Flat hunting can be stressful for any student, regardless of whether you’re in first year or not. There is the apprehension of having to ask people whether they’d be open to living together combined with a crippling fear of rejection. Then comes the seemingly endless flat viewings where it feels like everyone else is your competition. The whole process can quickly become exhausting.
Thankfully, students in Scotland generally have more time to find housing than those at English universities. You should probably apply for viewings around one to two months before moving in, but it doesn’t hurt to observe the market beforehand to get a sense of what good value looks like in the area.
Rent varies depending on location and number of people sharing the flat, with generally lower individual rent the more tenants there are in a flat. Areas including Marchmont and Bruntsfield are on the more expensive side, followed by Tollcross then Newington, which is often slightly cheaper. Moving further away often also reduces rent.
Here’s an overview of some areas you might want to investigate…
Marchmont:
The ‘default’ student area. Its aesthetic architecture, independent cafes and proximity to the meadows gives it popularity. It’s relatively quiet and convenient to get the 9 or 24 bus to either Kings Buildings or George Square on days when you don’t feel like walking.
Newington:
Both a very energetic and convenient location that is often cheaper than Marchmont. The high street can be quite noisy at times, but this is less of an issue for flats on surrounding streets. With its countless cafes, charity shops and easy access to Pleasance Gym, it is difficult to find an area that is better connected, with direct buses to almost everywhere.
Tollcross:
Just off the meadows, it is close to Cowgate and Grassmarket and a respectable distance from George Square. A good option if you like a cheeky pub trip and only a 15-minute walk to Princes Street and many local shops nearby.
Bruntsfield:
More underrated than some of the aforementioned areas, with great charity shops and a more relaxed but still social atmosphere. It is slightly more expensive than Marchmont, but you get your money’s worth as Bruntsfield flats are generally larger.
Other areas students choose include Haymarket, Old Town, Stockbridge and Leith. These places offer a different perspective of the city, but it’s worthwhile to consider whether a longer bus commute would affect your attendance to lectures and tutorials…
When searching for a flat, there are some practical details to keep in mind. If you’re intending to live with three or more people, the flat must have an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) license. This is a legal requirement that enables landlords to rent properties to multiple tenants who are not part of the same family. Flats with HMOs are normally more expensive, leading to the brief excitement of finding a flat that seems perfect, only to realise it does not have one — so ensure to double check.
Another important administrative step is to apply for council tax exemption once you move in. Submitting the necessary forms to ensure you are registered as a student household means avoiding paying thousands of unnecessary pounds.
Ultimately, whichever flat you choose, the experience is what you make of it. While location matters, the people you choose to live with are arguably more important. Rest assured, students eventually find somewhere to live, and if you don’t enjoy your first flat, then there’s always the option to find somewhere else the following year!
Image by Harry Sharma for The Student