Most people would consider Glasgow as being the epicenter of everything great that Scotland has to offer: super friendly people, a wide range of careers (so many businesses have chosen Glasgow as an ideal location to base themselves), a vast choice of shopping and nightlife, and easy access to some stunning countryside, history, and culture.

So it makes sense that so many people are choosing to move to Glasgow, and why we have chosen Glasgow as the next in our series of top places to move to in the UK.

  • Why you Should Live in Glasgow
  • Is Glasgow a Safe Place to Live?
  • How much does it cost to rent a home in Glasgow?
  • How much do homes cost in Glasgow?
  • What is the Cost of Living in Glasgow?
  • How Much Does it Cost to Move to Glasgow?
  • Where is the Best Place to Live in Glasgow?
  • Which is the Cheapest Area to Live in Glasgow?
  • Moving to Glasgow Alone
  • Living in Glasgow as a Student
  • Moving to Glasgow with Family
  • Which are the Best Schools in Glasgow?
  • Is there much Employment in Glasgow?
  • What are the Best Ways of Getting Around Glasgow?
  • What is there to do in Glasgow?
  • The Best of Glasgow

Should I Move to Glasgow?

Glasgow City
A city with every amenity and the stunning Scottish countryside right on your doorstep.

There are certainly many reasons why people are moving to Glasgow but here our top 6 reasons why you should move to Glasgow.

  • Quality of life: Every year Glasgow seems to win another award for its culture, or history, or business opportunities, or best parks, or happiest place to live. The list goes on. And to add yet another accolade to Glasgow’s vast array of awards, the European Commission in November 2019 named Glasgow as the top cultural and creative centre in the UK. This all adds up to Glasgow being a great place to live with plenty of opportunities to experience new things and be a part of the emerging new businesses in the city.
  • Being part of a Community: Unlike most cities, Glasgow has super friendly communities which makes moving to a new city so much easier. So if you like the amenities of a city, with the friendliness and support of a village-like community, then Glasgow would be an ideal location for you to move to.
  • Cost of Living: Compared to many places in the UK, Glasgow offers higher than average UK salaries with lower property prices. It is easy to find a good area to live in Glasgow on a modest income. Check out the price comparisons later on in this guide.
  • Great career opportunities: Whatever sector you work in, Glasgow has a wide variety of jobs to offer you. From financial services to working in the creative industries, there are some great career opportunities in Glasgow. See the section later in this guide for more information.
  • Variety of leisure activities: No matter what your preferences are to fill your leisure time, Glasgow offers it all, from family walks through the 70 plus parks in the city, museums, concerts, places of historical interest and the amazing Scottish countryside right on your doorstep.
  • Great centres of education: Not only is Glasgow home to the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathcylde and Glasgow Caledonian University, but has many highly regarded schools.

You may also like to read: Moving from England to Scotland

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Is Glasgow a Safe Place to Live?

Most of what you read about Glasgow being crime-ridden, dank and dangerous is years old and does not reflect the Glasgow of today. Of course, like any city, there are areas to be cautious of, but compared to many many cities in the UK, Glasgow is generally a lot safer and nicer.

Generally, the East End of Glasgow is considered a less desirable part of Glasgow to live, but that does not mean that there is not a great community spirit there or that it should be avoided at all costs. There are far worse places in many cities in the UK and considering the extra size of home you would get for your money, it could be a good move for many.

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk rates Glasgow as being in the top 5 safest cities in the UK in which to study.

According to www.travelsafe-abroad.com  Glasgow is classed as a low-risk city, but as with any large city, there are areas that are best avoided.

To see what the crime figures are for specific areas of Glasgow that you may be moving to, see this article from www.eveningtimes.co.uk

Useful to know: Top Tips for Securing Your New Home

What is the Average Property Rental Cost in Glasgow?

There is a huge variety of properties that are available for rent in Glasgow, from city centre apartments to warehouse conversions, to large detached family homes, and compared to many places in the UK, you will get far more for your money.

  • The average rental cost of a I bedroom home in Glasgow is £629 pcm
  • The average rental cost of a 2 Bedroom home in Glasgow is £876 pcm
  • The average rental cost of a 3 Bedroom home in Glasgow is £1,120 pcm
  • The average rental cost of a 4 Bedroom home in Glasgow is £1,368 pcm

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What is the Average Property Price in Glasgow?

From city centre flats to leafy suburb detached homes, Glasgow has a good range of available property to buy. Many properties boast period features with high ceilings and large rooms, there are newly converted warehouse apartments, and new builds on the outskirts of Glasgow. In fact, you are sure to find a property that meets your needs when moving to Glasgow.

