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wned UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh encompasses the grandeur of the Georgian New Town and the meandering alleyways of the medieval Old Town – while the Castle enthroned on its extinct volcano, dominates the city skyline.
Despite its awesome architecture, this is no motionless monument; far from it. Scotland’s capital never stands still and is a hive of activity throughout the year.
It is rightly renowned for its cultural get-togethers, such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe when the streets are alive with music, drama, entertainment and spectators from all over the world.
Edinburgh is more than a magnet for tourists. It is also an incredibly popular location to live, work and play.
In fact, in 2018 it was named in the Arcadis Sustainability Cities Index as the world’s best city to live in, with its highlights being high levels of education, a low crime rate and the health of its workforce.
And what a workforce! Edinburgh has a higher percentage (77.8%) of the working-age population in employment than any other major UK city.
When it comes to numbers, it does have the formula for success – it is one of the busiest cities in the UK for financial services, attracting a huge share of established companies and innovative start-ups.
It is the first choice for banks, insurance groups, pension organisations, fund management firms and asset servicing firms. More than 10% of the city’s working population is employed in finance and insurance.
The city is also a hub for FinTech (financial technology), with the University of Edinburgh a founding member of FinTech Scotland. Its pioneering work in AI (artificial intelligence) and informatics (understanding data to enable technological advances) is recognised as world leading.
The largest cluster of tech businesses in Scotland also has its home in Edinburgh, employing an estimated 24% of all those in the country’s digital sector.
Plans have also been put forward for a new Digital Quarter that could provide an additional £438 million to Scotland’s economic output every year. Analysis suggests the 65-acre development on a disused runway next to Edinburgh Airport could support 6,400 new jobs in the tech economy.
Life sciences is another area that thrives here, with researchers making great leaps forward in the advancement of bioinformatics, cancer treatments and regenerative medicines.
Connectivity is important for all types of businesses, not just tech companies, especially when you’re out of the office. The good news is, as well as being served by free-to-use city centre WiFi, Vodafone’s super-fast 5G service has gone live in Edinburgh.
Talking of being on the move: 87% of people in Edinburgh said in a recent survey they’re satisfied with public transport in the city.
Of course, the city is a top spot for anyone who’d like to enjoy a role in tourism, hospitality and catering. This is no surprise when you consider the city’s immense popularity. In 2018 British travellers made 2.8 million overnight trips to Edinburgh and the Lothians, spending 7.2 million nights and £745 million.
International travellers visited two and a half million times, spending more than 11 million nights and £1.1 billion during their stay.
From hotel receptionists and tour guides to waiting staff, baristas and bar managers there are countless opportunities to build a career.
The world of retail, too, is hugely attractive to job seekers, with a variety of recruitment opportunities that range from assistant to management positions, as well as customer service roles, in independent boutiques, high-end department stores, quirky second-hand clothes and bookshops and designer fashion outlets.
When it comes to housing, there’s a similarly wide range of choices, with different areas offering their own distinct environments.
From family-focused homes in Stockbridge to the chic waterfront apartments of historic Leith, and from New Town Georgian houses to the historic charms of Old Town tenements, there’s something for everyone.
The suburban districts of Bruntsfield, Merchiston and Morningside, meanwhile, feel more like individual villages in their own right and are especially popular with young families.
For more information on renting or buying a property in Edinburgh go to the experts at s1homes.
When it comes to evening and weekend entertainment, as well as its theatres, cinemas, restaurants (Edinburgh has more Michelin-awarded restaurants than most major UK cities) and cafes, Edinburgh boasts countless bars, live music venues and clubs – many with a year-round programme of dance music and live bands.
If peace and quiet is more your bag, however, there are plenty of peaceful parks, including Calton Hill, Blackford Hill, The Meadows and Inverleith. The city was named ‘the greenest city in the UK’ last year in a study by First Mile.
You can also venture further out of the city and explore East Lothian, where you will discover an outdoors adventure playground with long, windswept beaches that offer the perfect conditions for walking, kayaking and surfing.
Edinburgh is in a good place right now, but the future is looking even brighter. The UK and Scottish Governments are investing £600 million into the city region, as part of the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal.
It’s hoped this will deliver several transformational projects focused on areas such as transport, culture, skills and housing.
So why not find out more about what this city can offer you? If you’re looking for an exciting career opportunity and a new life in Scotland’s capital, begin by checking out the latest vacancies in Edinburgh on s1jobs.