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Original poster

Relocation - have we considered everywhere or do you have any other ideas?!

145 replies

nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 15:05

Hello!
So for very personal reasons, we have planned to totally relocate (away from England). It's been a very long time coming, but the right time is next year and we are so excited.

We have a few essentials to consider, mainly universal healthcare because both me and our child are T1 diabetic.

We also want somewhere very pretty, with a slower pace of life.

I want to know if we are missing other places to consider. This is our once in a life time chance. So far, we have considered (and obviously have been to) these places:

-West Wales
-North Wales
-Isle of Man
-Channel Islands
-Scottish isles (inner and outer Hebrides)

We are happy to go further or consider literally anywhere!

OP posts:
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9
ItsReallyOnlyMe · 29/03/2023 15:12

I think you'll have to rule the Channel Islands out as you will have to pay for healthcare. (Please also check the Isle of Man healthcare conditions).

The property prices in the Channel Islands are also very expensive if you're not already a resident and don't satisfy their requirements.

I notice Northern Ireland isn't on your list.

BarbaraofSeville · 29/03/2023 15:20

Do you need to work? If so, are there any limitations in terms of where you can do this?

Where in England do you live now (roughly)?

Will you be wanting a hospital to be easily accessible?

What do you mean by a 'slower pace of life'. Isn't that something that you can do yourself, wherever you live?

You don't have to leave England to achieve this, it could also be found in the parts of Scotland that you haven't mentioned. Driving up the M6/M74 into southern Scotland is certainly very pretty for example, so is there somewhere in Dumfries and Galloway that might suit?

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 29/03/2023 15:22

NI has universal healthcare (with free prescriptions) although currently somewhat crumbly as is the NHS in all the rest of the UK, some oustandingly pretty areas and the option of a slower pace of life (depending where you pick). Some lovely small seaside towns.

emmathedilemma · 29/03/2023 15:24

I would go on holiday to some of these places for a week and then see if you still like the idea. Life might be slower and quieter a lot of the time but this can also mean a lack of access to facilities and options for things like hobbies and extra-curricular activities, even school subjects at exam level. You also run the risk of being a taxi service for your child until such time as they learn to drive themselves. You could also be looking at several hours round trip to see a specialist at a hospital, assuming the ferry isn't cancelled or delayed.....

MrsMoastyToasty · 29/03/2023 15:55

I've got family on the Isle of Mull. They have a community hospital but for something serious you might have to lifted by helicopter to Glasgow or one of the other major cities (there's no airport on the island so everything comes by ferry).

stargirl1701 · 29/03/2023 16:01

Highland Perthshire.

East Neuk of Fife

Plockton

Moray Firth

Original poster
nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 16:22

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 29/03/2023 15:12

I think you'll have to rule the Channel Islands out as you will have to pay for healthcare. (Please also check the Isle of Man healthcare conditions).

The property prices in the Channel Islands are also very expensive if you're not already a resident and don't satisfy their requirements.

I notice Northern Ireland isn't on your list.

Yes 100% - we have been to stay and loved them all but they are quite hard to relocate to and are so expensive!

OP posts:
Lcb123 · 29/03/2023 16:25

Those areas are quite big? I’d be doing some 1-2 weeks holidays to different parts. Do consider healthcare and how you’d access it more rurally. I personally think you can have any pace of life you want, wherever you live. I’m in London and have a very leisurely life most days!

Original poster
nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 16:25

BarbaraofSeville · 29/03/2023 15:20

Do you need to work? If so, are there any limitations in terms of where you can do this?

Where in England do you live now (roughly)?

Will you be wanting a hospital to be easily accessible?

What do you mean by a 'slower pace of life'. Isn't that something that you can do yourself, wherever you live?

You don't have to leave England to achieve this, it could also be found in the parts of Scotland that you haven't mentioned. Driving up the M6/M74 into southern Scotland is certainly very pretty for example, so is there somewhere in Dumfries and Galloway that might suit?

We definitely want to leave England, for our own peace of mind due to our adopted child.

Yes to work although we have a big chunk of savings to live on at first - I work for the NHS currently but there are many roles I can do from home and also privately, so it's not a massive issue.

Actually haven't really considered NI or Ireland but don't know why!

OP posts:
Original poster
nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 16:26

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 29/03/2023 15:22

NI has universal healthcare (with free prescriptions) although currently somewhat crumbly as is the NHS in all the rest of the UK, some oustandingly pretty areas and the option of a slower pace of life (depending where you pick). Some lovely small seaside towns.

Haven't considered NI (not for any particular reason) but definitely will look. Do you have any particular areas to look at?

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 29/03/2023 16:28

Do you need regular hospital access?

