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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:
Each of these areas are composed of various sub-areas, suburbs and neighbourhoods, which are listed below.
This summary table highlights key features that should guide you in the right direction for further research.
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 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:
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.
Below each region has 3 ratings:
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.
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.
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 |
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 | £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 | £600 |
Area | Ideal For | Pros | Cons | Public Transport | 2 Bed Flat Rent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bridgeton | Professionals, Families | ??? | ??? | £700 | |
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Haghill | Professionals, Families | ??? | ??? | £700 | |
Dennistoun | Students, Families | Great transport links, pubs, cafes and parks. Cheaper than West End | ??? | £700 |