Relocation to Glasgow(ish)

[mayoli]

I've been asked by my gran to post this!

My gran currently lives in Wales and is still well but her health is starting to deteriorate somewhat. She is currently the only family member still in Wales, her DS (my uncle) is in Australia and the rest of us are up in Glasgow. She's starting to worry about not being mobile enough to move in future years so she's thinking about moving up near Glasgow soon. And then I told her I'm planning to have a child soon which has swayed her more- fair enough!

She's asked me where she should live. I've always lived in working-class inner city areas in Glasgow so I have no idea where would be good for her as although I've travelled a lot, I haven't spent any time in towns just outside Glasgow. Her requirements are: somewhere just outside Glasgow, so a town, but near enough to get in in half an hour by train or fifteen minutes by car. Somewhere that has lots of groups for elderly folk; at the moment she does singing, tai chi, art and pottery on a weekly basis and would like to find similar things to do up here. She'd also like to be somewhere that has volunteering opportunities, think Citizens Advice Bureau. She hasn't really given me a budget but I know she'd need at least a two-bed house with the amount of stuff she has. Currently she lives in a three-bed and has one of the bedrooms converted into a study which works well for her. Somewhere that has a lot of bungalows would be a plus as she thinks she's not going to manage stairs soon.

Anyone got any recommendations of towns near Glasgow that match up to what she's looking for? Thanks! I've also posted this on Scotsnet but posting here for traffic too.

Lenzie?
Milngavie?

Ooooh thanks @weebarra, I'll check rightmove. Do you know much about those areas, are they busy/do they have a lot going on?

Try looking at Newton Mearns, Giffnock, Clarkston. Local U3A will have a huge variety of groups and activities.

Good shout, thanks @Fading! Will take a look.

Lenzie Bearsden or Milngavie all have good community activities and lots of older residents. Trains direct to Glasgow and easy drive. Personally i wouldn't go southside for an older person as public transport is not as good

Milngavie ir Bearsden will have more happening than lenzie. Westerton is good and has a direct train that takes 25 minutes.

Troon but it's slightly further out. Not much though.

Bearsden is pretty expensive isn't it? Oooohhh Troon might be too far out but I'll mention it to her!

Troon is nice, as are Lochwinnoch, Bridge of Weir and Houston.

Helensburgh would fit the bill I think or Milton of Campsie.?

I wouldn't go for a bungalow. I would look for a modern flat( better insulation, easier to heat) with lift access.

Helensburgh! Yes! Will have a look at Houston and Milton of Campsie as well. Had a look at Lochwinnoch already, so pretty but looks quite small... is there much going on there?
She would never live in a flat- hasn't lived in one since she was in her twenties and likes having her own private garden. Have mentioned the idea of living in one to her and she said it's like living in a box

Houston is great direct bus to Braehead Shopping Centre or Glasgow. Only half an hour from the coast. Quite a lot of groups etc in Houston and the surrounding towns/villages if that's the kind of thing she wants. There's several bungalows for sale at the moment

Direct buses/trains are always a plus! She does drive but doesn't like driving into cities- who does to be honest, especially Glasgow!

There's an over 50s estate in Stepps - Red Deer I think, all bungalow type homes & it's very close to cardowan train station. It's about 5/10 mins away from Glasgow centre. Its beside another large estate currently being built, Frankfield Loch, (Taylor wimpy) with 2/3/4 bedroom homes. There's a Bannatyne gym not far I think has a few classes etc. & you aren't far from lots to do in city centre.

Lochwinnoch has an annual Arts festival (I know, because my choir has been asked to go and sing there in 2019), a church, a knitting group (which I go to, and is very friendly indeed) and I think it has a branch of the SWRI - and if not, there are branches locally. I have friends who live there, and it seems like a very vibrant community.

Not sure she'd take to Stepps to be honest, or an over 50's estate! But it is near a big park isn't it?
Oooohhhhh, I'm definetely going to look into Lochwinnoch more then. Forgot that she's actively involved in a choir so if there's one there too then that's a plus. Thanks!

The choir is in Kilbarchan, but it is an easy drive over. Happy to give more details if you want them.