Moving to Glasgow? Factors to Consider
An Overview of Glasgow
If you planning on moving to Glasgow then this historic Scottish city has lots to offer; from world-famous educational institutions, historic landmarks, diverse communities, and a vibrant City Centre. All of this is well-connected with a range of public transport options to ensure you don’t miss a thing!
Throughout this guide, we’ll explore some key aspects you should know before packing your things and relocating to Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow.
Locations to Consider for Families in Glasgow
There are a number of excellent places to live around Glasgow. Each location offers something slightly different and has its own unique quirks!
Below, we have detailed some of the most popular places to live around Glasgow:
Bearsden (North West)
Bearsden is a leafy suburb just northwest of Glasgow and is known as one of the most affluent areas in Britain. It's blessed with numerous green spaces to enjoy with the family. Kilmardinny Loch, a local nature reserve with walking paths and serene surroundings, is within walking distance.
If you’re moving to Glasgow to raise a family, Bearsden should be considered due to its strong community, great schools, and access to nature.
Average house price is £301,452 as of August 2023.
Hillhead (West End)
Nestled between Glasgow’s gorgeous nature offerings - Botanic Gardens and Kelvingrove Park – lies Hillhead. The area boasts an impressive volume of great independent stores, restaurants, and cafes. As Hillhead is home to the University of Glasgow, the area has a wealth of diversity.
Hillhead is unique and is an ideal location for both students and families to live. The vast amount of greenery and open space provides a great place for families, while it also offers an abundance of nightlife options and accommodation for students.
Average house prices in Hillhead are £352,669 as of August 2023.
Shawlands (Southside)
Found in Glasgow’s lively Southside, Shawlands earned its place as the only Glasgow area named on The Time’s ‘Best Places to Live 2023’ list.
In the list, Shawlands was celebrated for its “unbeatable coffee culture”, creativity, and diversity.
Shawlands is brimming with independent stores, restaurants, and cafes.
Fortunately for the residents of Shawlands, it’s sandwiched between two much-loved parks – Queen’s Park and Pollok Country Park.
Average house price is £230,119 as of August 2023.
Schools in Glasgow
Glasgow is home to many great Primary, Secondary and Private Schools that can be found across the city. Proximity to a good school can often dictate where you decide to live, so it’s important to conduct thorough research, and take time to visit each option.
We’ve correlated some helpful tips for making a decision on your child’s school here.
Open Events
Many schools will offer potential pupils and their families the chance to attend an Open Event. These events provide the opportunity to meet the teachers and explore the campus to get a true feel for the School.
We highly recommend visiting schools that you’re considering. It’s a great way to gain a better understanding of the ethos before committing to any one school. The High School also offers bespoke tours year-round, so please do get in touch with the Admissions Team to arrange this.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Another consideration when choosing a school in Glasgow is their extra-curricular activities. Additional groups, clubs and sporting opportunities can be an important factor for a child’s overall personal and educational growth.
At The High School of Glasgow, we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including charity work, creative arts, educational trips, sports clubs and much more.
Practical Considerations
Some of the practical considerations before choosing a school can include:
- Transport: Is there sufficient transport links for your child to the school?
- Additional Care: If you’re working long hours, does the school provide before/after-school care?
- Costs: If you’re considering a private school, do the costs fit your budget? Check for bursaries opportunities.
Cost of Living in Glasgow (Averages)
Each city will have a varying level of costs associated with it. It’s important to have a level of understanding about a city’s cost of living before moving, to reduce the chances of any unwanted surprises.
Of course, we can only reference average prices on commonly used products, items, and bills; however, these averages can often paint a picture of what to expect from a city, financially.
Below, we’ll reference the average prices of basic items and utilities in Glasgow. The listed prices have been taken from numbeo.com.
Rent Prices in Glasgow
| Item(s) | Price |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat in city centre | £834.00 per month |
| 1-bedroom flat outside city centre | £671.36 per month |
| 3-bedroom flat in city centre | £1,445.24 per month |
| 3-bedroom flat outside city centre | £1,070.23 per month |
Going Out in Glasgow: Eating & Drinking
| Item(s) | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at inexpensive restaurant | £15.00 |
| Mid-range restaurant, 3 courses, for 2 people | £60 |
| Regular cappuccino | £3.02 |
| Can of cola | £1.58 |
| Bottle of water | £1.02 |
Supermarket Prices in Glasgow
| Item(s) | Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (1L) | £1.05 |
| Loaf of bread | £1.12 |
| 12 regular eggs | £2.27 |
| Block of cheese (1kg) | £7.32 |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | £6.50 |
| Apples (1kg) | £2.03 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 99p |
| Oranges (1kg) | £2.10 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | £2.28 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 87p |
| Onions (1kg) | 89p |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 77p |
| Water (1.5L bottle) | 84p |
Utilities Costs in Glasgow
| Item(s) | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic utilities combined (electric, heating, etc.) | £242.05 per month |
| Internet (60Mbps +) | £31.00 per month |
Sports & Leisure in Glasgow
| Item(s) | Price |
|---|---|
| Fitness club | £33.91 per month |
| Tennis court (1 hour) | £13.00 |
| Cinema ticket | £10.00 |
Family Activities in Glasgow
Glasgow is jam-packed full of fun things to do with the family! From educational museums, to ten-pin bowling, we’ll briefly discuss each activity suitable for families.
Museums
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
Kelvingrove is Glasgow’s highest-rated museum on Tripadvisor and is also Scotland’s most visited attraction each year. Its free to enter and includes 22 galleries for you and the family to explore!
Riverside Museum
Located beside the River Clyde, the Riverside Museum provides its visitors with the opportunity to view centuries-old, world-famous transport and technologies from Glasgow’s past. The Riverside Museum is also free to enter.
Glasgow Science Centre
The Glasgow Science Centre is known for its incredible, mind boggling experiences and events. They hold regular events tailored towards family days out, ensuring your children have a great time (while learning).
To visit the Glasgow Science Centre, there is a cost. Standard tickets cost £14.00 for an adult and £11.00 for under 16s.
Visit the Glasgow Science Centre Website
Active Days Out
Ten-Pin Bowling
You’ll find numerous places that offer ten-pin bowling in-and-around Glasgow. However, we’ll list the top-3 spots for bowling with the kids, in Glasgow’s city centre.
Click either of the links below to be taken to their websites:
Mini Golf
Glasgow is home to a wide array of mini golfing experiences. Each offers a different experience and is a great day out!
However, some of Glasgow’s mini golf places are tailored towards adults. To make your selection process easier, we’ve listed three family-friendly mini golf courses below:
Cinemas
If you’re eager to catch the latest blockbuster, Glasgow’s City Centre has you covered.
Below are a list of three cinemas in or near the City Centre. Click the link below to learn more:
Parks & Green Areas
There’s no shortage of parks and green areas around Glasgow to spend hours exploring with the family. When the sun comes out, these parks are a great way to experience some of Glasgow’s best nature offerings!
Below you’ll find a list of parks popular within the City. Click the link to be taken to their website, where you can find more information:
Conclusion
If you’re moving to Glasgow, we hope that the information above helps. We understand that there’s more to consider when moving to a new city; however, we believe that the aspects discussed throughout this article – locations to live, schools, cost of living, and activities to do with the kids – will help spark ideas for further research.
If you are looking for a Private School in Glasgow then The High School of Glasgow is an excellent choice. We offer Open Events and bespoke tours all year round so if you’re interested in learning more, please get in touch directly with Admissions by clicking here.