  • The average price of a detached home in Glasgow is £379,574
  • The average price of a semi-detached home in Glasgow is £192,771
  • The average price of a terraced home in Glasgow is £157,465
  • The average price of a flat in Glasgow is £141,222

Latest average home costs are taken from www.home.co.uk

Is Glasgow An Expensive Place to Live?

Glasgow autumn colours
A beautiful city with so much to offer its residents.

According to www.numbeo.com the average monthly costs, to live in Glasgow, excluding rent or mortgage repayments are:

  • A single person on average will need £587.28 pm to cover living costs
  • A family of 4 on average needs an income of £2,091.28 pm to cover living costs

Cost of Living in Glasgow vs Major UK Cities

Taking data from www.expatistan.com here is a comparison of the cost of living in Glasgow with other major UK cities. And whilst the cost of living may be comparable with many UK cities bear in mind the cheaper property prices and average higher salaries in Glasgow.

  • The cost of living in Glasgow is 32% cheaper than in London
  • The cost of living in Glasgow is about the same as Birmingham
  • The cost of living in Glasgow is 1% more expensive than Leeds
  • The cost of living in Glasgow is 11% more expensive than Liverpool
  • The cost of living in Glasgow is 1% cheaper than York
  • The cost of living in Glasgow 10% more expensive than Leicester
  • The cost of living in Glasgow is 9% more expensive than Cardiff
  • The cost of living in Glasgow is 4% cheaper than Edinburgh
  • The cost of living in Glasgow is 7% cheaper than Bristol
  • The cost of living in Glasgow is 7% more expensive than Plymouth

How Much Does it Cost to Move to Glasgow?

How much does it cost to move a 1-2 Bedroom home to Glasgow?

Obviously each home move is different, and the only way to get an accurate removal cost estimate is to request one from a number of different removal companies. You can then compare the services and associated costs offered by each removal company.

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But to give you a rough idea, excluding packing costs, you can expect to pay on average the following home moving costs when hiring a professional removal firm to move you to Glasgow.

  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from London to Glasgow costs on average £1,010
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Birmingham to Glasgow costs on average £805
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Leeds to Glasgow on average costs £690
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Liverpool to Glasgow costs about £690
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from York to Glasgow costs about £675
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Leicester to Glasgow costs about £835
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Cardiff to Glasgow costs about £985
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Edinburgh to Glasgow costs about £400
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Bristol to Glasgow costs about £940
  • Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Plymouth to Glasgow on average costs £1,130

On average expect to pay about £150-£200 for a professional packing service for a 1-2 bedroom home.

You may also like to read: How much is the average cost to move a 1-2 bedroom home?

How much does it cost to move a 3 bedroom home to Glasgow?

  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from London to Glasgow on average costs £1,145
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from Birmingham to Glasgow on average costs £940
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from Leeds to Glasgow on average costs £825
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from Liverpool to Glasgow on average costs £825
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from York to Glasgow on average costs £810
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from Leicester to Glasgow on average costs £970
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from Cardiff to Glasgow on average costs £1,120
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from Edinburgh to Glasgow on average costs £535
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from Bristol to Glasgow on average costs £1,075
  • Moving a 3 bedroom home from Plymouth to Glasgow on average costs £1,265

On average expect to pay about £600 for a professional packing service for a 3 bedroom home.

You may also like to read: How much is the average cost to move a 3 bedroom home?

Where are the Best Areas to Live in Glasgow?

Thinking of moving to the Glasgow area? Here is a Glasgow neighbourhood guide with the best places to rent or buy a home in and around Glasgow.

The West End of Glasgow is considered probably the most desirable neighbourhood to live in.

  • Bearsden. If you have the budget, then Bearsden is the place to be. It is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Glasgow but offers a high quality of life, with some great local attractions, excellent schools, a golf course, and great train links to easily get you to the city centre.
  • Hillhead. Families will be drawn to Hillhead because of the great schools there, including Hillhead Primary and Kelvinside Academy, which are considered two of the best schools in Glasgow. But Hillhead attracts all types of people as it has some great independent shops, museums, and art galleries, as well as the Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Kelvinstone Park.
  • Shawlands. With Pollock Park on your doorstep, great schools and some of the best eateries in Glasgow, Shawlands is becoming a super trendy and desirable place to live, especially for families.
  • Scotstoun. A more affordable option than the trendy West End but still a very nice place to move to. Scotstoun is popular with families due to the high-quality local schools and the local amenities for children.
  • Yorkhill. Popular with young professionals, Yorkhill has a lot to offer, with some great live music venues, a variety of bars and eateries, but still within an area with a great community spirit.
  • Garnethill. If you are looking to move to an up and coming area, then Garnethill is for you. Local transport links are great and there is a thriving café scene.

