Aberdeen, Scotland’s granite city. A place proudly distinctive in architecture, history, culture and industry. Long seen as one of the most desirable places to live in the UK, apartments in Aberdeen have grown in demand. With the meeting place of the beautiful rivers Don and Dee and the ocean, miles of golden sand beaches and an international port on its doorstep, who wouldn’t want to live here?
Flats to rent in Aberdeen are rising steadily in price but affordable in some up and coming neighbourhoods such as West End or Footdee. In the city centre, apartments to rent in Aberdeen are some of the highest rents in Scotland due to the distinctive granite Old Town’s, (yes there’s two). A massive student population, thriving oil rigs and lively nightlife all contribute to the buzz (and price) of this interesting city. Located on the coast and in touching distance of the countryside, the city has a wide range of property types to suit different peoples specific needs, from a granite victorian apartment in the centre to a ocean view property in the port village of Footdee . A cheaper option would be to rent a single room in Aberdeen, as this is a good way of keeping rent costs down, meeting new people living in the city, and living in an area unaffordable for most.
Furnished & Serviced Apartments in Aberdeen
A viable option for those with more of a disposable income are serviced apartments in Aberdeen, these are modern, luxurious and have some similarities with hotel facilities such as daily housekeeping and some will include a gym, pool and sauna in the higher end properties. 24 hour reception and underground parking is also common with many of these types of buildings, so for people who value their security this could be the best option. This style of apartment cater for people with more money to spend per month, thus you can expect to find serviced apartments in Aberdeen city centre and in fashionable areas such as Old Town or West End. Charlotte Street in particular is very central, with good links to the rest of the city and has recently seen renovation and new properties be built in the distinctive granite style of Aberdeen. Serviced apartments in Charlotte street will be modern, spacious but in keeping with the theme of the city.
Furnished apartments in Aberdeen remove the hassle of sourcing furniture and homeware, thus they are advisable for people on a tight schedule or looking for temporary accommodation. If this sounds like something that would interest you, be prepared to pay more as these facilities come at an extra cost to your property and be aware the owner will expect you to take care of the furniture and leave it as you found it. They are usually very central and located in the heart of the city, but can also be found in neighbourhoods on the outskirts at a slightly lower price.
Types of Accommodations in Aberdeen
More Attractive Areas for apartments for rent in Aberdeen
City Centre apartments Aberdeen
City centre dwellings in any city are some of the most expensive around, and here it is no different. Apartments in Aberdeen city centre tend to be made in the original and distinctive granite stone that characterizes the Old Town. Of course in modern times the central zone has expanded so those that can afford it can expect to find new built serviced and furnished apartments in Aberdeen centre. The Old Town of Aberdeen is straight out of a story book and reminiscent of Oxford or Cambridge, cobbled streets and beautiful granite buildings line market squares, independent shops and the old port.
Apartments in Aberdeen’s Old Town here are by far the prettiest in the city, and competition for them is fierce which has driven the price up in recent years. If you want to rent an apartment in Aberdeen that is close to the centre without being right inside the hustle and bustle, keep reading this article to find out which neighbourhood may suit you and your living needs best, as we break down the city neighbourhood by neighbourhood to ensure you have to do as little research as possible when choosing where to live in Aberdeen.
Apartments in Ferryhill
Ferryhill as an area is preferred by families for the amples outside space on offer in the area including parks and beaches. Duthie park offers a lovely natural setting in amongst the hustle and bustle of city life and the neighbourhood is situated near the coastline, to the south of the city centre. Apartments in ferryhill tend to be original Victorian houses split into either two or three flats, depending on their size. It is also possible to rent an entire house for those needing more bedrooms such as large families.
Rent in Ferryhill Aberdeen is higher than the average as the community is small, the schools are good, the properties are pretty and it is right on the dee River, the most expensive apartments in Ferryhill will have a river view and are close to the beach. Parking is also a good selling point here, as many of the roads and driveways in Ferryhill are wide enough to accomodate two cars per property, and the area has streets with large front gardens in which cars can fit. This is not the same in other areas so prices will be higher due to the parking factor.
