To live in Edinburgh or Glasgow?

Question

There are universities in both cities I'm interested in, but I can only apply to one school. Currently, I'm leaning towards Edinburgh, but I'm worried how expensive it is to live there. I realize it depends upon where you live so my main questions are:

Relative to an American city, how expensive is it to live in Edinburgh and Glasgow? Is Edinburgh as much as Boston/NYC?

Which city has a better and/or cheaper transportation system? I won't have a car so I would be relying on public transport.

How dangerous is Glasgow? I've lived in St. Louis so I understand it all depends on the area you're in. Are there major areas I should avoid?

Personality wise, I'm not a huge partier so bars and clubs aren't that important to me. I like museums, festivals, and parks, but I'm assuming both cities would have that stuff. Any other information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Edinburgh is the cultural / historical city and political capital of Scotland, whereas Glasgow is the largest city and the commercial centre of the west of Scotland.



To directly compere the both, Glasgow is larger, more modern and cheaper to live in than Edinburgh, which is smaller, older and more expensive, being a key tourist centre.



For property prices, check with your future university's accommodation office or google a good UK property search website called Rightmove. I presume that in either city, you would live close to the city centre (downtown area) and rent a flat (apartment) as part of on campus accommodation.



Glasgow being larger has a fully comprehensive and integrated transport network within the Greater Strathclyde region, consulting of buses, a subway system, overground trains and ferries that take you across the River Clyde etc. Edinburgh's public transport system is on a smaller scale and has trams on the city centre.



Danger is all relative, but providing you do not venture wearing either a Rangers or Celtic football shirt in the wrong area at midnight and walk past a local group of youths or gang there, all should be fine. Being an American, they would have nothing personally against you, but someone could try and take advantage and rob you if they see you look out of place and do not live there or know the local area etc.



But then, lets be street wise. Why would you be venturing around suburban housing estates (projects) at midnight instead of enjoying yourself in the city centre with your fellow students or in your room flung your studies? Areas to avoid are Easterhouse, Castlemilk, Drumchapel, East Kilbride, Yorker, Possil Park, Pollockshaws. Gun crime is less in Europe as a whole.



Both cities have all what you look for, but Glasgow offers the ultimate that Scotland has to offer and you experience a huge working city with excellent shopping facilities.



If you wish to visit London, it is 400 miles away from both cities or five hours by train.

Answer 2

Glasgow is not dangerous at all, nowhere near as dangerous as most large American cities. Its almost unheard of for a student to be violently attacked, and crimes like rape and armed robbery are pretty rare outside the suburbs. I have lived in Glasgow for 20 years nearly, and I have NEVER had any reason to go into the rough areas of Glasgow. The centre and west end are absolutely fine. Admittedly, its a little more lively and scary at night than in the day, especially Friday and Saturday, but its really nothing to worry about if you take some sensible precautions.



There are amazing museums in Glasgow (Kelvingrove museum and the Burrell are World Class), Kelvin Park is right next to Glasgow uni and is beautiful, and there are plenty of music and cultural festivals.



Edinburgh tends to be colder in Winter than Glasgow, and invariably gets more snow. It is a smaller city. And its also got barely any actual Scots in it, you might as well stay in America. Glasgow's West End, where the Uni is, is stunningly beautiful, even better than Edinburgh imo because its not got the same dark and depressing architecture (of course both cities have more than their fair share of modern dark and depressing architecture, but you don't need to see it very often).



Money wise, Glasgow is certainly cheaper. Edinburgh is about the same as New York in terms of consumer prices, though both have much lower rent than New York of course. Both cities are entirely walkable, you only need to catch the occasional bus, which is pretty cheap. Though Glasgow does have the added benefit of a Subway between the two most important streets, Byres road in the West End, and Buchanan Street in the centre. Edinburgh is a little more of a hike, harder to find your way around at first until you get to know it, and lots of hills.



Honestly, both are pretty equal in terms of all your criteria, and I'm probably being a little biased, but the fact is, Edinburgh is the more expensive city, so if you're avoiding Glasgow because of horror stories about how dangerous it is, or because you are drawn by the romance of Edinburgh and haven't looked into all the cultural and scenic areas in Glasgow properly, then please think again, because the reality is Glasgow is not the city it was 50 years ago, its a safe, fun, cosmopolitan, beautiful city.

Answer 3

Well, I have lived in both cities and love them both. But I would recommend Edinburgh for museums, festivals, parks, green areas, architecture, history and much more.



It may be slightly more expensive ( I am unsure of this at the moment) but Edinburgh is more vibrant, alive, full of diverse entertainment and people.



All cities have areas which are more dangerous than others but neither city is that bad.

Answer 4

Edinburg deserves some time of your daily life to know it and this is actually the place to begin hotelbye . Among the areas wherever you will have a fantastic day trip with all the household could be the Edinburgh Zoo. That zoo is the home to around 1,000 amazing creatures, including the UK's just large pandas. The Zoo is located in wonderful parkland options and includes fantastic flamingos, cute koalas and cheeky chimpanzees. Edinburg is not just any city; Edinburg is the city to invest your loved ones holyday, a holyday that'll never be forgotten.

Answer 5

Yes I agree with the last answer...Glasgow has magnificent links into the highlands and islands for you to get around, and unlike around Edinburgh these trains, buses and ferries are highly subsidised by the State. Susan Kensington has just written about the best bus trip in Britain...it runs three times a day on a vintage service bus operated by Western Coast Motors from Dunoon to the Isle of Bute, and costs about £6.00. There are regular buses from Glasgow to Dunoon.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

BOTH great and BOTH SAFE but for me GLASGOW IS A real CITY and Edinburgh all a wee bit twee....Also only 50 minutes or so on a fast train from each other.....Edinburgh smaller and has good buses.....Glasgow even has a small UNDERGROUND rail system..Again,as I said, A REAL CITY ......

Answer 8

I would pick the university that gives the best degree in your chosen subject.



Just a fact. Violent crime in Glasgow is double that of Edinburgh.



p.s. great news Glasgow knife crime down 30% thanks tae the polis and thousands of 'stop and searches!'