The viral question on social media at the moment asks women if they would rather be alone in the woods with an unknown man or a bear. Much to the shock of men everywhere, women are emphatically choosing the bear.

Having conquered the touristy must-sees in Edinburgh, your challenge is to shift from vacation mode to living like a local. After three months of living in New Town as an American transplant, I’m sharing my insights and authentic finds that made it easy to embrace Edinburgh as my home away from home.