Apartments in Footdee
Footdee, pronounced ‘Fittie’, can only be described as a village within a city. Cobbled streets, boutique independent shops and cottage style granite built properties make it a favourite of visitors to the city. Apartments in Footdee are expensive and quaint as it is such a picturesque area and property is hard to come by, one bedroom flats are also rare, as the area is built in a village style so the majority of properties are entire houses, thus great for families. Originally built to house the dock workers of the city, it is walking distance to the docks and city centre but still manages to keep a distinctly village feel to it. Young families are best suited to this area, the local schools are good and it’s short walk for parents commuting into the centre.
Apartments in West End
Westend and Rosemount has been a draw for tourists for many years, and it is no different for people looking to move to the city. Apartments in Rosemount are built in the classic granite victorian style in keeping with the rest of the city. Independent shopping is the main draw of this area, and boutique shops line the high street, so some apartments are above these quaint shopping bazaars.
Apartments in Westend are expensive due to the fact that they are desirable and look really good, the area is contained and can accomodate no more new buildings, so the number of properties available here are extremely limited, if you see one in this area then be quick! Those working in the oil industry favour Westend for its cosmopolitan surroundings, upmarket feeling, attractive architecture, higher prices and great location.
Apartments in Seafield
Seafield is an area of Aberdeen a little outside of the noise and chaos of the city. A quieter suburb means more space available and better prices for property. Apartments for rent in Seafield, Aberdeen are affordable by the city’s standards and the area is favoured by families and retirees. Still built in the distinctive granite, the area is close to the countryside and is the gateway for many a good walking trail. Some apartments and houses for rent even have a sea-view, but be warned these are a higher price than those without. A good cheap option for the area (and the rest of the city) is a room for rent in Seafield.
Rooms for Rent in Aberdeen
A cheaper alternative to renting an entire flat or apartment, renting a single or double room in aberdeen can be a great option for those with a lower income. This choice allows you the freedom of less rent, and thus more money to enjoy yourself in the city. To rent a room in aberdeen opens up the possibility of flatmates also working and living in the city, thus the potential of a new group of friends or contacts to have.
In places such as Westend and Footdee, single or double rooms are available for a fraction of the cost of an entire apartment and this is a great way to live in these areas without forking out too much cash per month. Another reason to look into this option is the fact that rooms for rent in Aberdeen are far more numerous than entire apartments or houses, especially in areas such as Westend,Rosemount or Footdee so you have more chance of finding one.
Student accommodation in Aberdeen
Aberdeen is home to more than one established and recognised university, The University of Aberdeen, King’s College Aberdeen, and Robert Gordon University. This means a large student population descends on the city every year, giving it a distinctly youthful feel, especially on a friday and saturday night! This also means student housing in Aberdeen is ample, the choice of property type is great and students can decide between a student halls experience and living in a shared house with fellow students in a neighbourhood close to the university campus. Student flats to rent in aberdeen are cheap in comparison to private flats and this means more money for socialising and experiencing this great city. The University of Aberdeen is close to the city centre and the Old Town, the Hillhead Student Village accommodates students in the University’s private halls.
Public Transportation in Aberdeen
A city growing in popularity for both tourism and long term residents, public transportation has grown to accommodate this, you will find a system that is organised and efficient. Two bus companies, Stagecoach and First make up the main bulk of the cities public transportation network and services run around every corner of the city. Aberdeen city council introduced a grasshopper ticket scheme, in which tourists and locals can purchase a hop on hop off ticket in order to see the city and make use of the bus system. A park and ride system has been introduced in recent years at Kingswell, Bridge of Don and Craibstone to counter the building traffic in the city centre, so if you are planning to commute this may be the option for you. Aberdeen train station is pretty in appearance and large enough to accommodate trains to and from across the rest of Scotland.