Great Scot! Try the haggis!
Life never gets dull in Edinburgh, the city with more pubs than any other in Scotland, Shannon Raleigh says.
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Where are you from?
Hamilton.
What inspired your move, and how long have you been there?
My dad is originally from Ireland, so I have an Irish passport.
I chose Edinburgh because I had friends from back home here already. I’ve been here for just over two years.
What do you do there?
I’m a graphic designer currently working for a museum and exhibition design agency.
What are the greatest advantages to living there?
Compared to somewhere like London, the cost of living is much cheaper and the city is much easier to adjust to. Commute times on average are shorter and the city is full of green spaces such as Princes St Gardens and Holyrood Park.
Probably the biggest advantage of living in the UK is the ease of travel. Europe is so close and often very affordable to travel to.
Disadvantages?
It’s about as far away from home as you can get! I think for me that’s why it’s important to have a solid group of friends over here. And the weather.
How expensive is it compared to NZ? How much is a beer?
Pretty similar overall. Just don’t convert what you are spending in pounds to dollars! Beer prices vary, in touristy areas a pint could run to £5 (NZ$9.50) but in Leith you’re looking at closer to £3.60.
What do you do in your spare time?
Drink! Either at the pub or at a local cafe. New Zealand definitely understands coffee better, but I have come across a few pretty good places here. My favourite in Edinburgh is called Artisan Roast. Edinburgh also has more pubs than any other city in Scotland, so you’re never far from a pint here.
What’s the local delicacy and would you recommend eating it?
You must try haggis! I don’t eat meat but have had the vege version and I’m sold! And you have to wash it down with a can of Irn-Bru.
Easiest way to get around?
As much as we like to complain, the bus system here is pretty decent. The city is also very walkable.
What’s the shopping like?
Nothing too special – shopping malls are weird and dreary here. Glasgow is better for that and just 45 minutes away on the train.
Best time of year to visit?
May to September. The weather starts picking up around May and during summer we get up to 17 hours of sunshine a day (which almost makes up for the sun setting before 4pm in the winter). In August the city’s population of the city doubles for the Edinburgh Fringe - the largest arts festival in the world.
Your top three for visitors?
Wander up the Royal Mile and visit Edinburgh Castle, which is perched at the top. Climb Arthur’s Seat. Not only do we have a castle in the middle of the city, but we also have an extinct volcano. From the top of Arthur’s Seat you get an amazing view of the entire city and beyond. Take a gin or whisky tour. Edinburgh has a huge craft gin scene and Scotland is well known for its whisky. Many of the distilleries offer tours and tastings.
What do you miss most?
Definitely the sun!
How easy is it to get back to NZ?
I haven’t tried yet! Depending on when you want to go it can be pretty expensive; it’s about a 30-hour journey.
For Kiwis looking to move, which industries want fresh talent?
Edinburgh has a huge finance sector. It is also full of tech and software startups and tourism plays a huge part in the economy of the city. Two of my Kiwi pals work for Visit Scotland.