Spotlight on living in Glasgow city centre
LIVING in the heart of Glasgow city centre has many benefits. From being the hub of many transport links, the array of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes, popular nightlife and even a world-renowned University, Glasgow City Centre truly has a lot to offer any home buyer. It’s much more than just a living destination for students.
If you’re considering your next property move and think that the city might be the right place for you, we’ve got a whistle-stop guide of Glasgow City Centre, covering all the best places to visit, eat and drink and of course, live, whether it’s to rent or buy.
As with all of our previous “Spotlight on” guides, to ensure we cover as many areas as possible, our city centre edition will be split into two parts, so come back next week for the second instalment or visit s1homes.com/blog for the complete guide.
Trongate
One of the oldest streets in Glasgow, Trongate begins at Glasgow Cross, a major junction leading from five streets, and heads westwards towards Argyle Street.
In the heart of Trongate stands the Tolbooth Steeple, known more affectionately by Glaswegians as “the big clock”. Moving along the Gallowgate into the East End of Glasgow, you’ll find the infamous Barras Market and Barrowland Ballroom. These days you’ll also find BAad, the Barras Art and Design, a collection of spaces to enjoy food, drink and entertainment.
Properties in Trongate are mostly all flats, from tenements above shops to some more modern apartment buildings. A modern one-bedroom apartment overlooking Glasgow Green can start upwards of £145,000 and prices to rent start from £850 up to £1000 for a two-bedroom tenement flat. For students, properties around St Andrews Square have been converted to studio flats ideal for those looking for affordable accommodation, with rental prices starting around £600. Merchant City
Next to Trongate is the Merchant City area of Glasgow City, known for its designer stores, stylish cafes, great places to eat and drink and also home to the Old Fruitmarket – a popular music venue and wedding location. It’s also a hot spot for events such as festivals and craft markets. There’s always a buzz around this area, especially in the summertime.
You’re spoilt for choice with places to eat, from the restaurants within the Merchant Square, from Bar Soba serving pan-Asian street food and cocktails, the award-winning Metropolitan for a mix of leisurely lunches and date night atmosphere on the balcony, to Beer Café with live entertainment and a range of beers from around the world. For partying into the wee hours then Distrikt nightclub is where to head, or for a good show then make sure to visit Wild Cabaret lounge just around the corner from Merchant Square.
If it’s coffee and cake you’re after then you’ve got a selection of great cafes to choose from, like Singl-End, Tinderbox, the Wilson Street Pantry and Spitfire Espresso, to name just a few.
Just off main Ingram Street, you’ll find a variety of other great locations for food and drink, such as BrewDog for casual dining and great Scottishbrewed beers and Mediterraneo for some of the best seafood dishes.
The Merchant City is a really desirable location for those looking to live in Glasgow City Centre, with prices for a one-bedroom flat starting at £150,000 and going upwards to nearer £200,000 for a two-bedroom. There’s a mix of property styles, from traditional tenement flats to modern apartment buildings.