Edinburgh is a beautiful, vibrant city with stunning architecture, a vast array of cafés, bars and restaurants, superb shopping facilities, strong transport links, expansive green space and recreation areas, an excellent choice of schools and a lively cultural scene … widely acclaimed as the number one festival city in the world!  The city undoubtedly has much to offer, but how do you decide where to live?

Location is paramount when buying a property and priorities will inevitably change over the years due to personal circumstances. House prices are heavily influenced by location and a well-chosen property location not only has the potential to enhance your quality of living, but it could also deliver greater financial return in the future when you are ready to sell.

Of course property in popular, well-established locations may not be affordable due to high demand, but newly-popular, up and coming areas are also worth exploring. Properties on the boundaries of more expensive areas are also worth considering as their prices may be lower than those at the very heart of a desirable area.

Where to buy a property in Edinburgh

There are so many great areas in Edinburgh and everyone will have their own take on what is desirable in a particular area, be it amenities, accessibility, green space, schools or a good investment prospect.

We've rounded up a selection of different areas across Edinburgh with information on what they can offer and property market data to help you make an informed decision of whether it's the right area for you. 

 

Stockbridge and Comely Bank

Popular for its convenient location, just a short walk to the city centre and close to Inverleith Park and the Royal Botanic Garden, it's understandable why so many people love Stockbridge and Comely Bank. 

There are a number of small businesses in the area along with boutique shops, delicatessens, bustling bars and restaurants and a Sunday Market in Stockbridge.

This largely residential area, well known for its village feel, consists of a range of traditional style properties, typically flats but also some villas and townhouses. Situated adjacent to the New Town, the area is seen as an excellent investment option.

Property prices for Stockbridge and Comely Bank

Average selling price: £336,397
Median days to Under Offer: 25 days
Average percentage of Home Report valuation attained: 102.5%*

 

Bruntsfield and Marchmont

This area is popular for a number of reasons. Typically properties are traditional tenement flats which appeal to a wide range of buyers. Situated within a short distance of the city centre, Edinburgh University and two large parks (the Meadows and Holyrood/Arthur's Seat), property in this area offers plenty of variety.

In terms of investment, the area is very strong due to location and demand for tenement flats, as well as offering a variety of shops, bars and cafés. It is popular with students, given the proximity of University campuses, and properties provide a viable buy to let option.

Property prices for Brunstfield and Marchmont

Average selling price: £395,740
Median days to Under Offer: 33
Average percentage of Home Report valuation attained: 103%*

 

Roseburn, Murrayfield and Corstorphine

Covering a wider radius, these three areas are closely linked and provide a variety of property types as well as prices. Roseburn is home to a number of property types, some traditional tenement flats, a few modern developments, some terraced housing as well as a few semi-detached properties.

Roseburn Primary School has a good reputation and Murrayfield Stadium is within walking distance. The Murrayfield area features a number of detached and semi-detached properties, some of which are at the top end of the Edinburgh market. It’s an excellent area with good transport links to the city centre and the airport.

Corstorphine, once a small village on the outskirts of Edinburgh and now a prosperous suburb, is also close to the city centre, although the furthest way of these three areas. Properties are mostly detached houses, many of which are bungalows, as well as a few flats and some terraced housing.

There are good transport links with South Gyle and Edinburgh Park train stations close by, a tram link to the airport and multiple bus routes towards and away from Edinburgh city centre. Shops, cafés and restaurants are opening almost monthly. With Craigmount High School and Corstorphine Primary School being popular state school choices, the Corstorphine area is widely sought after by families.

Property prices for Roseburn, Murrayfield and Corstorphine

Average selling price: £323,435
Median days to Under Offer: 18
Average percentage of Home Report valuation attained: 104.9%*

 

Gorgie, Dalry and Polwarth

Popular for its proximity to the city centre, Gorgie is a more affordable option than the previously mentioned areas. There has been an increase in demand here, with properties in recent years regularly exceeding Home Report valuation, in some cases to a considerable degree. Popular for buy-to-let purposes, as well as a good option for first time buyers, Gorgie and Dalry are similar areas, though property in Dalry is slightly more expensive, and both are close to Fountain Park entertainment complex and Tynecastle Stadium.

Polwarth is also a popular area with links to Harrison Park and the canal walkway, and has a number of schooling options. As an extension of Polwarth, Shandon has many traditional style properties and is also a popular location.

Property prices for Gorgie, Dalry and Polwarth

Average selling price: £203,049
Median days to Under Offer: 21
Average percentage of Home Report valuation attained: 102.3%*

 

Leith

Leith consists of a number of sub areas and has always been a popular location in the Edinburgh market with a huge range of property styles, both traditional and modern. It has seen wide scale development in recent years including a large amount of new build properties.

From a lifestyle point of view, some of Edinburgh’s best bars and restaurants are located in the Shore area and Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh’s waterfront destination, provides something for everyone, whether it is shopping, eating and drinking, cinema, gym or a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. There are good transport links and a walk along the Water of Leith is an option for those wanting to access the city centre on foot.

Property prices for Leith

Average selling price: £232,824
Median days to Under Offer: 17
Average percentage of Home Report valuation attained: 104.4%*

 

Get in touch

If you are trying to choose which area of Edinburgh to purchase a property in, our team of experts are on hand to help. They can talk you through different areas which may suit your needs, alongside in-depth property market statistics on each place. Find out more about buying a property with MOV8 and get in touch with our team on hello@mov8realestate.com. 

*Property data supplied by ESPC covering residential property sales between November 2020 and October 2021. 

This article was brought to you in association with Mov8