The Open Guide to Glasgow

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====== Moving To Glasgow ======

===== Which Area of Glasgow? =====

Which area of Glasgow to move to is the most commonly asked question we receive. The answer is complex and depends on your situation, and we recommend visiting the area in person before making any big decisions if possible!

Broadly Glasgow is split into:
  * City Centre and Central
  * East End and Northeast
  * West End and Northwest
  * Southside
  * North Glasgow

Each of these areas are composed of various sub-areas, suburbs and neighbourhoods, which are listed in the tables below.

=== Safety ===
Many new people moving to the city are concerned with the reputation Glasgow has. The short answer is that all areas listed here are safe //unless// explicitly mentioned. 
Glasgow rules apply: Don't be a prick and you'll likely be safe.
Outside of that normal city etiquette applies: avoid parks at night, avoid dark alleys, don't bad mouth IrnBru, the usual stuff. 

A rough guide worth browsing to check out a certain area is the [[https://simd.scot/#/simd2020/BTTTFTT/9/-4.0000/55.9000/ |  Scottish Index of Multiple deprivation]]. 
===== Council Tax =====
Council tax in Glasgow **includes** Water rates. If comparing to England, remember to add on local water charges.  Full [[ https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/counciltax|valuations can be found here]] but as a guide the 2023 annual charges are:

  * Band B - £1557
  * Band C - £1779
  * Band D - £2001

By UK standards, Glasgow council tax rates are [[https://propertydata.co.uk/council-tax | average]]. 

As a guide, Council tax in the West End tends to be more expensive than the Southside. It's worth checking on each property before you agree. The Council Tax Band is usually declared on Rightmove / Zoopla listings. 

===== Transport =====
Below each region has 3 ratings:
  * Green - Great with easy access. Under 10 mins walk to station
  * Yellow - Good but might be a bit out of the way. 10 - 20 Mins walk to station
  * Red - You'll probably want a car for convenience - 30 mins walk to station

All ratings are based on access to Bus, Subway and Train. 
Parking in Glasgow is generally terrible unless you head into the suburbs, so it's worth factoring this in. While a bit expensive, on the whole Glasgow has good public transport by UK standards. 

===== Prices =====
All figures below are given for a 2 bedroom flat. Clicking on the price should link to Rightmove which gives 2 bed flats listed in the last 14 days, so use that as a more accurate guide, and prices will vary heavily within each area too as they overlap. 

===== List Tables of Glasgow Areas =====

Broadly, Glasgow is split into:
  * City Centre and Central
  * East End and Northeast
  * West End and Northwest
  * Southside
  * North Glasgow

Each of these areas are composed of various sub-areas, suburbs and neighbourhoods, which are listed below.
These summary tables highlight key features that should guide you in the right direction for further research.

==== City Centre and Central ====

The City Centre is the heart of Glasgow.  It is roughly defined as being the areas south and east of the M8 motorway, west of High Street and north of the [[River Clyde]].  These areas are a mix of residential, retail and hospitality.  

^Area^Ideal For^Pros^Cons^Public Transport^2 Bed Flat Rent^
|[[Merchant City]]| Professionals, Students | Right in the heart of the city. Reasonably close proximity to [[Glasgow Green]]. | Very busy roads during the day with traffic. Nightlife may cause disruption. |Green  |  [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E78011&maxBedrooms=3&minBedrooms=2&maxPrice=1100&minPrice=700&propertyTypes=&maxDaysSinceAdded=7&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords= | £900]]|
|[[Blythswood]]| Professionals, Students| Right in the heart of the city. Excellent access to Central train station. | Very busy roads during the day with traffic. Nightlife may cause disruption. No public parks immediately nearby. | Green |  £700|
|[[Garnethill]]| Professionals, Families, Students | Very close proximity to restaurants, pubs, clubs and retail.  Notably quiet at night despite being in the city centre. | Next to the M8 | Green | [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?searchType=RENT&locationIdentifier=REGION%5E77980&insId=1&radius=0.0&minPrice=700&maxPrice=1100&minBedrooms=2&maxBedrooms=&displayPropertyType=&maxDaysSinceAdded=7&sortByPriceDescending=&_includeLetAgreed=on&primaryDisplayPropertyType=&secondaryDisplayPropertyType=&oldDisplayPropertyType=&oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType=&letType=&letFurnishType=&houseFlatShare= | £800]]|
|[[Cowcaddens]]| Families, Over 65s, Young adults | Close proximity to restaurants, pubs, clubs and retail. Affordable rentals. | Typical housing estate with lots of maisonettes and high-flat tower blocks giving less aesthetic appeal.  A handful of undesirable neighbours.|  | [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?minBedrooms=2&keywords=&sortType=6&includeLetAgreed=false&minPrice=400&viewType=LIST&channel=RENT&index=0&maxPrice=1300&radius=0.25&locationIdentifier=STATION%5E10414 | £Mixed ]]|
|[[Townhead]]| Families, Over 65s, Students | Close proximity to restaurants, pubs, clubs and retail. Affordable rentals. Quite a number of student accommodation buildings. | Typical housing estate with lots of maisonettes and high-flat tower blocks giving less aesthetic appeal. | |  |

