Considering move to Glasgow

[encoresara]

My DH has a company transfer possibility in Glasgow. I am looking at neighborhoods, schools, quality of life, commute etc. First off, his office will be on Douglas street in the city. I want to find some place that is < 1 hr commute door to door. After that, I was hoping to find a Safe, family friendly area. It would be ideal if kids were playing in the streets and neighbors all knew one another, but not so tight nit that they wont welcome the friendly new americans. My Son is 8 so I would like to find a primary school that is top notch. He's super smart and has done well in all schools we've put him in, I dont doubt his ability to adapt, but, like all of us, you know I want the best possible. I dont mind driving to/fro so accessibility is not so big a deal, though a good corner store is always nice to have. I know that casts a wide net, and from what I have found online I have focused my search on East Dunbartonshire, but not sure if that is wise or not.

I guess, if money werent an issue, where would YOU want to live and raise your children?? (PS, money is always an issue lol)

Thanks in advance for any feedback! Sara

OH I should also mention, I would like easy access to after school activities like karate and guitar lessons, Swimming pools etc. Is this possible?

Is it too much to also ask what people know about finding a nanny/housekeeper in the area?

I live in Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire and would recommend it. All the schools have good reputations and my children are happy at our local primary. Where we are, children go out to play and the neighbours are friendly. There are masses of children's activities to choose from, sports, music, art, dance etc. The best bit for us is the easy access to beautiful countryside. We can walk to school, shops etc in about 10 mins but in the other direction into lovely countryside. Great for cycling too. Its about 25 mins into Glasgow on the train.

South side - Newton mearns, giffnock, Clarkston.

East Renfrewshire schools - williamwood, mearns castle, Eastwood have v v good reputations.

Laughing out loud at this as it brings back lots of childhood memories. I was brought up in Glasgow in the West End (ie North side of the Clyde). There really is a North-South divide, to the extent that my parents always used to get lost trying to find birthday parties in places like Pollokshields and Newton Mearns because we never went there.

You might want to think very carefully about your 1hr commute point. Honestly, Glasgow is a great city with lots of big parks and things going on, good museums, houses with gardens, which would mean that you didn't need to live so far out so your dp would have less travel time. It's not like somewhere like London that takes hours to cross and escape from. You can live in the city, eg around West End/Jordanhill, and still be 15 mins' drive from gorgeous countryside where you won't see a soul if you go for a walk. Do have a look at Jordanhill school, always one of the highest-performing in the country. There are houses with gardens in the catchment area though they'll be more expensive because of the school. Lots of activities and it's near enough to Glasgow University to be within striking distance of a student buzz and more cosmopolitanism than you might get further out of town.

If my life were different, I'd take my family back to live in Glasgow. It's great.

East Dunbartonshire is very nice, Milngavie, Bearsden and Lenzie all have good schools, and all very easy commutes into the town. Renfrewshire also has some really lovely villages, as was mentioned before, Houston and Bridge of Weir have good schools too. There isn't as much in the wa of good public transport through renfrewshire though, unless you are either on the main railway line. Or at least thats my experience of living in both!

I suspect East Dunbartonshire would be your quickest commute route anyway, as coming from Renfrewshire means going over the Kingston Bridge into town, which can add a good bit of time at rush hour.

If money was no object, I'd probably want to live in the Williamwood or mearns castle catchment areas, maybe in Eaglesham.

I live on the south sidecfurther out of Glasgow than these areas and driving in at rush hour takes less than half an hour.

Another vote for Glasgow west end. Very cosmopolitan, loads to do, beautiful tenements/ terraces, cafes, parks, museums,art galleries

Many tenements have communal back gardens where children play out together but if that is top of your list then the suburbs mentioned above may suit you better. Have friend in milngavie and it looks great.

jkklpu - I could have written your post! I grew up living outside Glasgow (Helensburgh) but went to Glasgow Uni and lived in the West End, and then bought a flat there when I got my first job. The West End is fab and has much to recommend it. Would also second East Dunbartonshire if you want to be further out. I too would love to move back to Glasgow with family but work means this will probably not happen. I visit friends 2/3 times a year instead!

Another vote for Glasgow's West End. Not many towns have areas that are both so pleasant and so near the city centre. Also has plenty to do and see for a smart 8 year old. Only problem, if you are thinking of buying, is that that flats get snapped up very quickly.

I can't really comment on areas outside Glasgow. There is some brilliant country not far away, but not sure if it is commutable on a day to day basis.

It almost sounds like you are mistaking Glasgow for a large city, it totally isn't! I'm in Newton Mearns, 25 mins train into city centre, 30 mins car to beach, more than just corner shops a walk away! You'll find in Glasgow that house prices generally indicate whether the schools nearby are any good, but it is not always the case. Certainly in East Ren our schools are pushed to perform well and do so. You could also choose to live somewhere and send your kids to private school, plenty of them about if you've got the money to spend. There are also loads of towns within 1 hour commute of Glasgow, going down the coast to Troon/Prestwick, train to city centre is still only 40 mins. Over towards Kilmacolm/Houston you'd need to drive but it's hardly a terrible one! Totally depends if you really want to live in the city or if you'd prefer a town/village.

Oh my, excellent information, though a lot to sift through. The truth is we dont know what we want. The area we live in now is very urban (Bayonne NJ), the last place we lived (Lachine, QC) was trendy and friendly. We are originally from California where we've lived everything from downtown San Francisco to rural valley towns that no one has heard of. Everything has something to be said for it but at the end of the day I want the best opportunities for my son to feel safe and flourish. Bearsden, Milngavie, etc keep coming up again and again and I am definitely going to take a look up there. Also I will look at Jordan Hill and East Renfrewshire. Lots to do. I dont know if any of you are familiar with California but I sort of equate Glasgow to Sacramento and London to San Francisco.

One more question. We will be wanting a full time live in nanny-housekeeper. My DH Is going to travel for a month at a time and if I am working also, I'll need the help. Would anyone know what the going rates are for live-ins? What areas are most likely to have a granny annex if any? I know a live in nanny / aupair in Ireland who makes around 450 pounds a month plus room and board. Does this sound super low/ just right?

this is an agency that friends have used and night be able to provide info on pay etc

If you want an annexe then the 'burbs will be better. Although many people in West End seem to use nannies.

Encore - rates depend on whether they are a qualified nanny or an au pair - the two are very, very different. What you quoted sounds like au pair rates - I suspect a live-in nanny would be double that tbh. Have a look at the childcare boards and ask there and I am sure you will get loads of explanations.