For those who don't want to live right in the city centre of Glasgow, here are our top commuter picks…
Everything from beaches to boardwalks to rolling Scottish countryside are within easy reach of Glasgow. And, as
Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is brimming with fantastic employment opportunities. This means a lot of people are choosing to move to the suburbs but commute into the city. Plenty of young professionals want the suburban lifestyle – buying a larger house, a dog and then bringing up their children or, at least, thinking about it in greener surroundings. There are plenty of opportunities to get bigger properties, but the problem is, where do you go?
The possibilities are mind-boggling so we’ve narrowed it down to a few of our favourite commuter towns. Grab a cup of tea (or other tipple of choice), and let’s dive in…
Stirling
Once the capital of Scotland, the city of Stirling is located right in the centre of the country, and it offers a great commute into Glasgow. Stirling's beautifully preserved Old Town is a treasure trove of historic buildings, buzzy restaurants and cobbled streets winding up to its impressive castle. From the top, you can soak up landscaped views for miles around. Residents of Stirling get to enjoy history but also a more rural setting, which really appeals to those looking to make the most of their work/life balance. As well as a fantastic train service, Stirling offers great motorway links via the M9, M80 and A9 to Glasgow.
Ayr
The town of Ayr is located 37 miles south-west of Glasgow, Ayr is a popular seaside resort, complete with charming sea front, leafy suburbs and a range of places to stay. Ayr has a fantastic esplanade with a long sandy beach which is perfect for walking. Ayr Racecourse, dating back to the 16th century, runs through the town and is home to the Scottish Grand National, the Ayrshire Handicap and the Ayr Gold Cup. Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns, was born in Alloway, on the outskirts of the town. Locals often make the short trip to visit his birthplace and the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. There are also great shopping and dining facilities in Ayr and three public golf courses: Belleisle, Seafield and Dalmilling. Anyone moving here will be very well catered for.
Bishopbriggs
Bishopbriggs is fantastically located. It is set along the Roman Antonine Wall, and has the Forth and Clyde canal, the main Glasgow to Edinburgh rail link and the M80 on its doorstep. From humble beginnings built around coal mining, Bishopbriggs is now a vibrant commuter hotspot with a 5-minute rail journey into Glasgow city centre and superb road links to the M8, M80 and Glasgow. Within a short amount of time you can be in the heart of the city or surrounded by rolling green farmland and quaint countryside. Bishbopbriggs offers commuters a safe place to live, award-winning schools, a busy social scene and some of the best cafés, bars, and restaurants in the area. Why live anywhere else?
Kirkintilloch
Kirkintilloch is unique in the fact that it has a semi-rural feel, although it’s still so close to all the amenities that Glasgow has to offer, with excellent road and rail networks to the city. At the same time, the town lies at the foot of the picturesque Campsie Fells. Living in the Kirkintilloch area provides easy access to lovely countryside and outdoor pursuits. The Forth and Clyde canal is a feature of the town, with an annual canal festival. There is also a marina in Kirkintilloch, and a further marina can be found at Auchinstarry. The town itself offers a wide range of local shops, bars, restaurants, golf clubs and a sports and leisure centre. In the nearby town of Bishopbriggs there is an excellent retail park which is home to a larger shopping outlet. There are highly regarded schools in the area; both denominational and non-denominational. Locals are well catered for here.
Cumbernauld
Popular with commuters due to its ideal location just off the motorway, Cumbernauld offers fantastic links to both Edinburgh and Glasgow, via motorway and rail. Originally created in the 1950s as an overspill town for Glasgow, Cumbernauld has expanded over the years with many new housing estates with fantastic family homes that are both spacious and affordable. With great schools at both primary and secondary level and lots of amenities including supermarkets, restaurants and retail parks. Cumbernauld is also surrounded by countryside and there are plenty of nature trails and walks in the area, with Westerwood Golf Course offering beautiful views across the Campsie hills.
Helensburgh
Helensburgh is a beautiful coastal town built upon the northerly hillside above the Firth of Clyde. It is home to some of Scotland’s handsomest neighbourhoods, with elegant and substantial period homes, many built for the shipbuilders and merchants of Victorian and Edwardian Glasgow. Helensburgh is full of tree-lined avenues, rose gardens, a boating lake and graceful parkland. There are an enviable level of local amenities, including shops and restaurants, and it has two railway stations (lower and upper which accommodates the Jacobite steam train – more famously known as the ‘Harry Potter train’). You have easy access to Glasgow and beyond, together with a connection to Edinburgh. The area is full of grand period architecture, lovely walks, and even a sailing club. You’ve got a marina and the world renowned Loch Lomond Golf Course at Luss. Just north of Helensburgh is Scotland’s first national park – the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, with all the magnificent hills, lochs and scenery it affords. It’s a wonderful place to live.