==== West End and Northwest====

The west end of Glasgow is full of life: Museums, Gardens, Universities, bars, restaurants and sandstone tenements all combine to make it a bustling hive of activity. More expensive that most other parts of Glasgow, it's a desirable area mostly inhabited by professionals, families, and students. Much of it is located around Byres road and Great Western Road. The Northwest of the city includes areas that are further west than the trendy "West End" and those north of Great Western Road as you cross beyond [[Anniesland]] Cross.  The northwest is generally less expensive the further you head away from the hustle and bustle, but the obvious trade-off being that travel times and ease of transport become more of a consideration.


^Area^Ideal For^Pros^Cons^Public Transport^2 Bed Flat Rent^
|[[Hyndland]] & [[Dowanhill]]|Professionals, Families, Postgraduate students|Leafy, grand mansions, terraces and tenements. One of the most desirable areas of Glasgow. Easy to get to on the train or bus. Hyndland has good restaurants, bars, cafes, food and wine shops, and local amenities such as a pharmacy and post office. Dowanhill is within 5 to 10 mins walking distance of Byres Road. Regular buses along Hyndland Road. Hyndland train station. |No Subway. No live music venues or clubs. Expensive.| Yellow|  [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?minBedrooms=2&maxBedrooms=2&keywords=&sortType=6&includeLetAgreed=false&viewType=LIST&channel=RENT&index=0&radius=0.0&maxDaysSinceAdded=14&locationIdentifier=REGION%5E77994 | £1,000+]]|
|[[Hillhead]]|Professionals, Families, Students|In the thick of it, you're near the bustling Byres Road and Great Western Road (GWR) with easy access to the city centre on the subway, or Kelvingrove Park and the Botanic Gardens |Can be busy with a mix of nightlife and students. Not the cheapest area|Green|  [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E65690&maxBedrooms=2&minBedrooms=2&propertyTypes=&maxDaysSinceAdded=14&includeLetAgreed=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=| £1,050]]|
|[[Partick]] |Students, Professionals, Families| Cheaper than other areas in the West End. In recent years Partick has become a desirable area thanks to an increasing variety of boutique shops, eco-oriented grocery stores, quality restaurants, excellent coffee shops and trendy bars.Great public transport thanks to Partick Interchange - bus, subway, and train station. There are two subway stations in Partick: Partick and Kelvinhall. Lots of shops and bars on Dumbarton Road|Historically, Partick was a working-class district, so the tenements are smaller and leaner in aesthetic than the rest of the West End. Urban, not leafy. |Green |  [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E78020&maxBedrooms=2&minBedrooms=2&propertyTypes=&maxDaysSinceAdded=14&includeLetAgreed=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords= | £800]]|
|[[Kelvinside]] & [[Kelvindale]]|Families, Professionals, Students |Both areas are quiet, leafy and pleasant, and border with the Forth & Clyde canal, which is a scenic route for cyclists and walkers. Kelvinside is a wealthy neighbourhood of mansion houses and grand sandstone terraces. Kelvindale is a suburban neighbourhood of semi-detached and terraced modern houses, and blocks of flats of various periods and styles. The flats are cheaper to buy and rent than flats in Hyndland or Hillhead. From Kelvinside your nearest transport is Great Western Road for buses (2-5 mins' walk), and Hyndland or Kelvindale train stations. Kelvindale station has a direct line to Queen Street and is one stop from Anniesland station, where you can connect to every train line that runs west-east and west-north through Glasgow.|Could be too quiet for people who want a lively neighbourhood. Although flats can be reasonable to rent and cheaper to buy, houses are expensive to buy and rarely available for renting. |Green|  [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E65693&maxBedrooms=2&minBedrooms=2&propertyTypes=&maxDaysSinceAdded=14&includeLetAgreed=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=| £900]] |
|[[Finnieston]]|Students|Loads of great food / bars. Close to the Clyde, SEC and train stations to get around | Busy / Noisy  |Green |  [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E65684&maxBedrooms=2&minBedrooms=2&propertyTypes=&maxDaysSinceAdded=14&includeLetAgreed=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords= | £800]] |
|[[Woodlands]] & [[Woodside]]|Students, families, professionals | Residential and mostly leafy streets of traditional tenement flats, many of them grand and attractive, on either side of Great Western Road up to St George's Cross. North Kelvinside up to Kelvinbridge is more expensive and highly desirable. Woodlands is cheaper, Woodside cheaper still. Plenty of shops, local amenities, and bars in the area, good subway connections at Kelvinbridge and St George's Cross. Regular buses along Woodlands Road and Great Western Road. |Some streets in Woodlands and Woodside are neglected and need improvement. Common complaints about Mice. |Green|  [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?minBedrooms=2&maxBedrooms=2&keywords=&sortType=6&viewType=LIST&channel=RENT&index=0&radius=0.0&maxDaysSinceAdded=14&locationIdentifier=USERDEFINEDAREA%5E%7B%22polylines%22%3A%22_h%7EsInoaYyb%40vu%40hKfQu%60%40aVeFuf%40dh%40ih%40dV%60%5E%22%7D |£800]] |
|[[Park Circus]]|Footballers, Wealthy families, professionals | One of the most desirable parts of Glasgow. Beautiful townhouses built on a hill beside Kelvingrove Park, amazing views. |Residential, expensive| Yellow |  [[ https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?minBedrooms=2&maxBedrooms=2&keywords=&sortType=6&viewType=LIST&channel=RENT&index=0&radius=0.0&maxDaysSinceAdded=14&locationIdentifier=USERDEFINEDAREA%5E%7B%22polylines%22%3A%22%7Bc_tIxjcY%7BBuPQwMrOaZnHxHRjh%40aN%7CEgFj%40%22%7D | £1,400]]|
|[[Thornwood]] & [[Broomhill]]|Families, Professionals, Postgraduate students | Slightly further West and a bit more residential than the areas near Byres road, but still within walking distance for the bustle. Good pubs, and close to good cafes and restaurants on Dumbarton Rd. | Expensive to buy and rent compared to Partick. No train station or subway but close to bus routes and Partick Interchange| Yellow |  [[ https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E78048&maxBedrooms=2&minBedrooms=2&propertyTypes=&includeLetAgreed=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords= | £900]]|
|[[Anderston]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Kelvinhaugh]] & [[Yorkhill]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Whiteinch]] & [[Scotstoun]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Knightswood]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Drumchapel]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Blardardie]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Jordanhill]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Anniesland]] & [[Temple]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Westerton]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Yoker]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|


