Moving to Edinburgh in 2 days

Louster

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As the title says, I'll be moving to Edinburgh on friday. I'm about to start a degree at Edinburgh University, and I was just wondering if anyone had any general advice or info about the place. I'm not your typical idiot student, and have a medical condition that means I can't really drink, so I probably don't really need pub/club guides as you might expect - I'm really just after some general advice or thoughts about the city, as I've never actually been there. Plus, I've never even been to Scotland before - I've lived on the south coast of England all my life basically - so does that mean there'll be a bit of a culture shock? From what I've heard this is unlikely as Edinburgh's supposed to be pretty cosmopolitan and multicultural, but yeah, I don't know.

Your input is valued, humanoids.
 

old.user4556

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Having lived/worked/socialised in Edinburgh and moved about Scotland, I have some comparitive views and opinions on Edinburgh based on my other Scottish experiences; some good, some bad.

The people in general are "nice", but it has to be said that a vast majority of them are incredibly fucking anal, up their own arse and obsessed with the price of their property and how much it's appreciated in value, whilst drinking Lattés (they don't drink 'coffee'). They also tend to have a "down the nose" view of anywhere outside of Edinburgh - they almost give me the impression that they think the world ends at the city bypass. I've never witnessed such a "toff" attitude anywhere else in Scotland.

In terms of uni/students, again the toff element prevails - watch out for velvet jacket wearing, indoor scarf doning, poetry reading pseudo rich kids. A vast proportion (like yourself ;)) of students at Edinburgh uni are English, often referred to as "Oxford Rejects" - not in a bad way, just as a laugh between Scots/English students.

The transport system is also utter shit, trains out of waverley are cancelled frequently and the buses tend to be full regularly, although they are very frequent. Historically, the "we shall not be moved" attitude has prevented any sort of modern transport system - so the motorway ends at a place called Hermiston Gait, unlike Glasgow which has a multi lane motorway ploughing straight through it (this may be something to do with the war). Princess Street is virtually pedestrianised - only taxis/buses/cycles can go down it.

Just my 2p on the bad bits.

On the good bits, Edinburgh is a very nice city as a visitors city. It has a lot of history and there are plenty "shortbread tin" things to see/do (castle, holyrood, museums etc). Shopping is decent, although not as good as Glasgow, and the side streets are line with some very nice pubs/cafes. George Street is also nice in the summer for going out, although it's pricey (Opal Lounge :touch: ). There is a large student community, so there is never really nothing to do during the week. I also recommend visiting the Grassmarket - a small square of pubs/bars/eating places in the old town. Live music is also plentiful, I suggest you go and see some local live bands (http://www.gigguide.co.uk/edinburgh.htm). One of the best places I went to recently was a comedy club on Queens Street, was a fucking laugh riot.

It's not a bad place at all, I just hate the people :).
 

Clown

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And try to avoid Goldblade. You know what I mean.
 

Brynn

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Which halls you get in? Chancellors Court?

You will no-doubt see the yah's. Wonder if the refugee look is still in.

Take a walk up Arthurs Seat, its an incredible view, but its a fair hike 1-2 hours depending on your skill.

I quite liked the food at the ref thing in the middle, but my gf didnt (women eh)

Make sure you chat to people on your floor. Also make sure you know how to enable your computer for access to the internet, you could hire yourself out to the uncultured masses.
 

Louster

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Brynn; as it happens, I'm not staying at Pollock Halls, I'm at a University-run self-catered flat: Darroch Court. Thank christ, as well - heard about the crazy overbooking and subsequent room-sharing that's going on at Chancellor's Court? Anyhow, the afforementioned medical condition rather prohibits any sort of catered residence, and Darroch Court seems to be in a pretty nicely central location and stuff.

Clown; haha, too late I think. He knows. HE KNOWS.

Big G; cool, thanks for the heads up, despite it mostly being negative. I've heard about the snobbishness/yahs from a few other people already, and am hoping that I can avoid the worst of it/them. Is it unusual for an English student at Edinburgh to be pretty goddamn poor? (I'll be getting the maximum loan, or near enough, due to low family income, etc.)
The live music et al sounds great though, definitely my sort of thing, and frankly I can deal with packed buses alright after having lived where I live - in virtually the middle of nowhere, relying on one bus every hour to take me on a 50 minute (to get 8 bloody miles) ride into the nearest (small) city, along sickeningly winding rural roads that I swear the bus drivers WANT to come as close as possible to crashing off of.

Yeah.
 

old.user4556

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Don't let me put you off, it's only my opinion. I know plenty people that love Edinburgh.

As it stands on its own, it's a nice place; but then you compare it with Glasgow and think "jesus, the west is just so much better".

