A guide to living in Edinburgh

Excellent

82.8%

Very Good

13.0%

Average

2.7%

Disappointing

0.8%

Very poor

0.7%

Best places to live in Edinburgh

How is ranking calculated?

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and the amount of verified reviews over the past 12 months.

Viewing 1-5 out of 21

Rental Only

New Fountainbridge, EH3

By Native Communities

4.96

4.96

(37 reviews)

Studio, 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes to rent. Set along the scenic Union Canal and just a short stroll from the West End, Grassmarket and Edinburgh Castle, this thoughtfully designed development blends location, style and substance.
1st

Ranked 1st out of 14 in Edinburgh

View development
Rental Only
Award Winner 2025

Dockside, EH6

By Dockside

Award winner 2025

4.88

4.88

(180 reviews)

Welcome to Dockside – a fresh take on waterfront living. Our vibrant new rental community offers sleek studios and spacious one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, combining stylish design with exceptional amenities.Imagine living in one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, where creativity and community collide. That’s Leith. Recognised by Time Out for its vibrant energy, Leith has a thriving start-up scene, eclectic arts culture, and a welcoming spirit.
2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 14 in Edinburgh

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Rental Only
Award Winner 2025

The McEwan, EH3

By Moda Living

Award winner 2025

4.72

4.72

(229 reviews)

The McEwan is located in the heart of Fountainbridge, just a few minute walk away from Haymarket Train Station. There are 476 brand new, state of the art rental homes. Residents have access to a wide range of amenity spaces including a gym, studio, cinema room, a co-working space, shared lounges and public spaces. On site, there are also two private dining rooms with panoramic views over the City and Edinburgh Castle. In addition, The McEwan has 24 hour concierge and maintenance services and the development is also pet-friendly.
3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 14 in Edinburgh

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Rental Only
Award Winner 2025

Kingsford Residence, EH7

By Kingsford Group

Award winner 2025

4.68

4.68

(133 reviews)

Kingsford Residence, managed by the Kingsford Group and located on McDonald Road, offers residents the opportunity to stay in a former Victorian school building which has been converted to form one of Edinburgh’s first operational Build to Rent developments. The apartments retain many of the original features of the building while blending them seamlessly with contemporary open plan living and modern fixtures. Located in the area of Broughton, the Kingsford Residence on McDonald Road is within easy walking distance of all that the City Centre has to offer as well as tram and bus links on the same street. Within the development we have a variety of communal spaces including the Club Room, Gym, the Bridge (dining/co-working space, which can also be hired for private event space), the Garden, and our Roof Terrace which offers spectacular views across the Edinburgh sky line.
4th

Ranked 4th out of 14 in Edinburgh

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Lochrin Quay, EH3

By JLL

4.48

4.48

(30 reviews)

Lochrin Quay, managed by JLL, sits next to the Union Canal. The development comprises of 113 contemporary apartments, a mixture of 1, 2 & 4-bed options to rent. In addition to this, residents benefit from bike storage, communal lounge and superfast wifi.
5th

Ranked 5th out of 14 in Edinburgh

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Page 1 of 5

Featured developments in Edinburgh

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Latest Reviews in Edinburgh

731 total reviews

Viewing 1-5 out of 731

Reviews marked with a green tick show tenants whose residency we have been able to verify. Those that could not be verified are marked 'unverified'.

John S (Tenant)

Verified Resident

New Fountainbridge, EH3

Sept 2026

1
1
This is rated 1.00 out of 5.00.
1

Poor customer service

John S (Tenant)

Verified Resident

New Fountainbridge, EH3

Sept 2026

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

Nice area with lots going on around it. Good transport links etc & plenty of local amenities to ensure you are sorted

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

Yes but they’re at the mercy of the owners I’m assuming.

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

It is not all what it says on the tin. Please be wary


HomeViews

SD (Tenant)

Verified Resident

PLATFORM_ in Edinburgh, EH6

Aug 2026

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

Modern development with good facilities

SD (Tenant)

Verified Resident

PLATFORM_ in Edinburgh, EH6

Aug 2026

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

The local area is very convenient, with a good range of supermarkets, independent shops, restaurants, cafés and bars within easy walking distance. There are also several parks and open spaces nearby, which is great for walking and relaxing. Transport links are excellent, with frequent buses and easy access to the city centre. Overall, the area feels safe, lively and well connected, with most everyday amenities close by.

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

Building management has generally been responsive when issues are reported and the team is approachable. Most problems are acknowledged and followed up on, although some requests can take a little longer than expected to be resolved. Overall, the communication is good and the management team is helpful when concerns are raised.

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

One thing I would have liked to know beforehand is how convenient the location is for everyday life. Most essentials are within easy walking distance, and the transport connections make getting around Edinburgh very straightforward. It’s worth considering the location and proximity to shops and public transport when choosing an apartment.


HomeViews

Waqas Mehmood (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

Modern living by the waterfront

Waqas Mehmood (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

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

The local area is great, with a good range of shops, cafés, restaurants and bars around The Shore and Ocean Terminal. There are also plenty of open spaces and waterfront walks nearby, which is ideal for getting outside. Transport links are convenient, with regular buses and the tram connection at nearby Ocean Terminal, although buses can get busy during peak times. The area around Ocean Drive is generally quiet and well maintained.

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

The building management team has generally been responsive and helpful when I’ve raised any issues. They communicate clearly, take concerns seriously and usually deal with problems in a professional and timely manner.

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

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is how much the location and resident facilities would add to the overall experience. The waterfront location is great, but it’s worth knowing that the area can be busier at certain times, especially around Ocean Terminal. I’d also recommend new residents familiarise themselves with the building’s facilities, access system, parcel arrangements and waste facilities early on, as it makes everyday living much easier. Overall, I’ve found Dockside a comfortable and convenient place to live.


Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Anna (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

A lot to like, but consistency matters

Anna (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

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

There isn’t loads immediately around Dockside apart from Ocean Terminal and Tesco, and I wouldn’t say Ocean Terminal has the best selection of shops. But Leith is only about a 10-minute walk away and once you’re there there’s loads more choice. The tram being so close definitely makes up for it.

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

Generally good when issues are raised and the team are helpful in getting things passed on and followed up.

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

I would have spent a bit more time looking at what is included in the rent versus what costs extra. It’s worth checking before moving in so there are no surprises.


Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Stu A (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

A gem in the Ocean Terminal area

Stu A (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

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

Leith is an incredible place to live. I have lived here for ten years. Ocean Drive is a bit quieter than some of the other areas I've lived in and it's maybe a 10 minute walk to The Shore where there are many decent bars and cafes.

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

Very receptive to any problems that I've had and also welcome to listening to any feedback.

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

Council tax is really expensive and I wish I'd known how much it was before I moved in so I could budget accordingly. I previously lived in a band A flat and this one is band E so it has gone up by around £150 per month.


Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

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These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews