Edinburgh or Glasgow?

[Resilience4477]

Weigie who lived in Edinburgh here.
Edinburgh's more pretty and more expensive. More of an international vibe. Artistic, as you mentioned.

Glasgow has better craic. It's easier to make friends. It is a bit more dangerous but generally confined to easily avoidable 'pockets' of danger- Sat night outside nightclubs etc. It's easy to get out of the way of a drunk tottering towards you. There's more football hooliganery.

Green space and hiking is good in both, although Glasgow wins for me. In 30 minutes you can be hiking in Balloch, stunning vistas.

One more thing- obviously the weather is pretty similar in both but the year I spent in Edinburgh was the coldest I've ever been. The wind is more biting, somehow.

All the best, whatever you choose

Ooh, I forgot to mention that I love hiking and I've heard that the Munros in Scotland are spectacular, and don't get me started on the castles!

I am one of those weirdos who thrive in cold weather. Back in the 80s, I spent four winters in Edmonton (while in college) when daytime temperatures hovered around minus 30 degrees Celsius and it didn't bother me one bit, so I think I am gonna be okay in Scotland. Thanks for the warning though.

[Resilience4477]

New Territories would be more like the Highlands… Falkirk is more like Lamma without the seafood restaurants or hiking trails or expat hippies or dogs. Or maybe just a random artificial sandbar in the stretch of water between HK island and Kowloon that nobody can see or knows about because it’s so tiny that if you blink you’ll miss it...

I LOVE Lamma Island, but I can't live without seafood, hiking and dogs (not necessarily in that order).

[scotland]

I don't mind shit weather - by that I think you meant "cold and wet", correct? To me the "hot and humid" weather in HK is far shittier. I sweat easily so I'm constantly drenched in my own sweat from June to October in HK. I miss the cold weather in Canada SO much that my friends back there think I'm insane that I'd rather bundle up than walk around in a t-shirt and shorts!

Glasgow is sounding more and more attractive now...

I lived and worked in HK pre and post handover! I actually miss the heat- lol, a case of careful what you wish for!
Glasgow has much to offer.
There was a post about someone coming from Cramond and preferring Edinburgh. Cramond sounded like Lenzie or Milngavie that are equally lovely suburbs; outskirts of Glasgow with handy transport links. Much more family oriented and many locate there for the schools.

The city centre is lively and Westend has a more cosmopolitan vibe with Glasgow university located there. I missed Scotland when I was working in HK.
A plus for Glasgow as another person said, get in the car and you're in Loch Lomond in 30 mins. A beautiful spot.

I would not say anything negative about Edinburgh as only ever visited and then took the train home to Glasgow. My sister in law worked for Edinburgh Uni, lived in Edinburgh for a few years and still prefers Glasgow.

You'll always have people who hate or love!
Whereas for our situation, Glasgow is definitely home but we don't dislike Edinburgh. If you read the daily blah, both cities have their crime rates, pros and cons.

Whatever you decide, you'll have a blast.

[Resilience4477]

I lived and worked in HK pre and post handover! I actually miss the heat- lol, a case of careful what you wish for!
Glasgow has much to offer.
There was a post about someone coming from Cramond and preferring Edinburgh. Cramond sounded like Lenzie or Milngavie that are equally lovely suburbs; outskirts of Glasgow with handy transport links. Much more family oriented and many locate there for the schools.

The city centre is lively and Westend has a more cosmopolitan vibe with Glasgow university located there. I missed Scotland when I was working in HK.
A plus for Glasgow as another person said, get in the car and you're in Loch Lomond in 30 mins. A beautiful spot.

I would not say anything negative about Edinburgh as only ever visited and then took the train home to Glasgow. My sister in law worked for Edinburgh Uni, lived in Edinburgh for a few years and still prefers Glasgow.

You'll always have people who hate or love!
Whereas for our situation, Glasgow is definitely home but we don't dislike Edinburgh. If you read the daily blah, both cities have their crime rates, pros and cons.

Whatever you decide, you'll have a blast.

Sounds like a win-win for me! The slower pace of life in Edinburgh seems to suit me better, but I am a people person and can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime till the cows come home so I'll probably feel more at home among the Glaswegians. Perhaps I should just flip a coin?

[scotland]

Wouldn't say Edinburgh will be slower!!! Different

[Resilience4477]

Wouldn't say Edinburgh will be slower!!! Different

Got it!

[si0001]

I grew up in Edinburgh and visited Glasgow many times, I would definitely pick Edinburgh. It is probably my favourite city in the world and I am looking to move back there in the next few years.

Glasgow used to be pretty grim back in the day but in recent years the gentrification has turned some of it into pretty nice places, the west end especially is quite nice. Bear in mind Glasgow is also far larger than Edinburgh which is a pretty small city.

One place I might throw out there is Stirling which is about halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow (about 45 mins to either). It is home to the Wallace monument and Stirling Castle. I lived there for 4 years.

[Corrib]

On the friendliness point - as an outsider, I think you won't really notice any difference in friendliness between Glasgow and Edinburgh - Scotland is a friendly country and you will get a warm welcome where-ever you choose.

In time, as you acclimatize you may start to notice differences, but relative to other places its very friendly regardless of which city you choose

[scotland]

Got it!

https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com...-or-edinburgh/

This is quite good an article. More written for "visiting" but offers a balanced view. I'm sure you'll be doing your own research too.

[anon_third_part]

Went to Uni in Glasgow, Glasgow has cheaper housing and if you want to a quiet life some nice but quite dull towns you can live in. Millingavie, Bearsden etc.

I'd personally live in Edinburgh. It rains less, better housing stock, nicer beaches near by. Not a huge amount in it though. So keep your options open.

Both have relatively high crime compared to Hong Kong and issues with poverty, drugs. Most people are very friendly and you'll love the amazing trips you can do from both cities.