To move from the big smog to the Highlands?

[Rattusn]

I have lived in London all my life, and it has been a bit of a love/hate relationship. I do love all the local facilities, and rarely for London, we do have some community. We do however live in a very deprived area, and I can already see my primary school age child becoming very streetwise, and being exposed to things I would rather she wasn't. The local secondary options are appalling ( very rough - think heavy gang involvement and frequent physical fights). If we stayed I would be dreading what will happen at age 11.

Our area is very high crime, and has a lot of social problems. Very ethnically diverse without much integration, with the resultant issues.

We have holidayed in the Highlands and it has been divine: Stunning scenery, with lovely friendly people, and altogether much more child friendly. Afaik all Scottish children go to their local school, so no more trekking across London because I couldn't get a place at a nearer school. House prices here are also incredibly good value for money after being used to London prices.

Altogether it seems like a an easy decision, but I'm not sure that it is pie in the sky. Aibu to uproot my dc across the country?

[user1457209334]

I’ve lived in Inverness for over 20 years. I would be very cautious about moving anywhere north of Perth, the A9 is a terrible road and will only get worse over the next few years as roadworks for dualling are underway - this is not due to complete until 2025. It’s 3 hours approx by car to Edinburgh, longer by train.Average speed cameras on the road which switches back and forth from single, to dual, to 3 lane along its length. The worst parts of the road are at the north end which is of course when you are tired coming home. You may end up feeling cut off as Inverness, the Highlands biggest “city” as it’s now designated, is really just a medium sized town (I think Tesco is open 24 hours). I long for shopping trips in Edinburgh/Glasgow, without the hassle of travelling. But you may just fly to London for shopping, perhaps? And there is the neverendum hanging over us at all times. Scenery is fantastic of course, although there are some wind factories, and midges and ticks at certain times of year. I always say, great place for a holiday, to live here all year round, not so much. I’m going back to Fife when I retire. Unless that neverendum comes to pass when it may be further.

[ratspeaker]

Many of the niggles of living in "the Highlands" are the same as any rural area.
No corner shops, no Tesco Express, no takeaway nearby, no pizza delivery, no cinemas, no theatres, no gym/swimming pool/ leisure centre/ yoga/spin classes just down the road, no public transport, etc etc

Having said that some of the larger supermarkets are now doing online shopping deliveries in the Highlands.
There are more ATMs so you are not relying on the mobile bank van coming round


Would you be working OP?
Have you thought about transport to work.?

A link to school catchments, travel to secondary can be quite a distance. 20 odd years ago secondary school kids used to have to board during the week, thats no so much the case now unless you go really rural.
highland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=531a30ee33564231866ff94e96607f26

[Rattusn]

I was thinking of Inverness. I agree with many who have pointed out that living in the rural areas would be too much of a jump. Inverness has a lot of shops, restaurants, and a big leisure centre and is stunning. Dc could both walk to school (this is very important to me) and I wouldn't have to ferry them around as teenagers. We could probably be tempted to other medium size towns too. (Aviemore?)

I hope there isn't too much anti-English feeling, as our accents are very London.

In terms of work, we are both public sector, with pitiful London weightings, which means we would financially be a lot better off moving. Without explicitly stating what my profession is (though this makes it somewhat obvious) I would also benefit from the devolved government, and may well be paid significantly more compared to my London colleagues.

[CaptainCrunch]

Aviemore is tiny op, we go every year for snowboarding and every time another pub restaurant business has closed down. There is no work other than seasonal tourist stuff. You're seeing these places from the POV of a tourist, it's not like that in RL.

[MrsAmaretto]

Yes move to Inverness but as others have said rent for a year before selling?

No way I'd choose to raise children where you described. You've nothing to loose giving it a year and everything to gain. Good luck!

[PedantPending]

Move to Exeter.

[FlowerOfTheWest]

I've no idea what your specialism is, but the main public sector employers in Inverness are Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the NHS. There may be other organisations with regional offices there (e.g. the Forestry Commission) but there's nowhere near the range of public sector employers you'd get in London or even in the Central Belt.

[AtSea1979]

OP I would move in a heartbeat. I wouldn't even rent my home as from what you've described there's no way I'd be moving back. Even if the highlands didn't work out there's plenty of other places that would be better suited to DC.

[JessieMcJessie]

Sounds like a no- brainer then. DH and I live in London and our jobs don't exist outside major financial centres (ie Hong Kong, Zurich, NYC, Singapore etc). We love cities but now we have a baby on the way I am already worried about exactly what you describe re secondary schools. I grew up in Scorland in a very similar environment to what you aspire to, but had no idea how lucky I was. One question though- are you sure that there are actually vacancies in Inverness for these public sector jobs that you do?

[FlowerOfTheWest]

Oh, unless you are a teacher in which case you would be welcomed pretty much anywhere in the Highlands (or the nearby areas of Moray, Aberdeenshire etc) with open arms as there is a major shortage.

[Rattusn]

Our public sector jobs are in demand everywhere. We could either request a transfer, or apply for jobs. I'm quite fortunate that I could easily locum too.

The reason for not moving to the home counties is price mainly. Money goes so much further up in Inverness.

Admittedly I haven't researched Aviemore, I didn't realise it was so small.

