Living in New Town, Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Georgian quarter, laid out between 1767 and 1820 on a grid north of Princes Street. Charlotte Square, George Street, the broad terraces and crescents that gave the city its UNESCO World Heritage status.
New Town is the planned Georgian extension built between 1767 and 1820, north of the Old Town across the Princes Street Gardens valley. The masterplan by James Craig and the later Northern and Western extensions by Robert Reid and William Stark created one of Europe's most complete Georgian set-pieces: broad east-west streets (George Street, Queen Street, Princes Street), broad north-south crescents, and the great residential squares (Charlotte Square, St Andrew Square, Moray Place, Royal Circus). UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
Who lives here
A professional and well-off population. Older long-term homeowners in the Georgian flats and main-door apartments alongside lawyers, finance professionals, civil servants, doctors, and a smaller share of international residents (consulates cluster on Charlotte Square). Students are rare — apartments are mostly large family-sized flats. Families are present in the bigger Georgian houses, including the Moray Place and Royal Circus set.
What it's like during the day
Calmer than Old Town and West End, with commercial activity concentrated on George Street (high-end shopping and chain restaurants) and St Andrew Square. Charlotte Square hosts the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August. The residential crescents and streets are quiet — wealthy professional life happens behind shutters. The Royal Botanic Garden and the Water of Leith walkway are five minutes' walk north.
What it's like in the evening
Active on George Street (which has shifted from offices to bars and restaurants over the last twenty years), Thistle Street (the small parallel lane with neighbourhood pubs and bistros), and Rose Street (the pub-crawl strip running parallel to Princes Street). Restaurants close by 10-11 PM; bars run until 1 AM weekends. The residential crescents go quiet by 11 PM.
Getting around
The Edinburgh Tram stops at St Andrew Square and Princes Street. Waverley station is at the southern edge. Lothian Buses 10, 11, 13, 23, 27, 36, 41, 42, 44, 67 cover the corridor. Most central destinations are walkable. The wijk's streets are wide and walking is the default.
Eating and shopping
George Street handles mainstream restaurants and bars (Le Café St Honoré, Howies George Street, The Tigerlily) plus chain shopping. Thistle Street has neighbourhood spots — The Bon Vivant, Café Marlayne, Bia Bistrot. Multrees Walk off St Andrew Square handles luxury retail (Harvey Nichols, designer brands). M&S and Sainsbury's are on Princes Street; Waitrose on Comely Bank Road is the local upscale option.
When NOT to pick it
If you want affordable rent or a younger scene. New Town is the most expensive residential address in central Edinburgh — Georgian flats with high ceilings, sash windows, and shared stairs that are protected and difficult to modernise. Many flats are large and family-sized rather than small studios. The wijk is residential after 11 PM and the bar density is concentrated on a few streets. New Town is at its best for professionals, families with space requirements, and anyone who wants the Georgian set-piece architecture and a five-minute walk to Princes Street and Waverley.