Tips for Relocating to Glasgow
As the largest city in Scotland, Glasgow truly has something for everyone. While it's Scotland's largest urban area, Glasgow also has Scotland's first national park, Loch Lomond, right on its doorstep as well as numerous parks in the city itself and access to hills and munros just a short journey away.
If you've made the decision, or are currently considering a move to Glasgow, you're not alone. Glasgow has seen consistent growth in both its population and economy over the past few years. This is unsurprising given its first-rate quality of life for families, with an abundance of financial and career opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community.
However, as appealing and exciting as relocating to Glasgow may seem, moving house is of course not without its issues. Packing up your family home - whether you're making a local move or one further afield - can be a challenging and stressful undertaking.
Factors like changing schools, leaving friends, and saying goodbye to a childhood home all have the potential to make the process of relocating to Glasgow onerous for you and your family.
To make the process of moving to Scotland's 'Dear Green Place' as straightforward as possible, we've come up with five tips for families relocating to Glasgow.
1. Moving with your Family: Information is Key
As soon as you have made the decision to relocate to Glasgow, you’ll need to inform the whole family, including your children. In an age-appropriate manner, it's important to explain the reasons behind the move, and what moving to a new area means in your specific situation.
By offering children as much information as you can about moving house and moving schools, you're giving them time to accept and absorb the news and take it from there. Keep your kids in the loop during the entire process of relocating and be sure to acknowledge and validate their feelings - both positive and negative.
2. Moving with your Family: Allow for Preparation
As with any other parenting situation, for example, a family holiday or the first day of school, one of the most important tips for relocating to Glasgow is to take time to prepare.
Physically packing up a family home and moving involves many tasks, and when there are children involved, you will need more time to complete all the necessary steps.
Allocate time for unexpected events and unplanned delays: friends dropping in, toddler tantrums, unforeseen administrative difficulties, etc. Delegate tasks like packing and transportation to family members and where possible enlist the services of a professional moving company/cleaners. This will free up time for you to spend with your children during the busy moving period.
3. Moving with your Family: Involve the Children
By involving your kids in the move to Glasgow and giving them specific tasks, you will make them feel more in control of the whole situation. Children can be involved in designing and decorating their new room or the family room/playroom.
Creativity is a great outlet for emotions so try and create positive feelings by letting children pick room colours and soft furnishings. Children can help pack some of their own belongings too. This will give kids a sense of ownership of their part of the move, helping them feel like they’re part of the process - all of which makes for an easier transition.
4. Moving with your Family: New School Considerations
Finding the 'right' school for your children will make a really positive difference to how they adapt to life in a new city like Glasgow.
When moving schools, it's important to consider a potential school's facilities and campus, their academic standards, curriculum and results, extra-curricular offerings and after-school care.
Visiting potential schools with your children can help the whole family get a feel for the school's atmosphere, and you'll be able to observe pupils and teachers in everyday school life.
At The High School of Glasgow, we hold annual Open Events during the Autumn Term typically around October/November which allow prospective families to experience our Kindergarten, Junior School and Senior School. We also offer tours year-round, ensuring families can visit at the most convenient time.
5. Moving with your Family: Plan Fun Activities
Make moving to Glasgow as mentally and emotionally uncomplicated as possible by planning positive, fun experiences for the whole family before, during and after the move.
People Make Glasgow is the official tourist and visitor website for Glasgow and is filled with ideas and inspiration for things to do in the city.
For more information on activities specifically for families click here.
Visiting The High School of Glasgow
Taking the time to visit our school, explore our facilities and meet members of staff and pupils is unquestionably the best way to get a true feel for the High School experience. You can get in touch with our Admissions Team by emailing admissions@hsog.co.uk, with the subject heading 'Arrange a Tour', or by simply picking up the phone and giving us a call on 0141 954 9628.