1. Having access to gorgeous nature like this right on your doorstep
Sure, London has green spaces, but not like Holyrood Park - a wilderness right at the heart of Edinburgh that you can walk to and enjoy views of the city and the sea.
2. And being able to visit the Highlands whenever you feel like it
There are no spontaneous trips to the Highlands for Londoners without a whole lot of faff and organisation involved first.
3. You can walk pretty much everywhere in Edinburgh
The city centre is small, but perfectly formed...unlike the sprawling hellscape that is London.
4. Plus your commute in Edinburgh is way more scenic - and easier
We're not saying Edinburgh's traffic and travel situation is great or anything, but at least you don't have a daily commute consisting of a bus, a train, the tube, and then some more walking, then maybe a boat trip followed by an obstacle course.
5. You also miss not spending over half your paycheck on rent
Sure, Edinburgh property is comparatively expensive to the rest of Scotland, and rents are rising, but it’s an absolute pittance compared to what you’re expected to shell out for your little room in Zone 2 down South.
6. And even more importantly, Edinburgh has cheaper pints
Maybe not by much, but anything is better than paying close to six quid just for a pint. Or eleven quid for a mere glass of wine.
7. Weirdly, you also miss all the Harry Potter tourism
It annoyed you when you lived in Edinburgh, but it did make you feel special to either pretend you're in Harry Potter, or that you're writing the next Harry Potter. You can only do that at King’s Cross Station in London, whereas all of Edinburgh will make you feel like a wizard (or a successful writer-in-waiting).
8. And The Fringe, too
Yes it's busy, yes there are always 202,282 people in your way, but it's definitely something you miss having easy access to. After all, no festival on earth can ever match the energy of the Fringe.
9. Not to mention the weird and wonderful vintage stores
Edinburgh vintage shops are the best in the country – hitting just right spot of having lots of cool stuff with lots of variety, being affordable, but not constantly being stripped barren by legions of London art students.
10. Then there's the smell of 'fresh bread' in the air, aka the brewery.
Honestly, why would you ever leave a city that smells like delicious carbs?
11. In fact, the air in Edinburgh is way fresher in general
Unlike London, which consistently breaks legal limits for air pollution.
12. And Edinburgh water doesn't coat your teeth and ruin your hair
Hard water is the weirdest thing ever.
13. Not having to pay for your prescription medicine
Okay here me out: you will really miss not having to pay an £8 fee every time you get a prescription once you have to start paying £8 every time you get a prescription.
14. The gorgeous canal walks
You're spoiled for choice when it comes to pretty places to walk in Edinburgh, but the canal routes are the crème de la crème: think Scotland meets English country village.
15. The long summer days...and nights
Did you know that Edinburgh gets slightly more hours of daylight in the summer than the South of England? Summer solstice in Edinburgh is about an hour longer than in London, and it makes all the difference after a long, cold winter.
16. And, of course, the beautiful weather
Just joking. The one thing you will not miss is Edinburgh’s ability to destroy every umbrella you've ever had.
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