Scotland or Northern Ireland

[WeeWeegieChick]

If you could choose to live in either of these places which one would it be?

Only considerations are healthcare and education.

Scotland.

For context, I have family in both but have not lived in either myself.

Why would you choose Scotland?

Scotland, because I already live here.

Healthcare is pretty shit everywhere in the UK atm. Schools / education in NI is very good.

For healthcare I’d say Scotland just because prescriptions are free. Maybe have a look at the devolved issues as that means they are run by the Scottish Government. In NI you are not wort of the mainland either so I don’t know if that has any implications re cost of goods etc.

@BashfulClamprescriptions are free in NI too. No water charges either and uni fees, though not free like Scotland are around £3.5-4k.
I’ve not noticed any difference in terms of cost of goods. Obviously things have generally gone up but no more than anywhere else.

Scotland, much better heathcare in my experience. Sectarianism is still a huge issue in NI, one of main reasons I'd never go back.

Scotland because I already live here. Bear in mind that we may have free prescriptions and university fees but we also pay more tax. Plus there's the constant threat of another independence referendum.
However the scenery is beautiful and house prices are lower generally (except in some parts of Edinburgh)

Scotland. DH is originally from there and has family across the central belt and Hebrides.

If you need to be in a city I'd probably choose NI for house prices. Education in NI is pretty good. Healthcare is shit basically everywhere. I live in NI and unfortunately have cause to use the NHS a lot, it's a shambles. I don't know if it's any better in Scotland.

I'd say not Scotland-.education used to be good but scottland is now slipping down the international league tables, support for special needs is dire and the "everyone to the catchment school" system creates massive inequity between schools.

Health care is also shot, seeing a GP is impossible, the NHS is refusing referrals for things they used to sort and waiting lists are atrocious. We've ended up going private just to get to see the consultant (who worked for the NHS), but who we couldn't get access to through the health service. Also had to pay privately to have a gromit removed from an ear (the NHS put it in there but it fell out and sat in the ear canal accumulating wax until child couldn't hear. Apparently the NHS don't deal with that kind of issue). Both of these rank as among the best money I've ever spent but I shouldn't have to spend it when my taxes fund the NHS.

(Also check the tax implications of moving to scotland- we pay more tax so the SNP can give it away in benefits while health care and education fall apart around them)

Scotland. Health is terrible in NI. Education is two tier. You’re ok if you get into grammar school. Also there is not enough integration. There are too many schools to satisfy sectarian interests which leaves everyone underfunded.

Prescriptions are free in NI too

Scotland for health. It’s a shitshow in Northern Ireland. Education is better here though.

Love my country in spite of the education and nhs.😂
Thanks shitty SNP

Free prescriptions for all is a disgrace!!
Don't talk to me about the "admin" fees to means test it because it doesn't wash

So if someone can’t afford prescriptions (which many people who don’t qualify for exemption can’t) you rather they died or got more unwell requiring hospital? I work full time but would struggle to afford all my medications, i can’t even afford one of the pre pay thingies but I don’t qualify for any benefits so I wouldn’t qualify for an exemption.

Well it does wash, because it's true. It's okay though, you can stay where you have to pay and we'll continue happily over here with our free meds 🙂

prescriptions are free in NI too

I’m from NI and have lived here since I was 4 yrs old. House prices are cheap in comparison to the Mainland. Check out www.propertypal.com to give you an idea of what you could get for your budget. Schools are good, really good standard of education. However, the education system is still largely segregated which is a shame imo. The Public Services are often paid less than the mainland-nurses are gearing up to strike yet again because they still have not received their salary uplift, whereas the mainland has. Prices of goods etc: haven’t noticed a huge difference, but it’s sh*t trying to get things delivered. I’d order things from Amazon etc, but then the vendor often cancels coz they don’t deliver to NI. Ferry prices to the mainland are extortionate and there’s no competition between the ferry companies. Have noticed a lot of holidays from the NI airports are often more expensive than the mainland too… There’s no subsidies for childcare as far as I’m aware. Check out the Melted Parents FB page to find out more about that. My daughter lives in Somerset and says she’ll never return. Our plan is to move to Scotland when we retire.

If all NHS Scotland is similar to NHS Fife, (Sandie Peggie), I'd stay where I am! The trans stuff in Scotland appears to be a bit mad and while there are other important matters around, I'd be wary of women's rights in Scotland TBH.

NI is probably similar but in a different way, given the religious fervour of many members of the Assembly. But I don't know.

In fact I haven't a clue which is better, but I had to get NHS Fife in there somehow. 😉

Why do you want to move when you retire?

Would move now if I wasn’t so close to retirement. In no particular order:
a) Sick of the politics.
b) Brexit has had a negative impact on NI in particular
c) would rather be a drive away from my daughter rather than a flight/ferry away
d) cheaper holidays
Might consider Wales as a plan B