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?

I'm from Edinburgh, and I know that many of the amazing Georgian flats in the New Town have access to gardens opposite them, kept locked but keys are provided to all the owners of the street.

This one has it's own garden..www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73265621.html

This is just gorgeous..www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54491778.html

This has communal gardens in the 'garden square' www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54491778.html

I'm guessing if your OH is a Glasgow chap he won't be interested in Edinburgh, but there really is a great quality of life available there too.

I'm off to buy a lottery ticket.

OK, I'm getting excited now

Gonna derail my own thread now - those of you who know Glasgow - would you definitely go for west end over the south side (eg: Shawlands)? I know you can get even more for your money in the south side but dp and I only really know (and love) the west end.

I like Edinburgh a lot chocolate (and those flats are undeniably gorgeous!) but it's definitely Glasgow for us. DP wouldn't countenance the east coast

Hyndland / Downanhill are beautiful. The Park area is gorgeous too.

The only problem is heating those old buildings! The high ceilings and single glazing are not good in the cold scottish winters.

Oddly, a relative of mine did a move around the same age from a similar tenement flat with lovely ceilings etc. to a house in the Borders with a large garden.
But I can't help thinking that her new house is even harder to heat and quite damp, plus the roads are windy/icy and in 20-30 years time it will be annoying to have to get to healthcare etc.
Though I suppose they can always move again and they are enjoying gardening now - and if you don't enjoy that it's not such a big deal!

I'd happily live in the West end and would NEVER consider moving to Shawlands etc, WORLDS apart. West End living gives everything on your doorstep, Shawlands and surrounding areas not so much and totally different vibe

Definitely west end, it's where it's at!

Shawlands/South aside are indeed lovely.

But if you can afford “proper” west end (big airy tenament in Hillhead/Woodlands/Hyndland) then I see no reason to go for the South Side!

Really miss living in the West End. We moved to Bearsden, which is lovely, but nowhere near as vibrant or inspiring.

I'll be moving into HA, as its what I have now so don't get to choose as much, but I'll definitely be prioritising west end or as close as possible.

@niceproblem

I’m a Glasgow southsider! I love it but you do need to be careful where you buy. I’ll say no more but do your research carefully.

(I’d avoid Vicky Road and surrounding streets)

I'll be a single person, no need to worry about schools (I got Dd into Hyndland from my shitty town, she starts 6th year next month), I'm used to noisy, live on a main road now, don't want my own garden as I have health issues.
I can't wait to live somewhere vibrant, with a mixed population and things to do on my doorstep.

Ahem. That's my fancy flat and my 50's plan you're stealing....yanbu. Do it! I love the West End.

Brillo there's a surprising sense of freedom when schools are no longer an issue, isn't there?

Shawlands/Landside area is nice enough but it's not the sort of properties you get in Hyndland and Downhill. As a pp advised stay well away from Govanhill!
You couldn't pay me to live in Glasgow again but if it floats your boat then you could do way worse than the nice bits of the West End. Make you sure you come and see it first because it's not all high ceilings, galleries and middle class utopia.

My cousin owns a gorgeous tenement flat in Hyndland, I'm very jealous. I, on the other hand, live in the east end of Glasgow with all the Muggles

Absolutely nice.
I stayed here for Dd's school, but then got her into Hyndland last year,she's still not keen to move but I bet that will change when her BF starts at Glasgow Uni this year.
For people who want to live in this town, I have a great flat, so I'm hoping the HA will help me move, plus I have medical needs too.

I’d say West end. But I’m from the west end (but not the posh bit). Perhaps you could rent a flat for a wee while before committing to buying? I’d recommend a ground floor flat if it’s to be your forever flat xx

My aunt did it. The only problem she had was a well known comedian who lived upstairs and occasionally threw mega loud parties. But it was lovely and quiet when he was touring!

She’s still there now, in her late 60s. Ditched her DH, has a fantastic flat, lovely little bars and restaurants within walking distance. I go up and visit twice a year and have major lifestyle envy!!

I'd also say West End if you can afford it. South Side is great in parts but it's just not the same.

I'm on mat leave and we moved to the southside when I was 6 months pg. My job is still in the west end and sometimes when I think able going back to work I kind of think we'll be moving back to our flat up Park Circus way and I'll be able to go for swim at the Arlington every night again. Obviously that's not quite the way it works

God, I miss the west end sometimes! I lived in Hyndland and Kelvinside for a couple of years each (in tenements) and tbh it was a bit too noisy sometimes but I loved living up at the top of Kelvingrove Park.

Def West end! There are some beautiful places in West End! I would love to live in the Atholl Gardens area.

I love this
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50502447.html

That's a cracker susanne, absolutely lovely.

Definitely west end. I lived in the south side and it’s nit great. It’s great for students of people who want to go to bars/clubs etc but the west end is better. You will have factors fees though so prepare yourself for them basically dipping your wallet to do fuck all.

Singing. Frankie or Kev?? Spill the beans; They both live in the area!

I immediately thought Kev for the loud parties