[Closed] Relocating to Glasgow - any advice?

I'm not sure what you mean by is linlithgow a very traditional place, it certainly has a lot of traditions, which you might call a community. it has grown significantly in the last thirty odd years mostly to provide commuter accommodation for families. I don't think it falls into classic dormitory town status though. It may or may not suit you depending on what you want.

I think Lenzie, and other places service a similar market closer to Glasgow.

Which part of Glasgow will you be working in? It's a surprisingly big place and if you're trying to connect to "wrong" areas you'd be quicker living in Edinburgh.

Very near Queen str station.

The reason I'm asking is because I've heard Linlithgow has a reputation for being a bit cliqueish and distrustful of outsiders, but I hear this has now changed quite a bit. It looks like a very nice area to purchase a property later on, pending a visit.

Dumbarton.
Gods country.

I would say South Side. Its the underrated part of Glasgow. I believe all maps produced north of the river just say "Here be Dragons" given the reaction to people to finding out you live in the South. The Cathcart Circle is a very useful train route and makes it easy to the centre. Its also a very easy cycle.

You also have quick access to Cathkin Braes and even Pollock Park has a couple of trails for that quick 20 mins getting muddy.

You can get from Bishopriggs to the centre of Glasgow offroad with less than a mile of road riding all in.

I've heard Linlithgow has a reputation for being a bit cliqueish

If work is near queen street, then you could also consider anything out towards Stirling or beyond. Dunblane is nice, Stirling less so.

I'm also contracting and currently split my week between Edinburgh and Glasgow, there are pros and cons to living/working in both.

Stw.geoffj@me.com if you want any more in depth info.

I lived in Linlithgo for 5 years - very friendly.

Two trains an hour to Queen Street station (about 45 min) and 4 to Edinburgh 15-20min. And next to the M9.

A great place to live if you want to be in a smaller town, and IMHO the nicest place in West Lothian.

Lots of nice places in Glasgow, its a proper big city, and as others have said, transport links from the "wrong" areas can take forever.

The south side has great motorway access and alternatives even at rush hours. West end not so hot for this.

There are posh bits within many of your avoid areas, you'd be daft to spend over the odds and end up beside noisy students or moany old people in the west end.

Shawlands is nice and services are excellent. I would move there but am in a posh bit of Govanhill. All Jag's and Audis parked here. 10 -15 minutes by bicycle from queen street station.

Yes, a lot of cities have the "swiss cheese" layout unfortunately, although Glasgow seems a bit better than where I'm currently at in that respect. However, this is the first time I've looked into it, so I'm going by what I've found online. West End is proving a bit difficult to find anywhere (in that, I've found places but they're either snapped up or the landlord is just not responding), so I'm also looking a bit farther afield, e.g. parts of the south side. Which are the worst areas in terms of students in the West End?

I'd get any wee flat Southside, Dumbarton or Helensburgh for example for a short term let then look around and see where you actually fancy for the longer term.
Do you want new build Flats, tenement or house? That will dictate as much as anything.

Anniesland/Kelvindale is OK. Close to the M8 via Clyde Tunnel. Good train connections. Sandwiched between hugely expensive Hyndland and Jordahill how bad can it be.

As a long time Milngavie resident I'd say avoid if you are going to be driving into Glasgow or anywhere east or south of the city for a 9-5 job. The north west of the city has had no road improvements for 30 yrs. Decent train service though into the city if you are going to Queen St. 15m service in peak hours. Two trains an hour the rest of the time. Nice pedestrianised town centre. If your pets are dogs there is great walking on your doorstep. Mugdock Country park, West Highland Way access off road from precinct.

Bike commute to city centre straightforward as well.

Linlithgow and Helensburgh being suggested in a thread about living in Glasgow? No idea why you'd want to start there when there are so many places within a short train/bus/bike ride from the city

Did you bother to read the OP?

😀

In the short term, I'd grab a flat in Glasgow on the South side. Long term, it depends on how much you like biking without driving. Linlithgow is pretty limited biking wise but Stirling/Dunblane/BofA is stuffed full of biking. Live in Dunblane meself, purely based on biking. Yes the commute into Weege is a bit of a pain but home life is better.

scotroutes - Member
Did you bother to read the OP?

POSTED 8 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

Yup, we're talking about 6 months here, might as well make the most of it rather than having a shitty commute.

