GLASGOW NORTH

A small corner of the city of Glasgow, but still worth investigating for its blend of affordability and rural charm

Of all the city various sub-divisions, the north side of Glasgow has the lowest profile. In part thatís geographic ñ the west end occupies much of what would normally be the northern quarter ñ but partly itís down to the way the west end and south side have acted as magnets for the cityís wealthy middle classes, and also due to the renaissance of the city centre and east end. However, north Glasgow does have a wide selection of homes, with a unique personality, and a little-known secret is that itís easiest to reach Glasgow city centre from this direction, making it highly tempting for city-based workers.

North Glasgow may lack the west endís cachet, but it deserves commendation for a number of factors nonetheless. The broad mix of housing can be seen by comparing the newly-fashioned village of Robroyston with the traditional tenements of Springburn, while affordable property prices continue to make it the cheapest place to buy a home in the city according to the GSPC's quarterly price data analysis. Its diminutive dimensions lend a semi-rural setting to many of the districts, and the M80 ensures excellent transport links to the M8, which also skirts districts such as Royston and Blochairn, the latter home to a huge and famous market. And whether you live in Possil or Port Dundas (the latter centred on a reborn Forth & Clyde canal), the resources of both central and western Glasgow are right on the doorstep.