A guide to living in Edinburgh

Excellent

82.8%

Very Good

13.0%

Average

2.7%

Disappointing

0.7%

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

(36 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

(179 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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Rental Only

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

728 total reviews

Viewing 1-5 out of 728

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'.

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

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

Ana (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

Made settling in easy

Ana (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

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

I really like the area, although there isn't a huge amount right outside the building. Most places in Leith are around 10 minutes away though, so it's not really a problem. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops once you walk a little further, and the tram and buses make getting into the city centre easy. I also like that it feels quieter around Dockside, especially in the evenings.

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

I've not had any serious problems, but the few things I've needed help with have been dealt with quickly. If something can't be sorted straight away, they've normally explained what's happening rather than leaving you wondering.

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

I'd probably spend a bit more time looking at the different flats before choosing one. The layouts and amount of light can be quite different, so it's worth thinking about what matters to you rather than just choosing based on the size.


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

HomeViews

Jen (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

lovely change of pace

Jen (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

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

The area has worked very well for me and, more importantly, for my dog!! There are good places to walk nearby and it's nice having the waterfront so close. I don't need to drive everywhere anymore as shops and public transport are both within easy reach.

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

I've only needed help with a couple of small things and they were dealt with promptly. It's reassuring having somebody on site.

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

If you have a dog, I'd have a look at the walking routes around the building before you move in. We found a couple of favourites very quickly!!!


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

HomeViews

Sean (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

Very comfortable place to live

Sean (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Dockside, EH6

Aug 2026

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

The location suited me because I wanted to be closer to my children without being right in the middle of town. There are good transport links nearby and I can get around easily. It's also nice having the waterfront and places to walk close by.

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

I've only had to raise a couple of minor things, but both were dealt with without any fuss and I was kept informed.

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

I didn't realise how much I'd enjoy not having all the maintenance that comes with a house. It's been nice having somewhere comfortable without having to worry about all those little jobs.


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