Moving from one end of the country to the other

[SunnySideDownUp]

DH and I are having initial discussions about moving from the South Coast of England up to Scotland - around Inverness. Has anyone else made a similar move?

We love being near nature and the sea, but we're keen to change the pace of our life, and have space around us. I'm reluctant because of the amazing weather down south! I'm not sure how I'd cope through the Scottish winters.

Also, my youngest has Down's Syndrome. I don't know what the health care is like in Scotland. My initial impression is that it'll be better than where we currently are, but we have a great DS community I don't want to leave.

The massive incentive, other than space and quality of life, is being able to trade in our house with a teeny garden, with a big garden! I love gardening, it's great for my mental health, and it would be fab to move from an allotment to a veg garden outside our back door.

Essex/London to Wales.

Best thing I ever did.

@palominoo what do you miss the most? How long did it take to settle?

It will be colder.

The only problem I have is that my elderly parents are now over 260 miles away so I can't just pop round to see them.

I settled immediately because I like my own company but the Welsh are very friendly and welcoming.

Yeah, the temperature and lack of sun is my major concern. I love being warm. Although I figure, if we move to a well insulated house with solar panels, we might well end up with a cheaper and warmer house than our current very draughty terraced house.

That's good Palominoo.

My parents are 3 hours away from us here, with either terrible M25 traffic or trains that never run, whereas we'd be able to fly pretty much directly there. We'd miss my in laws though, particularly my amazing MIL.

I should say that I rented a few houses in different areas before buying one in an area I liked the best.

I'm glad I did that as I would not have wanted to stay in my original location.

Dorset to tyne and wear. Best move ever.

Did it the other way- north of Scotland to Kent. Family reasons- never regretted it. Inverness is lovely!

I've lived in both the borders and London. The weather is colder, and will be more so as far up as Inverness - but I personally don't think enough to put you off?

London to West Cost Scotland. Its colder, its wetter but I wouldn't swop it for anything.

Why so far? Surely there is somewhere in between that would offer you what you are looking for?
Norfolk
Wales
Derbyshire
Etc

Do you have to go so far? Lots of places where your money would go further ie Northumberland, Wales, Scottish Borders.

Rent first and see if you like it. I'd worry about the weather, the snow and apparently they get a lot of midges.

You will really notice the lack of light in the winter. I used to live in Scotland (north but not near Inverness) and I much prefer the weather in the south.

For me I think the main downside would be that as an English person, you will always be an incomer. It’s not that people aren’t friendly, but no matter how long you are there, if you have an English accent you cannot really ‘assimilate’. This isn’t necessarily a problem but is something to bear in mind.

Good things (off the top of my head): the light in the summer, free prescriptions, a v high standard of soup, IMO a better education system, generally a more left-leaning outlook on life, fewer people so places are less busy, you are never far from stunning countryside.

@NiteFlights love the high standard of soup!

Lots to consider on both sides...

In terms of why go so far, I think we'd be happy to leave England, and the space of Scotland appeals.

I'm from the NE of Scotland and it can be freezing in winter but you buy suitable clothes and good boots and it's fine. What I love is the longer days in summer and the ability to get from beach to mountain in a short drive. Inverness is a lovely city and there are so many fantastic places to go nearby.

It's a big move but one you will love if you want more space and less people, also We do allow 'incommers' from England, really we do! In fact from Aberdeen north there have been thousands of people in North Scotland due to the Oil. Loads of Americans, Scandinavians etc, we are quite a multi-national country. I am giggling at the SE England posters thinking it is the arse end of the world and that you will struggle to fit in if you have an English accent!
I see posts here all the time about someone having moved into an English Village and never being accepted, that is unlikely to happen in Inverness. Orkney and Shetland maybe even I would struggle to be accepted but not Inverness

Thanks for that @hyrana, that's very encouraging.

We moved from Surrey to one of the Scottish islands. Best thing we ever did and we’ve been really accepted by the local community. The best thing we ever did!

@slowcookervegan what is it you prefer about Tyne and Wear? We’re trying to decide whether to move to Northumberland or further south (from London).

We moved from the Fens to Northumberland last November. Our new village has all the same facilities, but houses are 25-40% cheaper, the beaches are amazing as is the country side, and there's parmo, the Antichrist in a pizza box. In contrast to the Fens the default attitude is cheerfulness. Newcastle is a proper city, unlike Cambridge (up itself) or Peterborough (a marshalling yard with a cathedral).

WHY would you move away from Dorset?? It is Elysium!

I assume that you've been up to the Inverness area and had a look around?

Plus points are great countryside within easy reach and property probably a lot cheaper than where you are now (though if you want a reasonably-sized garden for your veggies, the choice might be a bit more limited). Public services are generally better than in England from what I can see.

You probably will find it a bit colder but the long days in summer are great, the weather can be fab, and it is great to have so many lovely places within easy reach. Inverness doesn't get that much snow as it is down at sea level but outlying, higher areas can get more (though not excessively so in most winters). Dress for the weather and you will be fine.

You can regularly see dolphins in the Firth near Inverness, and there are even sometimes otters and seals in the river close to the town centre - no shortage of wildlife watching opportunities!

Midges aren't a problem in the city itself but could be a problem in some surrounding areas during the summer so best to check with locals when you are house-hunting.

Job opportunities can be a bit limited depending on what you do so best to research this in advance.

There is a local branch of Scotland Downs Syndrome www.dsscotland.org.uk/our-services/your-local-branch/highland-and-islands/ who could probably give you advice on what support would be available for your DS.

I wouldn't worry personally about assimilating - Inverness has grown so much in the past couple of decades that most people living here are incomers. If you want to get to know people (locals and incomers), there are loads of clubs and activities to choose from.

Dorset to Scottish Borders. Best thing we ever did, especially for children. Edinburgh in easy reach, but country feel, and lots of freedom and security

"For me I think the main downside would be that as an English person, you will always be an incomer. It’s not that people aren’t friendly, but no matter how long you are there, if you have an English accent you cannot really ‘assimilate’. This isn’t necessarily a problem but is something to bear in mind."

🙄