You may also like to know: Moving Home Yourself vs Hiring a Removal Company

Which are the Cheapest, and Most Expensive, Areas to Live in Glasgow?

Glasgow is divided into 5 regions: The City Centre, North Glasgow, the Southside, the East End, and the West End. The West End is generally the most expensive and the East End the cheapest parts of Glasgow to live.

The top 3 cheapest postcode areas to live in Glasgow are:

G34: The average price of a property in G34 is £56,000 and comprises of Provanhall, Easterhouse, and Easthall. About £450 is the average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom property in G34.

G22: Milton, Possilpark, and Parkhouse are all within the G22 postcode where you can expect the average home to cost about £82,000. Expect to pay about £550 a month to rent a 2 bed flat in G22.

G21: Expect to pay about £84,000 for the average property in Springburn, Cowlairs, Balornock, Royston or Barmulloch. Expect to pay about £620 a month rent for a 2 bed flat in G21.

The 3 most expensive areas of Glasgow to live are:

G61: Bearsden is the most expensive area of Glasgow to move to, but has an equally high quality of life to match the property price tags. The average property cost in G61 is £384,738. The average rental cost for a 3 bedroom home in G61 is £1,988 per month.

G77: Loganswell and Newton Mearns. The average property cost in G77 is £352,275. The average rental cost for a 3 bedroom home in G77 is £995.00 per month.

G12: Hillhead and Kelvinside areas. The average property cost in G12 is £349,141. The average rental cost for a 3 bedroom home in G12 is £1,219 per month

www.zoopla.co.uk has ranked the affordability of property within Glasgow by postcode.

Average property prices were taken from www.zoopla.co.uk and www.firstmortgage.co.uk

Average rental costs were taken from www.home.co.uk

Useful to know: How to Move Home Cheaply

Moving to Glasgow Alone

Botanical Gardens Glasgow
You are never short of things to see and do in Glasgow, such as the Botanical Gardens.

Are you thinking of moving to Glasgow alone, perhaps as a student or for work? Is Glasgow a good place to live for single people?

Here are some essential things to know when moving to Glasgow as a single person.

  • The motto of Glasgow is ‘People Make Glasgow’, and you will certainly find that they are a friendly bunch, so you will make friends in no time at all, and there will always be someone to offer some friendly help and advice.
  • Consider renting a room in a shared house, or flat sharing, if you want to save some money, get to know the area, and make instant friends in Glasgow. Useful websites for finding rooms to rent in Glasgow include: gumtree.co.uk , www.spareroom.co.uk , or www.nestpick.com
  • Join local social media groups to find out all the best places to go and get the low down on Glasgow city life.
  • meetup.com has plenty of local groups to join so that you quickly find new friends and get to learn all about living in Glasgow.
  • To find out all about local events in Glasgow, activities, groups, and societies by visiting interests.me
  • Consider volunteering in your spare time, it is a great way to meet new people and help the local community at the same time.

You may like to read: Can I Move to A New City Alone?

Living in Glasgow as a Student

If you have been accepted as a student in Glasgow, or are considering becoming one of the thousands of students that are drawn to study in Glasgow, then this section is for you.

  • There are over 130,000 students studying in Glasgow, many from overseas, so there will be no shortage of new friends, support, and people to help you.
  • Glasgow is reported by thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk as being in the top 5 safest university cities in the UK, so that is one less thing for your parents to worry about.
  • Living costs are substantially cheaper than London and there is a good selection of quality student accommodation all around the city.
  • There is a huge variety of pubs, clubs, cafes, museums, art galleries, and places of interest for you to visit and explore in and around Glasgow, as well as some world-class sporting facilities.
  • Getting around Glasgow is safe and easy on the ‘Orange Clockwork’, as the subway is known locally.
  • There are many festivals and events held year-round in Glasgow, ranging from the Glasgow Film festival to the West End Festival.
  • Glasgow has over 70 local parks but also the stunning Scottish countryside is right outside your door for easy access to some great outdoor pursuits.

You may find these student accommodation search websites useful:

Here are the university websites for Glasgow which have a ton of useful information for students.

Useful information: Moving into a Student House Checklist

Moving to Glasgow with Family

Is Glasgow a good place to raise a family? Glasgow is a great place to bring up your family. There are dozens of parks and open spaces, there is culture and history at every turn, and every amenity you and your family could ever need.

The lower cost of housing here means that you will get far more home for money, which can only improve your family’s quality of life.

There are many career opportunities in Glasgow, a number of very highly rated schools, a safe environment in which to raise your family, and easy access to the beautiful scenery of Scotland.

And if you need to go back down south for a visit, then Glasgow airport, the rail network, and the national motorway system are all easily accessible from Glasgow.

