Although Edinburgh is probably best known for its Festival, Fringe and of course Hogmanay celebrations, the city is also most certainly a great place to live and work all year round.
Indeed, Edinburgh has been ranked second in a recent global quality of life survey, published by Deutsche Bank, that studied 47 cities and examined everything from salaries and rents to cheap nights out.
The town centre remains dominated by Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock and above the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town and to the west lies the West End district, which includes the financial district.
Edinburgh has an extremely rich history that dates back hundreds of years and the 17th-century winding streets offer endless places to explore and let’s not forget that it is the only city in the world where you can climb a volcano, called Arthur’s Seat, which although now extinct stands proud at the end of the Royal Mile, green with lush grass and offers those that climb it a spectacular view of both the Loch and the city.
Edinburgh’s architecture is well renowned from the labyrinth of the historic Old Town with its medieval buildings to the architectural Georgian masterpiece that is the New Town, which makes up part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Edinburgh.
You couldn’t ask for more outdoor space in a major city from the expansive 650-acre Holyrood Park to the charming Water of Leith Walkway, you will never be short of wonderful landscapes to explore.
Plus, with an array of great schools and tonnes of family activities, Edinburgh is an amazing place to live and raise a family.
So, here are the top reasons why you should consider living and working in Edinburgh:
The local area- Edinburgh is a spacious but manageable place with many traffic-free cycle paths in the city and you are never far from wonderful woodland and rural trails such as Glentress Forest.
The city is awash with green as 600,000 trees are planted around the city centre and there are 112 parks that ensure that you never really feel you are in a busy capital city.
In the heart of the city lies the majestic Holyrood Park which is home within its 650 acres to its own loch, extinct volcano, cliffs and even the remains of prehistoric hill forts.
Uniquely, three miles to the east of Edinburgh city centre you will find Portobello beach, a long stretch of golden sand with a pretty esplanade, which offers city dwellers two miles of enticing sand - perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
The Seaside Award-winning beach becomes a big draw in the good weather and the promenade hosts popular events including the annual Big Beach Busk, international volleyball competitions and triathlon events.
The Portobello Kayaking and Sailing Club is based here, along with RowPorty, a community-run coastal rowing club.
Plus, there is the splendid Victorian swimming pool which features original Aerotone and Turkish baths.
The shopping- The shopping scene is in Edinburgh has something for everyone including the big names of John Lewis, Debenhams, Harvey Nichols and House of Frasers, along with other high-end high-street names, plus an array of independent and vibrant boutiques where you can find vintage treasures and one-off pieces.
The transport links- Edinburgh is situated in the southeast of Scotland, less than an hour from Glasgow by train and little more than four hours from London. The public transport systems are excellent throughout the city with frequent and reliable buses and trams and cycling is very popular.
The schools- Schools in Edinburgh are among the best in Scotland and there are four universities within the city limits. The area caters to a wide array of educational needs, from an impressive state and private school sector, all the way to top-notch further education options establishments.
Eating and drinking - Eating out in Edinburgh is a wonderful experience as the city has more restaurants per head than anywhere else in the UK.
Plus, Edinburgh is home to more Michelin star restaurants, five four in total, than any other city outside London and the takeaway seafood places deserve a special mention.
People in Edinburgh are also known to consume more gin per head than anywhere else in the UK and the city has two distilleries of its own and many bars to satisfy all tastes.
Entertainment- Edinburgh offers a vibrant culture and arts scene and is of course home to the world’s largest arts festival.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival arrives in August and is one of the most popular festivals in the city with acts taking to the streets, theatres and stages of the city. There is something for everyone at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a huge programme of events and some big names even playing.
Out and about - Edinburgh is a fantastic base for exploring the rest of Scotland with the Highlands, the Lothians and the enchanting Kingdom of Fife all easily accessible within a couple of hours.
We are finding the demand for all types of household staff, including Housekeepers, Cooks, Nannies, Chefs, Gardeners, Butlers, Chauffeurs, Household Managers and Household Couples, is ever increasing in Edinburgh.
If you would like to hear about the opportunities we currently have available, please contact Lesley Jones on lesley@greycoatlumleys.co.uk or call the office on 0131 5565139.
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