To live in Glasgow or Edinburgh?

To live in Glasgow or Edinburgh?

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SpunkyGlory

Original Poster:

2,321 posts

164 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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I'm after some first-hand advice from people who live or have lived in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

I shall shortly be moving to Scotland with work and have the option to live in either of these cities. The commute is not a concern as I shall only be in the office in Glasgow one day a week, the rest of the time will be split between the two cities.

I'm 25, single and don't know a single person in either city at the moment so would therefore like a city that offers me the opportunity to meet similar people to myself, as there won't really be the option through work. I love music (dance/house music/raves etc), mountain biking, sports (would probably try and start playing rugby again). I've spent the last 3 years living in Essex but spend most of my time in London and love the buzz of the city.

From what I've seen, heard and read so far:
- Edinburgh is the more attractive city
- Edinburgh is leagues ahead in terms of culture but art galleries etc are not really my scene
- Glasgow has the better night-life/shopping
- Edinburgh has a lot more tourists
- In terms of property, money seems to go further in Glasgow

Now I know both cities are university cities and so neither will be short of young people. At the moment I think I'm leaning towards Glasgow but I'd be keen to hear opinions as I won't really have the chance to experience either city for more than a day or two before I have to commit.

Admittedly it's slightly daunting moving to a new city and starting again, but I'm looking forward to a fresh start and a new challenge.

Halmyre

11,147 posts

138 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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I think you'd definitely prefer Glasgow.

GreigM

6,726 posts

248 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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Glasgow is the PHers choice. Putting all else aside the west has superior roads.

SpunkyGlory

Original Poster:

2,321 posts

164 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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I'm quite familiar with the West and the roads, albeit not Glasgow itself, as my grandparents live in Applecross.

andy_s

19,397 posts

258 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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The weege by the sounds of it.

AMG01

420 posts

141 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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Halmyre said:
I think you'd definitely prefer Glasgow.
Would agree with this, have friends in Edinburgh and they prefer Glasgow for all the things you like.

Bushman1

197 posts

123 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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If you decide on Glasgow give me a shout and I'll tell you areas to live and avoid. West end is the preferred choice it's good for nightlife etc south side is similar and generally cheaper but post code dependent. Both have easy access to motorway and M77

BillyWhizz888

899 posts

152 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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Glasgow cheaper

Chunkymonkey71

13,015 posts

197 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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Edinburgh is leagues ahead in terms of culture?

Are you high?

stevensdrs

3,208 posts

199 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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If you are generous of heart live in Glasgow.
If you are a tight fisted bd then live in Edinburgh.

Stereotypes, but none the less true. smile

SpunkyGlory

Original Poster:

2,321 posts

164 months

Monday 18th May 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies, looks like Glasgow is the best place for me.

Chunkymonkey71 said:
Edinburgh is leagues ahead in terms of culture?

Are you high?
That's only what I've heard or read, is it not true? Presume people are basing that on that little castle up there.

crazycarguy6969

82 posts

106 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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Glesga aw the way mate Edinburgh is full of snobs and Glesga girls are dirtyer

Hobojim

134 posts

126 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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I have lived in Glasgow for a about 2 years now. I love it (so much i bought a flat). Had to choose between West and East coast too and I'm very satisfied with my decision.

Glasgow is a lot easier to get places from than Edinburgh I have found. I like bagging Munros and MTBing also. I have friends that live in Edinburgh and they always have to leave earlier than me to get places even though they are geographically closer to Edinburgh. The M8 gets you in and out of Glasgow nice and quickly! You can get over to Edinburgh so easily on the train, if there is something you want to see or do there its not a problem.

House prices/rent. Glasgow is significantly cheaper, especially in the up and coming parts of the south side. If you are looking to buy Shawlands etc are a good place for your money. The West End north of the river is really nice, hence more expensive, but still cheaper than the nice bits of Edinburgh.

In Glasgow the low level trains are really good for getting you in and out of town. I rarely drive into town, but when I do there are some big car parks you can always get a space in and rates are reasonable. (Some free or 1 pound on Sundays)

Loads going on on the music and arts scene. Tons of places to eat and drink, I mean loads!

In summary. Don't live in Edinburgh, just visit.

gwm

2,390 posts

143 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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SpunkyGlory said:
I love music (dance/house music/raves etc), mountain biking, sports (would probably try and start playing rugby again). I've spent the last 3 years living in Essex but spend most of my time in London and love the buzz of the city.
Agree that you would probably prefer Glasgow, and I'm from the East Coast and wouldn't live there myself! But you'll find a healthy dose of east-west coast rivalry so take any opinion with a pinch of salt, mine included!