In terms of our London area, it really is as bad as I describe, though it is rapidly gentrifying. This doesn't change the underlying gang, crime and anti-social behaviour issues though. More than once I have had to walk the dc past a recent murder scene on the walk back from school. If I could afford to live in a more desirable part of London I probably wouldn't feel the drive to move out, but those areas are completely unafordable.

[Happymac1]

My first post! I live in the Scottish islands, so that is far flung. Have returned after a spell away for Uni, first job, now have kids etc etc. Some of the silly messages on here are astounding. The term 'incomers' is actually usually one of affection, it allows us 'locals' to separate out what people know, what they are used to etc. We want people who join us in our communities to feel at home, not alienated. It is different though, the same way when I go to London that is different to me. When we had our children we suddenly realised there was a better place to bring them up; at home. You sound as though Inverness would be ideal, we often pop over to get a fix of H&M and M&S. And as for the person who said there was a lot of anti-English feeling...what nonsense. People just want people to integrate with tolerance and respect of their communities, and they will afford the same courtesy in return. All the best...life is for living so if it doesn't work you can always change again!

[SaucyJack]

Won't it be cold?

I feel the drop in temperature when I go up north to London. I cannot begin to imagine what the Highlands are like.

It would be a proper shock if you're not used to it I reckon, and not in a good way.

[SquidgyRedBall]

Not RTFT but I would love to do this. On paper it seems idyllic but in reality I would miss my friends and family

[Rattusn]

happymac thank you for the reassuring post.

the cook I can totally relate to what you are saying. Maida vale is comparatively very nice to where I live though! As a Londoner I understand though that the nice and not so nice areas are side by side, and Kilburn is on the not so nice side (but is on the up too?)

saucy I'm sure it would be cold, and this does go on the cons list. Not unbearably so I hope!

Another slight worry I have is that we rely on having an au pair, and recruiting one to Inverness would be a lot harder than to central London.

[MilnersGold]

Have you considered the Isle of Man? A fantastic place to raise a family.

[TheRealAdaLovelace]

the thing is that once you are in the London 'way' it is hard to adjust to eg the pharmacist shouting out your name and address in a crowded shop. Just a small example.

[Roseformeplease]

I moved from Brixton to the deepest Hughlands. Pm me if you want information. I teach here too. Beautiful place. Best thing I ever did. My children are fiddle playing, ceilidh dancing Highlanders who are having an amazing life. An we run away to the city when we want something different. Sleeper every night to London made the transition easier.

[QueenLaBeefah]

I think it would be a good idea to rent for a year.

The winters are long, cold and dark.

I grew up in the highlands (near Inverness) but I couldn't live there now. It's lovely but I really struggled with the winters and wouldn't now live any further north than Edinburgh.

Inverness is a lovely place though.

[jacks11]

If you can get a job there, then I think it is worth considering. Although there are many other areas which you could consider too. I would beware of rose tinted spectacles though- there are certainly down-side. That said, it sounds like things aren't great where you are either.

The plus sides are the beautiful scenery on your doorstep and housing is more affordable. Inverness schools have a reasonable reputation on the whole. Most children go to their local school and if that is important to you then clearly a plus point (fewer Independent/private schools in the North of Scotland- nearest would be Gordonstoun in Elgin, for example).

Inverness obviously hasn't got all the facilities and attractions of London- but if you're struggling due to financial costs then you may not be able to access many of these anyway. There are leisure facilities, the theatre, some sporting events etc- obviously not as wide a variety as in London but depends on how vital these things are to you.

Fuel is more expensive, no motorways and agree with previous PP that A9 between Perth and Inverness is not a great road- attempting to dual the whole route and roadworks may cause delays etc while this is done but hopefully provide improvements in the long term.

The weather is certainly colder than south of England, but it's hardly arctic winter for 11 months as some said. Summer is shorter, but it's really not that bad. Most people I know don't have the heating on all year round as a PP suggested. It can be wetter, depending on where you are, but also less wet than some areas of western England and wales.

I think it makes sense to go up and look at things with a more cynical eye- look at job availability and what the wage would be vs housing costs + cost of living. Look into local schools and see what you think. Look into other local facilities- leisure, cultural and sporting (depending on what you and your family are interested in) and see if you could live with the more restricted options when compared to London. I don't know about the support you have from friends/family, but think about how you will manage without whatever support you currently have.

If, after careful consideration, you think that on balance your family's life will be improved by moving then go for it- whether that be Inverness or elsewhere.

[FlyingElbows]

We live on the west coast just south of Glasgow. We've got it all. The sea one way, fields the other, mountains to the north, England to the south. We're in reasonable reach of pretty much everywhere bar the very far flung. We've never frozen to death or been washed away. The kids go the local school, nobody worries about that. I can't speak for Edinburgh but the Glaswegian gangland players keep themselves to themselves and only kill each other! We've got culture and bustle when we want it and open space when we don't. It's a happy medium you could look at. It doesn't have to be city or isolated wilderness.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

You might not be too far from me, then, Flying.

[jacks11]

Also agree with happymac- some posts made me chuckle a bit! I don't recognise the picture painted by some. I guess that, as with most things, it's horses for courses.

[LoisWilkersonsLastNerve]

I think you absolutely should give it a go op but look at Scotland as a whole and not just the Highlands, some fab choices. Dumfries, Edinburgh, Ayrshire, Stirling etc. I get the appeal though, the Highlands are stunning.