Advice on move to Edinburgh or Glasgow

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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.

Yay! West is best! Sounds like you had a great trip. Glasgow is a fantastic, vibrant, friendly, city - good choice!!

Please feel free to keep us updated and we can live vicariously through your flat-hunting!

So excited I posted twice

Sounds a good idea getting a short term let so that you are then in situ which will make it easier to find the "right" flat.

I'm away w/c 20th Feb (just beeoked a week's skiing ) but when I get back, I'd be happy to meet you for coffee.

Wahey! So pleased you had a great time!

Thanks prettybird. Have a lovely time ski-ing in the meantime.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-39636678.html

Just within your budget , 2 beds, very nice area in the west end

That is very nice Kr1stina. Ideal in fact.

But we really want unfurnished as I don't want to pay to store all our stuff for months. I am not sure how keen landlords would be to clear their stuff out when every property is in such demand.

Apparently there is less unfurnished available but there is also less demand for it as students don't want it.

Could you manage a wee bit over budget?
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-47306338.html

I've seen an increasing amount of unfurnished properties coming on for rental as unfurnished. I think this is due to the forthcoming taxation changes for LL which are due to be implemented in the next tax year.

If you're flat-hunting in the West End, OP, please be sure to ask about students in neighbouring flats, as the university is in the west end.

Personally, I would be limiting my viewings to flats which are in smaller buildings rather than larger ie 6-8 flats per block. Whilst tenement flats are lovely, communal living can be challenging with noise, residents not paying up for repairs, smoking in the close etc. You can ask the agents about the other residents, although they may not know.

A little over budge, unfurnished, nice big rooms

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-56995385.html

A little over budget again, purpose built flat . Doesn't look like student digs !

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-52784662.html

That flat is amazing ItsAllGoing. It seems huge.

That's interesting Savingnon. One of my main concerns about the West End is being surrounded by students. (Nothing against students in genreral btw). Are the smaller buildings less likely to be let to students or just generally quiter?

I love the first flat Kristina but I wouldn't turn down the 2nd one either

I think it's important we get something quite nice because DH will be working from home and it's grim to be stuck in a poky room staring at a brick wall or something all day. Perhaps we will need to stretch the budget a bit.

I agree, I wouldn't like to be next to students either, despite having been one for many years .

I did notice on right move that ads for some flats mentioned " no students " , although they did look a lot like student flats to me .

I live in the same building as students in the west end and they are a bit of a PITA.

Don't rent a flat above or below a student flat. It's a nightmare. If only parents knew what their little darlings get up to at university

However sound proofing in the old tenements is ok if you have students across from you. You do hear people coming up the stair but you do get used to that.

Hillhead is very studenty but other areas such as hyndland, Kirklee, cleveden and bits of north kelvin side are more settled and quieter. I love the West End. And so do my children.

Oh and look in at the Western Baths Club - it's a fabulous Victorian swimming baths, sauna and gym. You can get membership and it's very handy and very clean.

And Wilton street - the first flat linked to by Kristina is very popular- good location, quiet and those windows are south facing so sun floods in. Worth a look.

Agreed Wilton St is lovely! My bil & sil lived there.

There is a Scottish LL register & I think you could find out if flats in a block are HMO-licensed/rented out.

Flats in Hyndland, Broomhill, Cleveden, are less likely to have students. Upper/lower conversions of houses/townhouses ditto. There are usually only 3-4 owners in these blocks & much less likely to have students, as they will be more expensive.

But the Southside you're much less likely to come across students, plus it's cheaper & more compact.

I wouldnt rule out Hillhead. It's increasingly popular with families - probably part due to school catchments and the council is reducing the number of hmo flats.

Just a quick update to say that our plans have been delayed by a few weeks.

We hope to be in Glasgow flat hunting by the end of March/beginning of April so I will be back for more advice and thoughts on what is on offer then.

Thanks for your help so far.

We are planning to visit Glasgow fairly regularly (about once a month for long weekends and as a base for travelling) and thinking of buying a small flat of one or two bedrooms. I've seen some for about £50000 on Zoopla. Is that price too good to be true?

Hi - you probably can get some for that price but not in the West End. You also need to check if it is "offers over" as the actual value of the flat might be lot higher. You should ask to see the home report which will give you a valuation. Flats in good areas will go for above home report value.

Sorry everybody, I thought I'd started new thread. I didn't mean to highjack this one. I'll start another one of my own.

Thanks for your thoughts ditherydora