Sell me on Scotland?

Hi there. I hope this is the right place to post this question, I haven't been on UKY since my move over 4 years ago. My husband and I moved to the UK to be nearer to his family so that our children would have a great extended family. We've spent the last 4 years in the Southeast, having our children and spending a great time settling into family life.

He's just found out that he has a chance to transfer to another branch of his company near Glasgow. I'm not sure how I feel about it. He's ready for the change in terms of work, VERY ready. To be honest, I feel cheated. I 'gave up' my career to move to the UK so that our children would be near to their extended family. . . now he wants to move somewhere completely new now that I'm finally settled in. (It took me a l-o-n-g time to get happily accustomed to my surroundings.)

I think that I'd like Glasgow if we were a couple on our own but I worry about leaving the only family we've got. I know nothing of Scotland or how comfortable we'd be there. Is it a friendly place? Good for kids? I seriously know nothing about the place.

We never expected to get this transfer, my husband was just testing the water to see if a promotion was in the cards. I'm so proud of him, just having cold feet over the thought of moving again.

Thanks for reading if you managed to get through all of that drivel.

Any thought on the Glasgow area/North Ayrshire postive, negative, neutral would be much appreciated. I want to be able to have a cogent conversation with him that is based on more than my fears.

thanks again.

Come and have a visit and see what you think.

That's the best way to get a feel for it and if you think you'll like it.

I have to admit, though, as the mother of young children, to have a lot of extended family around and have gotten used to that and then not having it would suck.  I'm used to it because I never had it.

But to have it and lose it wouldn't feel very good.

I lived in Glasgow for 10 years, and still visit frequently... it's fab!
However, I don't have children, so don't know what it would be like from that angle.  I reckon if you could afford to live in the West End or another nice part of town, it'd be fine!

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/

Glasgow is a great city but has it's rough spots. I personally think Stirling would be a nicer place to live, about 30 miles away from Glasgow. But I think Expat is right you ideally need to see for yourself before deciding. 

Honestly, I think the people in Glasgow are TOO friendly.  Some people just adore that aspect of it but I don't always enjoy complete strangers sparking up conversations with me.  Not good for anti socials like me.   

I second the Stirling recommendation, it's quieter and prettier and Glasgow is easily accessible. 

We just moved from Edinburgh to Glasgow.  DH is the american and he actually prefers Glasgow, mainly because of the people.  EVERY time we've been out - including the supermarket - we've been involved in some kind of extended conversation with people, all good.  They are passionate about their city and very welcoming.

In saying that, there are rough (very rough) pockets of Glasgow so you really need to be careful about the area.

The weather - if it matters - can be a bit of a pain.  Before I moved, I had the same umberella for 5 years.  Since moving I'm now on my 6th (it can get very windy here).

Glasgow is also very green, loads of parks, recreational areas, golf courses.  Something which surprised me to be honest.

I lived in Glasgow nearly 20 years ago too and had a brilliant social life, the nightlife is superb.  Being a bit older this time round, I'm appreciating things like great shopping, plenty of restaurants, good public transport and roads (much easier to get around this city than Edinburgh).

I don't have children, so don't really have any advice in that area.

Stirling as a recommendation is great, but there's also really pretty villages and towns around the outskirts of Glasgow.  We're in Bishopbriggs (strictly speaking outside glasgow but only a 10 minute drive to the city centre) which is lovely.  Kirkintilloch, Lenzie and Torrance are all close by and seem nice (though I've only ever passed through or stopped for petrol).

It really is worth a visit to explore areas in and around Glasgow.  But as an Edinburgh girl I am sold on Glasgow which is quite a feat!

Good luck with your decision.

Well, I'm really jealous of your chance to live in Scotland.  We lived in Glasgow for seven years, and Scotland is definitely my favorite place in the UK.  I would love to go back. Glasgow has great shopping and nightlife, as others have already mentioned.  And it is close to some fantastic scenery. The water in Glasgow is excellent.  We even saw the northern lights when we were living there.

Another couple of recommendations of really nice areas to live are Bearsden and Milngavie, both on the northern edge of the city.

Thank you all so much! I'm sure a visit would be the true test, now its just getting DH's company to go for it. We'd likely be going to North Ayrshire, so not 'properly' Glasgow, but all of your words are very encouraging.

I've grown attached to Kent and I don't know how I'd handle moving in the winter w/my 1st daughter being 2.5 and the twins being 1. . . think I'd go stir crazy trying to entertain them til better weather arrived.

I will look into all of your suggestions, its nice to know its such a welcoming and friendly place. If everyone is as chatty as you suggest, I'm sure a visit would secure the move for me. TBH, you all made Scotland sound a bit magical. 

Where in Kent are you Magna? We moved up here from Canterbury Dec 2006.

We're in Hythe, just between Ashford & Folkestone. We nearly had to do our NCT classes in Canterbury as it was the only class w/spaces available. Small world!

Oh yeah I know where that is, although never went to Hythe itself.  You'll find quite a difference from the Kentish way of life up here!!

Britwife- How's that?  Could you offer up some specifics? It would be great to have a direct comparison from someone who's lived both areas (so literally too!  ). Thanks!

I'll send you a PM - don't want ot offend anyone at either end of the country with any of my observations! 

north Ayrshire is lovely, it's green and pretty and Glasgow is defiantely my favourite city in the UK. Ok, I'm biased because I haven't lived elsewhere but everyone is friendly, and for me that's what makes it. Like people said, there are rough areas, but I think most cities in the UK have their rough areas...and most places in Ayrshire aren't too bad I think the value of stuff in Scotland is good, the Scottish humour took me a while to adjust to, but I don't think I could ever live anywhere but Glasgow That being said, the weather is completly unpredictable and people talk about it a lot (so you always have a conversation starter lol), but it's not as sunny as some places down south. That's my 2 cents lol.

Thank you! 

We've decided to go for it (sight unseen. EEK!) as my husband's company will send us up for a 'house/fact finding' mission before the move anyway. I know I'll miss the sun, but am hoping the 'Scottish Riviera' lives up to its name! All the towns' websites show a beautiful & CLEAN area for little kiddies to grow up in and (although I'm nervous) I'm very excited.

Many thanks for your positive descriptions, I must admit that I've sited your descriptions in my 'discussions' w/DH about the move.