Living in Southside, Edinburgh
The Southside is Edinburgh's student central, a bustling and energetic neighbourhood vibrant with academic life. It's a multicultural hub, packed with diverse eateries and university buildings.
🏙️Lifestyle & Culture
Living in the Southside means immersing yourself in Edinburgh's vibrant student culture. Days are a flurry of activity, with students from the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University filling the streets, cafes, and libraries. The area is incredibly convenient for academic pursuits, with many university buildings, including the main library, located here. Evenings are lively, offering a vast array of budget-friendly eateries, pubs, and independent cinemas. It's a multicultural melting pot, providing a dynamic, fast-paced, and social environment perfect for those who thrive on being surrounded by youthful energy and academic buzz.
🏠Housing & Flatshares
Shared housing in the Southside primarily consists of traditional tenement flats, often converted into 3-6 bedroom flatshares. These are perfectly suited for groups of students or young professionals, offering spacious rooms and communal living areas. While many properties retain period features, interiors can vary widely in condition, from basic to recently renovated. Rents typically range from £680-£920 per person. Due to its status as 'student central,' demand is extremely high, especially during peak season. Expect to pay a 4-6 week deposit and be prepared for competitive viewings.
🚇Getting Around
The Southside boasts excellent transport links, making it incredibly convenient for getting around Edinburgh. Numerous Lothian Bus routes run frequently along Nicolson Street and Clerk Street, providing direct services to the city centre, Leith, and beyond. It's highly walkable to the University of Edinburgh's main campus, the Old Town, and The Meadows. While there's no tram access, its central position and comprehensive bus network ensure easy connectivity. Cycling is also popular, with good access to city cycle paths.
🍽️Food & Nightlife
The Southside is a food paradise for students and budget-conscious diners, offering an incredible diversity of international eateries. You'll find everything from authentic Chinese and Indian restaurants to Middle Eastern takeaways, as well as plenty of cafes like Cult Espresso for study breaks. Pubs are plentiful and often student-friendly, such as The Pear Tree. Nightlife is lively, with a mix of traditional pubs, late-night bars, and independent cinemas providing ample evening entertainment options.
Pros & Cons of Living in Southside
✓Pros
- •Unbeatable location for University of Edinburgh students, with many buildings on your doorstep.
- •Incredible diversity of budget-friendly international restaurants, cafes, and takeaways.
- •Vibrant and energetic atmosphere, perfect for socialising and student life.
- •Excellent bus connections to all parts of the city, making commuting easy.
- •Proximity to The Meadows and Arthur's Seat for green space and outdoor activities.
✗Cons
- •Can be quite noisy and bustling, especially on main streets and during peak student times.
- •Safety can be moderate in certain areas late at night, requiring awareness.
- •High demand for housing, making it extremely competitive to secure a flatshare.
- •Parking is predominantly permit-only and very difficult to find.
- •Some tenement flats may be older and could benefit from modern upgrades.
💡 Insider Tips
Explore the diverse range of international supermarkets and delis on Clerk Street for unique ingredients.
For a great study spot with good coffee, check out Cult Espresso on South Clerk Street.
Walk up Arthur's Seat for incredible panoramic views of Edinburgh, easily accessible from the Southside.
✨ Highlights
Find Rooms & Roommates in Southside
Browse available flatshares and compatible roommates in Southside, Edinburgh.
Browse Edinburgh →