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).

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