Living in Glasgow West End
There are many cities in the UK that can boast a bohemian district which offers plenty of cultural vibrancy, but few can match the buzz that comes from spending time in Glasgow's West End. This is a district that covers several neighbourhoods these days, but the main thrust of the location can be at its strongest in and around Byres Road.
While the West End can sometimes include areas of Hillhead, Scotstoun and Broomhill, the name was first applied to a smaller area that contained the world-famous Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the impressive Henry Wood Hall and, crucially, the main Gilmorehill campus of the University of Glasgow. Wherever you are in the West End, you won't be far from a major Glasgow landmark.
As you might expect from such an exciting area, the West End is home to some of most sought-after flats and houses to rent in Glasgow. This is a region that has proved to be something of a magnet to people who want to be close to the action, whether that action is provided by theatres, tourist attractions, cultural landmarks or live music venues.
Lovely by day, wonderful by night
If you like nightlife, this is perhaps the best Glasgow neighbourhood of all for you. The area is well-known around the city for being home to a superb selection of restaurants, cafés and bistros. Many of them are centred around Byres Road, although there are plenty more to be found in Ashton Lane, Sauchiehall Street and Great Western Road.
From affordable cosiness to indulgent luxury, you'll find a stunning range of flats to rent in Glasgow, with one of the most eclectic selections right here in the iconic West End. This is an area that offers easy access to all the amenities that the city of Glasgow has to offer, and as such it has proved to be in great demand over the years.
Getting to and from other parts of the city is easy, thanks to a plethora of bus routes and the proximity of two main rail terminals, Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street. The city's popular Subway system, which runs on a 15-station loop, is close by, with stations at Kelvinhall, Hillhead and Kelvinbridge. Motorists can get around with ease via the M8 motorway and the A739, part of which incorporates the Clyde Tunnel.
A significant number of students who are living in Kelvingrove, Hillhead and other parts of the West End choose the area because they are pleasingly close to the University. Needless to say, they are also close to a vast array of entertainment options and cultural landmarks. No wonder many of the properties to be found here are ideally suited to groups of students.
Head to the wide open spaces
While the main focus of the West End is centred on nightlife, culture, shopping and travel, it should be pointed out that one of the finest parks in the whole of Scotland can be found right here. Kelvingrove Park was created in the 1850s by the legendary gardener Sir Joseph Paxton, and it has remained a favourite with local residents and visiting tourists alike ever since.
The park offers tranquil walks among the greenery and along the banks of the River Kelvin. It's home to an impressive collection of wildlife, including a number of bird species, and in the summer there are a great many cyclists and joggers making their way through the picturesque scenery. Students often use it as a place for peaceful study, as well as a venue for various sporting endeavours.
Retail therapy is a way of life for the locals, as well as many others who make their way into the city at weekends. The West End plays host to a comprehensive selection of shops, from the all too familiar national chains to a whole series of trendy, often quirky, independent stores. You can find anything here, including the latest designer fashions and a tempting range of artworks.
Excellent healthcare for all
Glasgow is home to several highly rated hospitals and medical facilities, and living in the West End offers relatively easy access to all of them. The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, one of the largest of its kind in the UK, is just across the river in Govan, while others such as West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital in Yorkhill and Glasgow Royal Infirmary in Castle Street are not far away.
Sport is always popular in this city, and if you plan to live in the West End you will never be far from the action. Celtic Park, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and the Tollcross International Swimming Centre are all located just a few miles to the east, while Ibrox Stadium is just to the south. Even closer to home will be Firhill Stadium, the home of Partick Thistle FC.
As well as the rightly celebrated Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the West End is also close to many other famous centres of culture. They include the high-tech Riverside Museum, the fascinating St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art and, just across the Clyde, the Glasgow Science Centre. Live music venues in the vicinity include the SSE Hydro in Finnieston and, just three miles away, the legendary Barrowland Ballroom.
Scotland's busiest city offers a wonderful selection of neighbourhoods, but the West End is perhaps the most eclectic and the most bohemian of all. To find out more about life here, have a chat with the experts from Citylets today.
