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Table of Contents
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:
- Central
- Merchant City
- East End
- West End
- Southside
Each of these areas has its own sub-area, listed below.
This summary table highlights key features that should guide you in the right direction for further research.
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 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 valuations can be found here but has a guide the 2020 annual charges are:
- Band B - £1426
- Band C - £1630
- Band D - £1834
By UK standards, Glasgow council tax rates are average.
As a guide, COuncil tax in the West End tends to be more expensive than the Southide. 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 like 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.
West End
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 and students. Much of it is located around Byres road and Great Western Road.
| Area | Ideal For | Pros | Cons | Public Transport | 2 Bed Flat Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyndland & Dowanhill | Professionals, Families | Leafy, huge buildings and one of the most desirable areas of Glasgow. Easy to get to on the train. | Bit quiet if you're looking for a lot of night life, expensive. No Subway. | Yellow | £1,000+ |
| Hillhead | Professionals, Students | In the thick of it, you're near the bustling Byres Road and Great Western Road (GWR) with easy access to the city center on the subway, or Kelvingrove Park and the Botanical Gardens | Can be busy with a mix of nightlife and students. Not the cheapest area | Green | £1,050 |
| Partick | Students, Professionals, Families | Slightly cheaper than other areas in the West End. Great public transport access via Kelvinhall, Lots of shops and bars on Dumbarton Road | Perhaps not quite as lively as other areas | Green | £800 |
| Kelvinside | Students | Close to Botanics, usually a bit cheaper than the west end generally | Further from public transport and shops, but still walking distance. | Yellow | £900 |
| Finnieston | Students | Loads of great food / bars. Close to the Clyde, SEC and train stations to get around | Busy / Noisy | Green | £800 |
| Woodlands | Students | Cheap, plenty of bars in the area, great subway connections. | Common complaints about Mice | Green | £800 |
| Park Circus | Footballers, Wealth families | The most desirable part of Glasgow. Beautiful townhouses, amazing views and right next to the Kelvingrove Park | Residential, expensive | Yellow | £1,400 |
| Thornwood / Broomhill | Families, Professionals | Slightly further West and a bit more residential than the areas near Byres road, but still within walking distance for the bustle. Good pubs. | Prices are creeping up, but minimal downsides. | Yellow | £900 |
Southside
| Area | Ideal For | Pros | Cons | Public Transport | 2 Bed Flat Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Govanhill | Students, English People | Cheap, near to train stations and Queens Park | Debates between it being fine, a war zone, and too full of plummy English students. | £600 | |
| Strathbungo | Professionals, Families | Very desirable area, lots going on with shops and good community | More expensive than other areas | Green | £700 |
| Shawlands | Professionals, Families | ??? | ??? | £700 | |
| Pollockshaws | Professionals, Families | Desirable, leafy area | Not much going on, more residential | Green | £700 |
| Mount Florida | Professionals, Families | ??? | ??? | £700 | |
| Muirend | Professionals, Families | ??? | ??? | £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 | £600 |
East End
Central
