What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Glasgow

Relocating to Glasgow

About Glasgow

Glasgow is located in West Central Scotland, and is the largest city in Scotland and the third largest in the United Kingdom. It was one of the first European cities to reach a population of one million, today overtaking Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, with an estimated population of over 500,000 (known colloquially as Glaswegians), who make up a tenth of Scotland’s total inhabitants.

Located on the banks of the River Clyde, Glasgow was originally part of the Lanarkshire region of Scotland and some older maps may still mark it as such. Since 1996, Glasgow has been part of the Strathclyde region.

Finding Accommodation in Glasgow

The city of Glasgow is divided into distinct regions; the city center, the east end, the west end, the south side, and north Glasgow. Glasgow is an area of stark contrasts and whilst this means there are a multitude of options to choose from, it also means there are some areas that remain quite socially deprived and cannot offer the same level of comfort and safety as others.

If you are looking for city center living, there are several developments throughout Glasgow city, from the Merchant City’s converted warehouse apartments, to the Riverside area, which is rapidly becoming one of the most desirable places to live in Scotland.

Glasgow is home to a large student population, so there are lots of affordable apartments and shared accommodation opportunities in the center itself; rental prices can range anywhere from 500 GPB to 3,000 GBP per month, depending on size, location, and luxury.

If you are looking for more of a suburban or rural property, there are several areas that offer reasonable prices within half an hour of the city, including East Kilbride and Dunbartonshire. The north and north-west of the city offer a variety of suburban housing developments, with some rural areas dispersed throughout, and is reputed to have good schools and facilities. The East End has possibly the lowest affluence in the area, and crime rates tend to be higher here than in other areas of Glasgow.

The climate in Glasgow

Glasgow is referred to as having an oceanic climate, meaning it has cool summers and cool winters. However, due to the city’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Glasgow does provide a milder climate than some areas of Scotland, with temperatures usually warmer due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. Temperatures in Glasgow average between 2°C and 20°C, with temperature extremes recorded ranging from -15°C to 31°C.

Spring is usually mild but pleasant, with summer weather proving quite variable; ranging from long dry spells and high temperatures to cool with the occasional sunny day. The warmest month is usually July, but generally the weather is quite unsettled with only occasional heat waves.

Winters are overcast and cool, with temperatures sometimes falling below freezing. Snowfall is infrequent and short lived, although, as you can see from the temperature extremes above, Glasgow has suffered some harsher winters in the past.