Greenock/ Port Glasgow

[Gakatsbsk]

As anyone trying to rent in Glasgow atm will know there is incredibly high demand. 6 months of viewings has yielded nothing. That’s across the city, southside and parts of Renfrewshire and SL/NL.

We have been forced to branch out. I am well aware of the deprivation and substance misuse in these areas and of all the semi derelict buildings in port glasgow but we do need somewhere to live.

PG and Greenock and both by the Clyde, scenic ish views across the water and very affordable.

We are sick of the big city grind and bustle. I already commute 20 minutes (shift worker so not as affected by traffic). An extra 2-10 minutes is fine.

So yeah I’m looking for an honest account of these areas, good and bad.

We both come from what would be seen as ‘shithole’ parts of England so we have no delusions of grandeur.

Thanks

Wouldn’t be my first choice tbh.

What kind of reviews are you looking for? Think you aren’t going to be overrun with local MNers telling you where to get your organic wasabi plants.

Really depends where you are. As you all ready know some areas are not the best and Greenock town centre is shite but with the retail area at the port and the bespoke shops and restaurants in Gourock its actually not bad. Reasonable transport links to Glasgow, one of the top council high schools in Scotland, thriving Rugby, cricket, football, rowing, sailing, athletics clubs and decent leisure centres. A large amount of decent green space, access to some amazing walking areas and two sand beaches within 20 mins drive. Can't deny its hughly deprived area and there is a drug problem but its not the worst place to live and bring up children

Yes Gourock is nicer. But again, further out. What about the other side of the river - Dumbarton, Helensburgh?

Agree, I’d be looking elsewhere. inverclyde is a really wierd wee area. Always feels massively remote to me but too tjen have the downsides of a big town.

Have you thought about north Ayrshire?

I’ve lived in Inverclyde all my life so my views may be skewed as I don’t know anything else but I like it. Most people who haven’t visited or have only visited a few times seem to have a terrible impression for some reason. My partner has recently moved down from Glasgow to live with me here and he enjoys it too. Like most places, there are good bits and bad bits and I guess it depends what your hobbies are etc as to whether there’ll be enough for you to fill your time but Glasgow is 30 mins away by car, slightly longer by train (of which there are 4 an hour). There’s lot of open space, nice walks/cycle routes, some good schools. Housing is affordable and there are lots of plans for regeneration in the area I believe. It’s ideal for commuting to Glasgow city centre too! If you’ve any specific questions then feel free to message me OP.

You mention areas south of the city centre - have you looked at Knightswood, Clydebank, Summerston, Maryhill etc in the northwest? Or North Glasgow?

My family moved away from Port Glasgow and would never go back. I did spend some time living there myself to. There has been a lot of regeneration done in recent years but it's still not a great area. I wouldn't live there though some of the outlying villages or Gorouck are nice.

@TheQueenOfTheNight we’ve tried all of those places we’ve applied for 785 flats across glasgow in the last six months and been rejected each time. Thanks though x

Thanks everyone

I wanted a wide range of views to see if it would be liveable.

I have a friend who lives in the area (who moved a few months ago). I’m going to visit her and get a feel for the area.

I have driven out once before and it was fine and only a couple extra minutes than my current commute.

I know a few people (all teachers with families) who live in Greenock and seem happy with it. I'm not sure of the exact parts of Greenock though.

@Fabuleuse thanks very much. I know from living and working in Glasgow that Greenock doesn’t have a great reputation but then glasgow doesn’t have a great reputation in other places.

Im astonished that you've applied for so many flats and not been successful. Good luck with the search !
My mum was very proud to be from Greenock even tho she lived in Glasgow longer !

Greenock is slightly better than Port Glasgow

Most of inverclyde is a shithole.

Definite no to the port.

I know a lot of people who live in the Greenock area. Inverkip seems a bit nicer than other areas.

Bit curious as to why you have missed out on 700+ flats though. That seems fairly unusual. Can you elaborate as to the reasons?

Christ don't move to the port.

Every town has deprived areas. The west end of Greenock is lovely.
Beautiful quarter/half villas for very reasonable prices. The esplanade is stunning with views across the river.
Don’t judge the town by the town centre.
Both Greenock and Gourock are a good base for Glasgow.

I have friends who are from the port and now live in Greenock. Lots of lovely Victorian houses and flats and close to the river and loads of big parks.
I’d say the drug problem is no worse than some of the Glasgow schemes and that’s from working knowledge.
Like everywhere else if you have a really low budget you’ll end up in a shit area whether that sEngland or Scotland.
I’d not be adverse to living there if circumstances were different, would prefer it over Knightswood or Summerston as at least oat near the water.
Views from Law hill are stunning and as others have said lots of good cafes.

Not the port!!!

It’s got to be Ayrshire surely OP!!

Thanks everyone. We are considering it but availability of housing is low.

We are limited in that it needs to have good public transport links as well.

Renfrew is already being considered and we have applied for a few. I dislike paisley for the roads. We have applied for a few in Johnstone/Linwood.

We have considered and been rejected from Yoker , drumchapel, Clydebank, Knightswood, Partick, Govan, Cessnock, Rutherglen, Mt Florida, Parkhead and Carntyne.

For work commute reasons we don’t want to go too far up towards Cumbernauld etc.

We weren’t keen on Motherwell or Hamilton. We are considering uddingston (been rejected a few times).

We have asked for feedback and had a few vague excuses and one very honest, that we are English and a mix professional:student which looks high risk

@Yayayaya20 we are considering it but wherever it is needs a train station. Applied for a few in Kilmarnock. Don’t want to go too far out.

Our budget is up to 1000 pcm rental. It is not our budget it is we are not attractive tenants and have been rejected hundreds of times

Although our budget does exclude us from some areas of course

A friend of mine stays in Greenock and is happy, though it wouldn't be my choice.
I get all the news from there as I live near, as the crow flies and my phone doesn't take account of the big river in the way!

Have lived in Greenock and Gourock. Wouldn't go to the Port. Gourick nicer than Greenock but there are some cracking Victorian conversions in the west end of Greenock.