Heading out to the (Helens)burgh certainly doesn't help the idea of a central location anyway

I asked for information on Linlithgow as I am interested in the area. Ideally I would like a rental within Glasgow for now, as I intend to study as well, so it will probably go on beyond a 6 months stay. Just a case of finding one that accepts a cat. 😀

OP, the area you're looking at currently (Dinmont Street) is just down the road from me and is perfectly nice. A quiet little pocket but near to the many amenities of Shawlands, some great restaurants and bars, and also a big Morrisons on your doorstep.

Crossmyloof station is only 2 stops (about 10 mins) from Glasgow Central, so pretty handy for access to the city centre and Queen Street station.

You should also look at Bothwell and Uddingston G71 post code15 mins by train into Cenral station and right on the M74

Hi, I've lived in Shawlands (south side) for about 7 years, and only now are we thinking about moving for schooling reasons. And then it would be to Clarkston/Netherlee area. Believe me, if it wasn't for the kids schooling I would not choose to move from Shawlands as it had so much to offer and hugely underrated compared to the more 'trendy' west end. One thing I've noticed from living here is the friendliness of the locals-think it's something glasgow specialises in compared to other big cities. Shawlands/Strathbungo area have had a decent amount of investment in the last few years and has improved dramatically-don't get me wrong-there's still room for improvement! Can't tell from your posts if you're a mtb'er but Pollok Park is literally on your doorstep and you can easily spend an hour on the hidden trails. There's also Bellahouston and Cathkin Braes within easily cycling distance. To get into the proper hills requires either a 20min cycle or car trip up to Mugdock for example. If you want any more info feel free to pm me, cheers

My advice is to get some Rab c nesbitt DVDs so that you can understand the patter

South side - shawlands for a start, move further up the hill if you are feeling flush

I'd be travelling by train/bus at least initially.

Also, "up the hill"? 😀

You should also look at Bothwell and Uddingston G71 post code15 mins by train into Cenral station and right on the M74

What about Blantyre? Is that also an area worth considering?

Blantyre: no.

I rode into Glasgow from ayrshire on Saturday. Follow the a77 south from the strath bungo/shawlands side and you go through giffnock and newton mearns (the Mearns). Both giffnock and the Mearns are well to do areas...it is a good 20 minute ride down hill from the top of the Mearns to the city centre - maybe less, maybe more but I was starving at the time and wasn't on top form...

You can take off the 'avoid' list

Dennistoun
Anniesland and Vicky road.

Who gave you the pointers?

#iresideinascotsbaronialmansioninkillearn

I poke poor folk in the throat with my diamond topped walking stick.

Past threads that came up through searches I did.

I rode into Glasgow from ayrshire on Saturday. Follow the a77 south from the strath bungo/shawlands side and you go through giffnock and newton mearns (the Mearns). Both giffnock and the Mearns are well to do areas...it is a good 20 minute ride down hill from the top of the Mearns to the city centre - maybe less, maybe more but I was starving at the time and wasn't on top form...

What about Darnley?

Darnley - see Blantyre!.

Like the other contributors, I'd give milngavie a thumbs up for the great rail links.
Maybe worth considering the area around old kilpatrick (under the erskine bridge) as its not too shabby and with a cycle track which will take you to Dalmuir train station in minutes, offering plenty of connections to Glasgow.
Dalmuirs also one of the main stops outside Glasgow for the west highland line should you wish to explore arrochar or rannoch, etc.

Have to say if you are going to be working near Queen St the suggestions for Shawlands are a good bet. A very short flat bike commute. Plenty buses and trains for an alt. Good local shops pubs.

Me and mrs IRC are considering moving back into the city at some point and Shawlands, Partick, Anniesland are the sort of areas we'd be looking at. For a short term rental why go any further out?

I am originally from just outside stirling so it gets my vote. I spent various years commuting to glasgow and edinburgh by train and car. I found it ideal. Mates who lived in glasgow often took as long to get to work as me due to traffic. You can get the train straight to queen st. Its also very central for future work, in easy reach of glasgow, Edinburgh, perth falkirk etc. I am not a fan of big city living and prefer living away from it, but close enough incase I want to visit it.

irc spot on.

Bishopbriggs and nearby areas are nice. How important is a night time social life?

Have you considered Stoneybridge?

If you look at a radius of around 8 miles from work location, all is about the same commute. West is most expensive, then north, then south, then east. Dodgy areas are in reverse order.