I believe it was in the news this morning that Glasgow has moved above Edinburgh in the "best cities" rankings.
 

Wij

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tell me some nice Glasgow eateries for my next visit then !
 

Brynn

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Glasgow sucks.

Its a crappy city, its a bleek gray city, with a whopping great motorway going through the middle of it.
 

Will

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Glasgow resident in "biased against Edinburgh" shocker...I thought I better correct a few things.

The buses...the only time they are packed is during rush hour, which is hardly a surprise. I've never had a train cancelled. And I don't think a motorway ploughing through your city centre is very attractive. :p

I don't drink latte, I'm really not obsessed with house prices, and I don't hate people who aren't from Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Uni can seem like it is full of Yahs, but I think that might be down to Yahs being the ones who can afford to go out all the time. And they've stopped reading poetry...they just talk loudly instead.
 

Lazarus

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sorry Will.





but I need to back you up here.

From the West coast, but I preferred Edinburgh to Glasgow.
 

Will

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Wij said:
tell me some nice Glasgow eateries for my next visit then !
Glasgow...I'd recommend the Ashoka curry house, on Ashton Lane. Leave Hillhead underground, turn left as you leave, then take the first left into a wee side street, and you're looking at it. Then go further up that street and turn left, and go to Jinty McGintys for a few pints of Guinness. :)

And I'm not sure I prefer either city. I lived in Glasgow for five years. I just get pissed off with people slating the stereotype of a city, rather than what it is actually like.
 

Louster

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Talking of which, any recommendations on a good curry place near Marchhall Crescent (off Dalkeith Road)?
 

Lazarus

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not a curry house, but a fantastic Thai restaurant opposite the Playhouse.

"Thai me up" is the name of it (honest guv)
 

Brynn

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Pataka's. Its down towards the Edinburgh Library, unfortunatly cant remember the exact location.

A really nice Turkish resteraunt is Hanedan, its just off South Clerk Street (well not just off but its off a main road) Its the road going away from the uni halls.
 

old.user4556

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Will said:
Glasgow resident in "biased against Edinburgh" shocker...I thought I better correct a few things.

The buses...the only time they are packed is during rush hour, which is hardly a surprise. I've never had a train cancelled. And I don't think a motorway ploughing through your city centre is very attractive. :p

I don't drink latte, I'm really not obsessed with house prices, and I don't hate people who aren't from Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Uni can seem like it is full of Yahs, but I think that might be down to Yahs being the ones who can afford to go out all the time. And they've stopped reading poetry...they just talk loudly instead.

I take it you aren't referring to me, I don't live in Glasgow.

First point - that's the problem Will, the buses are unusable at the times you need them the most; as are the trains in and out. Never enough carriages, breaking down on the odd occasion, cancellations, heating either a) full on during the summer or b) not working at all in the winter. Whilst a motorway isn't attractive, it's certainly a lot more functional than Edinburgh's dysfunctional approach to public transport. The recent egg on face scenario regarding the disgraceful attempt to introduce congestion charging springs to mind - laughable.

Secondly, not all Edinburgh people are the same; apologies if I offended you :), but it's my general observation of people from Edinburgh based on comparisons with other Scots from other cities.

Brynn, Glasgow to look at isn't pretty I agree; hence why I said Edinburgh is more a "visitors" city for its shortbread tin appeal, but in general I much prefer Glasgow for functionality, people, music, places, shopping etc.

I highly recommend going to see this
 

Will

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I just find the buses ok, and reliable (ignoring the recent industrial action). Five years ago they were pretty grim, but nowadays they are great. Trains I don't get very often, except for the Edinburgh-Glasgow, which has always been fine for me. And I'd much rather cycle around Edinburgh than Glasgow. ;)

Who had the stupid idea of letting people vote on a congestion charge, without explaining it first? Most people voted against it, since they didn't know they'd be exempt from the charge. Apart from the Undergrond in Glasgow, the transport system seems very car-centric. Being a poor student, I assume you'll be carless Louster.

Heh, I don't take offence easily G. Maybe I should switch to a decaf latte? ;)
 

Louster

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Will said:
Being a poor student, I assume you'll be carless Louster.
Indeedy, one of the many things of which I will have none.

Well. So. About 11 hours before I begin my journey o' fun. This'll be my first taste of real independence - the last year I've been semi-independent, living nearby, so it wasn't quite the same. There's no real point blathering on here about it but yeah, I'm just a little nervous. Hooh boy.

Transporting a PC 500 miles via train ought to be interesting, too. (Buying a new PC/Laptop was rather out of the question, sadly.)

Funtimes ahead.
 