And as parents, you will want to know about healthcare in Glasgow so visit www.nhsinform.scot to find local doctors, dentists, healthcare specialists, and hospitals.

Read on to find out which are the best schools in Glasgow and then later in this guide you will find the best of Glasgow guide, including the top family-friendly restaurants in Glasgow.

You might find these guides useful:

Which are the Best Schools in Glasgow?

www.thetimes.co.uk has just published the Scottish school league tables for 2019 which will help you in your selection of the best school for your child.

The top 5 best performing schools in Glasgow in 2019 were:

  • Jordanhill School
  • Glasgow Gaelic School
  • Hyndland Secondary School
  • Notre Dame High School
  • Holyrood Secondary School

You may also be interested in visiting www.schoolguide.co.uk which allows you to compare local schools in Glasgow.

Is There Much Employment in Glasgow?

Not only is Glasgow a great place to live, but it offers some great employment opportunities.

As reported by www.investglasgow.com The Glasgow Economic Strategy aims to have created up to 50,000 new jobs within Glasgow by 2023, and for Glasgow to be the most productive major city economy in the UK by 2023.

So what are the biggest employment sectors in Glasgow?

  • Creative Industries
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Finance and Business Studies
  • Digital Technology
  • Health and Life Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Tourism
  • Education

Visit www.scotland.org for more career opportunity information.

You can also use the websites below to search for jobs within Glasgow.

What are the Best Ways of Getting around Glasgow?

Glasgow Train Station
Easy access to local, national and international travel.
  • Although Glasgow is a large city most of the action is easily accessible on foot or by bike. There is even a bike-share scheme within Glasgow, ran by www.nextbike.co.uk, to make getting around even easier.
  • Subway. Or how about making use of the frequent subway services? Visit spt.co.uk to find subway maps, timetables, and pricing information
  • Bus. Visit spt.co.uk for the latest bus timetables and maps of local bus stops in Glasgow.
  • Cheap Car Parks. If you need to know where to find the cheapest places to park your car in Glasgow check out this guide on glasgowlive.co.uk

Visit www.scotlrail.co.uk for more train information and timetables.

What is there to do in Glasgow for Free?

There is so much to see and do in Glasgow. But it is even better when you get to experience parts of Glasgow for free. So let’s dive right in and see just what Glasgow has to offer you for a free day out.

What can you do for free in Glasgow? These are the top 5 free things to do in Glasgow as voted for by visitors to Glasgow on www.tripadvisor.com

  • Kelvingrove Art Museum & Gallery
  • Govan Old Parish Church
  • University of Glasgow
  • City Centre Mural Trail
  • The Riverside Museum of Transport & Travel

You may also like: Where to Get Things for Free When Moving Home

The Best of Glasgow

If you are moving to Glasgow you will probably be overwhelmed with the number of things to do, the great restaurants, bars, and clubs. So here is our top 5 of the best of Glasgow.

Top 5 Restaurants in Glasgow

These are the top 5 rated restaurants in as ranked by www.glasgowlive.com

  • Scran, Alexandra Parade
  • Himalayan Dine, Shawlands
  • Jodandys, Shawlands
  • Mini Grill Glasgow Steakhouse, Bath Street, City Centre
  • Bella Vita, Mosspark Blvd, Mosspark

Top 5 Bars in Glasgow

www.timeout.com lists these 5 as the top bars in Glasgow

  • Nice’n’Sleazy, Sauchiehall Street
  • The Old Hairdressers, Renfield Lane
  • Stravaigin, Gibson Street
  • Mono, Kings Court
  • Stereo, Renfield Lane

Top 5 Clubs in Glasgow

The top 5 night spots in Glasgow as listed by www.designmynight.com are:

  • The Sanctuary, West End
  • Sub Club, Argyle Street
  • Revolution Glasgow, Argyle Street
  • The Garage, Sauchiehall Street
  • Nice’N’Sleazy, Sauchiehall Street

Top Local Glasgow Removal Firms

Luckily there are some great removal companies that can help you with your home move to Glasgow.

Finding top-rated local removal companies to move you to Glasgow is an important step to experiencing a stress-free home move. It is vitally important to choose your removal company wisely as all removal firms are not equal, unfortunately.

You may find these guides useful:

All that remains now is to get your free home moving cost estimate and to check out the reviews of removal companies who can help you move to Glasgow.

And no doubt you will have many more questions regarding your home move, so be sure to visit our resources section where you will find a wealth of useful information to make your home move to Glasgow easier, cheaper, and safer.

So we could go on forever about just what a great place Glasgow is to move to, but we hope this has given you some useful information that makes your decision about moving to Glasgow just a bit easier.

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