When I’m talking to potential landlords the West End always comes up. I’ve never been a massive fan, mainly due to the higher sale prices there. That said however, I do think there are good investments to be had there and it always remains popular with tenants, not just students, but academics, hospital staff and professionals who just want to be a bit nearer the buzz of the city centre.
Take this one for instance, very nice two bedroom, hopefully in a good block (I’ve yet to see a bad one on Bellefield Avenue). http://www.tspc.co.uk/details.asp?id=115723
OK its offers over £130,000 but I think it would rent comfortably around £600 (possibly more) which gives a rental return of about 5%. Add to that that prices in that area have gone up about 12% in the last three years than I don’t think it’s a bad long-term bet.