Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest city with a population of over 622,000 people.
Famed for its shipbuilding past, it was named the second city of the British empire by Queen Victoria who was a regular visitor during her reign. It’s home to architectural gems like the City Chambers, which were built in the 1880s.
Glasgow is a modern, thriving city. It was named the first UNESCO city of music in the UK and has become a top fashion destination. There are more than 90 parks and green spaces across Glasgow, which sits on the UK’s eighth longest river, the River Clyde.
Is it worth living in Glasgow?
You can see why people are moving to Glasgow. It’s the heart of Scotland and offers the perfect blend of culture, heritage and modern living.
Known as the ‘friendly city’, Glasgow is also renowned for its stunning architecture. There are six squares in the city centre including George Square (named after King George III), which is adorned with Victorian buildings like the City Chambers.
There’s also the Royal Exchange Square – a historical landmark lined with bars and cafes. Today, the Royal Exchange is a shopping and dining centre set in a grand building, originally opened by Queen Elizabeth I in 1571 who gave it a royal title.
Glasgow is a top shopping destination with many high-street and luxury brands. The famous Buchanan Street is 1km long with cafes, pubs and restaurants, as well as live entertainment. It’s home to the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre, which includes brands like Radley, John Lewis and Monki.
Aside from shopping, locals and visitors alike flock to the Theatre Royal, which first opened in 1867 as a Royal Colosseum and Opera House. Today, it hosts shows like opera, ballet, comedy, dance and musicals.
The city’s trendy West End is home to popular bars and restaurants and is notable for its many architectural contributions from Charles Rennie Mackinntosh.
Glasgow has the second largest music economy after London, so you’ll find gigs and concerts across venues in the city. The Royal Concert Hall is the place to catch performances from Scotland's national orchestra, RSNO, as well as pop, jazz and rock acts.
There are music festivals throughout the year including the very popular Celtic Connections. Music fans can also enjoy the Southside Fringe Festival and International Jazz Festival. Famous stars from the city include Lewis Capaldi, Texas, The Marmalade and AC/DC’s guitarist, Angus Young.
Glasgow also has a rich sporting history. It is home to Rangers and Celtic football clubs, Glasgow Warriors rugby club, and is currently preparing to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Is Glasgow affordable?
This cost of living in Glasgow is 25% lower when compared with London. The average house price in Glasgow according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is £183,000, which compares favourably to other major cities like Manchester (£246,000) and Edinburgh (£294,000).
It’s a fast growing city and in 2023, was revealed as one of the two new investment zones in Scotland to receive £80m funding to drive growth.
Areas near Glasgow
The city centre is perfect for homeowners who enjoy modern living and a lively vibe. But there are also many desirable areas a short distance from the city centre.
Paisley
Paisley borders Glasgow and is Scotland’s biggest town. Miller Homes’ Thornly Park development in Paisley is just a short, 10-minute drive to Glasgow city centre. Aside from its excellent location, Paisley is a vibrant town in its own right and was shortlisted for the 2021 UK City of Culture award. The city’s profile has been boosted in recent years by the success of its most famous resident, Paolo Nutini.
Famous for its textiles heritage, Paisley was renowned in the 19th century for its shawl production with over 7,000 weavers working in the town’s textile mills. The ‘Paisley Pattern’ – which originated in Iran – became popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, and takes its name from the town.
Things to do:
- Paisley Abbey: A must-visit church, built in 1163 and known as the ‘cradle of the royal house of Stewart’ – the birthplace of King Richard II.
- Lagoon Leisure Centre: With swimming pools, classes, gym and sports activities.
- Paisley Thread Mill Museum: A collection of pictures, machinery and patterns from its textiles days, featuring the paisley pattern worn by Queen Victoria.
Clydebank
A bit further out from the city centre is Clydebank – a Scottish town that lies on the north bank of the River Clyde.
