Hi everyone. <BR>I've been to the Southern and Western parts of Europe for a few months over a year ago and loved it. <BR>My question is if people would recommend/ not recommend Edinburgh as a place that would be good to live for 4 months. I've read good things about it on this forum, but that may be traveling advice rather than short-term living advice. <BR>I can't see any place really being bad actually, but I would still appreciate anyone's opinion on this trek. <BR>Thanks in advance!! <BR>Kate

Hi Kate <BR> <BR>We're Australian and have been living in Edinburgh for the last 2 years and a bit. We love it! I guess it depends on things like, are you hoping to work etc. I think it can be a very expensive place if you were travelling with say Aussie dollars (I guess anywhere is in that case) but if you plan to earn while you're here you'll probably be fine. <BR> <BR>I think it is all about your expectations and what you are used to. It is coming into winter - short days, cold and wet weather etc. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, easy to get around etc. and full of history. Scotland is a great country and we've found the people to be incredibly friendly. Is there anything that you'd specifically like to know? I'd be only too happy to answer any questions you may have - just email us. <BR> <BR>regards <BR>Rhonda

I moved there in 1989 and left only this year. The windiest city I've ever been in. However it's a great place for a few months, I would recommend it, Kate. Rhonda did make the good point that the winter days are coming and it's dark for large tracts of these days. Last December I didnt see the sun for almost 12 days, overcast/dark every day. skin the colour of correction fluid. It's also very cold, no idea where you are from but when I was in North Dakota earlier this year, it reminded me of Edinburgh. <BR> <BR>Tony

Hi Kate, <BR> <BR>Well I moved here (Edinburgh) in 1977 and never regretted it - even married an Edinburgh girl! <BR> <BR>It's a wonderful city with bags of history, cinema, theatre,some great pubs, innumerable restaurants. <BR> <BR>If you need some local knowledge drop me a line. <BR> <BR>Graeme

Anyone familiar with Haggis Backpacker tours- thinking of doing the Skye High one while I"m there in Nov. also any festivals or things to be aware of going on in Edinburgh from Nov. 7-11???

Hi everyone, <BR>Thanks very much for your replies, sorry I haven't been able to respond until now. <BR>I'm from Canada, so I do know about the tough exchange rate Rhonda! The Canadian dollar is only worth a little bit more than the Aussie dollar. I think it'll be a bit of a dent in the bank account, but oh well! <BR>About the weather, although I'm from Canada and it can get pretty chilly here, I'm definitely not used to the wind or rain. Also, I love the sun (even if it's cold outside it brightens things up!) so I'm a little sad to hear you comment Tony! But I think generally, as long as I bring my goretex jacket and umbrella, I'll be alright. <BR>Actually, everyone has helped me confirm that it'll be a great place to visit. I don't have any specific questions yet, I probably will before I go (which isn't for a little while, but I have to make my decision/confirmation really soon). I hope to do the "UK must sees" for a week or two before I settle down in Edinburgh, so I'm sure I'll have some specific inquiries about that later too. <BR>Thanks again. Happy travels everyone. <BR>Kate

What id you decide?

Hi Kate, <BR> <BR>The short answer is yes, I moved to Edinburgh 5 months ago and it's agreat place to live. I have been here for the summer and the festival, so have yet to experience the joys of winter! <BR> <BR>The main downside is the high cost of renting property (but still cheaper than London). A nice one bedroom flat will be about 350 to 450 pounds a month in a good, central area. A 2 bedroom will be about 500 to 600 pounds a month. For slightly less central areas, the rent will be about £100 a month less than these prices. Sharing a flat is much cheaper - about 180 to 250 pounds a month. Council tax is very high too! <BR> <BR>As for jobs, I am self employed - but there seems to be lots of work here, if you have catering/ hospitality skills or office work experience. Also lots of jobs in hotels and catering. <BR>I have heard that these 2 agencies are good for office work: <BR>Office Personnel (0131 2264242 ask for Jenny) <BR>Luarie Thompson (0131 225-2221 ask for Jackie Lawrie) <BR> <BR>As for property, you can get an idea of prices on the web - some good agencies and sites are: <BR> <BR>http://www.lettingweb.co.uk <BR>excellent, with lots of flats to rent <BR> <BR>http://www.espc.co.uk <BR>like letting web, but smaller <BR> <BR>http://www.citylets.co.uk <BR>like letting web, but smaller <BR> <BR>http://edinburgh.freeexchange.co.uk/pages/5002.html <BR>classified ads for flat shares and flats to rent <BR> <BR>http://www.djalexanders.co.uk/ <BR>a good agency, e-mail them for a property list <BR> <BR>Good areas to look at are New Town (Central, but expensive); Stockbridge (fairly central, 'village' atmosphere, can also be quite expensive); Comely Bank - next to Stockbridge, nice area near to city centre, with good local shops. Marchmont/Sciennes/Newington - just south of the city centre, central and good area - studenty as it is near the University and Queens Park; some nice modern flats near the park (Parkside Terrace, East Parkside) and big houses/flats in Marchmont. Dean Village - very pleasant 'riverside, village' atmosphere only a short walk from the West End of Princes Street. No local shops or pubs in Dean Village (you have to go up the hill). Morningside - suburban, quite posh area - a bit further from the city centre. Duddingston - lovely small 'village' on the south side of Queens (Holyrood) Park, great local pub, small loch etc, but further from the centre and not much choice of housing. Cramond - nice 'village' by the sea, a few miles from city centre but with a countryside type of atmosphere. So it depends what you want - city living or suburban or a more rural setting. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps, e-mail me if you want more info or help on anything. <BR> <BR>Mark. <BR> <BR>http://www.UKTravelWeb.com <BR>

Hello! <BR>Thanks Mark, wow! Your information was really helpful! I've printed it out and will take another look at it with my guide book next to me so I can visualize it at the same time. <BR>About accomodation, thanks for the info., I may still need it if this doesn't work out, but what I'm hoping to do is to get in with the University sponsored flats. This will then put me with people my own age and at a place that's relatively close to the University. (I'm hoping it will be a bit cheaper too. Well, actually I guess I'm probably just wishing!) <BR>Your descriptions of the different areas of Edinburgh are really helpful to me - it gives me a pretty good sense of what they are like. <BR>With working, I'm not sure if I will have to get a job yet (hopefully I'll be able to save up some more money over this next little while!). But, yes, the service/hospitality industry is probably where I'd be if I did work. Good to hear that there are jobs available. <BR>Well, thanks again! <BR>Kate

Also take a look at: <BR>http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/tour/edintour.html - offers a good introduction to Edinburgh and a few pictures (good aerial photo of the University/ Holyrood Park area). Has not been updated for a bit, but still worth a look.