Best Places To Live In Aberdeen: Top Neighborhoods 2026

Finding the right place to live in a college city like Aberdeen can feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers. Apart from the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University (RGU) at its centre, the city of Aberdeen offers a wide range of student accommodation, historic neighborhoods, and contemporary residential areas. The following guide points out the best places to live in Aberdeen, primarily in terms of students..

Knowing the best neighbourhoods in Aberdeen can save you time, reduce stress, and help you choose an area that truly matches your lifestyle. That’s exactly why an Aberdeen city guide is so useful, especially for newcomers. From bustling student quarters around the university campuses to quiet suburban areas with parks, Aberdeen offers a variety of housing options that cater to different tastes and budgets.

What to Look for in Aberdeen Neighbourhoods

Before listing the best neighborhoods in Aberdeen, we should first identify what makes a residential area convenient and attractive to live in on a day-to-day basis. Most residents weigh the following factors as the most important ones:

1. Budget friendliness: The cost of rent, utilities, and overall living expenses is a major factor for students and early career professionals.
2. Distance from universities: Being able to get to the University of Aberdeen or RGU on foot, bicycle, or public transport without difficulty.
3. Safety: Besides being family, friendly, most of the safe neighborhoods in Aberdeen would also offer students a secure living environment.
4. Amenities: Availability of supermarkets, cafes, fitness centers, green spaces, libraries, and study areas.
5. Social life: The presence of restaurants, pubs, cultural venues, and student events contributes to the city's lifestyle.
6. Transportation: Good bus services, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly streets make getting around easy.

Best Places to Live in Aberdeen

Aberdeen has a wide range of neighbourhoods, each with a distinct character and living style. Below are the top places to live in Aberdeen, selected based on convenience, vibe, and livability.

1. Old Aberdeen

Overview:

• Pros: Within walking distance to the University of Aberdeen, quiet, academic-focused atmosphere, and good bus connectivity to the city centre.
• Cons: Limited nightlife, fewer modern apartment buildings

Average Rent: £500–£800 per month for a one-bedroom

Old Aberdeen is, without a doubt, one of the most favoured student areas by the majority of the students in the city, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Aberdeen. It is situated next to the University of Aberdeen. Besides being a beautiful historic area, Old Aberdeen also features cobblestone streets and has a great classic university atmosphere. In addition to this, it provides a strong academic environment through its easy access to the campus, hence making this the best area to live in Aberdeen near University of Aberdeen.

2. Aberdeen City Centre

• Pros: Fantastic public transport links, great variety of restaurants, shops, and night life. Easy access to both universities.
• Cons: Rent is higher in central areas. During rush hours, the city centre can be crowded

Average Rent: £650–£1,000 per month for a one-bedroom

Overview:
Aberdeen City Centre is the main hub of business and social activities in the city. It's a lively place with shops, eateries, entertainment venues as well as a great transport network. So, it's no surprise that it draws students, professionals, and international residents who desire an urban lifestyle.

3. Rosemount

• Pros: Neighbourhood with a closely knit local community. A short walk to the city centre. With less traffic and noise, streets are also safer. 
• Cons: Not a lot of student population, higher rent prices

Average Rent: £600–£900 per month for a one-bedroom

Overview:
Rosemount is a popular residential area located slightly to the north of the central part of the city. It attracts people with its village-like environment, featuring local cafes, bakeries, and parks, making it a more peaceful option compared to living in the very centre. Aberdeen neighborhoods with the best walkability, such as Rosemount, are ideal for students who want easy access to universities, shops, cafés, and public transport without relying on a car.

4. Ferryhill

• Pros: Lots of green spaces and walking trails. A safe and quiet neighborhood. Convenient trip to the city center
• Cons: Fewer options for nightlife. Need to take public transport to get to the campus

Average Rent: £650–£1,000 per month for a one-bedroom

Overview:
Ferryhill, one of the best neighborhoods in Aberdeen, is a mainly residential area located near River Dee and Duthie Park. It is regarded as one of the top-notch locations for permanent living and is frequently chosen by families and working professionals.

5. Garthdee

• Pros: Close to RGU, modern student residences and it even has good bus links. 
• Cons: The area does not have many places for leisure. It is a bit of a trek to the city centre.

Average Rent: £550–£850 per month for a one-bedroom 

Overview:
Garthdee is mostly identified with being the location of Robert Gordon University. At present, the district boasts quite a few modern student housing options, pleasant riverside scenes, and a peaceful campus-based lifestyle.

Lifestyle Tips for Living in Aberdeen

Living in Aberdeen offers a balanced mix of academics, work, and leisure. Residents benefit from:

• Study spaces: University libraries, cafés, and co-working spaces
• Social life: Pubs, restaurants, cultural festivals, and student societies
• Transportation: Reliable bus services and walkable neighborhoods
• Daily essentials: Supermarkets, gyms, healthcare facilities, and shopping centres

Choosing the right neighborhood helps maintain a productive and enjoyable lifestyle.

Best Suburbs Near Aberdeen to Live In

Students who have a preference for living in the suburbs would most likely look into the best suburbs near Aberdeen to live in, such as Cults, Bieldside, and Kingswells. These areas provide the luxury of big houses, low, density layouts, and peace in the residential environs. Making it suitable for students who want a tranquil and focused environment for their studies and everyday life, making them the most desirable neighborhoods in Aberdeen.

Moreover, students residing in such areas enjoy the advantages of lovely green areas to play, an environment free from crime and a small friendly community. Even though these are suburban neighbourhoods, they are still very close to the city centre of Aberdeen and university campuses via good road networks and public transport. So students can commute without any problems and at the same time have the comfort and serenity of the suburbs.

Housing Tips for Living in Aberdeen

• Look for lease lengths that align with the academic year
• Shared accommodation can significantly reduce costs
• Check which utilities are included in the rent
• Research council tax requirements for students
• Inspect transport access before finalising housing

Finding the right place to live can shape your entire experience in Aberdeen. Whether you prefer the historic charm of Old Aberdeen, the vibrancy of the city centre, or the calm of Ferryhill, the city offers housing options for every lifestyle.

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