To up sticks from inner London for the Highlands?

[hibbledibble]

I've lived here all my life, but am increasingly finding it unpleasant. Too many people, too much pollution, too much crime, too little outdoor space. Since lockdown it's just got worse, as crime has increased, and the amenities have been closed. House feels too small when we are cooped up in it, but I could never afford anything bigger here, despite working in a professional job. I'm already in a not ideal area. Schools are also a concern, especially secondary, as they are rough and full of gangs.

The Highlands seems idyllic in comparison, and I could get a huge house, for less than the cost of my modest London terrace. The children would love the outdoor space, and it would be great for them to have freedom they couldn't in London, due to the crime here.

My concerns are the cold (but surely just need to wrap up warm?!) And feeling isolated. My job is portable.

Aibu?

I would not move there because of the short winter daylight. Others have given good reasons why it would be difficult for you.

The Highlands is a massive area. There are loads of English people living here but they might not be the kind of people you would get on with. A big proportion are middle aged white couples who have moved away from the "diversity " of English cities "because it's just like the 1950s up here ".
Which it's not. This is a big cause of anti English sentiment.

I moved up with my family, my dad was born and bred highland. I sounded more Scottish than many people born there. I love Scotland and it’s cultural heritage. I still got called a feb (fucking English bastard) at school. And worse.

@hibbledibble

Does anyone enjoy living in the Highlands, or is it such a great place to live that you don't want to share it?!

It gets dark early in London during the winter too. I can cope with that!

I'm thinking within commuting distance of Inverness. So not the back of beyond.

I live in a part of London where everyone knows everyone. A bit like Eastenders. The countryside is not unique in that set up. It is ethnically and socially diverse here though. Are people trying to tell me that the Highlands aren't, and 'outsiders' aren't welcome?

There's a huge difference between light levels in London and Inverness. Today sunrise was 7.53 and sunset 16.23 and obviously it will get worse till the solstice. Are you prepared for 6 feet of snow and the snow gates being closed and being stuck?

The Highlands are not ethnically diverse at all, it is unusual to see a non white person in the street. That is a major downside of living here.

There are loads of incomers and whether or not they are welcomed depends on their attitudes. It doesn't sound like you particularly want to participate in the community or have any understanding of the way of life.

Do you realise what a small city Inverness is?

I personally wouldn't live north of Perth again.

Yes, Feb was my Dh’s charming nickname at school. But I think times have changed. I’m English and have lived in Scotland for 12 years, I still sound very English, and I’ve never encountered any anti English sentiment. Our children were born here, we’ve no plans to leave because we love it. We’re not in the Highlands but close enough to escape to the wilderness. It’s a huge leap from London to the Highlands though. And the long dark of winter can be hard.

I'm Scottish and have absolutely no problem with English people wearing the kilt. The more the merrier.

It's quite a trivial thing but deliveries can be more expensive for an IV or KW postcode. At one point I was quoted £12.50 by a firm for delivery of goods when the same delivery would have cost £4.75 to the address I now live in (not the Highlands). And dont pay for next day delivery, as it will never be next day. I realise that like many.others I've painted a grim.picture but there are good points too, it just isnt for me.

Friend of mine did this years ago

She lasted 8 months. The weather isn’t just cold. It’s incredibly cold.

Also they weren’t warmly welcomed. I don’t know much. But the politics of it means that it wasn’t great for her.

Go! You only live once, get a bigger house and warmer coat and bloody well enjoy it

@ikswobel

The Highlands is a massive area. There are loads of English people living here but they might not be the kind of people you would get on with. A big proportion are middle aged white couples who have moved away from the "diversity " of English cities "because it's just like the 1950s up here ". Which it's not. This is a big cause of anti English sentiment.

Sadly I recognise only too well the people you refer to. They end up creating an English encampment in small villages, don't try and integrate and then wonder why locals are a bit stand offish with them. Hopefully op is not this kind of person , rather someone that contributes to the community and enjoys the life of the village they settle in.

@Haggisfish

I moved up with my family, my dad was born and bred highland. I sounded more Scottish than many people born there. I love Scotland and it’s cultural heritage. I still got called a feb (fucking English bastard) at school. And worse.

Not great - however this happens wherever. I moved around loads as a child/teenager due to my dads work and the names I got called when at school just outside London were pretty horrific. It was suggested on many an occasion that I needed to go to elecution lessons as I couldn't speak properly ( and coming from someone that spoke pure Estuary English I thought that was a right cheek!!) together with suggestions that I was some kind of wild heather muncher with no idea of culture/arts etc. Some folk amazingly were shocked that I was Scottish because I don't have bright red hair!!! ( didn't tell them that my cousins and dad all had red hair as that would've proved their point lol) sadly some folk are just uncomfortable with others that are different

Do it

Scotland's the bees knees

I didn't realise my job was so key, nor the insensitivity of talking about house prices. I apologise.

My reference to racism was in relation to some people saying they/others, dislike people just for being English.

My children are surprisingly incredibly keen on this move, for a variety of reasons.

All the talk about drugs, etc, but the crime rate is a lot lot lower than here.

It's a lot to think about now.

Well, yes, because the population is hugely lower, so the crime rate will be lower.