Will

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I'd come and look after you, but I'm off to France on Saturday afternoon. \:D/
 

Utini

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I may be wrong, as i skim-read previous replies, but nobody seems to have mentioned, money. A scotsmans wallet has more moths in than middlesboroughs trophy cabinet. Be prepared.
 

Clown

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You, and commas, have a freaky, attraction, okay.
 

Tilda

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Good luck Louster, I remember my first day at uni, the whole waiting around to get in the car and go, i was absolutly shitting myself!
Have you considered going to bars just to socialise? Quite a few of my friends dont drink, but we all still go to bars/clubs etc because its a good way to meet people. I hope it all goes ok and you meet loads of friendly people!!
 

Lazarus

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Grindlay Street was one of the best Student Unions when I were a lad.
 

Louster

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Holy crap well I'm there. Edinburgh is pretty.

And Resnet rather sucks. But I knew that.

And I'm in a self-catered flat designed for three and I'm the only damned person here so far.


Uhm.
 

old.user4556

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Utini said:
I may be wrong, as i skim-read previous replies, but nobody seems to have mentioned, money. A scotsmans wallet has more moths in than middlesboroughs trophy cabinet. Be prepared.

When it's £3+ a pint in Edinburgh, it's easy to see why.
 

Brynn

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Big G said:
When it's £3+ a pint in Edinburgh, it's easy to see why.

I had a nice fry and a coffee for £5 in Newington Coffeeshop today, wished I got more for my money than a scaggly bit of bacon and a tiny sossie.

The city is blindingly expensive, hence why all the freshers this year are getting mashed at the Absorb cafe for £1.50 a drink.

I met up with a friend yesterday in Edinburgh and she was telling me about the fiasco with the rooms, feel sorry for the people with the bunkbeds.

Oh yea, resnet truly does suck.
 

Louster

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I don't drink, so that's not really a problem, but the fact that the buses demand exact change and charge 80p means that I've already pretty much lost about a pound that I shouldn't have. Which is silly.

Anyhow. I need to find some good pubs with live blues music to visit, any suggestions? I'm open to jazz also. Near the central area would be ideal.

Edit:
Tilda said:
Have you considered going to bars just to socialise? Quite a few of my friends dont drink, but we all still go to bars/clubs etc because its a good way to meet people. I hope it all goes ok and you meet loads of friendly people!!
Yeah I guess. I really hate clubs though. Don't you kinda have to be drunk just to be able to tolerate it? I guess I'm just too self-conscious and introverted to be able to deal with that stuff.

And I've hardly met anyone so far. Haven't even met anyone on the same course yet. :(
 

Tilda

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Louster said:
Edit:Yeah I guess. I really hate clubs though. Don't you kinda have to be drunk just to be able to tolerate it? I guess I'm just too self-conscious and introverted to be able to deal with that stuff.

And I've hardly met anyone so far. Haven't even met anyone on the same course yet. :(

Although clubs are sometimes better when drunk, they're imo, tolerable when sober, theres always some who dont drink that will be there with friends.
When I went to uni, and I know this sounds cliched(sp?) but I was self conscious, heck, I still am!
Fortunatly for me, I met a great group of friends who realise I am, and drag me out anyway, and although I often protest when they drag me out, once you get there, I normally have a good time.

Im not sure quite what to suggest really, you should definetly (imo anyway) go out and say hi to random people etc I mean, its freshers week, everybodys scared of everybody else and still trying to find their feet. They'll probably be as relieved as you are to have someone else to chat too! Really, unless they're total cnuts, nobodys going to think any less of you for walking up, saying hi, and getting to know them.

I wouldnt worry about meeting people on your course just yet. I've found I have 3 or 4 groups of friends. Firstly those I lived near, and met on freshers week, second, my course friend, thirdly those from clubs i've joined, and fourthly, friends of those friends :D

Its hard to offer much more advice without sounding like i'm talking down to you, which i dont want to do. Just dont worry, go out, be extroverted, meet people, you'll be fine.
If you want to talk more, feel free to PM me :)

Tilda
 

Lazarus

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Louster said:
Anyhow. I need to find some good pubs with live blues music to visit, any suggestions? I'm open to jazz also. Near the central area would be ideal.

Used to be a Jazz place called "Cats Pyjamas" round the corner from the Playhouse. Mind you, that was a while back :(
 

MrHorus

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Right folks, you clearly need a, Edinburgh-resident, working class Glaswegian-in-exile like myself to show you all the places to get cheep booze and decent grub!

Take the Central Mosque off Nicolson Street for example - they do a bloody good curry for £3 and the portions are pretty damn filling too!
 

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