To want to move to the south coast?

[mummymacbeth]

I live in Scotland, I have some friends who have recently moved to the south coast (Brighton and Eastbourne). They are loving it. Am I mad to think I could have a better life by moving to the south coast (better weather, proximity to the continent)? It seems so achievable. Is there a downside? Anyone done it?

[Glitterknickaz]

Well the weather's been a bit shit this year!

[FallenCaryatid]

I did and I love it. Lots of positives for me.
Downsides for a Scot, too many people, not enough mountains and very expensive according to my father.

[mummymacbeth]

I live in a relatively expensive part of Scotland and a half arsed rightmove search tells me I can get a similar type of house for not more money in various places, granted I don't know good areas from bad! It is tempting!

[PigletJohn]

more daylight, more sun, warmer, plants and flowers start earlier and finish later, lower heating bills.

But you won't be able to sneer at soft southerers any more.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

I wanted to go down to somewhere along the south coast for a holiday this summer. Dh doesn't want to because there's been dreadful weather down there, flooding and all sorts.

Well yes, because the weather's been bloody lovely all summer here in Suffolk. Not.

[ThePhantomPlopper]

I lived in Scotland for 4 years then moved to the I.O.W, no regrets here.

My mum refused to visit us in Scotland after 2 trips, it gave her SADS apparently .

[NoComet]

at soft Southerners. I had a BF from the South coast who complained Birmingham was cold.

I was born in Yorkshire and brought up in Wales. I can assure you it was not cold!

[thornrose]

I moved to West Sussex coast from London followed by my mum and my sister. Although we all lived in London for many years we're originally from the North East Coast.
We've never looked back.

[mummymacbeth]

Sounds good piglet, I can deal with getting over the soft southerner thing! And ilovemydog, if the weather in Suffolk has been pish, just imagine what it has been like in Scotland - today and yesterday excepting. I know the south coast won't be mediterranean type weather but it is surely a distinct improvement!


Someone upthread mentioned a lack of mountains, and yes we have some amazing scenery here, but you only appreciate it when we get good weather which is rarely . Ah I don't know, is the change in weather enough?

[FallenCaryatid]

We get spring 3 weeks earlier here, the broadleaved woodlands are spectacular in autumn and it takes less time to get to Paris than it does to Edinburgh.

[DowagersHump]

Being able to be in Paris or London in an hour makes it brilliant. Plus the generally lovely weather, fabulous sandy beaches ...

[mummymacbeth]

Ah sounds good fallen! My friends in Brighton could not believe the difference - "we get a summer and it lasts for ages" note non-scots, this is all relative! Plus this year is different, I know'

[mummymacbeth]

Dowagers where are you?

[yellowraincoat]

Ha ha ha at summer down here. No way. It has been shit for the last few years.

I live in London and I love it. I get annoyed with people's unrelentingly serious career-driven attitude and the lack of banter is sometimes incredibly tedious.

It's something I would think about seriously, rather than making a snap decision. If you're moving for the weather, you're going to be disappointed, because it's really not that different except the winter isn't as harsh.

[garlicnuts]

YANBU!!! I've left the Glorious South (London-Brighton axis) and miss it immensely. I'm only 150 miles North but the climate difference is really noticeable, as is the lack of variety/convenience.

You can grow palm trees anywhere south of St Alban's. That says it all to me :)

Move! Take me with you???

[mummymacbeth]

Yellowraincoat tis just a thought for now, would not rush into it, and it is not just the weather, access to Europe is a big thing for us. And I stress it would be south coast specifically not south east in general and certainly not London, no offence (and for reasons you mention career driven people etc plus it just seems so overcrowded!)

[EdgarOlymPic]

Yanbu

why is the south more expensive?

because it's worth it !

[mummymacbeth]

Garlic there are palm trees in Largs and other places in Scotland much to my son's delight!

[yellowraincoat]

why would I be offended?

I have seen a lot of people move, thinking their life will be so much better. It rarely is, in my experience, unless you're moving for a very specific reason.

It's really no easier to get to Europe from here than it is from anywhere else, unless you really live in the middle of nowhere. The Eurostar costs a bomb unless you book well in advance/early in the morning ie 5 o clock.

[garlicnuts]

I dunno about that, yellow. I used to go on day trips to Spain, using cheap flights from Gatwick. We used to drive to France or Belgium once a month for a weekend shopping. You can get to Scandinavia more easily from Scotland, though.

Just looked at the palm trees in Largs (and found out where it is), macbeth. Very pretty place! Would be too cold for me, though ...

[nothingoldcanstay]

My family has moved to Scotland. The evenings are much lighter but since they are generally colder/wetter it's no advantage if you want to sit out in the summer.
You'll get fed up of the cost involved down here. Car parking, commercialism at every opportunity and NHS charges.
I think it's prettier down south even though it's less dramatic. The building's in Scotland tend to be a bit hard looking IMO. Having said that beaches in Scotland are fantastic. Be prepared to queue for a car park down south, sit cheek to jowl with other people and then dodge the litter to get to the sea.

Much easier to travel. Heathrow, Gatwick, Calais and Portsmouth give you Europe at great prices if that's what you want though.

[mummymacbeth]

I am thinking ferries yellowraincoat - a couple of hours from various ports on the south coast versus seventeen hours from Fife if that service even exists anymore, think they cancelled it! Or a huuuuuuuge drive then a short ferry drive. You are right though in what I think you are getting at, you are still the same person when you move and life won't change hugely, just location

[mummymacbeth]

Yes garlic, have had some very chilly times in Largs but it certainly is beautiful. You can't beat Scotland in the sunshine but you can count the nice days per year on yer fingers!

[Inyourhippyhat]

Don't get me started. Southern girl living in the far north.