A guide to living in City of Edinburgh

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The local area offers a great mix of shops, restaurants, bars, and open spaces, making day-to-day life very convenient. Transport links are excellent and provide easy access to the rest of Edinburgh. One of the best aspects of the area is the growing sense of community. The development is pet-friendly and home to a diverse mix of residents, including families and children, which creates a welcoming and neighbourly atmosphere. The area feels safe, well maintained, and pleasant to live in, with no significant issues regarding noise, anti-social behaviour, or cleanliness.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

While I have not needed to raise any maintenance issues, the building management team has always been approachable, professional, and proactive in their communication. Their presence helps create a safe and well-managed environment.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

As someone relocating internationally, I wish I had known more about the additional steps and requirements that can arise during the application process. A guide for overseas residents moving to Scotland would be a helpful resource. I also didn't expect such a strong sense of community within the development, which has been a very pleasant surprise.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Very convenient for local supermarkets, cafes, bars and restaurants - easy public transport connections and walking distance to the centre of town

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

There were only ever small issues / requests and all were resolved same day.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Nothing to add - show around and briefing pack were extremely comprehensive

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I moved here a couple of months ago and the location is a bit of a mixed bag. Since the site used to be an old John Lewis warehouse, it’s tucked away in a slightly industrial pocket. Heading south towards the city centre is fine, but walking north past the warehouses at night can feel a bit dodgy and sketchy. The biggest downside is the lack of immediate amenities—there are no big supermarkets within arm's reach, and the nearest Chinese grocery is a 10-12 minute walk away. Transport is okay if you're heading to Princes Street or Fountainbridge (buses 10, 36, and 11 are close by), but commuting to the University of Edinburgh's GS campus is a pain as it requires a change. On the plus side, home deliveries and takeaways are super reliable here. As for the street itself, traffic noise is non-existent if your flat faces the courtyard, though the bin lorries at 7 AM can occasionally wake you up.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The onsite management and maintenance team have been fantastic and incredibly efficient. When I logged a repair ticket late on a Friday night, they showed up first thing Monday morning to sort it out. It is a massive relief not having to argue or chase up a private landlord like you usually have to do in old Edinburgh flats.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had known how intense the combination of a west-facing flat and the building's excellent insulation would be. Even though I knew the orientation when viewing, you don't realize until you live here that the flat gets absolutely baked by the afternoon sun. It's only May, but the rooms are already getting a bit hot and stuffy because the building traps heat so well. Also, because our flat is right above the communal bin stores, the noise from the morning bin collections is way more disruptive than you'd ever anticipate during a quick daytime viewing.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Close to haymarket for transport links and short walk to city centre. Close to canal and bruntsfield links

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Moamen, deputy site management, is the one person who manages to get anything done it seems. My experience with the other day staff has largely been that raising a concern with them is like throwing a letter into the wind. Maybe they've logged your issue but it doesn't seem like they'll ever get round to addressing it.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The amenities are enjoyable, and the flats are decent until they aren't. Floor tiles in various units and hallways have exploded, the bin rooms have had sewage backed up into them, and bikes and parcels are regularly stolen from storage.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The area has a good mix of local amenities, including supermarkets, independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs, with larger retail facilities also within easy reach. There are several parks and green spaces nearby which are well maintained and popular for walking and recreation. Public transport links are generally reliable, with regular bus routes and convenient access to nearby train stations and main roads, although traffic can become busy during peak commuting hours. The street itself is usually quiet and friendly, with neighbours keeping to themselves while still being approachable. Parking is generally available, although it can occasionally be limited in the evenings or at weekends. Bin collections are regular and dependable. As with most residential areas, there can sometimes be minor noise from traffic or passing pedestrians, but there have been no major issues with anti-social behaviour.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The building management team has generally responded in a professional and timely manner when issues have been raised. Communication is usually clear, and most maintenance or management concerns are acknowledged quickly and resolved within a reasonable timeframe. While occasional follow-ups have sometimes been necessary for smaller issues, the overall experience has been positive and well organised.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing worth knowing before moving in is that parking can become quite limited during busier evenings and weekends, especially if visitors are staying over, so it helps to plan ahead. It’s also useful to know that some areas of the development can be quieter than others depending on proximity to roads, communal entrances or shared spaces. On the positive side, the community is generally friendly and the area is very convenient for transport links, shops and everyday amenities, which became more valuable after living here for a while than was obvious during the initial viewing.