Close to Glasgow

While the city of Glasgow, from the iconic centre out into the various neighbourhoods, is rightly regarded as an attractive place in which to live, work, play, socialise and flourish, it's worth remembering that it's surrounded by some highly desirable villages and towns as well. The West of Scotland has much to offer families, retirees, commuters, students and everyone else.

There are a number of locations to the east of the city which have proved popular over the years. They include Coatbridge, a town in North Lanarkshire that's only ten miles or so from the centre of Glasgow. Thanks to a train journey from Coatbridge Sunnyside to Glasgow Queen Street that takes less than 20 minutes, this is a place that offers plenty to the commuter.

A little way from Coatbridge, Airdrie is just as popular with commuters. It's not far from the M8 and M80 motorways, so a car journey into the centre of the city takes only 30 minutes or so. Airdrie is around 400 feet above sea level, and there are a number of attractive views to be had here. Many of the town's surrounding villages, such as Calderbank, Glenmavis and Upperton are greatly admired.

To the north of Airdrie lies the large town of Cumbernauld, home to more than 50,000 people and one of Scotland's designated new towns. Less than 20 minutes by car from the centre of Glasgow, it offers an excellent strategic location for commuters and plenty of local amenities. Officially located in North Lanarkshire, its proximity to the city makes it ideal for regular visitors to Glasgow.

Plenty of options to the west of the city

Located on the western edge of the Greater Glasgow conurbation you'll find Erskine, a pretty town on the southern bank of the River Clyde. Containing around 15,000 inhabitants, it's home to the spectacular Erskine Bridge and the rural splendour of Boden Boo, a popular wooded area. There are so many houses to rent in Glasgow and the surrounding area, and many of the more pleasant ones can be found here.

Another benefit for residents of Erskine and many other areas around the west and south of Glasgow is the proximity to Glasgow Airport. Officially opened as a commercial airport in 1966, it now handles around nine million passenger movements every year. Locations such as Paisley, Renfrew, Linwood and Inchinnan are all within easy reach of the terminal building.

The popularity of flats to rent in Glasgow is all too apparent, but those who seek something larger might be well advised to head south of the city. There are some wonderful properties, for example, to be found in Barrhead, a pleasant town of around 19,000 people which is surrounded by some wonderful countryside. Glennifer Braes, a series of attractive hills which act as a border between Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire, is to be found just outside the town.

Be very well in Motherwell

Motherwell is another popular choice for those who want to live outside Glasgow yet remain within easy reach of the city. This attractive town was an important centre for steel manufacture in the past, and there are reminders of this important history at the local North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre. The property scene is a vibrant one, thanks in part to the desirability of fats and houses which are close to Strathclyde Country Park.

Hamilton, a sizable town to the south-east of Glasgow, offers speedy rail links (25 minutes direct from Hamilton Central to Glasgow Central), easy access to the M74 motorway, a wide selection of available properties and a regenerated town centre with plenty of opportunities for retail therapy. By car, the middle of Glasgow is only around 25 minutes from here.

Even closer to the city you'll find Uddingston, a small town that retains a village feel despite being only being about seven miles from Glasgow's bustling centre. Trains from Uddingston to Glasgow Central take around 15 minutes, so it's an ideal location for anyone who works or studies in the heart of the metropolis. This is one of the many reasons for the popularity of flats and houses for rent here.

Glasgow itself is one of the most eclectic cities in the UK, and as such it offers residents a broad spectrum of housing options. The same can be said for the neighbouring towns and villages which surround it. The West of Scotland as a whole is an attractive region in which to put down roots, so its popularity is not a surprise to those who already live there.

If you're keen to move to the Glasgow area without committing to a home in the city centre, why not consider one of the outer villages and towns that form a circle around it? Have a chat with the experts at Citylets to hear more about the options that are open to you.