Your shawlands suggestion is good, nice area and a good chunk cheaper than west end. We stayed shawlands/cathcart for 15 yrs or so and moved to East Kilbride 13 yrs ago due expanding family.

Live near a station. The Glasgow local trains are pretty good and Central is five minutes walk from Queens St so it doesn't really matter whether you are north or south of the river.

I grew up in Cambuslang which is nice enough up the hill, with a choice of two train lines into Central - but not really rent a nice flat country. And you will be going into town if ever you want to eat or drink out.

Can't say I've considered Stoneybridge, no. Ought I to?

Night time social life is completely unimportant. I'm really not into it. I like eating out at good restaurants, coffee and the occasional excursion to the cinema, but that is about it.

As for the city centre itself, what is it like in terms of decent areas? Just in case anything crops up there.

Regarding Anniesland, is the bad rep unjustified then? I was a bit surprised about Victoria Rd coming up as a "bad" spot given that it is in the middle of what is considered to otherwise be a very prestigious area, but it's not like I would know much better, other than by asking.

Re. Anniesland I lived there until a couple of years ago and there's plenty of decent flats in the area, and it feels safe, however from helping out on my wife's Avon round a while back a lot of the tenement blocks which look identical outside aren't.
You even get a few students there, particularly vets.

Its all pretty much been covered.

I'd second why have you been told to avoid vicky road and dennistoun would happily return to Dennistoun.

Remember that there's an entrance exam for the South Side. You must be able to state at least 10 reasons why it's just as good, or better than, the West End 😉

I was a bit surprised about Victoria Rd coming up as a "bad" spot given that it is in the middle of what is considered to otherwise be a very prestigious area, but it's not like I would know much better, other than by asking.

I was wandering down Vicky Rd on Saturday night trying to buy a pair of socks (don't ask)...it's like a poorer and more diverse version of Byres Road...that's a good thing! It always reminds me of Brudenell Road in Leeds.

Duke Street side of Dennistoun is definitely more of an experience than the parade side at 2am on a saturday, but as others have said, it's fine, provided you're not a body-warmer-wearing-baguette-carrying-waitrose-shopping-flower who might occasionally get nervous walking through the botanics late at night.

Anniesland is also fine, but I probably wouldn't live there. I don't know it well at all, but it doesn't appeal when i drive through.

Partick is a good shout. I used to live in the thornwood area of partick. Close to rail link, close enough to the heart of the west end but far enough away that it doesn't grind, safe, friendly, comparatively cheap.

Shawlands is decent and is, IMO, like a southside version of partick. Decent mix of families/students, good hub, not up its own arse, good accom for reasonable money.

I've been in the south for a couple of years now and don't really like it at all to be honest. Dull and an unusually high proportion of people who seem to enjoy frustrating me (maybe that says more about me than them though!). mrs pf is from the south though so it's quite a contentious subject 🙂

Finnieston if not already mentioned. I live in Shawlands, and have done for the last 12 years, but Finnieston is where I'd choose if I was moving today. The area is absolutely buzzing. So many great bars and restaurants and just a really nice feel about the place. Shawlands is nice area but it's a bit culturally bereft since the financial meltdown. A lot of shops and bars closed down and it's never really got back to where it was. If anything, further up at Govanhill around The Bungo/ Allison Arms/ Rum Shack is really buzzing at the moment. Such a brilliant area.

Finnieston is perfectly placed for the west end and the city centre. Really close to the motorway too.

Can't really offer up much about Glasgow living.
But if you want cinemas, dining etc Linlithgow isn't really the place nearest cinema is in Falkirk and eateries are a bit limited. For cycling though it's pretty decent with a few cracking road climbs up into the Bathgate Alps most notably Preston Road. Beecraigs now has some proper mountain bike trails that are more cross country than Gnarr!
I stay over in Bathgate and it's alright to live in loads of new build housing and also has a direct train service to Glasgow Queen Street.

Another vote for Shawlands here. Lived there for around 10 years. Good places to eat. Close to the motorways and a few train stations to choose from. Think it takes more like 5 mins to get into the city from Crossmyloof.

[i]Regarding Anniesland, is the bad rep unjustified then[/i]

I've either lived or worked in Glasgow most of my life, I was brought up near anniesland, my mum also lived there for 10 years up until 2012, I have a flat there and I've never ever heard of anniesland having a bad reputation.

