Moving to Edinburgh

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Contents 1 CS group 2 Flatsharing 2.1 Virtual Boards 2.2 Real Bulletin Boards 2.3 Newspapers 3 Second Hand Furniture 4 Cycling 4.1 Getting a second hand bike 4.2 Getting organized 5 Libraries 6 Historic Scotland

CS group

Edinburgh flatmates

Flatsharing

The price for a room usually varies from 200-400 pounds, and apartments (flats) sizes are usually expressed in amount of rooms or bedrooms rather than surface. Flat-sharing is very common, room-sharing less common but possible. There are a few CS Flats in the city right now, and it might be worth checking in the flatmates group if that kind of ambiance suits you

The council tax is something to be aware of. In the UK, taxes are not included in the rent but paid separately, as any other bill. Full-time students do not pay council tax, but only if all flatmates are students. Otherwise, therer might be a discount on the council tax, but it's complicated. Because of this, some flats are students-only and it is easier to find a flat as a student, especially if you don't mind paying the council tax anyway. You can find more info here [1]

Virtual Boards

• Clickflatshare
• Professional Accomodation
• The List
• Letting Web
• Espc
• Free Exchange
• Accomodation for Students
• Gumtree Edinburgh
• Easyroomate(not free)
• Flatmateclick(not free)

Real Bulletin Boards

• Real Foods on Broughton Street [2] - there is a noticeboard inside (next to the fridge)
• Elephant House (Harry Potter) Cafe map
• Forest Cafe map

Newspapers

• Edinburgh Evening News has rooms and flatshare adverts every Wednesday - comes out around noon

Second Hand Furniture

• Freecycling Edinburgh
• Too Goo to Waste @Changeworks, a waste-reduce organisation.

Cycling

Edinburgh is cyclable all year long, though it is hilly and not always cycle-friendly. Some routes are much easier and nicer to do by bike than by bus. Consider buying a solid mountain/hybrid bike with fenders (mudguards), a bell (essential on walking/cycling paths) and proper lights (essential in winter, LED recommended). Cyclists usually get themselves equipped with a hi-visibility jacket and an helmet.

Getting a second hand bike

• The Bike Station maps - Adult Bikes every Saturday 10:30-16:30, average price £55, Kids Bikes every Friday 14:00-16:00, average price £20. The Bike Station is a charity promoting cycling. All the bikes that are for sale have been fully refurbished and are guaranteed for three months.
• Edinburgh Gumtree

Getting organized

• MapsPublic libraries normally have free copies of the Explore Edinburgh Maps published by Edinburgh Council. Alternatively, you can download them here
• Spokes is a local lobby group/newspaper promoting cycling in the Lothians. You can grab your paper copy in any library. It's a very useful independent resource for the committed cyclist.

Libraries

There are a few public libraries in Edinburgh. You can easily become a member. All you need is a proof of address, which could be just anything mailed to you (even a letter to yourself). You can borrow items at one library and bring it back at any other city library. You can also get free Internet Access there, printing, scanning, copying, faxing, etc. Their services are generally good but not always reliable. More info on Edinburgh's Libraries

Historic Scotland

If you are staying in Scotland a little while, it might be worth getting a Historic Scotland Membership. Passes last for a year, are nominative but without picture (draw your own conclusions) and cost about 38 pounds for adult and 28 for concessions (including full-time students).

They provide unlimited access to about 70 paying sites in Scotland, including Edinburgh's Castle and Craigmillar Castle. Good to know, it also includes Linlithgow and Stirling Castle, a fine day trip from Edinburgh, and Urquart Castle (the Loch Ness one).

You also get a lot of discounts for their shops, a quarterly magazine, and 50% off all England, Welsh and Manx historical sites.

Historic Scotland Website