Cost of Living in Edinburgh

I am joining as a PhD in University of Edinburgh, can someone help me with the information regarding average cost of living, transportation, groceries etc. all the essentials and miscellaneous

Moving from the US to Edinburgh. Want to make sure my budget is doable for Edinburgh. Any suggestions on a monthly target income for a family of 5?

Would like to know how much is rental of a small 2 bedroom house outside of Edinburgh

Honestly, purely based on having lived in both, compared to London Edinburgh is a far more expensive to be in. Obviously rent aside, but as a matter of course, walking around London (even central places and the city) will tend to result in finding variations in the price of things like meals from the absurdly high to the actually quite cheap. Not so in Edinburgh, where everything is far more compact and, thus, within the tourist path, so all restaurants have a relatively high price with little variation. The figure here that really attests to this on this page is that it is the 20th highest price for an inexpensive restaurant in the world - that does not surprise me at all. Places which look cheap and cheerful are often quite expensive, and, contra the case elsewhere, unlikely to have as many things thrown in (tea is often sold separately in breakfasts, for instance, unlike the norm everywhere else in the UK). This is clearly a more minor concern than the rental situation, but it is important bear in mind if you are here causally or trying to save money on minor expenses.

I live in a rough area of Edinburgh, Muirhouse. However, 25mins into city centre by bus, even in this rough area to rent a two bedroom flat is 700 pounds a month plus council tax seems to be left off this price index, add at least 100 pounds on to that even for a poor and bad area. The bus system used to be good, but if you are in the north area of Edinburgh be prepared to have a bus system, missed and delayed buses. Edinburgh is the worst place in the UK to drive a car. The roads are the worst, potholes everywhere and high car parking charges with council actively going after parked cars, I was 6 minutes late and they charged me 60 pounds for being 6 minutes over the parking time. Average car parking car per hour ranges from 2.50 to 4 pounds or higher.

Any families above 3 should be highly aware that this is a very expensive city, outside London I would say this is the most expensive in the mainland UK (except Dublin). Edinburgh is a beautiful city only if you live in the good areas and city centre. Basically, avoid at all costs the Northwest (Pilton, Muirhouse etc.) not safe as a woman to walk alone even during the day at times, such as garden paths out of sight. Even in Silverknowes is a great and rich area but in terms of facilities is very poor for a capital city. But if you are used to a convenient culture of 24hr cities of Asia or the Middle East, avoid. Eating out is the highest cost I have come across, even for a basic pub meal in the city center is around 12-15 pounds. If you are going out round 9pm to eat be prepared to eat at limited establishments if any at all. Other than eating and drinking no nightlife other than that. Services are strictly 9-5pm for most places. If you are into coffee late night culture, studying or late night working, only in downtown city centre New town and Old town.

For singles, there are better conveniencies and cheaper cities in the UK to live and work. Expensive to live here without packing yourself into a small, damp flat with other people. I also find the old flats here in Edinburgh are poor quality with 4 flights of stairs on average.

If you own a house or flat(have enough to buy outright so no mortgage), is approximately 80K in living expenses per year enough for 2 people to live in Edinburgh? I am in US, California, my husband is from Scotland and would like to retire in Edinburgh.