Plenty of advice already given, south side and west end both good choices. I've lived in both, and work in the south side, although I'd probably choose west end.

Look at Yorkhill in the west end. I lived there for about 7 years, less pricey than the areas you mentioned and decent bus links into town but tbh you can walk it into town easily enough.

Southside - Cathcart and Mount Florida have great train link (1 every 15min or so).
Muirend is also handy. 2 trains per hour after rush hour. During morning and night rush hour there are quite a few trains including express ones that go from muirend to central with no stops. (And the same in reverse at the end of the working day).

Shawlands very underrated for in the city.

Linlithgow yes - Stirling (bits of it) Bridge of Allan and Dunblane all nice, pubs, cafes, some restaurants and easy access North. Anywhere in between not so much.

Currently in Dunblane and ride from door step several times a week. If the rest of my life was not so far North I'd give Linlithgow a go! Commute to Edinburgh every day 😐

You could easily get a house with a garden and man shed within easy commuting distance for that money each month rather than a flat with possibly 5 sets of neighbours to listen to at night and nowhere to wash bikes.

Just read this bit [i] I would move there but am in a posh bit of Govanhill. All Jag's and Audis parked here.[/i], I'd like to know where the posh bit of govanhill is? Genuinely intrigued.

I rode into Glasgow from ayrshire on Saturday. Follow the a77 south from the strath bungo/shawlands side and you go through giffnock and newton mearns (the Mearns). Both giffnock and the Mearns are well to do areas...it is a good 20 minute ride down hill from the top of the Mearns to the city centre - maybe less, maybe more but I was starving at the time and wasn't on top form...

That's my daily ride to work, you won't get from the top of Newton Mearns to the city centre in 20 minutes on a bike, it's 9 miles and only about 4 miles is downhill, you would have to be hitting a fair old speed to do it in 20 minutes and jump every one of the million sets of lights you go through. If you did it in 20 minutes I'm seriously impressed, it took me 30 minutes to get to the gorbals this morning.

Was probably way more than 20 mins - I was distracted by the bright lights after my trip over the wastelands of the moor

Blantyre not so much. We have loads of local trails and only 50 mins from GT

What's the area near Festival Park like? And the area around the Mount Florida station?

I'm working with what's available right now. So many agency adverts which say "pets considered", only to get "no, sorry". Arrgh. Why waste people's time? 🙂 I have a pedigree cat who is very well behaved. It's not like she drags children up trees for an evening snack.

the area around the Mount Florida station?

Battlefield road side is OK. I lived there for years. Cathcart road side less so but not terrible. Feel free to pop any specific places to me in an email for thoughts. Address in my profile

I live in Langside about 5mins walk from Mt Florida station (not far from Battlefield rd as BoardinBob mentioned) and I think it's pretty damn good, our street is quiet though we're still only 5-10mins walk away from the hustle and bustle. I previously lived in Shawlands which was also good. Like many have said the transport links etc are great.
Vicky road isn't what it used to be and in all honesty I feel pretty unsafe walking down there at night, in fact I'd go as far as saying its hole.
Have lived in the west end also and whilst it's unbeatable for restaurants etc it's crazy expensive to rent.

I've noticed, unless it is in areas farther out that one might say are being somewhat deceptively labelled. What about the Paisley Rd side of Festival Park?

[i]And the area around the Mount Florida station?[/i]

I lived in Mount Florida for around 4 years, I wouldn't have any issues living near the station.

I'd avoid paisley road around festival park personally.

I stayed two closes down from the station no hassle at all - apart from drunk women at a take that concert!! With resident parking passes as well, means you don't get so much of the train commuters leaving their car on the street any more.

All you really need

[img] [/img]

[i]apart from drunk women at a take that concert!![/i]

I'm sure I picked Susan up at Asda that night 🙂

I was just going to post that map - scarily accurate imho...

😆

😆 BoardinBob's nailed it with his map. 😆

Chapeau! ( or should that be Bunnet!)

The great thing for me about Glasgow is you can have half million pound mansions on leafy avenues, and two streets away it looks like hamsterdam from series three of The Wire (Strathbungo vs Govanhill for example). It's what gives Glasgow its great melting pot feel.

BoardinBob's nailed it with his map

I'm exactly under the "e" in "The" in "Wished They Lived In The West End" 😆

You could easily get a house with a garden and man shed within easy commuting distance for that money each month rather than a flat with possibly 5 sets of neighbours to listen to at night and nowhere to wash bikes.

