Making friends in Edinburgh

Hello Fee,

Welcome to Expat-Blog..

It would be nice if you could share with us about your life experience in Edinburg.

Regards
Yuveshen

Hi

My fiancé and I will be moving to Edinburgh in August this year. I have an amazing opportunity to work permanently at an auditing firm in Edinburgh.

Could you perhaps give me some advice on what areas are good to rent in? And what the general cost of living is like in Edinburgh?

Looking forward to hearing from you

Hi Tanya
You don't say where your new employer is based, there are many nice areas a lot will depend on whether you intend taking public transport or your own car also if you want a flat or house.  Are you currently living in the UK? 

Food is much cheaper than London, a Day Saver on the bus is £3.50 for all day/night travelling.  A lot depends on what you are looking for, could I have more information please.

What is certain you wont be sorry you chose Edinburgh!  What an amazing city this is.  So much happening throughout the year fabulous architecture and history  packed into a small area.  If you get fed up with the city the country side is close by.  People come for 6 months and never leave!
Fee

Hi All
I've lived in Edinburgh over 15 years and got to know and love this city.  The first 2 years I spent looking at buildings and architecture, its everywhere.  There are free museums and art gallery's all worthwhile having a look at on a rainy day.  Which I can reliably inform you there will be a few of.  The weather is improving year on year but you will still need warm clothes,   quite possibly even in "summer".  When the warm sunny weather arrives welcome it and make the most of it.  The sun doesn't stick to a timetable.  Dress in layers of thin clothing that's a top tip,  the air trapped in your clothes is the best insulator.  Be prepared for the weather to turn cold at any moment!
Just come to Edinburgh and be a sponge there is so much to take in.  You will love it guaranteed.
Fee

Hi Fee

Thanks so much for getting back to me. I am going to be working for Grant Thornton and they are at 7 Exchange Crescent, Conference Square, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH3 

I think in the beginning we are definitely rather going to make use of public transport as my fiancé still needs to find some work in Edinburgh first.

Any information will be great thanks.

Hi Tanya
August is a good time to arrive the tourists will be heading off home so will not be as busy here.  Weather wise it will be getting cold.  so be prepared.  warm clothes gloves scarves possibly umbrella.  unless you are lucky in which case you will have extra to carry.....

your new employer is in the centre of Edinburgh so you will have no problem with transport or flats to rent.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/' … 55.9472673

you need the full postal codes which looks similar to this     EH3 8RD

If the above link does not work search google maps you will be able to see it marked on the map.   search Edinburgh and  postcode.  you should become familiar with street names around Edinburgh Castle radiating outwards.
Basically every bus in Edinburgh goes along princess street which is THE main street of the city.  All is within walking distance though depends on how much time you have to walk it.   

http://www.citylets.co.uk/flats-rent-edinburgh/leith/

Leith is a very popular for rentals as you will find  inexpensive rentals to very expensive.  I expect you will need to get a bus into and back home daily as it can be too far to walk depending on where in Leith you decide on.  a day saver is £3.50 per day lasts the day (unlimited travel for the day, bus only) so buy it early in the day or a day when you expect to travel a lot to get the most use from it.  Lothian busses operate (nearly) all the Edinburgh bus service.    good services though not always on time.
their web page    http://lothianbuses.com/   

the area around your employer is called fountainbridge you may be able to rent at a reasonable cost as the area is recently regenerated.   search google rental fountainbridge Edinburgh

http://www.citylets.co.uk/flats-rent-ed … ainbridge/

when coming to the UK you will arrive at Heathrow airport (international airport) and I advise to get an on going ticket to Edinburgh from Heathrow.  (which may not be possible.)  Im not sure check with your travel agent.  you may need to go to another airport in London to fly up to Edinburgh about an hour and half travel time.  I think there are 3 airports in London.  prepare for stress while travelling in/through London allow extra time for delays in public transport and getting lost.
I don't have much experience there. if at all possible AVOID LONDON it will eat up your £.  Distances are vast,  food is expensive travel is expensive.  A great experience but my advice is go visit London once you are settled and earning £

The trains station runs through the centre of Edinburgh so very convenient if you want to take the train up.  its about a 4.5 to 5 hour journey.   I prefer the train as it is less stressful. 
http://www.thetrainline.com/Train-Times … h-waverley
I see trains leave from Euston or Kings Cross.  you can reach these train stations via the London tube service.  you can catch this tube service from beneath Heathrow Airport.
I think you need something called an Oyster Card in London to travel.  its a card you top up and use to travel with.  you'll have to research this for yourself.  I don't think you can travel without it and is NOT valid in Edinburgh so don't put too much £ on it if avoidable.     
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payment … -is-oyster
any other questions on travelling through London and I can ask my daughter to answer them she will be visiting me Friday and Saturday. 
otherwise this is a start.  do you have anything else specific to ask?   
Fee

Hi Tanya
Re: your fiancé
I know a lawyer here in Edinburgh and I will text her sometime tomorrow and find out if there I can get more information re: the work prospects as a lawyer.

some thoughts are contact the scottish law society   http://www.lawscot.org.uk/

did you know that scots law and English law is different?  there may be problems if the scottish law society don't recognise south African qualifications.  maybe you could sent them an email to clarify things with them directly.

is there a particular area of the law he specialises in?

http://www.morton-fraser.com/our-people/innes-clarkhttp://www.turcanconnell.com/legal/employment-lawhttp://www.slatergordon.co.uk/contact-us/edinburgh/

perhaps he could send his CV to some solicitors?
Fee

Hi Fee

Thanks so much for all the information. I really appreciate it.
I haven't even thought about how to get to Edinburgh but I think we would much rather take the train to be honest. Even though its a longer trip, I would like to keep stress to a minimum.

With regards to my fiancé : He has contacted the Scottish law society and they said he must send his qualifications and a certificate of good standing with our local law society in order for them to see what they recognise.
He has however seen that he could possibly work as a paralegal for the first while until we have found our feet.

He specialises in most of the private law but his real passion lies with labour and real estate. So anything in that line would be good.

Thanks
Tanya