurring theme too, from Inverleith's 17 parks to the open ground around Duddingston Loch in Craigentinny. Air quality comes up consistently as a strength across these neighbourhoods, often rated "good" or better.
Transport and connectivity tie the whole area together. Tram lines, frequent buses and good cycle routes make car-free living genuinely practical, whether you're heading into the centre from Leith Walk, Sighthill or Fountainbridge. Living costs generally sit at or below the UK average, with transport and utilities the main areas of saving. The overall picture is a suburb with a genuinely central, amenity-rich core surrounded by well-connected, settled residential neighbourhoods, each offering slightly different strengths, whether that's schooling, green space or everyday convenience, but all sharing easy access back into the city.
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Old Town is a big area, so we split it into neighbourhoods to give you a better look at each. Select an area to find out more.
