Student Life 2013/14 January 2014 | Page 58

best thing It’s such a historical city. HIDDEN GEMS has been ranked 17th in the world this year, and only looks to be rising higher Be on the look-out for vintage clothes sales advertised online. For a small entry fee, you’ll get the chance to shop through tonnes of clothes, often stuff from likeminded students that you can pay for by the kilo. Morningside is a neighbourhood some students might not ever see in their day-to-day life, but it’s a nice road made up of boutiques, cafés, charity shops and restaurants – all of which are fairly affordable and definitely worth a day trip. BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY worst thing Animal lovers won’t see much other than dogs and birds during term usually, but if you’re feeling adventurous head to Gorgie City Farm (free entry!) and take a look at their many animals, big and small, along with a community garden that’s refreshing for many of us flat inhabitants. Broughton Street in New Town also offers a fantastic selection of food, pubs, shops and even tattoo parlours worthy of a visit or two; and there’s plenty of green open spaces nearby if would like to enjoy the outdoors on a nice day. EDINBURGH STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Edinburgh is extremely welcoming and easy for student living; and affordable accommodation can be found both in the city centre and the suburbs. The history. Whether it’s the extinct volcanic nature of Arthur’s Seat, dating back to the Carboniferous age, or simply the spine-tingling feeling you experience from centuries past on excursions such as the walking ghost tours that descend beneath the Royal Mile, there’s a neverending list of footsteps to retrace and interesting facts to discover. Fans of ghost stories and gore lovers will find fodder galore, from the supposedly haunted Greyfriars Kirkyard to the rooms of Holyroodhouse Palace. WORST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY Probably the wind. Whether you’re from halfway around the world or you’ve just moved north from England, students agree the wind (and the ice, to be fair) is enough to bring a tear to the corner of anyone’s eye. As long as you bring out your winter clothes and accessories in phases, you should be fine. Just know that the only people who will be professionals at handling the weather are probably from Antarctica or Shetland. The wind – it’s a shock to anyone who isn’t from Antarctica. Users of the AFS website ranked Edinburgh 5th in the UK, with an overall score of 62%. Reviews were consistently positive for Edinburgh, especially with regards to the public transport. Average room rental in Edinburgh weighed in at £79 in 2013 compared with the national average of £79.43, a remarkably reasonable price especially considering the University of Edinburgh 58 www.accommodationforstudents.com