This is a cosmopolitan area of the city with great shops and restaurants close by. There are several supermarkets (including Asian and Polish ones), coffee shops, Malaysian, Thai. Vietnamese, Korean, modern European and other restaurants, and a good selection of vintage shops to browse. It is a 5-10 minute walk to the Old Town with all the shops, attractions (Castle, Palace, Museum, Galleries, farmers' market) and areas to explore and a further 10 minutes to the New Town, Princes St and the new St James' Quarter shopping centre. Cinemas and theatres are within 5-20 minutes walk and there are always many shows on to choose from, and there is an outstanding Swimming/Diving Pool with gym and fitness classes close by. A short drive or bus ride takes you to the nearest beach and there are many others further along the coast or across the Firth of Forth in Fife. There are many golf courses within easy distance including a public links pitch and putt 5 mins walk away across the Meadows. The Meadows also has tennis courts and a large children's playground and a similar walk in the other direction takes you to Holyrood Park with Arthur's Seat and lots of green space. A train or car ride gives access to the Borders, to Perthshire, Glasgow or the Highlands quite easily for sightseeing and exploring the country and there are companies nearby in the city running day or longer coach trips around the country.