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AIBU?

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AIBU to consider moving to Scotland because I cannot cope with heat?

332 replies

bobdylanlover · 26/08/2026 19:32

I can't stand the heat. I holiday pretty much only in snowy places, some of which get dark very early. I have not coped well this summer. I also have a heart problem that isn't helped by hot weather. It's making me seriously consider moving to Scotland. My mum and dad, in their 70s, are somewhat open to also making the move with us - we are close emotionally and geographically and they wouldn't want to be away from my daughter.

The problem is this. I have lived within the same 10 miles for the majority of my nearly 40 years of existence (aside from uni, and living in Europe 3 times briefly). We have good friends here, it's a nice area, we have a lovely home. A nice primary school round the corner etc. Good neighbours. Parents round the corner. We both are happy in our work and can work remotely. Nothing is technically 'wrong' aside from how hot the summers are becoming. For example, there were loads of local things I didn't go to/do this summer because it was too hot.

I feel sick at the thought of leaving everything and jumping into the unknown. But part of me doesn't want to live and die within the same 10 miles anyway. I feel like I've exhausted almost everything here. I can't think of anywhere new to go any more and I find that utterly depressing.

My partner and I have always loved Scotland. Always. The nature and the space, the friendly people. So it's not an idea plucked out of thin air. It's been something that I've wondered about on/off for years.

Is it normal to feel so sick at the prospect of making such a big move? If I stay here will I regret not having tried it? Do you think the weather (and writing off 3 months each summer) is reason enough to do this? I can't settle on one idea. Sometimes I just think it's easier to do nothing but everything suggests that hot summers are going to be our new 'normal'.

OP posts:
Chipsahoy · 26/08/2026 20:25

blythet · 26/08/2026 19:40

As long as you’re prepared for long miserable, wet winters too

Depends on the area. North east Scotland doesn’t get anymore rain than when I lived in the midlands. We do get snow but it’s not miserable, it’s beautiful. I like that we get a proper winter. It’s icy and cold, not mild and wet like much of England.

suki1964 · 26/08/2026 20:23

I took the leap from London to NI 20 years ago

I went from everything I knew, to the complete unknown

My first few weeks it seemed everyone I met was English and they all warned me about the long cold wet winters, few were moving back because " their joints" couldn't cope with the cold any longer

And I have to admit, I never felt warm the first few years

But you acclimatise - really quickly. As a Londoner I would still be wearing a coat in April/May - 16oC didnt feel that warm to me back then. Now 16/18 is sunbathing weather and 24/26 is melting weather

As for everything else, I moved big city with every convenience , to the middle of the country and no public transport, no home deliveries etc , and you know, its just so easy to get used to. We were always going to move here but I held off until Ikea moved here, and you know what? A shop I thought I couldn't live without - Ive not visited in 7/8 years

You love Scotland? So go take some weekends up there looking at areas you feel you could settle in

We are the same as Edinburgh , long winters - today was my first drive into work on full beams , but they are now wet and windy rather than white and icy . But they are dark, very dark. Midst of winter its dark before 4 - I mean proper dark, and it doesnt get light till past 8am - closer to 9 if its bad weather and that can really effect how you cope with the winter

Hiredgun · 26/08/2026 20:22

The last two Summers in Scotland have been decent, especially 2025. Not too hot but solid blocks of warmish weather.

But 2024 was horrendous and the winters can be very long and bleak.

Beyond that, Scotland has many of the same problems that most other places have. Our largest city Glasgow is in a sorry state and even Edinburgh is looking pretty unkempt.

Firetreev · 26/08/2026 20:20

user1476613140 · 26/08/2026 20:16

I think the poster actually means half of England are buying up property in Scotland especially across the Central Belt...

Ah okay. Yes, I'd agree with that statement. There does seem to be a lot of English people moving to Scotland. And they are quite different to Scots. I think the English are much more individualistic on the whole.

Quine0nline · 26/08/2026 20:19

The east coast of Scotland is drier and colder, generally. The worst is milder and wetter. North of Perth tends to get more snow. The Glasgow area between there and Edinburgh, up to Stirling, south to Motherwell is the busiest and most likely place for jobs. What areas of work are you all in?

Edinburgh is expensive, parts of Glasgow are the wild west. No, worse - if billy the kid went to parts of Glasgow, his horse would be up.on bricks in minutes.
The scenery is beautiful. There are shithole towns too, sadly.
Och go fur it.lassie. Ye'll nae Ken til ye ken.

