Why the West End Is One of Glasgow's Best Places to Call Home

If you've ever asked us where we'd choose to live in Glasgow if we were starting out again, the answer usually doesn't take long.

The West End.

Now don't get me wrong, Glasgow is full of brilliant places to live. Shawlands has exploded over the last few years, Bearsden is fantastic for families, and the Southside has some cracking neighbourhoods. But if you're young, studying, working in the city, or just want everything on your doorstep, it's hard to beat the West End.

We spend most weeks moving people in and out of the area. One day we're carrying sofas into a tenement in Hyndland, the next we're helping someone into their first flat in Partick or moving a young couple from Finnieston into Kelvingrove. After a while you start to get a good feel for what makes the area so popular.

So if you're thinking about making the move, here's a few things we've learned over the years.

Every Street Has Its Own Character

People often talk about "the West End" as if it's one place, but it really isn't.

You've got Hillhead, full of students, cafés and busy streets.

Hyndland feels quieter and a little more upmarket, with beautiful sandstone buildings and tree-lined roads.

Partick has changed massively over the last decade and has become one of the best connected places in the city.

Dowanhill offers some of the nicest properties in Glasgow, while Kelvindale gives you a bit more breathing room without feeling miles away from everything.

They're all within walking distance of each other, but every area has its own personality.

That's one of the reasons people rarely want to leave once they've settled there.

The Coffee Stops Alone Make It Worth It

One thing you'll quickly notice after moving to the West End is just how easy it is to spend an afternoon without really planning anything.

Start with a coffee.

Walk through Kelvingrove Park.

Browse a few independent shops.

Grab some lunch.

End up sitting outside somewhere when the Scottish weather decides to behave itself.

Simple.

Some of our favourites include:

• Epicures in Hyndland for breakfast

• Café Gandolfi's West End sister venues for brunch

• Cottonrake Bakery if you're quick enough before everything sells out

• Papercup Coffee on Great Western Road

• Artisan Roast for a proper coffee before work

Ask ten Glaswegians where the best coffee is and you'll probably get ten different answers, but that's half the fun.

If You Love Food, You're Spoilt for Choice

Working in removals means we get to know where's worth stopping for lunch.

The West End has no shortage of options.

Fancy pizza?

You'll find plenty.

Looking for a proper steak?

Sorted.

Tapas?

Japanese?

Indian?

Thai?

Vegan?

Take your pick.

Some places we regularly recommend to customers moving into the area include:

• Ka Pao

• Ox and Finch

• The Gannet

• El Perro Negro if you're after one of Glasgow's best burgers

• Number 16 Restaurant

• Brett

• Paesano for pizza

• Eusebi Deli for Italian classics

The good thing is you don't need to book weeks in advance for every meal. Half the enjoyment comes from wandering Byres Road or Great Western Road and seeing what catches your eye.

You're Never Short of Something To Do

One thing that surprises people moving here from outside Glasgow is how much is within walking distance.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

The Botanic Gardens.

The University of Glasgow.

Kelvingrove Park.

The Riverside Museum.

The Hydro.

The SEC.

Even the city centre is only around half an hour on foot if you fancy stretching your legs.

It means weekends don't have to revolve around jumping in the car.

You simply head out the front door.

A Few Things People Don't Think About Before Moving

Here's where working in removals comes in handy.

There are a few things we wish every customer knew before moving into the West End.

Parking can be interesting.

Many streets have permit parking, particularly around Hillhead and Dowanhill.

If you're moving on a Saturday morning when everyone is at home, finding space for a removal van can be a challenge.

That's why we always recommend speaking to your removal company early so they can plan ahead.

Sometimes a short walk with boxes saves an hour of frustration.

Those beautiful sandstone tenements...

They look incredible.

They're also famous for four or five flights of stairs and no lift.

It's never a problem for us—we've moved everything from American-style fridge freezers to grand pianos up these stairwells—but it's worth mentioning when you're asking for a quote.

The more information we have beforehand, the smoother moving day becomes.

Measure everything.

We've all seen it.

The customer is convinced the sofa will fit.

The sofa disagrees.

Five minutes with a tape measure can save an hour of trying every possible angle through a Victorian doorway.

Our Biggest Tip? Declutter Before We Arrive

This is probably the advice we give more than anything else.

If you haven't used something for a year, ask yourself whether it's really worth paying to move it.

Every box you don't take is one less box to unpack.

Sell it.

Donate it.

Recycle it.

Someone else will get the benefit, and your move becomes quicker and cheaper.

Don't Leave Packing Until The Night Before

It happens more often than you'd think.

We've turned up at 8am to find cupboards still full and wardrobes untouched.

It only adds stress.

A good rule is to start packing two or three weeks before moving day.

Do a little every evening.

Label every box.

Write the room on the outside.

If there are fragile items, make that obvious.

Future you will be very grateful.

Keep a Moving Day Essentials Box

This is one we always suggest.

Pack one box that never leaves your side.

Phone chargers.

Kettle.

Tea bags.

Milk.

Toilet roll.

Medication.

Cleaning products.

Important paperwork.

Fresh clothes.

Dog leads.

Kids' toys.

You'll thank yourself later when you don't need to search through forty boxes looking for your toothbrush.

Let the Professionals Do the Heavy Work

We know plenty of people try moving themselves.

Sometimes it works.

Sometimes it ends with damaged furniture, strained backs and hiring another van halfway through the day.

Professional movers don't just carry boxes.

We protect furniture.

Wrap mattresses.

Take doors off if needed.

Dismantle beds.

Rebuild furniture.

Load the van properly.

Secure everything for transport.

Unload room by room.

The aim isn't just getting everything from A to B.

It's getting you settled into your new home with as little stress as possible.

The Best Part of the Job

People often ask what our favourite part of working in removals is.

It's not driving the vans.

It's not lifting wardrobes.

It's that moment right at the end of the day.

The last box goes in.

The kettle goes on.

Customers start deciding where the sofa should sit.

Pictures are leaning against the wall waiting to go up.

You can almost see a house becoming someone's home.

After hundreds of moves around Glasgow, that feeling never really gets old.

Thinking About Moving to the West End?

If you're planning a move to Hyndland, Hillhead, Partick, Dowanhill, Kelvindale or anywhere else across Glasgow, we'd be happy to help.

At Gents of Glasgow, we don't just know how to move furniture—we know the streets, the parking restrictions, the awkward staircases and the little things that can make moving day much easier.

If you've got questions about your move, even if you're only at the planning stage, get in touch. We're always happy to offer honest advice and point you in the right direction.

After all, we've probably moved someone on your street already. Speak soon,

Team Gents