Edinburgh has been named as one of the world’s top 20 cities for wellbeing, with Leith Walk earmarked as top up-and-coming area that is "one to watch".
Research, carried out by estate agents Knight Frank, developed a new City Wellbeing Index as part of its Wealth Report 2020.
The index was based on a range of factors - including lifestyle, healthcare, and access to green spaces - to identify cities leading the way when it comes to quality of life.
Edinburgh scored ahead of London, coming out on top for happiness, governance, safety and work-life balance but, unsurprisingly, fell short on sunshine hours compared to other major cities.
Simon Capaldi, partner at Knight Frank Edinburgh, said: “People living and working in Edinburgh benefit from the city’s high standards of living – something which doesn’t come with the same price tag as other UK cities.
"It’s around one-third cheaper for businesses to set up here than in London, making the Scottish capital city an attractive place for entrepreneurs and established businesses to put down roots.
“The city also benefits from a highly educated talent pool, with a graduate population of nearly 50,000 and 47% of final year students who plan to remain in the city."
The report also identified a number of up-and-coming neighbourhoods as "ones to watch" over the next five years, with Edinburgh’s Leith Walk and east New Town making it into the global top 40.
This list was compiled following detailed analysis of transport links, employment opportunities and regeneration projects which identified the locations, neighbourhoods and villages expected to prosper.
Simon Capaldi added: “Central neighbourhoods such as Leith Walk and East New Town are continuing to prove a popular choice for residential property investors.
"New developments include the likes of the former Royal Bank of Scotland's site on Dundas Street – the largest project of its kind in the Scottish capital for more than a decade - which is set to become a mixed-use site including a hotel, shops and offices, as well as a number of homes.
"The area will also benefit from improved transport links through the Newhaven tram extension on Leith Walk, with works expected to be completed next summer.”