You will.not know until you know.

vincettenoir · 26/08/2026 20:18

This has crossed my mind a lot over the past five years or so too. Maybe we should get in there quick, before everyone else has the same idea and prices skyrocket!!

user1476613140 · 26/08/2026 20:16

Firetreev · 26/08/2026 20:11

It's not. Scottish people are quite different from the English. There's a different mindset and attitude to life in Scotland.

I think the poster actually means half of England are buying up property in Scotland especially across the Central Belt...

rocklivia · 26/08/2026 20:16

bobdylanlover · 26/08/2026 20:13

I agree. I believe the Welsh are more similar to the Scots.

Not at all !

Summerunlover · 26/08/2026 20:16

We live down south and are looking at moving to the north east because of the heat. I can’t take it anymore

bobdylanlover · 26/08/2026 20:13

Firetreev · 26/08/2026 20:11

It's not. Scottish people are quite different from the English. There's a different mindset and attitude to life in Scotland.

I agree. I believe the Welsh are more similar to the Scots.

OP posts:
Firetreev · 26/08/2026 20:11

scotlandundersiege · 26/08/2026 19:45

Scotland is like mini England now anyway.

It's not. Scottish people are quite different from the English. There's a different mindset and attitude to life in Scotland.

Rockfrock · 26/08/2026 20:11

@sunseasand25 Doh! I should also have said we have £300 in our joint account more a month after our move 400 miles. We save £130 on gas and electricity, £100 on council tax and water, and £70 on alcohol tax. (Beer is £1.19 not £1.79 for example.)
Dentist is the main additional expense.

MyNeedyLilacBird · 26/08/2026 20:10

God no my husband and I are moving out of scotland. Thiugh we are central belt and it prettys much a dump. SNP have run it into the ground. The long miserable dark winters and pretty much wet summers- we've had it. Went down south and it was glorious. lovely heat! You get the odd warm day or week but nothing consistent

StylesSluttyShorts · 26/08/2026 20:10

I'll swap.
I hate the weather in Scotland, I'm currently in London to get a week of what feels like summer, and I was here for two weeks in June/July.
Scotland is so so often dull, and grey, and chilly in summer, I find it terribly depressing.

MelonSorbet · 26/08/2026 20:09

It got up to 27 degrees where I live in Scotland this summer. That's still pretty hot btw.

RedRiverShore6 · 26/08/2026 20:08

You could go near Inverness and the Moray coast as it's quite nice there and not too wet. A holiday is probably a good idea to see what it's like

user1476613140 · 26/08/2026 20:06

Enjoy the long winters! And dark when you leave in the morning and come home at night. Pitch black.

I wouldn't have it any other way!

Rockfrock · 26/08/2026 20:02

@oatybiscuits makes a good point to go stay in the depths of January and see if you still feel positive. I’ve left Scotland for the South this year and I’m really enjoying the heat. I’ve had to buy loads of T-shirts and shorts as didn’t have many. Follow your heart and instincts. We are happily all different.

sunseasand25 · 26/08/2026 19:55

oatybiscuits · 26/08/2026 19:51

Id suggest going on holiday in the off season first, January is a very different beast to July.

And have a look at how much more income tax you’ll need to pay as well!

AgnesX · 26/08/2026 19:55

In Glasgow where it's raining just now. I hate getting wet going to/coming from work. Remember it gets colder here too. Cold and wet's no fun either

bobdylanlover · 26/08/2026 19:55

oatybiscuits · 26/08/2026 19:51

Id suggest going on holiday in the off season first, January is a very different beast to July.

Thanks for your comment. I've been during the Autumn and winter before and I prefer it. I really don't mind a cold and darker climate.

OP posts:
oatybiscuits · 26/08/2026 19:51

Id suggest going on holiday in the off season first, January is a very different beast to July.

UnctuousUnicorns · 26/08/2026 19:50

LauritaEvita · 26/08/2026 19:37

I think many of us were looking dreamily at the temperatures in northern Scotland during the heatwave. I think the heat will make more and more consider moving up there over the next few years.

DH and I were remarking on this last month. We're originally from NW England but moved to Scotland 32 years ago, currently live in NE Glasgow. I don't think it's reached higher than 26°C all summer.

bobdylanlover · 26/08/2026 19:47

flowerfake · 26/08/2026 19:46

Or buy air con for your home?

And stay inside for the entire summer?

OP posts:
flowerfake · 26/08/2026 19:46

Or buy air con for your home?

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