A capital city with only around half a million residents yet crammed with over 4,500 listed buildings, Edinburgh is a shining gem in Scotland’s crown. And with a strong economy, excellent transport links, and fantastic educational opportunities, it’s clear why it’s a popular place for renters and buyers alike. But which developments in the area are worth the price tag? We’ve asked current residents to share their honest opinion about apartments in Edinburgh. Which did they rate the highest? Read on to find out.
Where is Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is Scotland’s second most populated city. As the capital city, Edinburgh is also home to the Scottish Government, Parliament, and the high courts. Edinburgh lies at the heart of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city region. This is made up of East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Midlothian, and the Scottish Borders.
Allegedly built on seven hills, the modern city has a legendary link to Rome – and King Arthur. Its most prominent landmark is perhaps Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock, while the Old Town sweeps down to Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarchy. Princes Street and the New Town lie to the north.
Apartments in Edinburgh: Top 10 rated by residents
We can reveal the 10 top-rated apartments in Edinburgh. Click on the link below each development to read all the in-depth reviews left by actual residents.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
In first place, The McEwan by Moda is located in the heart of Fountainbridge, just a few minutes’ walk from Haymarket train station. It’s made up of 476 brand new, state-of-the-art ‘stylish’ and pet-friendly rental homes. High-speed WiFi, a well-equipped gym, cosy lounges and a games room, as well as an inviting co-working space are included in the rent.
Residents tell us that the 24h concierge team are ‘friendly and helpful’, with the Moda App providing an easy way to contact members of staff and stay updated with what’s happening in the development. The apartments also benefit from panoramic views over the city and Edinburgh Castle.
Despite its relative newness, Kingsford Residence, managed by the Kingsford Group and located on McDonald Road, has already received a lot of positive reviews from happy residents, securing it second place in Edinburgh. It offers residents the opportunity to stay in a former Victorian school building which has been newly 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.
Next up, The Strand at Portobello, by Barratt Homes, sits close to the picturesque Portobello beach. The development comprises 2 and 3-bed homes. As well as close proximity to the beach, The Strand is just a few miles from Edinburgh city centre.
In fourth place, Lochrin Quay, managed by JLL, sits next to the Union Canal, near the heart of the city. The development comprises 113 contemporary apartments, offering a mixture of one, two and four-bedroom options, all to rent. There’s on-site bike storage, a comfy communal lounge and all homes benefit from superfast WiFi. There’s lots of praise from residents for the concierge team too, who they say are always on hand to help with any issues, big or small.
In fifth, Salamander Street by Hillcrest is located in Leith, an up-and-coming area of Edinburgh. The development is six storeys high and provides 145 units, comprising one to four-bedroom flats and maisonettes. There’s also a basement car park for residents’ benefit. The development was funded as part of the Scottish Government’s National Housing Trust initiative, providing affordable homes with the potential opportunity for tenants to buy the properties after five years.
An exciting new development at number six, Waterfront Plaza by CALA Homes offers a collection of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments, and 4 bedroom townhouses. Situated along the Leith waterfront, the development has easy access to the cinema, gym, shops, cafes, coffee shops, Michelin starred restaurants, fresh seafood eateries, stylish cocktail bars and much more.
Bonnington Mill, by Miller Homes, is located in the heart of Bonnington, one of Edinburgh’s most vibrant districts. Offering one to three-bedroom apartments, residents benefit from a picturesque riverside setting, as well as a wide variety of useful transport links that really open up the city and surrounding area. Plenty of reviewers call it a friendly development that serves as great place for professionals, families and retirees to live.
Our eighth place goes to The Ropeworks by The Teague Group, which also sits in Edinburgh’s Leith area. This is a multi-phase development with one to three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom town houses on offer. The Ropeworks is also part of the historic Edinburgh Roperie and Sailworks company site, which adds plenty of character to the area. Residents are fans of the well laid out and comfortable homes, many of which feature balconies that are ideal for taking in the cityscape views.
Ninth-placed Springwell is the latest development from AMA Homes. The development will feature 48 new homes, 35 apartments 5 duplexes, 6 family sized townhouses and 2 lodge house. Springwell is a former hospital made up of two Victorian buildings that have been restored and covered into spacious apartments, the landscaped grounds accommodate the Victorian lodge, townhouses and extensive off-street parking.
In 10th, Caer Amon Apartments consists of to cruciform-shaped blocks and two lodge houses, inspired by the quads of Scotland’s historic universities. The apartment interiors are light and spacious and benefit from underfloor heating. Located in Cramond, one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems.
In many ways, Edinburgh can be considered the cultural seat of Scotland. With an ingrained culture based on law, medicine, science and literature, it’s a city steeped in learning and history. This is why, despite Edinburgh’s relatively small population, it attracts millions of tourists a year, helping fuel its economy.
But it’s not just tourism that enriches its reputation as an economic powerhouse. Home to institutions such as the Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows, this is a city that runs on finance. You’ll find the heart of these operations in the West End.
Edinburgh’s History and Culture
Edinburgh also has an academic reputation, with a high proportion of its residents educated to degree-level, working in professional roles, or studying at one of three well-ranked universities. The cultural offerings are pretty potent too. We’ve already mentioned the extraordinary number of listed buildings dotted along the winding streets.
Other than that, you’ll spot the famous castle, various churches, and the Old and New Towns, which both have UNESCO World Heritage status. The area becomes a riot of colour, sound and spectacle during the annual Fringe Festival and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Several theatres and production companies keep the populace entertained the rest of the year.
Shopping in Edinburgh
Besides this, there’s plenty of shopping and dining to get done. From the buzz surrounding Princes Street to upmarket independents nestled in George Street, your options are many and varied. Alternatively, escape the hustle and bustle by visiting Edinburgh’s numerous parks or the remains of an ancient volcano. Just outside the city, Pentland Hill’s wild, rugged landscape awaits.
Besides a comprehensive rail and tram system, a 24-hour bus service operates in the city, alongside several park-and-ride sites. Most routes run via Princes Street, providing convenient access to the main districts via the city centre.
In addition, two encircling A-roads connect Edinburgh to the Scottish border and the settlements north of the Forth Bridge. The M8 also provides a direct route to Glasgow (c. 46m). Meanwhile, Edinburgh Airport offers a variety of domestic and international flights, including to the USA, Canada, and European destinations.
Edinburgh property prices
So, are apartments in Edinburgh within your budget?
Data from Home.co.uk reveals that renting in Edinburgh will set you back around £1,550 PCM on average. Breaking rentals down by size, one-bedroom homes cost £1,133 PCM, rising to £3,240 for a five-bedroom property.
What did you think about our top-rated apartments in Edinburgh? To learn more about the city, visit our dedicated area guide below.
The county of City Edinburgh is one of the most desirable places to live in Britain. It’s a county with a rich history and thriving culture, and it’s also the home of many prestigious universities. If you’re thinking about moving to Scotland – or Read more about City of Edinburgh
HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
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