Crime rate is measured compared to population, it's still a lot lower. It shouldn't come as a surprise that rough inner city London has a high crime rate.

It's easy to think, I've had it with London and I'm going to the Proper Middle of Nowhere! There's a lot of Scotland and nearly all of it is beautiful or very nearby to lovely scenery without being so remote. We have quite a few friends who have moved up for various reasons although mostly central/east, Stirling/Aberdeen, they are all loving it. DH is as his dad is Scottish and he would move there in a moment. I'm sure there will be somewhere to suit you.

I would do it OP, but then I would say that...I did the same thing, left London because of many of the reasons you cite. I chose not to go as far north as you and as an option you could have that experience of breathtaking scenery and rural life but be pretty close to Glasgow or Edinburgh- personally I think you then get the best of both worlds. But you know where you are drawn to, follow your heart. Worst case scenario, it doesn't work out and you move back - but you will never know until you try.

I think someone else mentioned Northumberland. Underpopulated but within reach of Newcastle and mainline to London if required in a few hours.

I think the anti English thing depends on who you socialise with. DH is from a Scottish city. All the people from school, uni are fine. Many members of his family have been awful to me. Surprisingly although they are from a city they are extremely small minded. They hate the fact that DH lives in England and can’t imagine why anyone would live there.

florascotia thank you for your detailed reply. I have been in touch with colleagues who work in the Highlands. They are extremely positive about it. In terms of GP shortage, this applies to most areas, for a variety of reasons. I would hope that within the environs of Inverness, schools, shops, deliveries etc wouldn't be a problem. I'm glad to hear that you enjoy it.

Where I grew up had a low crime rate, a new policeman put a plea in the local newspaper for people to take their car keys out of the ignition as it would reduce car crime by 80%.
But there was a lot of drink driving, drug taking, domestic abuse etc.
This never made the crime stats because it was simply never recorded as a crime just noted as local facts in the community.
I'm not saying don't make the move you might love it but go in with your eyes open.

We moved to the Highlands from semi-rural in the English Midlands 20 years ago, but my mother was from the Highlands. I would now move no further south than Northumberland, not that I have any intention of moving away as I love it here.

But... The winters are dark, cold and wet. The summers are light, cold and wet. The roads are poor and and get very busy with tourists in the summer, most of whom have no idea how to drive on a single track road. Culture is pretty much non-existent outside Inverness. There is a lack of choice of everything, including services, and deliveries are expensive and always take at least a day longer than they say they will. Lots of things close between October and Easter. Bright kids will move away for university and most will not come back and yes there is a lack of things for teenagers to do and, like any rural area, you will drive them everywhere until they can drive and then worry about them driving themselves. 'Civilisation' whether that's culture, shopping, Ikea, proper airports are 4 hours away whether by road (the dreaded A9) or rail.

Positives? The scenery, access to outside pursuits, long, bright summer nights, people are generally friendly, the schools are on the whole OK, low crime rate, less people, slower way of life.

Many who relocate can't take it. Those who stay don't ever want to leave. As a rural GP you will be welcomed with open arms but it will be very different professionally to what you are used to - ageing population, deprivation, lack of resources, only one major hospital and a cash strapped health board (yes I know this applies elsewhere too).

Personally I'd live outwith Inverness but within a 15-20 mile radius. Maybe that's because it's what I'm used to, but places like Dingwall, the Black Isle or Nairn would be worth looking at.

I would hope that within the environs of Inverness, schools, shops, deliveries etc wouldn't be a problem
Depending on the shop, Inverness up, is often not counted as the mainland, meaning more expensive or no delivery. I live further north but when getting my kitchen units they wouldn't deliver not on the mainland, which they defined as basically just above central belt so that was fun delivery to a big yellow storage in Edinburgh, van hire in Inverness, driving down to get them, back up home, then down to Inverness to drop van off and pick up car, never again

On a local Facebook group or similar, you will be able to find a good list/bad list in terms of companies and deliveries and lots more shop options in Inverness then further up.

The Highlands are beautiful but harsh to live in. By harsh it's not just the weather everything is harder. Shopping is harder and less convenient. Your isolated and restricted. Everything involves traveling and in the winter it's very tiring.

London to the Highlands is a massive culture shock. I think go with somewhere less remote to begin with and for your children.

North Yorkshire Moors, County Durham Dales, Pennines, Northumberland all offer the same type of remote removal from society but amenities aren't as stretched, supermarkets do deliver on some days and you can get to cinemas, theatres and cities in a day if needed.

I grew up in one of these areas and you get snowed in for weeks, community is strong, you walk out your front door to vast country side in every direction. 4 wheel drive and snow tyres are standard as is a winter food store and big freezer. GPs are always needed.

I've lived in the Highlands, it's beautiful but by god it's tough going from September to April! This is coming from me who grew up in rural isolation!

I think around Inverness is a great idea. I know the Black Isle well. The scenery is lovely: rolling farmland, nice beaches (and dolphins!) The roads are decent and not single track, and there is a bus service into Inverness for when the kids are older (Inverness has tonnes of sports facilities esp).

There are stunningly beautiful and more mountainous areas nearby (like Glen Affric), but that is single road territory. The folks we know there love Glen Affric, but are thinking of moving to the Black Isle, because they get so cut off in winter with snow.