We're in Bearsden - very happy here, have been here about 15 years. In terms of amenities - brand new sports centre with pool just opened at the Allander, new PureGym opening soon, tennis clubs (two), dry ski slope. Lots of football, rugby, other sports clubs for sporting children. Scouts, Guides and Boys/Girls Brigade all thriving, dance clubs, drama clubs etc etc etc. Lots of coffee shops at Bearsden Cross, more in Milngavie which is just a mile or so up the road, restaurants come and go as I think hospitality in general is really struggling at the moment but there are a couple of good Indians at the cross plus the excellent Mother India deli, a new tapas restaurant just opened last weekend, Italian, pubs. Shops there is Waitrose, Asda, Aldi, Tesco in Milngavie, M&S foods. Independent butcher/greengrocer, gift shops etc. Home Bargains, Majestic Wine etc.
From here you are 25 minutes into town, 25 minutes to Loch Lomond. Places like Giffnock or Newton Mearns have a very similar vibe/feel to them with similar styles of housing so agree with others that one is not better than the other, it's just what suits you best. I would always tell anyone thinking of making a move to get up here and spend some time mooching around, spend at least a couple of days in each place in and out of the shops, looking around the streets to get a feel for what suits you best.
One thing to be aware of though is the pressure on school places, you really have to plan to buy in catchment for the schools you want as placing requests are becoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible in some cases.