Edinburgh is an amazing city, as anyone that lives in there will tell you. What makes it such a wonderful place to experience? Here are just a few of the best reasons to live in Edinburgh.
Why should I live in Edinburgh?
The outdoors
Edinburgh is a city that wants people to enjoy the outdoors – even if the weather can make you feel otherwise! Walking up Arthur’s Seat is a rite of passage, and the Royal Botanic Gardens are perfect for a peaceful afternoon stroll. The Princes Street Gardens and the Meadows are busy year-round, with families playing, people having picnics and dog walkers enjoying the space. You can also take the pretty riverside walk to Dean Village, or head out to Portobello to visit the beach.
The language
The everyday phrases used by locals add colour and personality to life in Scotland. Words like “braw” (beautiful), “dreich” (gloomy), and “wee” (small) reflect Scotland’s culture, humour, and warmth. If you want to improve your English language skills with the extra benefit of learning Scottish dialect, our experts at BSC Edinburgh can help you.
The people
Imagine you live in a city of 500,000 people. Now, imagine that once a year, the same number of tourists crowd your streets for an entire month. You’d be annoyed, right?
Well, this is exactly what happens in August during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – except, people who live in Edinburgh remain exceptionally friendly and accommodating. In fact, throughout the year, you’ll find that the people in Edinburgh are respectful, open-minded and relaxed towards everyone they meet.
The culture
We’ve already mentioned the Fringe, but there’s so much more going on in Edinburgh. There are amazing art collections at the Scottish National Gallery, the City Art Centre and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. You can see fascinating displays at the Museum of Childhood, the National Museum of Scotland and Surgeon’s Hall. Plus, there’s a rich history. Make sure you wander around the beautiful Old Town or visit the unmissable Edinburgh Castle that watches over the city.
The food
Scotland has some delicious (and unusual) national foods and there’s no better place to try them than Edinburgh. Sample authentic haggis, or delicious Scottish salmon, straight from a loch. If you prefer sweet tastes, you have to try tablet (a kind of sugary fudge). There’s also the country’s favourite soft drink, Irn-Bru. This bright orange concoction is even more popular than Coca-Cola! Read our article about 10 Scottish foods you should definitely try.
The public transport
Edinburgh is small enough that you can do a lot of your travelling on foot. However, if you’re in a hurry (or want to avoid the rain), buses and trams will get you around the city for a low price. There are also fantastic train routes to Glasgow, northern Scotland and into England, so there are lots of day trips you can take without a car. It’s simple, but being able to access cheap, reliable public transport really is one of the best reasons you might decide to live in Edinburgh.
It’s Harry Potter heaven
J.K. Rowling was living in Edinburgh when she wrote her famous children’s novels, and it’s easy to walk around the city and find the places that inspired her. Look for George Heriot’s School, which matches the description of Hogwarts, or the Armchair Books shop, which might remind you of Ollivander’s! There’s even a graveyard in the city centre that hides some familiar names like Tom Riddle and McGonagall!
Do you want to learn English and visit Edinburgh? At BSC Edinburgh, we offer a range of language courses for non-native speakers of all abilities. Read about our English courses or contact us for more information.
