George Square, Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and one of its biggest tourist attractions. It has a huge amount to see and do and is one of the best desirable places to live, not just in Scotland but the UK as a whole.
One of the things that makes Glasgow a very appealing place to live is the low property prices, particularly when compared to many other parts of the UK. You can find houses and flats all throughout Glasgow for reasonable prices, whether you want to rent or buy.
In this article, we’re going to look at some of the best areas to live in Glasgow as well as covering the cultural highlights the city has to offer.
Hillhead
Hillhead is an area that’s popular with all kinds of people, from students to young professionals and families. It’s easy to see why when you consider the excellent schools that are in close proximity as well as the large numbers of bars, restaurants, cafes, museums and art galleries.
It’s worth bearing in mind that because it’s such a desirable area to live in, the property prices are a fair bit higher than in a lot of other areas in the city.
Shawlands
Shawlands is another excellent choice when moving to Glasgow. It’s home to a lot of beautiful green spaces and is close to Glasgow’s biggest park – Pollok Country Park.
The average property costs in Shawlands are considerably lower when compared to Hillhead, so it would make a great alternative whether you’re looking for a house or flat.
Merchant City
Statue of James Oswald
If you want to live in the heart of the city centre, then you need look no further than Merchant City. It has a very lively atmosphere and you’re never far from a great bar, restaurant or cafe.
Considering its central location, the property prices in Merchant City are surprisingly affordable. As you would expect due to its location, the properties mostly consist of flats, so it’d be a good choice for young professionals rather than families.
Bearsden
Bearsden is another highly desirable place to live in Glasgow thanks to its beautiful natural areas and excellent schools. It’s also in a good location and it’s very easy to get to the city centre either by car or public transport.
The property prices in Bearsden are higher than most other areas in Glasgow but still not comparable to the most expensive areas in England, such as London. It would make a good choice of place to live for both families and young professionals.
Scotstoun
Scotstoun would be a perfect place to move to if you have a family. It’s home to some of the best schools in the whole of Glasgow and also has local museums as well as a leisure centre and sports campus.
The property prices in Scotstoun are very reasonable and lower than many other areas in Glasgow, so it’s easy to understand why it’s such a popular place for people to move.
Dennistoun
If culture is high on your list when moving to a new place, then Dennistoun would be ideal. It has an excellent market gallery as well as a brewery and many green spaces.
It’s a very popular area with students and young people but it would still be suitable for families. The property prices are very reasonable too, with many flats and houses available to rent and buy.
Giffnock
If you’re looking for somewhere quieter that’s always from the city centre, then Giffnock would be ideal. It’s a small town that’s ideal for families and has many different types of property available for reasonable prices.
It was named one of the best places to live in Scotland by The Sunday Times and it’s not hard to see why.
Reasons to move to Glasgow
If you’re not 100% decided on whether Glasgow is the right place for you, below are some of the best reasons to move there.
- Friendly atmosphere – Scotland in general is known for its friendly people and Glasgow is no exception. No matter where you go in the city, you’ll be able to make friends easily. This makes it a great choice for singles as well as families.
- Great nightlife – Another thing that adds to Glasgow’s appeal is its great nightlife. There are a huge number of bars and clubs throughout the city with something to appeal to everyone.
- Low cost of living – Many parts of the UK are now becoming prohibitively expensive for people but Glasgow isn’t one of them. Despite being such a large and popular city, its property prices are surprisingly reasonable. There are many new-build flats and houses available to rent or buy, so no matter where you want to live in the city, you should be able to find somewhere that suits your needs.
- Plenty of culture – In addition to its many shops, restaurants and bars, Glasgow is also home to many fantastic museums, theatres and art galleries. If culture is important to you when moving to a new place, then Glasgow absolutely won’t disappoint.
- Excellent schools and universities – If you have kids, then the quality of schools in your area is always going to be important. Luckily, Glasgow has many excellent primary and secondary schools as well as a great university.
Glasgow cultural highlights
The culture Glasgow has to offer is a big part of its appeal. From museums and art galleries to cathedrals and science centres – there’s no shortage of things to see and do in the city. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
- Glasgow Botanic Gardens – Glasgow Botanic Gardens should definitely be high on your list when moving to Glasgow. It’s an incredible looking place that’s a pleasure to explore and has a fascinating history too. It’s a great place to visit either on your own or with your family and is particularly beautiful during the summer.
- Glasgow Cathedral – Glasgow Cathedral is one of the many historic buildings in the city and if you’re a fan of gothic architecture, you’ll find it a fascinating place to explore. In addition to the cathedral itself, there’s also a cemetery on the grounds and you can take in some incredible views of the city from there.
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery – The most popular tourist attraction in Glasgow, Kelvingrove Art Gallery is free to all and has a huge collection of art of all kinds. It’s a very large gallery to explore, so you could easily spend a good part of the day there.
- The Scottish Football Museum – If you’re a football fan, then The Scottish Football Museum is a must-visit. Scotland has a long and fascinating football heritage that you can learn about through the unique collection of memorabilia and
- Glasgow Science Centre – Glasgow Science Centre offers one of the most unique experiences in the city. It has a cinema as well as a planetarium and multiple galleries. There are also places to eat and drink there, so it’s a great place to visit with the family.
Pollok Country Park – Pollok Country Park is the largest in Glasgow and is a perfect place to visit during the summer. In addition to the park itself, there’s also Pollok House, which has a collection of silverware, ceramics and fine art.
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I’m Paul Smith, Founder and Director of HouseMoveHelper. I have a great love of business, marketing, the wilderness and love to travel. You can learn more about me here.