Original poster
nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 16:29

emmathedilemma · 29/03/2023 15:24

I would go on holiday to some of these places for a week and then see if you still like the idea. Life might be slower and quieter a lot of the time but this can also mean a lack of access to facilities and options for things like hobbies and extra-curricular activities, even school subjects at exam level. You also run the risk of being a taxi service for your child until such time as they learn to drive themselves. You could also be looking at several hours round trip to see a specialist at a hospital, assuming the ferry isn't cancelled or delayed.....

Thank you. We've been on holiday to all the places I mentioned.
Yes it's a definite consideration about being a taxi service but one child is about to go to sixth form and one is autistic and doesn't leave our side, so not such an issue for us in that respect Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 16:29

MrsMoastyToasty · 29/03/2023 15:55

I've got family on the Isle of Mull. They have a community hospital but for something serious you might have to lifted by helicopter to Glasgow or one of the other major cities (there's no airport on the island so everything comes by ferry).

This is definitely a place to consider!! Isn't that where CBeebies Ballamory was based or am I going mad?! Have you visited it before??

OP posts:
Original poster
nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 16:30

stargirl1701 · 29/03/2023 16:01

Highland Perthshire.

East Neuk of Fife

Plockton

Moray Firth

Thank you, will investigate!!

OP posts:
Original poster
nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 16:30

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 29/03/2023 16:28

Do you need regular hospital access?

My T1 diabetic checks are annual and our child's are 3 monthly, so yeah, sort of. But happy to drive

OP posts:
Original poster
nellyelloe · 29/03/2023 16:32

Lcb123 · 29/03/2023 16:25

Those areas are quite big? I’d be doing some 1-2 weeks holidays to different parts. Do consider healthcare and how you’d access it more rurally. I personally think you can have any pace of life you want, wherever you live. I’m in London and have a very leisurely life most days!

Yeah we've spent time in all the areas I've mentioned 😊 Definitely agree about the pace of life but we want somewhere rural and very pretty 😊

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 29/03/2023 16:42

@nellyelloe yes Tobermory (the island capital, if you can cal it that!) is where Balamory was filmed.
Yes, we go up regularly. It is a totally different pace of life. Many things close up for the winter and people often have more than one job to keep afloat financially. Everything- cash for the ATM, fuel for the petrol station, Royal Mail deliveries comes by ferry. There's no cinema except the one that arrives on the back of a lorry. The hardware shop is also the off licence.

Calmac the ferry company serving the island and others has an aging fleet which has caused problems, especially as in winter there is only one crossing.
Whenever we go up we stop in Fort William (if taking the summer route) or Oban (winter) and fill up with fuel as its more expensive on the island and also pick up any shopping our relatives need . The co-op on the island is very small.

Briallen · 29/03/2023 16:45

im from north wales so I’m biased but there are many beautiful places here, especially by the coast. However they can get quite busy in the summer at peak tourist time if that would put you off?

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 29/03/2023 17:47

NI areas - depends very much on the specifics of what you're looking for, and your budget, but as very general advice I'd start with the northern half of Co. Down or southern half of Co Antrim if you want access to Belfast (hospitals and general city facilities) and airports - train lines from Belfast run along each side of the lough for easy travel; north Coast for dramatic coastline; or over to the west side for the warmest (but wettest) weather.

Ireland would fit most of your criteria, but healthcare can be expensive. The NHS stops at the border.

Seeingadistance · 29/03/2023 17:56

Scottish Islands are problematic in that the Scottish Government is incapable of delivering two new ferries and there are massive problems with the current aged ferries.

2PintsOfCidernaBagofCrisps · 29/03/2023 18:04

The Scottish Highlands are generally keen for people to move there. I'm in West Scotland but dream of one day moving North, its just fabulous there. There are websites such as the one below where they lay out the incentives for a move and has lots of helpful info.
https://www.hie.co.uk/our-region/behere/

I'm not sure of your children's ages but worth considering that some very rural places have tight schooling capacity and travelling far may be the norm.

WeakTeaStrongMe · 29/03/2023 18:07

What is your housing budget; for example, houses are much more affordable on the Isle of Bute than on Islay.

kerstina · 29/03/2023 18:14

I would move to north wales or mid wales by the coast in a heartbeat but have you considered Pembrokeshire ? Also Wye valley .Monmouthshire .

headingtosun · 29/03/2023 18:16

WeakTeaStrongMe · 29/03/2023 18:07

What is your housing budget; for example, houses are much more affordable on the Isle of Bute than on Islay.

I was thinking this!
You would also be close to Glasgow and healthcare as needed.

Twazique · 29/03/2023 18:25

I often have a browse at houses on the Orkney Islands.