It became a ship building town in the 19th century, with the first Steam Boat Comet built in 1912. Ship builders went on to build famous ships like the Royal Yacht Britannia and transatlantic liner Queen Elizabeth II.
Clydebank was also the birthplace of the Singer sewing machine. Fun fact: The face of the Statue of Liberty in New York was modelled on Isabella Eugénie Boyer, who was the wife of Isaac Singer, the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company!
Things to do:
- Clydebank Museum and Art Gallery: Located next to the docks features fine art, model ships and Singer Sewing Machines.
- Clydebank Titan: A large crane (150 feet high) built in 1871, which has become a category A Listed historical attraction.
- Activities such as golf, go karting, cinema, leisure centre and library.
Miller Homes’ Millerpark development is based in Clydebank.
Cambuslang
You’ll find The Hedgerows development in Cambuslang – a new community that’s less 20-minutes’ drive from the city centre and close to stunning countryside. Cambuslang is the perfect town for people who love nature but want shops, cafes and services on their doorstep.
Things to do:
- Gilbertfield Castle: Once a 17th century castle but its ruins are a landmark today
- Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath: A popular walking and cycle route with scenic canals that have been classed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Green spaces include Cambuslang Park and Redlees Urban Park
Dumbarton
Situated on the banks of the River Clyde, Dumbarton offers the perfect balance of suburban charm within easy reach of Glasgow. Our Chapel Gardens development is just a 20 minute walk away from Dumbarton’s bustling high street, and a 20 minute drive from Glasgow city centre.
Things to do:
- The popular Denny Tank Museum offers a fascinating glimpse back into the glory days of the Clyde’s ship building industry.
- Dumbarton Castle sits on a volcanic rock above the River Clyde, and offers stunning views from the Tower Crag along with impressive examples of Georgian military architecture.
- Across the river, Levengrove Park features flower gardens, a children’s play area and crazy golf, making it the perfect spot for a family day out.
Life in Glasgow
From countryside views, to Victorian city centre buildings, you’ll never be short of showstopping scenery and adventure in Glasgow.
It’s rich in history and well loved by generations of royals. In fact, the first UK Prime Minister, Sir Henry Cambell Bannerman, was born in Glasgow.
It was also the first city in the world to give Nelson Mandela a ‘freedom of the city’ honour in 1981, which he accepted with a visit in 1993. In 2024, plans to erect a statue of him were approved and set to be located in Nelson Mandela Place, named after him in the 1980s.
Food and drink
There are hundreds of restaurants in Glasgow, which make it a foodie's dream, from popular chains, to independent establishments like the Hillhead Bookclub.
Notably, chicken tikka masala is said to have been invented in Glasgow by the South Asian community in the 1970s.
The Corinthian Club is also a popular restaurant, set in a building that dates back to 1752. It’s known for its grand aura with a 26-foot glass dome, cornicing and sculptural plasterwork.
Glasgow also has the second highest number of takeaways options in the UK.
Transport links
Glasgow has excellent transport links with subway, train and bus services. It even boasts the third oldest underground railway system in the world, which opened in 1896, and celebrated its 125th birthday in 2021.
Glasgow is a walkable city, especially the centre, but there are plenty of walking and cycling routes to get around the wider area too. It’s also well-connected by car. The M8 links it to Edinburgh and the M74 and M80 are other major motorways.
Glasgow Airport is a 30-minute drive from the city centre, and offers flights to top holiday destinations like Dubai, Turkey, Cancun, Amsterdam, London, Tenerife and more.
Education
Glasgow has plenty of good-quality schools for families to choose from. Jordanhill has been ranked number one out of Scotland’s top 10 schools and received The Sunday Times, School of the Year award, for three years in a row. It’s a primary and secondary school with excellent sports, art and music programmes.
There are a number of private schools, including Kelvinside Academy and St Aloysius’ College, and special educational needs (SEN) schools.
Glasgow has three universities including the University of Glasgow, which is a world top 100 university with a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. It has received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize six times.