==== Southside ====

^Area^Ideal For^Pros^Cons^Public Transport^2 Bed Flat Rent^
| [[Cathcart]] | Professionals, Families | Train links to Central, desirable postcode, access to green space, quite quiet | ??? | Green |  £600|
| [[Crossmyloof]] / Maxwell Park |Professionals, Families| Three train stations within walking distance, access to green space, mostly suburb | ??? | Green |  £700|
|[[Govanhill]] | Students | Cheap, near to train stations and Queens Park, access to M74 | Debates between it being absolutely fine, a war zone, and too full of students. Caveat Emptor | Green |  [[ https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E77987&maxBedrooms=2&minBedrooms=2&propertyTypes=&includeLetAgreed=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=| £600]]|
| [[Langside]] | Professionals, Families | Residential area, close to Queens Park | Parking | Green | £600|
| [[Mount Florida]] |Professionals, Families| Train station, not far from big Asda at Toryglen, Cathkin Park | Busy when football or events on at Hampden, parking | Green |  £700|
| [[Muirend]] |Professionals, Families | Decent sized Sainsbury's, train station for access to city centre, walking distance to Linn Park/Holmwood House | ??? | Green|  £700|
| [[Newlands]] |Professionals, Families| Really desirable, very green, big houses | Expensive, residential only | Green |  £700|
| [[Pollokshaws]] |Professionals, Families| Desirable, leafy area, Pollok park, Auldhouse retail park, easy access to M77 | Not much going on, more residential | Green |  £700|
| [[Polmadie]] |Professionals, Families| Easy access to M74 | Mostly industrial, bit rough | Yellow |  £700|
| [[Shawlands]] |Professionals, Families | Food and drink, transport links to city centre | Parking | Green |  £700|
| [[Pollokshields]] |Professionals, Families | ??? | Parking | ???|  £700|
|[[Strathbungo]]|Professionals, Families| Very desirable area, lots going on with shops and good community | More expensive than other areas |Green |  £700|
|[[Cessnock]] & [[Ibrox]]| Professionals, Families | Good access to West End / Central. Plenty of shops and takeaways | Busy when football is on, not the most glamorous area| Green |  [[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?searchType=RENT&locationIdentifier=REGION%5E77995&insId=1&radius=0.0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&minBedrooms=2&maxBedrooms=2&displayPropertyType=&maxDaysSinceAdded=&sortByPriceDescending=&_includeLetAgreed=on&primaryDisplayPropertyType=&secondaryDisplayPropertyType=&oldDisplayPropertyType=&oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType=&letType=&letFurnishType=&houseFlatShare= | £600]]|
|[[Govan]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Shieldhall]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Hillington]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Penillee]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Cardonald]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Mosspark]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Pollok]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Thornliebank]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Kings Park]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Castlemilk]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Fernhill]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Cathkin]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Cambuslang]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Carmyle]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Gorbals|Gorbals & Laurieston]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Oatlands|Oatlands & Richmond Park]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|