For an outsiders perspective, you can always look on TripAdvisor and see how many things there are to do in each city and how they sound to you.

DUMBO100

1,878 posts

183 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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Edinburgh is great for a visit but I think that you'll prefer to live in Glasgow, there's only an hour between them so you'll see plenty of both. I'm in Glasgow, let me know if you have any questions

jith

2,752 posts

214 months

Monday 18th May 2015
quotequote all
SpunkyGlory said:
I'm after some first-hand advice from people who live or have lived in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

I shall shortly be moving to Scotland with work and have the option to live in either of these cities. The commute is not a concern as I shall only be in the office in Glasgow one day a week, the rest of the time will be split between the two cities.

I'm 25, single and don't know a single person in either city at the moment so would therefore like a city that offers me the opportunity to meet similar people to myself, as there won't really be the option through work. I love music (dance/house music/raves etc), mountain biking, sports (would probably try and start playing rugby again). I've spent the last 3 years living in Essex but spend most of my time in London and love the buzz of the city.

From what I've seen, heard and read so far:
- Edinburgh is the more attractive city
- Edinburgh is leagues ahead in terms of culture but art galleries etc are not really my scene
- Glasgow has the better night-life/shopping
- Edinburgh has a lot more tourists
- In terms of property, money seems to go further in Glasgow

Now I know both cities are university cities and so neither will be short of young people. At the moment I think I'm leaning towards Glasgow but I'd be keen to hear opinions as I won't really have the chance to experience either city for more than a day or two before I have to commit.

Admittedly it's slightly daunting moving to a new city and starting again, but I'm looking forward to a fresh start and a new challenge.
Spunky, can I just take you to task about the culture bit.

In Glasgow you will find the Royal Concert Hall. This is a world class venue, unsurpassed by anything you will find anywhere. This is complemented by the Armadillo and the Hydro, (although I find the latter dreadful). All host the finest acts in the world.

Kelvingrove museum is absolutely superb by any standards complete with a WW2 Spitfire hanging from the ceiling! It also has an excellent restaurant. Then there is the Riverside Museum and the Tall Ship. Just down from this is the highly advanced Glasgow Science Museum.

There is no other city in the world, with the possible exception of Paris, where you can eat better than Glasgow; and it matters not what kind of food you like: Glasgow has it all. On top of this you have the numerous smaller venues like King Tuts hosting live bands.

We don't have tramcars any longer, but we do have a superb underground system that is the most cost effective way to travel imaginable.

A degree from Glasgow University is still considered worldwide as the one to pass, and the University itself is magnificent.

Sorry, but you can keep Edinburgh and it's utterly horrendous traffic problems. It has to be the most badly managed, grossly overpriced city in Britain.

J

SpunkyGlory

Original Poster:

2,321 posts

164 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
quotequote all
Bushman1 said:
If you decide on Glasgow give me a shout and I'll tell you areas to live and avoid. West end is the preferred choice it's good for nightlife etc south side is similar and generally cheaper but post code dependent. Both have easy access to motorway and M77
Thanks, I'll take you up on this closer to the time.

jith - No offence intended, it was purely what I had read on various forums etc. You've certainly helped to sell Glasgow even more.

Just need to find a rugby club to join now - any recommendations? biggrin

Andrew[MG]

3,322 posts

197 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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SpunkyGlory said:
Just need to find a rugby club to join now - any recommendations? biggrin
Depends how good you are and whether you go with the Southside or West End.

Who are you coming up to work for?

SpunkyGlory

Original Poster:

2,321 posts

164 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
quotequote all
Andrew[MG] said:
Depends how good you are and whether you go with the Southside or West End.

Who are you coming up to work for?
Used to be okay, haven't played in about 6 years now so not expecting to be great to begin with! Will probably be looking at West End, someone has mentioned Glasgow Accies as being worth a look?

malks222

1,851 posts

138 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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i used to live in central scotland family west coast based (so knew glasgow better and would always go to glasgow for nights out, food, shopping..) and now living in edinburgh city centre.

I would say it really depends on your budget for rent (or buying) level of disposable income, hobbies etc....

now i'm living in edinburgh, I much prefer the night life here, but can see that glasgow is a bit easier for going out. all the night life is fairly concentrated: sauchiehall street for cheap student type fun, merchant city, soutside, west end (byres road/ ashton lane) now finnieston etc....

but edinburgh has: george street, stockbridge, leith/the shore, grass market, morningside.

i would say if you have the time get up here for a weekend in each city and see which one you like the most. you'll have a blast living in either city, but reckon edinburgh would cost you more.