While London is the most popular city to live in, a lot of people are choosing to move to quieter areas of the UK.
For those looking for a city with a slower pace of living and lower property prices, Glasgow is a fantastic option to consider.
In this article, we will be covering everything you need to know about moving from London to Glasgow.
Why Are People Moving From London to Glasgow?
There are many reasons why people move to Glasgow in Scotland. One of the biggest driving forces for moves is the lower cost of living. House prices are significantly lower and this allows people previously unable to afford a home in London to get on the property ladder.
Glasgow is a friendly and great city, which is full of history and culture. There are great job opportunities, a good choice of universities and a lot of green space. Given the decrease in the cost of living compared to London, people will have more disposable income left over after paying monthly bills.
What Do I Need to Do to Move to Glasgow?
If you’re living in London you can move to Glasgow. It’s part of the UK, so you don’t need to apply for a visa when moving to Scotland from England.
If you’re planning to buy a property in Glasgow, there is one key difference to keep in mind. In Scotland, the surveying process is different to the rest of the UK, and a home report is needed. This is like a RICS Home Survey and covers the following aspects:
A Single Survey
Energy Report
Property Questionnaire
A seller is legally required to pay for the Home Report which costs around £585 - £820. If a seller doesn’t pay this, they will be fined for non-compliance.
Read more on Guide to Buying a House in Scotland
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Property Prices
The UK House Price Index states that the average house price in Glasgow is £170,971. This is exceptionally reasonable compared to London where the average house price is £743,741. House prices in Glasgow are a staggering 77% cheaper compared to London.
The most popular areas of Glasgow to live in include the city centre, Bearsden, Giffnock and Scotstoun. Affordable areas are Easterhouse, Shawlands and Merchant City. Some of the most expensive locations are the West End and Stockbridge.
The average rental costs £1,298 per month according to Home.co.uk. In London, the average rent is £4,642. It’s over 3 times less expensive to rent in Glasgow compared to the capital, making it clear why many people choose to make the move.
Travel and Commuting
As Glasgow is a compact city compared to London, travel is fairly straightforward. Public transport is efficient and frequent. In addition to this, it’s reasonably priced. People have the choice of using the subway systems, buses and trains.
Glasgow has a grid road system which makes travelling in the area easier. The roads are quieter than in London and there are good links to other areas of the UK, through The Trunk Road Network and M8. The city is walkable and easy to navigate, making travel and commuting easy.
Work and Salary
The average wage in Glasgow is £31,000 according to Payscale. Job opportunities in Glasgow are great, and there are many different careers to choose from. According to Success at School, the most popular job sectors in the area include:
Energy and Sciences
Engineering and Manufacturing
Tourism and Retail
Education
Financial Services
The average wage in London is £41,000 which is considerably higher. The most common roles in London include banking, finance and the public sector.
Londoners are paid a London Living Wage to help offset the costs of living in the capital. It’s useful to note that this increased cost doesn’t always cover inflated prices.
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Cost of Living
Consumer prices in Glasgow are 18% lower compared to London, meaning the cost of living is considerably cheaper. However, Glasgow is more expensive than some other UK cities, such as Manchester.
Here is a breakdown of some of the average living costs for each city:
| Cost of Living Examples | Glasgow | Manchester |
|---|---|---|
Public transport pass (monthly) | £160.00 | £73.04 |
Basic utilities (monthly) | £309.15 | £224.73 |
Fitness club membership (monthly) | £45.74 | £28.67 |
Chicken fillets | £6.89 | £6.10 |
Bottle of Wine | £9.00 | £8.00 |
Taxi starting price | £4.50 | £3.50 |
Preschool (monthly) | £1,573.83 | £837.14 |
Restaurant meal for 2 people | £70.00 | £60.00 |
Cinema ticket (one ticket) | £12.00 | £10.00 |
*Data taken from Numbeo statistics
Education
Education in Glasgow is similar to London, and the education system as a whole is of high quality. There are many top-performing schools in the city, such as John Paul Academy and Jordanhill School.
Glasgow is home to 4 universities in total, which are:
University of Glasgow
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow School of Art
While there are fewer universities in Glasgow, it’s still a popular option for students. The great thing about living and studying in Scotland is that university fees are free for people that have lived in Scotland for over 3 years.
London has 18 universities to consider. Some of these include Imperial College London and The London School of Economics and Political Science.
Culture/Art
Glasgow is home to a range of different cultures and art. Of all the areas of Scotland, Glasgow is the most ethnically diverse. However, London is still a more varied city overall.
For those interested in art and history, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Hunterian Art Gallery are popular places to visit. Glasgow holds several festivals each year, appealing to a variety of tastes. Festivals include Glasgow Jazz Festival, Glasgow Mela and TRNSMT Festival.
Glasgow is steeped in rich history, from Glasgow Necropolis and The Lighthouse to the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Andrew. Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Botanical Gardens and Pollok Country Park are perfect for those that enjoy nature.
Nightlife/Social Scene
Glasgow does have a great nightlife and social scene, especially in the city centre. Sauchiehall Street is the hub for clubs and cocktail bars. From clubs in old buildings to gigs in warehouses, there is something to appeal to all tastes.
If you enjoy live music, many venues host regular events, including the OVO Hydro, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, City Halls and the Fruit Market. and the Ferry.
Local bars such as Broadcast, and The Ferry are also popular locations for live music. Popular theatre venues include Pavilion Theatre, Mitchell Theatre and Websters Theatre. They hold regular performances.
If you’re looking for a quieter social scene there are many independent restaurants and cafes in the city centre. While Glasgow is a smaller city compared to London, there are plenty of things to do in the city.
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Is it Worth Moving to Glasgow From London?
If you’re looking for a quieter pace of life and a lower cost of living then it can be a good idea to move to Glasgow. However, you will need to consider whether this is the best choice for you.
Here are some pros and cons of this city to help you with your decision:
Pros:
A friendly and welcoming atmosphere
There are a lot of green spaces in the city
If you’re purchasing a house, you won’t need to pay for a home survey
Lower cost of living
More affordable house prices and lower rental costs
Less crowded city
Free university for those living in Scotland for more than 3 years
Cons:
Weather in Scotland is more unpredictable
The surveying process is different in Scotland
Tax bands in Scotland are different and more expensive compared to England
Removals From London to Glasgow
Glasgow is 415 miles away from London, meaning that you need to choose a removals company that can accommodate this long-distance move. Given the distance, you can expect removal costs to be more expensive than moving locally.
On average, it will cost around £1216 to move from London to Glasgow according to our cost of moving house calculator. These costs are calculated based on the average price for a property in both locations and the distance travelled.
You may likely need additional assistance. Many moving companies will offer services such as packing at an extra charge. Here are the estimated costs for these services:
Packing - £250
Dismantling and reassembling - £125
If you’re moving to Glasgow from London, it’s important to use a trusted and verified removals service. This will help to protect your goods during transit.
Here at Compare My Move, we can make the process as stress-free as possible. We can connect you with up to 6 of our removal partners, helping you to save up to 70% on your move.
All costs listed in this article are correct at the time of writing. Costs may vary slightly and this is just an estimated number.