This is why I live out in Kirkintilloch. Not sure I'd want to if I still had time to go out drinking etc, but as you've said you're not really into that I would consider somewhere further out.

Lenzie is a bit posher and a bit more expensive, but much better for commuting in if you don't wish to ride - frequent trains taking 12 mins to Queen St. Houses for rent in both do come up occasionally (oh and there are some fairly "council" bits of Kirkie, but I'm only using it as an example and they get far less scary once you know your way about)

This is why I live out in Kirkintilloch. Not sure I'd want to if I still had time to go out drinking etc, but as you've said you're not really into that I would consider somewhere further out.

Lenzie is a bit posher and a bit more expensive, but much better for commuting in if you don't wish to ride - frequent trains taking 12 mins to Queen St. Houses for rent in both do come up occasionally (oh and there are some fairly "council" bits of Kirkie, but I'm only using it as an example and they get far less scary once you know your way about)

This is the trade off.

I still get the urge for a burrito from Taco Mazama at 2am on a Tuesday and I don't think I can satisfy that urge in the sticks

I lived in Mount Florida for around 4 years, I wouldn't have any issues living near the station.

I'd avoid paisley road around festival park personally.

How come? This would be Clutha st more specifically.

Also, any thoughts on Ripon drive in Kelvindale?

It's pretty scruffy and a bit too close to some dodgy areas.

I still get the urge for a burrito from Taco Mazama at 2am on a Tuesday and I don't think I can satisfy that urge in the sticks

Its only about 3 miles difference into the city centre between shawlands and kirkintilloch so hardly the sticks.

Also, any thoughts on Ripon drive in Kelvindale?

Pleasant enough, nothing really round about it, kind of stuck in the middle of nowhere. Close to the canal for a wee cycle.

Also, any thoughts on Ripon drive in Kelvindale?

Miles out of the city. You've almost left Glasgow by that point. Looks a bit shit too.

A £900 per month budget could get you a castle in the southside

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-52023541.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-37551813.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-56418476.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-38338932.html

First and fourth are very good; the other two are "no pets". I'll give the agents a call.

£900 is the upper limit of what I'd be willing to pay. 😛

It's pretty scruffy and a bit too close to some dodgy areas.

Hm that is unfortunate.

Ripon drive is alright, if you get a nice close. Some looked very poorly looked after, though (This was on my wife's Avon round). Couple of local shops, pubs and restaurants nearby and not too far to walk into Byres Rd etc. either.

That map's brilliant, disturbingly accurate.

Could offer you a 2 bed in west end (just off Byrnes rd). Athole gardens so no students, mainly lecturers, families etc. £1200/mth. How much of a mink is your cat?

Btw, I lived in broomhill for 10 years, my fav. part of town. West end but not too many students, good access to the expressway and m8, quick to get out of town if you want to go west ( not ideal for going east). You can actually park outside your flat which is nice, good bars/coffee shops/shopping and only a few minutes walk from hyndland so easy to jump on the train to queen st (5mins) or go to Edinburgh

Way above my budget I'm afraid! What do you mean by mink? 😛

Is it a flea bag that drags half dead animals in on a regular basis and has poor hygiene habits?

That map's brilliant, disturbingly accurate.

Hefty chortling at Cardonald being labelled "the 1980s". Absolutely spot on.

Is it a flea bag that drags half dead animals in on a regular basis and has poor hygiene habits?

It's pretty scruffy and a bit too close to some dodgy areas.

Just wondering, which areas are these? To add to my list.

Any thoughts on Thornliebank, as well as Killoch Drive Archerhill rd in Knightswood?

Thanks for all the advice btw guys, it is very helpful.

Knightswood ain't great tbh, we lived there for 6 years. Good chippy on Dyke road, buses and trains into town are very good. It's a funny place, lots of very wide streets and open spaces, but you won't find a lot of nice people or shops to wonder around. The local pubs (all of them iirc) are interesting to say the least 😯

I'm exactly under the "e" in "The" in "Wished They Lived In The West End"

I'm exactly under the "e" in "they" !

not sure about pets but 750 gets you a [url= http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-32783911.html ]2 bed semi[/url] in bishopbriggs so 10 mins on train or 20 min off road bike ride into town etc