44 Reasons To Choose Edinburgh Instead Of London

    Looking for somewhere to live? Head to Scotland.

    Hilary Mitchell
    by Hilary Mitchell

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. There are some truly incredible restaurants.

    2. And plenty of affordable, relaxed cafes too.

    3. It's a sensible, rather than an overwhelming, size.

    Flickr: robertotaddeo / Creative Commons

    Edinburgh is a spacious but manageable 259 sq km, while Greater London sprawls over 976 sq km.

    4. And if you walk to work your commute will probably look a lot like this.

    Ann Robertson @annakebanna

    Victoria street on sunnier days! #edinhour #loveedinburgh

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    You won't have to fight your way through crowded tube stations, elbow your way through ticket barriers, or cram yourself onto a packed bus.

    5. Don't want to walk? No problem.

    Flickr: 50576141@N03 / Creative Commons

    A monthly Lothian Buses Ridacard is just £48. A monthly zone 1-4 Oyster card costs £177.10. That's a spare £129.10 you'll have to spend on fancy dinners.

    6. It's a cyclist's paradise.

    Flickr: devolve / Creative Commons

    Not only are there more than 70km of traffic free cycle paths in the city; you're never far from exciting rural or woodland trails like Glentress Forest.

    7. Edinburgh has plenty of big name employers.

    Flickr: garyjd / Creative Commons

    Want to help make the next multi-billion selling game? Choose Edinburgh.

    8. There are plenty of jobs in the charitable sector too.

    Flickr: allys_scotland / Creative Commons

    There are over 2,800 charities based in Edinburgh - both local and national. Goodmoves is a great site to use to search for a charity job.

    9. Oh, and don't forget all the tourism jobs.

    Flickr: xlibber / Creative Commons

    Edinburgh welcomes around 1.2 million tourists annually. Fancy working for the Edinburgh Tattoo, or as a jumper-ooter? Choose Edinburgh.

    10. You can afford to buy a home.

    Via piktochart.com

    The average price might seem high at £233,795, but if you shop around you can snap up a fantastic flat for as little as £80,000.

    11. Renting is much cheaper in Edinburgh too.

    12. Also, Edinburgh flats are much cuter.

    13. Edinburgh is one of the leafiest cities in the UK.

    Flickr: yashima / Creative Commons

    Edinburgh has 112 parks and around 600,000 trees planted on or around the streets. You hardly feel like you're in the centre of a capital city at all.

    14. Yep, it's seriously green.

    Flickr: robertotaddeo / Creative Commons

    Holyrood Park is a 650 acre haven in the heart of the city with its own loch, (extinct) volcano, cliffs and even the remains of prehistoric hill forts.

    15. And the Meadows are just as pretty as any Royal Park.

    16. Sick of smog? Edinburgh doesn't have any.

    Flickr: renaissancechambara / Creative Commons

    Thanks to all those trees and parks, there were no dangerously high days of air pollution recorded in Edinburgh in the last two years.

    17. Edinburgh's (many) museums are first class...

    This is Edinburgh @edinburgh

    Lots of #Edinburgh museums are taking part in @MuseumWeek. Visit http://t.co/psIh1w26da to learn more. #MuseumWeek

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    The Natural History Museum might be getting rid of their diplodocus, but the National Museum of Scotland still has its amazing T. rex.

    18. ...and they look great from the outside too.

    19. It's easy to find your way around.

    Flickr: karen_roe / Creative Commons

    The New Town's handy grid layout makes finding your way easy. There are plenty of Edinburgh World Heritage maps dotted around the city too.

    20. Or you could always ask a friendly fellow Edinburger for directions.

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    In Edinburgh you're allowed to actually speak to, make eye contact with - and occasionally even touch - other people. It's a friendly place.

    21. Some of them might even offer you a lift.

    Flickr: ross_angus / Creative Commons

    The Edinburgh Raft Race is one of the most entertaining things you'll ever see.

    22. The city is even friendlier at Hogmanay.

    Flickr: rjshade / Creative Commons

    If you haven't experienced an Edinburgh Hogmanay street party, you haven't lived. Thanks to all the booze it's also the fastest way to make new friends.

    23. You're never far from the beach.

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    Trip to Portobello beach after work to cool down #EdinburghLife

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    Portobello beach is a long stretch of golden sand next to a pretty esplanade with a real "small seaside town" vibe.

    24. It's the perfect place to watch the sun go down...

    25. ...or grab a quick drink.

    26. This statistic is VERY important.

    All those 20ps will really add up over time.

    27. The pubs are ancient and beautiful.

    28. One even has its very own bowling alley.

    29. Edinburgh boasts some of the very best clubs and music venues around.

    Flickr: thecabaretvoltaire / Creative Commons

    Cabaret Voltaire, Electric Circus, Sneaky Pete's, Opium, Studio 24, The Opal Lounge, The Hive... whatever you're into, you're going to have a real good time.

    30. There really is something for everyone.

    31. Not a fan of clubbing? What about comedy?

    Flickr: theedinburghblog / Creative Commons

    Iconic, intimate comedy venue The Stand has hosted almost every comedian worth watching over the years: from Billy Connolly to Stewart Lee.

    32. You want markets? We got 'em.

    33. The Christmas markets are truly spectacular.

    Flickr: chrisfleming / Creative Commons

    As well as an authentic German market there are local craft stalls, pop up Drambuie apple hot toddy bars, ice skating rinks and fairgrounds.

    34. Plus it actually snows here.

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    We get real winter weather; not sooty London sleet.

    35. Edinburgh even has a Harvey Nick's.

    Flickr: dennajones / Creative Commons

    If you're wondering what to do with all the 20ps you saved on beer; Harvey Nichols on St. Andrew Square will be happy to take them off you.

    36. There are quite a few shopping streets in London, but do any of them look like this?

    Flickr: dun_deagh / Creative Commons

    This is what you see when you come out of Topshop on Princes Street. Think about that for a minute. Let it sink in. Topshop.

    37. If you're looking for quirky, independent boutiques; Rose Street has its fair share.

    38. Edinburgh's network of canals are the perfect place for a calm, quiet Sunday stroll.

    39. Taking the train to South Queensferry is another great way to recharge your batteries.

    Flickr: cosmicherb70 / Creative Commons

    South Queensferry is just a stone's throw from the city centre. London: you may have some nice bridges and fairly decent views, but can you beat this?

    40. After all, you might want to escape the hustle and bustle - just for a while - once the Festival starts.

    Flickr: betzywd / Creative Commons

    London may have the West End, but does it host the world's biggest arts, comedy, theatre, international and literary festival every year? Nope.

    41. And if you get bored of the theatre, you can always go panda spotting instead.

    Flickr: sonofgroucho / Creative Commons

    Edinburgh is home to the only pair of pandas in the UK: Yang Guang and Tian Tian. Edinburgh Zoo is built on Corstorphine Hill and has fantastic views over the city.

    42. Or you can entertain yourself for free by re-enacting the opening scene from Trainspotting.

    Via youtube.com

    Try not to knock too many people over though.

    43. With so many fun activities to choose from, is it any wonder Edinburgh is the UK's "happiest city'"?

    Flickr: demonsub / Creative Commons

    In a 2013 Office of National Statistics survey, Edinburgh came top of the UK’s ten largest cities for well-being and "happiness".

    44. It's an easy choice, really. Isn't it?

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