Advice on move to Edinburgh or Glasgow

[PouletDePrintemps]

DH and I currently live outside the UK in a European city. We are planning to move back to the UK very soon.

We were planning on going to Edinburgh but we are now wondering if Glasgow might be better for us.

We are in our 40s with no kids. We love walking in the hills and would like easy access to the countryside. No great interest in night life such as nightclubs etc but enjoy eating out from time to time.

We are looking to rent initially, ideally 2 beds with preferred budget of no more than GBP1000 per month.
DH will be working from home (he can move with his job) but I would like to find work in book-keeping/office management type role but of course at this stage have no idea if that is a)possible or b)where that job would be so it is probably best we stay fairly central or near to good transport links.

One final thought that may have some bearing on where we should look is that we are English, though I am not sure if this matters as much as some of the press make out.

We are going to Scotland next week to check areas out and maybe even to find a flat to rent so I would really appreciate your input on where you would recommend for us.

West end

In general Glasgow is pretty awesome for parks.

If you're moving fast enough the midges won't get you

There are loads of facilities in Stirling and lots happening but agree that Bars are better in BofA. And I speak as someone from Edinburgh... As for SPorts facilities, there is a football team and rugby team, 2 swimming pools, 2 gyms plus other private ones (and another pool in the Stirling Highland and in the high schools - plus you can access the gym facilities in the high schools too), Running tracks, Mountain biking, Canoeing, Rowing Club, Curling/Ice skating, a basketball club, Tennis, squash, badminton etc Bowling (green and ten pin), shooting, Martial Arts, all the usual classes pilates/yoga etc. There's a cycling club, running club, even a knitting club, art and pottery classes, reading groups, folk music, drama, multi screen cinema plus art type cinema - loads more but just struggling to think

and you can drive from one side to the other in about 10 minutes so nothing is very far away.

I'd recommend Stirling as well - a few beautiful houses to rent in Kings Park many of which will have great views.. BofA is lovely with great restaurants and nice bars but not quite as good for public transport (although still doable for Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth). Much easier to commute to Glasgow than it is to Edinburgh (more frequent and faster trains, despite distance roughly the same).

I think for its size Stirling has quite a lot going on. Fabulous walks quite close at hand and Trossachs and Ochils on the doorstep. Some decent restaurants, cafes and bars and the Macrobert centre at the Uni and the Tolbooth have a variety of events.

It's also the best place in Scotland to start up a business www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-35159973

(where's the Asda going, Magnum? And you missed out the fencing club in the Beechwood Scout Hall and the local history club at the Smith!)

Ha ha Olly Bolly - the Asda is going over at Springkerse in the space past the car showrooms heading out towards Fallin. Yes and I also missed out on the Golf clubs too, at least 4 at close hand. Plus farmers market and farm shops and cafes - plenty to do and get involved in if you are interested enough.

I think there is Archery too, plus community councils to get involved in if that's your bag, there are people who do the flowers and baskets etc in BofA and Dunblane - not sure if Stirling itself has anything. There is the college too and they have their own restaurant run by the students, ut they also run evening classes in cake making, photography, wood work etc. Choirs. And now I really am struggling... :o

Triathalon club.

Have lived in - and love - both. But find the very, very dark overcast weather in Glasgow affected my health seriously. I prefer bright weather, even if it is cold so would go east coast personally

Glasgow. It's better for live music.

Another vote here for Stirling ☺ ^^for all the reasons listed above.

Thanks for all your ideas and input.

It seems that we have lots of great choices and have decided on Glasgow.

We will rent to begin with so if it doesn't work out we can have a closer look at Stirling.

This looks nice

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-39052314.html#&ui-state=dialog

I would go for a traditional tenement flat in the West End if you can, (gorgeous big rooms, big bay windows and high ceilings) Hyndland, Downhill, Broomhill type of areas, good shops nearby and very much a vibe going on down Byres Road. The Southside has lovely, more-for-your-money properties, but I think you would enjoy the best of Glasgow in the West End and you are on the correct side of the city for escaping to the hills :-)

ps - and I say that as an original southsider myself.

So does this :)
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-39142131.html#_full-description

Happy house hunting OP!

Actually that ones a basement so might be a bit dark - theres plenty right on Byres Road if you want to be amongst it all :)

Oooh that's bordering on finnieston - currently Hipsterville and home to some mighty fine restaurants.

I like that first place! Very nice.
Good luck with your move op

Here is a nice looking flat in the West End. Lots of nice places to eat and drink, close to subway and Kelvingrove Park. Walk into town too!
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-52729132.html

If you want green then Stirling or Edinburgh.

53 reasons to live in Edinburgh www.buzzfeed.com/hilarywardle/edinburgh-is-the-best#.lplYqoQ7x

The one they don't mention is get rich by going away during the festival and rent your home out.

We can have a glasgow meet up when you come

I would be up for that!

Those flats all look great. I especially like the first one though we are looking for unfurnished.

It seems that the rental market moves very quickly so we will have to see what is available when we visit next week. It may be that we need to take a holiday type short term rental and put our furniture in storage for the first month or so, then we can pounce on any great flats that come up.

Really excited now.

cdtaylornats Those 53 reasons are quite tempting. I wonder how old the list is though. As per No 3 on the list, I haven't see any apartments that look like that under GBP1000 per month let alone 700. We would be much more interested in Edinburgh if we had.

And a meet up sounds fun!