Moving from london to Glasgow (HELP!)

[Bwith3]

Hi everyone! We are moving from London to Glasgow in March I have two children (3 and 15 months) and am 6 months pregnant (HELP) LOL. we are leaning towards southside; polakshields has been recommended, but has anyone else got suggestions. I am desperate to find a nursery for my son... Pref with council funding... But I just need him in a good nursery so I would sacrifice the funding... Any advice would be amazing!!!! Please help.

[19lottie82]

I'm from the west end so I'm biased that it's much better than the south side!

What's your budget for a home? Do you want a house or is a flat ok? Buying or renting?

[PartyRat]

I'd be another vote for the west end over south side in afraid! Public transport is a so much easier to the west end (bus, train and subway) but it's mainly bus and some trains - depending on where you are- to the south side. A bus from the city centre to the south side takes about half an hour! Pollokshields can also be quite rough in some areas, particularly the tenement areas.

[RockyBird]

West end!!

[thethoughtfox]

There's a good Montessori and others, mostly in the west end. Do you see a pattern here?

[Elllicam]

What kind of home would you like? Does it have to be in the city or would you go slightly out with? Do you drive? East Renfrewshire has very good schools. Eaglesham is very pretty and has a village atmosphere.

[superstaary]

Another vote for the West end! Be aware though that the really cheap house prices that everyone on MN seems to think exist "up north" don't exist in much of Glasgow. The West end in particular is a desirable place to live and house prices reflect that, particularly in areas like Kelvinside and Hyndland, both areas that I'd highly recommend. I'm in Kelvinside and I love it here. We need more space but I want to stay here so waiting for a bigger deposit and something suitable to come up.

[Hobbitch]

One vote for the Southside (Shawlands). We love it and it's very family-friendly. Good shops, transport, restaurants, parks, a goid mix of flats and houses which are more affordable than the West End. Poppins Kindergarten in Queens Park has a good reputation as a nursery. Welcome to Glasgow!

[AllTheBabies]

Oh yes, it definely has to be the west end! The schools are pretty much all good so you'd be fine in any part of it. Unless you want a house rather than a flat, then it's slim pickings and very very expensive (although maybe not by London standards!)

I'd get on the phone to council nurseries ASAP. I know of people who have places lined up for after the summer holidays but I seem to remember that they do a review around April so you if you get an application in it should be looked at then. Nurseries don't have catchment areas so you can pick and choose to an extent.

[MyBonnieLiesOverTheOcean]

What's your budget? Buying or renting?

The city is mostly flats - do you want a garden? Might be a good idea if you'll have 3 children.

The I'd go for East Dunbartonshire or East Renfrewshire if I were you - good transport & schools.

[trixymalixy]

Southside is much more reasonably priced than the west end.

I personally wouldn't want to live in the west end, it's too busy. My friend has a house that cost her £1m+ in hyndland and can't even park outside her own house!!

East Renfrewshire has the best schools in the southside although consequently the house prices are higher.

[apostropheuse]

You could also look at Bishopbriggs or Lenzie.Quick 5 or 10 minute commute into the city centre by train. Good schools and lovely homes.

[raviolidreaming]

Another vote for the Southside - particularly Newlands, Battlefield, or Langside. More for your money than the West End, about 12 minutes on the train to Glasgow Central, plenty of parks and space, and a more relaxed feel.

[unlimiteddilutingjuice]

Hi OP. I moved from London to Glasgow a few years ago.

I live in the West but personally I think the Southside is very nice and I would consider moving there if I could do it all over again.

The West End is extremely over priced and you can get much better prices in the same general area but outside of the West End proper.
For example: I live in an ex local authority maisonette very close to the West End: it cost me £50,000.

I actually socialise primarily in the West End, which is a very pleasant walk away along the river Kelvin.
You could try looking in Maryhill, Anniesland or Partick if you like the idea of the West but want a more reasonable price.

As for nurseries: I think the council ones are very good quality- perhaps better educationally than the private ones.
However- they are not terribly good for working parents as they tend to offer 16 hours in 5 sessions lasting 3 hours each. Extended hours are in very short supply and tend to be allocated on social need.

Well done for making the leap OP. I've never regretted it!

[imisschocolate]

Be very careful in southside though. Some places are definitely no goes, eg govanhill, kings park. If you go southwest towards shawlands, and pollock shields then normally nice areas but i think they are over priced for what you get, same with westend and parking permits are about to be introduced for large parts of west end as massive parking issues. Mosspark and thornliebank are nice areas. Also look at north of city as a look of good school there.

[beepbeeprichie]

Definitely do your nursery research. There is an amazing Montessori nursery in the west end but I'm not sure there is necessarily always availability of spaces. I'm aware of both city centre and west end nurseries that divide their funding equally amongst all the children rather than give anyone a "free" place.
West End is lovely. I've lived there and the south side and it would always be my preference. Where abouts will your jobs be? What is your budget? If this is a long term move, you might decide you want to be the "right side" of Glasgow should you change jobs and work in Edinburgh...

[beepbeeprichie]

Eligible children obvs. Not all attendees!

[19lottie82]

Basically south siders will recommend the s-side and the west Enders will say w-end!

Both have their advantages, it really depends on your budget.

[AllTheBabies]

The west end definitely is busier but it has its quieter parts too. Parking definitely isn't an issue on my street. Hillhead and hyndland are busy, they are kind of the centre of the west end town as it were.

[19lottie82]

Don't know what your budget is OP but I grew up in scotstoun where there is a lovely area of Victorian terraced houses.

The area is popular with young families and there is a great community feel.

There are good schools and amenities and you're close to the west end and city centre.

52 Queen Victoria Drive, Glasgow, G14 9DJ
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-62597009.html

Hope you can see past the clutter!

[19lottie82]

If you'd prefer to be more "amongst the action" then here is a lovely flat is hyndland which is bang in the middle of the west end. There are multitudes of trendy bars and restaurants on your doorstep, and you can walk into the city centre in around half an hour, but parking is limited and you won't get a house unless you're prepared to pay top dollar.

1/1, Partickhill Road, Partickhill, Glasgow
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-57156436.html

[Claireshh]

I grew up in Eaglesham. Gorgeous village.
As others have said there are great schools.

The West End is indeed lovely. Byres Road, Ashton Lane and Great Western Road are great for mooching around shops or grabbing a bite to eat.

There are places in the North side if the city (Bearsden / Milngavie). Easy access to Loch Lomond and quick train access into town.

If you want any specific advice on schools or areas happy to help.

[Mortgagedilemma]

Eaglesham is lovely.

[blackpoolassy]

Maryhill! Seriously! OP. I wouldn't recommend Maryhill. Most other areas of the west end are lovely though.

[19lottie82]

Maryhill Park is quite nice.

And parts of "North Kelvinside" (estate agent speak for "the nice bit of Maryhill) are very paletable too

If the OP was on a tight budget then parts of Maryhill would be worth considering, as its close to the West End, and town, but yes, it doesn't stick out as one of the most desirable areas of Glasgow. There are definitely a lot worse though!

[19lottie82]

I lived in Firhill Street for 9 years and moved last year to Stepps........... I do miss it actually!