Living in Glasgow

Glasgow and the surrounding area is a diverse and multicultural place to live. 

You can live in Glasgow city itself, which is the biggest city in Scotland, where you can experience some of  the best shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment and leisure facilities that Scotland has to offer. 

Within easy reach of the city are towns and villages where you can enjoy a quieter pace of life and the beauty of Scotland’s beaches and countryside.

Housing

Glasgow Housing Association is one of the largest social housing landlords in Europe. There are other smaller housing associations which provide a range of housing options including shared ownership and adapted housing for those with special needs.

The type of housing varies from old Victorian tenement flats to modern high rise, from townhouses to cottages and bungalows.

Many people in Scotland buy their home and average house prices in the region are

  • Glasgow city £130,000
  • Kilmarnock £108,000
  • Pailsey £118,000
  • Greenock £130,000
  • Clydebank £105,000

How to find a property to buy or rent 

Education

There are many outstanding education establishments in Glasgow with a wide provision of primary and secondary schools, even in more remote areas, including

  • Private schools
  • Day schools
  • Dance school of Scotland (residential and day students)
  • Faith schools
  • Gaelic language schools

Further and higher education is well provided for in the region with colleges in as well as smaller learning centres elsewhere.  There a four universities in the Glasgow and surrounding areas

  • University of Glasgow
  • Strathclyde University
  • Caledonian University
  • University of the West of Scotland

Also in the region are

  • Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD)
  • Glasgow School of Art (GSA)

More on studying in Glasgow and Strathclyde 

Sport and leisure

Sport and leisure opportunities in the area are varied. Glasgow and surrounding areas of Scotland offers some of the finest sporting pursuits in the country including golf, boxing, cycling, fishing, football and many more. 

There are many leisure centres and facilities even in the smallest communities.

Glasgow will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Most of the main towns in the region have spacious indoor retail shopping. Glasgow has the famous Barrowland Market while others have 'farmers markets' selling fresh local produce. 

Children are well catered for with spacious parks and indoor entertainment centres. No matter what your age or interests you're sure to find something to enjoy in Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

Beyond the thrills of the city, Glasgow has miles of unspoilt beaches and countryside on its doorstep, providing the perfect escape for hard-working city-dwellers.

More on sport in Scotland 

More on leisure in Scotland 

Medical Services

As in the rest of Scotland, healthcare is available through the National Health Service (NHS).

The South of Scotland is a rich and colourful place to live. You can live in one of the main towns of Ayr, Dumfries or Peebles and experience a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment and amenities.

Within easy reach of these are many towns and villages where you can enjoy a quieter pace of life and the beauty of Scotland’s countryside. The beaches and coastline stretch for miles.

Housing

In all of the council areas in the South of Scotland there are a variety of options when looking for somewhere to stay. There is council provided housing along with a wide selection of flat, cottages, villas and townhouses to rent across the region.

Many people in Scotland buy their house and average house prices in the South region are

  • Ayr £127,000
  • Dumfries £162,000
  • Peebles £198,000

Education

There are many outstanding education establishments in the South region with a wide provision of primary and secondary schools, even in more remote areas.

Further and higher education is well provided for in the region with colleges in Ayrshire, the Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway as well as smaller learning centres elsewhere.

There are four universities within commuting distance of the South of Scotland

  • West of Scotland
  • Heriot Watt
  • Napier
  • Scottish Agricultural College

More on learning and studying in the South of Scotland  

Sport and leisure

Sport and leisure opportunities in the area are limitless. The South of Scotland offers some of the finest sporting pursuits in the country including

  • Golf
  • Kayaking
  • Windsurfing
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Walking and hiking 

The main towns in the region have outstanding retail shopping and there's lots of other leisure pursuits to keep people of all ages occupied.

From children's amusement parks, historic sites such as Culzean Castle, beaches, museums and galleries, there's something for everyone in the South of Scotland.

Medical services

As in the rest of Scotland, healthcare is available through the National Health Service (NHS). 

New arrivals to Scotland should contact the local doctor's surgery to register for healthcare