Glasgow, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
#621
,
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, known for its rich culture, vibrant arts scene, and friendly locals. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 635,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 70 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | GBP (British Pound). 1 GBP ≈ 1.30 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include Vodafone, EE, and O2. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks include HSBC, Lloyds, and Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, serviced apartments, and local rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely with contactless payments available. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local hosts provide ample short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel G11 and Eurohostel Glasgow offer affordable stays. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The West End is popular for its eclectic vibe and proximity to attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | City Centre, particularly around Merchant City and Finnieston, are ideal for longer stays. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Spaces Glasgow offers a vibrant coworking environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Hidden Lane Tea Room provides a cozy atmosphere for remote working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups often host events at The Glue Factory and other venues. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Glasgow Expats Facebook Group organizes regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt are popular ride-hailing options. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Nextbike offers bike rentals across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Cumbrae is the closest beach, about 50 minutes away by ferry. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Loganair serves many regional routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair are major carriers from Glasgow Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include M8 and M74, connecting Glasgow to other cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Glasgow Central Station is the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | SPT offers various travel passes including day and weekly options. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services are available to Edinburgh, Stirling, and other nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Queen Elizabeth University Hospital provides excellent healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Hot Yoga Glasgow and The Wellbeing Centre offer yoga classes and wellness therapies. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | PureGym and David Lloyd Gym provide access to fitness facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundrette offers self-service laundry facilities in several locations. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Just Eat are widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Cullen skink is a traditional Scottish soup worth trying. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The 78 and Mono are popular vegan and vegetarian restaurants. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Cup and Cail Bruich are famous for their desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Barras Market is a great place for budget-friendly food and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon UK and eBay are widely used. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Tesco and Sainsbury's offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Merchant City and West End are popular for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | WEST Brewery in the Templeton Building offers brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine House 1821 is a cozy wine bar to visit. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Big Feed is a popular street food market in Glasgow. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Dishoom serves excellent Indian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Glasgow Science Centre. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Hunterian Museum and Gallery are must-visits. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis are significant historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Mungo's Cathedral is a prominent religious site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Glasgow International Comedy Festival is a major highlight. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The West End is a hub for cultural activities and events. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The King’s Theatre hosts a variety of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Barras Market is famous for its antique and craft stalls. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Barrowland Ballroom is iconic in Glasgow's music scene. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The City Centre hosts numerous impressive street art installations. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Cook School Scotland offers various culinary classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Modern Institute is a leading contemporary art gallery. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Lighthouse is a prominent architectural landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city’s industrial heritage is celebrated throughout Glasgow. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Glasgow Botanic Gardens provides beautiful outdoor space. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a short drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Clyde Walkway and the Forth and Clyde Canal offer scenic trails. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Necropolis offers stunning views of the city skyline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some parks allow bonfires; check local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Royal Mail and ParcelForce provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | FixIT and PC Repair offer satisfactory tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Glasgow provides places to play ping pong. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Glasgow School of Languages offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Mitchell Library is one of the largest public libraries in Europe. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Gorbals and specifically the Southside Community Centre offer various activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Saltmarket and Arena Gaming Center host gaming lounge experiences. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Grosvenor Casino provides gaming facilities and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = £140,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = £112,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = £192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = £150,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = £240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = £184,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 19% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% for residents, up to 38.1% for non-residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | UK income tax system applies, with residency affecting obligations. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for over £150,000 income. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | UK has CFC rules applicable to certain overseas profits. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on valuation. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax rates vary by purchase price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific tax incentives, but relatively low living costs. |