Moving from Canada to Scotland

punkrockgoth

I have been given the opportunity to spend the next school year studying at Glasgow Caledonian University in Glasgow, Scotland from September to June. While it's an incredible opportunity and I am so excited, I am also worried about my weight loss progress. I want to keep going while I am over there.

What foods do I have access to here that I might not over there?
Are the streets safe to run on?
Will I really spend most evenings in the pub or is that just a stereotype?
Is it easy to bike there? Are bikes relatively inexpensive or available to rent?
Is it safe to go for walks in the evening?

Does anyone who has moved or travelled to other countries have any advice for me?
Are you maybe in Glasgow and want to add me?

Thank you!

mamma_adventure

I live in Glasgow, you can add me and look at my diary!
You could join a running group if you're concerned but I wouldn't worry.
There is a bike hire scheme in the city centre but you could pick up a cheap second hand bike on Gumtree.
it's your decision what you do at night...pub drinking is optional
I walk in the evening...

Don't be scared...it's an amazing city

jumblejups

I have no experience of Canada beyond other people telling me it's lovely

But as far as Glasgow is concerned, it's a pretty average city. There is crime in a general sense, as in every city, but it doesn't feel particularly unsafe. Plenty of people go running in the evenings and I'm sure going for a walk is just the same! It's quite hilly, plenty cycle but just be prepared for the challenge of uphill (and occasional scariness of downhill!). Spending evenings in the pub really is down to you; many people do and many don't, if you're studying then you might get invited to the student's union or similar hangouts, but there are also lots of coffee places, restaurants, salad places... Plenty of nutritious foods around, both to eat out and from the supermarket - Scotland is a pretty normal country in most respects Lots of seafood if you go coastal, which isn't too far, you can hop on a train and short ferry and be by the sea in about an hour (Gourock and Dunoon). I don't know about Glasgow Caledonian but most universities have some form of fitness - sports clubs, on-site gym, running groups etc.

One thing I would say is the city centre gets quite lively on a Friday or Saturday night, but what city centre doesn't? Still not unusually unsafe or anything like that, mainly people singing in the streets after hours!

I don't live in Glasgow but family used to. I like it and have never felt unsafe there or been forced into a world of sedentary fried Mars bar eating

punkrockgoth

I have looked into it and GCU has a gym and I think it's fairly close to the pool (relying on Google maps here).

I am really excited because the pictures look gorgeous and it's a great opportunity.

Thanks so much for your advice and such. It's good to know that I'll still be able to do what I do here, I'll just have a funny accent.

Slinky_BraveHeartBunsOfSteel

Are the streets safe to run on? Yes
Will I really spend most evenings in the pub or is that just a stereotype? That all depends on you!

Is it easy to bike there? Yes, there's a cycle path next to the River Clyde, which is quite near to the GCU.
Are bikes relatively inexpensive or available to rent?

Check out this link...
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/sustainability/smarttravel/cyclingforum/



Is it safe to go for walks in the evening? Probably, but I'd stay away from the parks at night time.
Heres a link to the parks in Glasgow. Great for running in the daytime.

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3350

Another link for running events in Scotland...

http://scottishrunningguide.com/


I live about 20+ miles away from Glasgow. You can add me if you like.

punkrockgoth

Thank you! So helpful!