Moving to Glasgow, but where? Location v house

[WestToEast]

We're selling our flat in Edinburgh and moving to Glasgow. I'm expecting our first child early next year, and DH works in Glasgow and has been commuting for too long. I can WFH half the week so far easier for me to commute when required.

I grew up in Glasgow in Cathcart. My parents are still there and I have other family with young kids/babies in surrounding areas. The problem is that everything in Battlefield/Shawlands etc seems to go for vastly over and we're struggling to compete. But equally, as that's where my support network is plus cafes, shops and all round very nice amenities, it's where I'd ideally like to be when moving back to a city I've not lived in since I left school and DH has never lived in (only worked) - particularly new parents.

We've seen a house in Mosspark that looks good but I'm worried I'll feel isolated. I realise there's Bellahouston Park etc but it also feels extremely residential and none of the nice cafes etc that I'm used to (have always lived close to the city centre in Edinburgh so have been spoiled by that). I don't mind a short walk to places but there has to be places to walk to, if that makes sense.

Coupled with the fact that DH doesn't drive (he started learning but COVID got in the way) so has to cycle to work (near Glasgow Green), so we can't be too far out.

Does anyone have any suggestions of other areas we could look at? Or advice on whether as a first time parent the house or the area is more important? If do we manage to secure something in our preferred areas it'll likely be a 2 bed flat, which we will outgrow in a couple of years. Annoying but just what we'll have to put up with. We've considered Rutherglen too but again stuff is either going for a lot, or the properties haven't been right.

TIA

I don't know Glasgow so can't help on locations front OP, but I think that you are underestimating how difficult it might be commuting even half the week to Edinburgh with a young baby. I know your DH might be very hands on and you might have a good support network that isn't time critical but if you get stuck in delays you might not see your child before they are in bed and that will be psychologically tough for most. If your DH is left to pick up from a nursery on a bike that might be difficult especially in the winter when it's cold, wet and dark.

I think you'd need to be near family for flexible childcare as your mornings will be stressful trying to get yourself out to work with a long commute, DH getting himself out and you both also trying to get a baby ready to go to childcare. Baby might be better sleeping over at whoever looks after them and that might mean your own house could be further away? (but again you might also really miss not seeing them) Fine until they start nursery/school, might be awkward after that though.

Lots of stuff to think about OP, i don't know what the answer is.

You haven't mentioned your budget OP but if you're looking for a house what about stamperland area in clarkston, the cathcart side of simshill or King's Park? All these are not too far from a train station

Elephant, we'll be doing shared leave for the first while so he'll be off for a while. He also works shifts that mean he would either be around for drop-off or pick-up so we'd manage that way. The longer term plan is for me to find a job in Glasgow, my job is easily transferable industry wise but obviously I can't change just now. His shifts have made commuting for the last couple of years really tricky, hence the move (and to be closer to my family). I appreciate the concern though!

Traintraveller, we've considered Stamperland but it's just too far a cycle. Plus I'm assuming the better schools mean the houses go for more? We did offer on somewhere in Simshill recently but the owners wanted more than we were prepared to pay for it. We're looking for a mortgage valuation around £160-200k (could afford more but don't want to land ourselves with bigger repayments immediately before mat leave). We have a decent amount to offer over, but frequently owners are either expecting £20k+ as standard, or properties go to a closing date and end up going for £30-40k+ over. Whilst we could technically afford to offer somewhere in that region for the absolute perfect property, I'm really reluctant to as we have other expenses to consider.

And should have said, Elephant I also appreciate the advice to be closer to family.

I think you need to be thinking about schools and working back from there. Glasgow schools are much fuller than they used to be, so placing requests aren't always successful. I know it seems a long way away right now, but it flies so quickly and once you've established a network and your child has friends, it will be a thought to move.

Can you let DH not use public transport - train or underground and walk? The West End is closest to what you're looking for ( cafes etc). The Gaelic school would be a good option school wise.

*Can your DH

Alas his early shift starts too early for most public transport. There might be some options though. One of the reasons Rutherglen is a possibility is because the 18 bus starts just early enough.

Thanks though!

The Gaelic schools are full so I'd not be putting any eggs in that basket.

What about Kings Park, Mount Florida or Croftfoot location wise? They're a bit further out but the same neck of the woods.

Both would be ideal. KP is increasingly expensive, in a people are offering waaaay over sense, but MF might be an option. Thanks!

Everything is monstrously expensive just now. Where I am the houses are selling in under a week and going for way over asking price. It’s just the market now I suppose.

It's really difficult, house prices are crazy just now! Would it be worth maybe looking at new lands? There's lots of newer houses round the old Scottish power building that look pretty decent, maybe not your forever home but handy for what you want and great transport links! Mount Florida is great too for cafes etc. Cathcart is lovely the prices are high there too. The west end would be ideal but probably a bit out of budget to be fair - we look there a lot as my husband works in the west end but it's just out of reach. Strathbungo maybe? Some nice properties to be had there I think although probably wouldn't want to be too close to Queen's Park!

6 Wardlaw Avenue, Rutherglen, G73 3EL
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114143009

This looks a nice place

There are some nice flats around Glasgow green, I'd say stay close to there since you plan to move before you have to take into account school catchments. You can easily get a bus/ doable walk south from there. Or the new Gorbals?

I think as first time parents you need to think about what you're going to be doing in the next few years. In my experience, it'll be less about popping out to a trendy cafe and more about baby groups, nurseries, primary schools and meeting other people with children.

I think you need to focus on good schools & family area. How about Giffnock?

It is near to your support network, there's a train station and a few cafes & bars & restaurants. And only 30 minutes by bike to Glasgow Green.

This flat looks a bargain - 3 beds & in a great catchment area:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113511110#/?channel=RES_BUY

What's wrong with Queen's Park @mrstea301 ? I live in that area and, aside from occasionally not being able to move without tripping over a dog, it's a nice park.

Is a 30 minute cycle really feasible? On a day like today it would be miserable.

I think you would be best renting somewhere centralish at the moment. That means a direct bus or train link for your DH and you can easily catch the fast Edinburgh train from Queen Street.

Dennistoun/ Alexandra Parade would be ideal imo. Walkable to GG and near QS, plenty of shops, cafes and baby groups.

@thedevilinablackdress

What's wrong with Queen's Park *@mrstea301* ? I live in that area and, aside from occasionally not being able to move without tripping over a dog, it's a nice park.

The actual park is nice during the day, I love it! But I wouldn't spend much time around there at night, there aren't enough lights and it's just a bit too quiet and dark, too many nooks and crannies really. A few of my friends have had personal experiences of being following / harassed in the park as well. Whenever we have moved house, one of my factors has always been how comfortable I would be coming home on my own at night, and around that area, I personally wouldn't be comfortable. People may feel differently and it's nothing against the area, but just for me personally, I wouldn't be comfortable on my own there at night.

Can't your DH get a job in Edinburgh. But renting is a good idea then you will get a better idea if it would suit you. But if house prices are still rising it's a risk.

Sorry to hear people you know have had bad experiences @mrstea301

I see your support group is in Glasgow. So that sounds better.

Perhaps flat near Merrylee primary might be good? Close to langside train station/bus route into town plus possible to cycle?

My family live in Cathcart - it’s a great area. I know that my cousin bought in Simshill when he couldn’t afford Old Cathcart and he was really happy there. Some good solid properties for sale there - www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113660933?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY