Flat in Edinburgh Area

Will be shortly looking for a small flat in the Edinburgh area. Someone suggested Livingston but isn't that area a bit of a dive? I will be working in Edinburgh but don't want to live right in the city. I would like to live in a little village not too far out and one that is safe. Can anyone suggest somewhere?

Also, do they have apartment buildings like they do in the USA?

Do you have to have six months' rent as a deposit?

Forgot to mention I have a dog.

North Berwick and North Queensferry are both lovely areas. But it really depends on what you are looking for and where you want to be. Edinburgh is quite big.
Housing in the UK is very different than in the US. There are several ways to buy or let a flat. Some private renters want a deposit, some don't. Some will take animals, some won't.
I live in a flat on the west coast of Scotland and we have two floors and a private entrance. All flats are going to be different.
I suggest starting here.
http://www.s1rental.com/

Jen

You won't find apartment complexes like in the US, they will generally be single flats or houses that are privately rented by estate agents. You will need at least 1 month's deposit, and depending on the estate agent/landlord, you might need a pet deposit and or 6 months in advance. I find Zoopla.co.uk is quite good for finding flats, and it lets you choose the option of 'pets allowed' in your search. It depends on where you'll be working, but I would suggest places like Musselburgh, Portobello, or Dalkeith if you'll be east, Penicuik if you're central, Currie or Balerno if you're west, or South Queensferry/Dalmeny if you're north. All have multiple direct bus and/or train links into Edinburgh.

Will be shortly looking for a small flat in the Edinburgh area. Someone suggested Livingston but isn't that area a bit of a dive? I will be working in Edinburgh but don't want to live right in the city. I would like to live in a little village not too far out and one that is safe. Can anyone suggest somewhere?

I would absolutely NOT recommend Livingston for someone that wants to live in a 'little village not too far out'.  I agree with all of DrSuper's reccies. Also, if you're thinking of moving west, Linlithgow is a nice place... but more of a small town than a wee village.

I want to be careful not to offend, but Livingston is pretty far out (not in a good way), not a little village, and not to my taste at all.

Indeed, Livingston is definitely a 'new town', meaning a pre-planned town built in the 50s-70s and consisting of pre-fab housing, usually of exceptionally poor quality even by British standards.