To want to move to a tenement flat in the West End of Glasgow when I'm 50?

[niceproblem]

I currently live in a nice house in the suburbs of London, with a big garden. DP is from Glasgow and wants to move back there in a few years when ds has left school. I absolutely love Glasgow and have no issue with the idea of moving there - we could get so much more for our money, for one thing.

I really really, really love the idea of a big tenement flat - high-ceilings, big windows, dining kitchen, in the West End. I'd like restaurants and pubs and shops and galleries etc on my doorstep - I think. I don't really want a naice house in the suburbs anymore but I may just be having a mid-life crisis

But...AIBU to think this would be a good move? Will it all be student flats and noisy neighbours? Will I miss having a glass of wine in the back garden of a summer's evening and being able to park the car without a problem?

Would you go from suburban house and garden to city-centre flat in your 50s?

[Mammalamb]

My aunt and uncle did it in their 50s. They are in their early 70s now and still love it there. Assuming that you mean Byres Road area? You’ll get a lot for your money if you are moving from London!

[seventygreen]

Do it! The west end in glasgow if you can afford it and if your coming from London I imagine you could is amazing its very lively at times but also safe with lots of green spaces and quiet areas.

These old tenement flats though can be pretty cold and hard to heat and expensive to maintain so be sure to factor all that in.

I feel I should say to think about being up a close when you are older and can't manage the stairs but you'll only be 50 a mere whipper snapper!

[PaddyF0dder]

It’s a great idea. I love those big old tenements. I’d be going for either Woodlands or Hyndland if I did it.

We just moved out of the West End to the suburbs 2 years ago. I really miss the area. All those wonderful pubs and parks and restaurants. Glasgow is such a well-kept secret.

Good luck!

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I would and I'm in my 40s. I love cities and love flats. Unfortunately the rest of the household disagree.

[DrEustaciaBenson]

Would you actually need a car?

Would you be thinking about living there into retirement? You might like a garden now, but in future, you might be glad not to have to maintain a garden.

[niceproblem]

Yes, Byres Rd / Hyndland sort of area I think.

Good point about the garden eustacia - I like looking at a pretty garden but am not so good at maintaining it even now!

[WhereYouLeftIt]

I would! I loved my tenement flat, as you say they have high ceilings and big windows etc. (Didn't have a dining kitchen though!)

As for the back garden - you mights still have one, albeit shared. Someone mentioned Byres Road upthread, so I used that as a Google map search and switched it to satellite view. A lot of those back closes are very green and tree-filled!

[niceproblem]

A dining kitchen is a deal-breaker! And a washing-line pulley thing on the ceiling

[niceproblem]

something like this, maybe? No pulley though!

[Loonoon]

YABU. One of things I am most looking forward to when DH retires is selling the big house and garden that we rattle around in now. And getting a nice flat in a big, busy city and never, ever driving anywhere again. . I would like a small balcony though - just big enough for a chair and table and maybe a BBQ.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I want to do it now and Im 40!
I live in a crappy small town down the Clyde.

[Yoksha]

In a heartbeat. I live in a large semi in the NW of England. Come from Edinburgh. These large Georgian tenement flats are something to behold. Beautiful.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

Dd is at school in Hyndland and its gorgeous there.

[user1484072939]

I own a flat exactly as you describe. High ceilings, big kitchen, fantastic huge windows. In the Woodlands parking area residents permits are £50 a year, and it is normally v easy to park. My flat is in a very wide street with parking end on on one side. It is about a 20 min walk into centre. Neighbours are very varied: couples, families, students....

[wigglybeezer]

My brother has just moved from a lovely flat in Hyndland to a smaller house because of school catchments etc. On the plus side I no longer feel jealous of where he lives! We quite fancy moving into Glasgow or Edinburgh when the kids have all left school, ideally I'd like a but and ben or a hut in the woods for the summer too! I can dream...

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Lots of the places in the westend will have access to a private gated garden where everyone pays a bit for the upkeep. So pretty much your own garden, but without the hassle of gardening...

[niceproblem]

Oh user that sounds perfect - god I'm itching to go! Do you have a garden, or use of outside space? That is the thing that bothers me most about not being in a house, I think.

[Dancingtothebeat]

One thing I would caution you about, if you move somewhere with lots of steps in your 50s you may not be able to stay there for the rest of your life of steps become unmanageable and need to be prepared to move at some point if that happens.

[niceproblem]

ItsAll I didn't know that, thank you.

[WelcomeToGilead]

Yeah but it’s a v “lively” ie noisy student area where the council does
Nothing to curb antisocial behaviour.....every family I know has moved out sadly because of the noise...so make sure you’re in deepest hyndland at the very least!!

[user1484072939]

No garden as such only access to the back of the flats where the bins are! Kelvingrove Park is only a couple of mins walk tho.

[Bramble71]

The West End of Glasgow is fabulous and very vibrant! It's a great city with lots to see & do. If you have the opportunity of one of the fabulous tenement flats, I'd say go for it!

[kaytee87]

The west end of Glasgow is lovely. Lots of amazing places to eat & drink plus the gorgeous botanic gardens or kelvingrove park so you don't even need a garden to enjoy outside space. You wouldn't even need a car for day to day life as you're close to the subway / buses / hyndland train station.

The only reason I live in bearsden instead of the west end is for the schools / garden for family life. When we're older we'll consider west end

[MiniDoofa]

We had a fantastic few years in Glasgow. Absolutely love the west end. Have a look at the botanics area - overlooking the botanic gardens - some flats have a shared garden. Gorgeous part of the world!!

[pigmcpigface]

I actually think this will become A Thing by the time you retire, OP. City centres are much better adapted to older people than many rural places are - services on your doorstep, plenty of transport to prevent you becoming isolated, lots of activities close by - and really good healthcare services too. There is a small but increasing body of research suggesting that those who retire to city centres are actually happier and healthier!

Just make sure the flat you get is accessible - hopefully mobility issues are many, many decades off, but it is worth getting somewhere so you don't have to move twice.

Love Glasgow as a city.