==== East End and the Northeast====
^Area^Ideal For^Pros^Cons^Public Transport^2 Bed Flat Rent^
|[[Bridgeton]]|Professionals, Families| ??? | ??? | |  £700|
|[[Easterhouse]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Baillieston]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Shettleston]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Barlanark]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Cranhill]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Ruchazie]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Craigend]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Garthamlock]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Hogganfield]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Riddrie]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Germiston]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Mount Vernon]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Carntyne]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Calton]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Parkhead]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Tollcross]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Springboig]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Greenfield]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Blackhill]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Provanmill]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Millerston]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Royston]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Barmulloch]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Robroyston]]| ??? | ??? | | |  £???|
|[[Haghill]]|Professionals, Families| ??? | ??? | |  £700|
|[[Dennistoun]] |Students, Families| Great transport links, pubs, cafes and parks. Cheaper than West End | ??? | |  [[ https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E65681&maxBedrooms=2&minBedrooms=2&propertyTypes=&maxDaysSinceAdded=14&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=| £700]]|


==== North Glasgow====

North Glasgow is, very roughly speaking, the areas of the city that are north of the M8 motorway.  By and large, this section of Glasgow has higher crime rates, more poverty and deprivation, rougher in appearance and features less amenities than other areas of the city.  That said, there are still a handful of good places in north Glasgow to live in and you will be able to seriously stretch a budget in these areas as rental costs in the north are among the lowest the city has to offer.  Some areas of the north have seen improvement and there does exist some very good residential pockets.  Whenever someone is considering moving to the north of Glasgow, it is highly recommended that you do your homework, check who the neighbours are and don't make any rash decisions.
 
^Area^Ideal For^Pros^Cons^Public Transport^2 Bed Flat Rent^
|[[Cadder]]| Lower budgets | Lower budgets | Deprivation; Relatively higher crime rate; Distance from city centre |  |  £???|
|[[Ruchill]]| Lower budgets | Lower budgets | Some deprivation; Relatively higher crime rate in parts; Distance from city centre | |  £???|
|[[Gilshochill]]| Lower budgets | Lower budgets | Deprivation; Relatively higher crime rate; Distance from city centre | |  £???|
|[[Possilpark]]| Lower budgets, locals | Lower budgets, not much else, an area to avoid | Deprivation; higher crime rates; Distance from city centre, quite run down - an area to avoid| |  £???|
|[[Milton]]| Lower budgets | Lower budgets | Deprivation; Relatively higher crime rate; Distance from city centre | |  £???|
|[[Colston]]| ??? | Lower budgets | Distance from city centre, Surrounded by rougher areas | |  £???|
|[[Springburn]]| Lower budgets | Lower budgets |Deprivation in parts; Relatively higher crime rate; Distance from city centre | |  £???|
|[[Balornock]]| Lower budgets | Lower budgets | Distance from city centre | |  £???|
|[[Auchinairn]]| Lower budgets | Lower budgets | Distance from city centre | |  £???|
|[[Maryhill]]| Lower budgets, some student areas (Firhill and Murano) | Lower budgets | | |  £???|
|[[Summerston]]| Families, professionals | ??? | Distance from city centre, a few streets are rough around the edges | |  £???|
|[[Killermont]]| Families, professionals | ??? | Distance from city centre | |  £???|
The Open Guide to Glasgow

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