Edinburgh, United Kingdom ๐ฌ๐ง
#620
55.953345, -3.188374
Nomad Score:
69%
Essentials
๐๏ธ City | Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, known for its historic and cultural attractions. |
๐ฅ Population | Approximately 540,000 |
๐ป Internet Speed | Average download speeds of 60 Mbps |
๐ธ Currency & Banking | 1 GBP โ 1.36 USD |
๐ฐ Tap Water | Drinkable |
๐ Power | 230V, 50Hz, ๐ Type G sockets |
๐ถ SIM Card | Providers include EE, Vodafone, and O2 |
๐ณ Banking for Expats | Banks like HSBC, Barclays, and digital options like Monzo |
๐ Accommodation | Options range from hotels to serviced apartments and Airbnb |
๐ณ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
๐ Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo offer many choices |
๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as Castle Rock Hostel and Budget Backpackers |
Working and Networking
๐ข Best Coworking Space | Spaces at Tontine and CodeBase |
โ Best Cafe for Work | Brew Lab Coffee and The Milkman |
๐ผ Networking Events | Meetups and Tech meetups at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre |
๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Edinburgh Expats' and weekly pub meet-ups |
Transportation
๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt operate in Edinburgh |
๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | Just Eat Cycles and Lime scooters are available |
๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | Portobello Beach, about 20 minutes away by tram |
โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | Loganair operates several regional flights |
โ๏ธ Top International Airline | British Airways and easyJet serve Edinburgh |
๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | M8 and A1 highways connect Edinburgh with other major cities |
๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Edinburgh Waverley Station |
๐ Public Transport Passes | Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams offer day tickets |
โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Trains to Glasgow, Newcastle, and beyond |
Health and Wellness
๐ฅ Best Hospital | Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh |
๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga in the City and The Yoga Tree |
๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | PureGym and The Gym Group |
๐งบ Laundry Services | Laundrette on Bruntsfield Place |
Food and Drink
๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Just Eat are popular |
๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Haggis, served at restaurants like Howies |
๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Hendersons Vegan and Kailyard by Nick Nairn |
๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | Mimi's Bakehouse and K von H Gourmet Brownies |
๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Stockbridge Market on Sundays |
๐ E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon UK and local online retailers like The Online Radio |
๐ Grocery Delivery | Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Asda offer delivery options |
๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | The Cowgate and Grassmarket areas host several pubs |
๐ป Local Brewery | Stewart Brewing and Edinburgh Beer Factory |
๐ท Wine Bars | Castle Terrace and The Wine Room |
๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Edinburgh Food Festival and street markets in Grassmarket |
๐ Popular International Cuisine | Dishoom for Indian food and Mamma's for pizza |
Culture and Attractions
๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile |
๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | National Museum of Scotland and Scottish National Gallery |
๐ฐ Historical Sites | Palace of Holyroodhouse and St Giles' Cathedral |
๐ Religious Sites | St Mary's Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirk |
๐ Annual Events | Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival |
๐จ Cultural Districts | Leith and the Old Town |
๐ญ Theater Venues | Edinburgh Playhouse and Traverse Theatre |
๐๏ธ Local Markets | Stockbridge Market and Leith Market |
๐ผ Music Scene | Local venues include Usher Hall and Queen's Hall |
๐จ Street Art | Explore murals in the Leith area |
๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Cookery classes at The Edinburgh Cookery School |
๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Patricia Fleming Projects and Jupiter Artland |
๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | The Georgian House and Gladstone's Land |
๐ด Local Heritage | The Thistle, a symbol of Scotland's heritage |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Holyrood Park and Pentland Hills |
๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Cairngorms National Park is about 1.5 hours away |
๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | Water of Leith Walkway and Union Canal |
๐ Scenic Viewpoints | Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill |
๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Inchcolm Island and the Forth Islands |
๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in Holyrood Park |
Other Services and Amenities
๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | Royal Mail and DPD offer reliable services |
๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | CPW (Carphone Warehouse) and various local shops |
๐ Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Scotland at various community centers |
๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | St George's School for Language and Lingua Shire |
๐ Libraries & Study Spots | Central Library and the Edinburgh Napier University Library |
๐๏ธ Community Centers | The Usher Hall and Leith Community Centre |
๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | The Loading Cafรฉ in the city center |
๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | Grosvenor Casino Edinburgh |
Business
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ยฃ3,800 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = ยฃ152,000) |
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ยฃ2,800 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = ยฃ112,000) |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ยฃ4,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = ยฃ240,000) |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ยฃ2,600 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = ยฃ156,000) |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ยฃ3,500 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = ยฃ280,000) |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ยฃ2,400 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = ยฃ192,000) |
๐ผ Corporate Tax | 19% currently with plans to increase |
๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% up to the dividend allowance, then 7.5%-38.1% |
๐ฆ Tax System | UK tax system based on residency and domicile |
๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for income over ยฃ150,000 |
๐งพ VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate of 20% |
๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable rules exist |
๐ Property Tax | Local Council Tax based on property value |
๐ Property Transaction Tax | LBTT (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax) is applied |