To feel like moving to Scotland might be a bad idea?

[Dontsquashthechocolatemousse]

Currently we live in South West England.

DH has just landed a new job, and it's fully remote - which means we can live anywhere in the UK.

This sounded amazing at first and we let our imaginations run wild as to where we could live. We've sort of settled on Perthshire in Scotland as our dream location.

However, my parents live in the south west (about 1.5 hours away currently). They're late 70s, currently in good health, with busy, independent lives. My other, older siblings live much further away than we do, so we see them the most. They're very close to our young children.

I think it would break their hearts if we moved that far away from them. I know it's only a short plane ride away, but really, how often could we afford to make that journey? And what happens if they get ill, or need looking after?

On the other hand, they could chug along just fine for another 15 years. And they moved all over the world themselves when they were younger - only settling after I was born.

My DH would be so disappointed not to make the most of this opportunity, and to start a new adventure. But I can't help but feel a weight in my chest at the thought of being so far away from my parents.

WWYD?

I live in Scotland and love it but think Perthshire would be a huge change for you. The borders where we are is very well connected and a good bit closer. The best thing about living here. Low crime rate, low council tax, slower pace of life, amazing food, great schools, shorter hospital waiting times, clean air, countryside and warm friendly people.

"Education is better"

Not from what I've heard from relatives who live there. Tertiary is free. Rest of it isn't what it was, according to them.

Load of absolute nonsense. As an English woman living in Scotland you make me absolute embarrassed of my nationality. Scotland is most certainly not dark 6 months of the year and is not always cold and wet. I suggest many people responding here educate themselves because they’re certainly not promoting the English education system as it stands.

It certainly is not. That's the talk of twenty years ago

But how do you know the posters making these comments are English?

Parts of England, Wales and N. Ireland are just as cold and wet.

It’s so difficult when parents age.

There is no right or wrong. But this is the age when q a few elderly parents of friends I know, seem to start going downhill and start needing help. From IT to when stuff goes wrong with the house. It can happen quite quickly.

Would you feel obliged to come down and help? If not, then go for it. But living with guilt and a sense of failed duty is horrid too.

I think you need to imagine a situation where they get unwell and need you. And then see what exactly you would do.

It is so difficult. I don’t have the answer.

Sorry was replying to @tothesea
I did select reply. I was playing bingo but my sarcasm didn’t translate
Didn’t mean to cause a riot

It sounds really cold. What about Morocco?

Isle of Wight is cheap and closer

I have also heard that whilst university is ‘free’, there are not that many places available to Scottish students. Not sure if that’s true or not.

Ah well, many of us Scots don't want to move to England 'of all places' either so......

You already know the answer. Don't go.

I lived in east coast Scotland from birth to 30. It really is a lot colder and wetter than even northern England. I had no idea until I had spent a few years down here and realised how very different it is. For a lot of people, especially from tbe south coast, the weather would be a big adjustment.

I live 3 hours from my parents (mid 70s) and I feel like I’m constantly pulled towards them and I feel terrible that I am not there to support them as they age and struggle with an ever growing list of health issues. Unfortunately my DH’s job is not relocatable and our children are very happy in school where we are (and my eldest’s SEN means they would really struggle to cope with change). So I am stuck. And I feel guilty all the time.

so to answer your question - although I love Scotland too and would love to be based somewhere so gorgeous - I think you should stay closer to your parents.

I mean, I am from the highlands but have lived all over the UK and it is noticeably much darker up here in the winter (and lighter in the summer). Perthshire/central belt isn’t too bad though.

What is the job market like in Perthshire for his industry? You don’t really want to become dependent on a fully remote job and to end up stuck in that role because of a lack of other options.

Mid wales would be much nearer. Or maybe parents would fancy a move too (free personal care in Scotland)

And much lighter than the rest of the UK the rest of the year.

You're welcome

I very recently lived in Scotland for a few years and now have a gorgeous Glaswegian accent!
Although English born and bred, I have a fondness for Scotland and absolutely loved living there. We stayed in Glasgow for 15 months and moved to Perthshire for the latter part of my husbands training. Beautiful part of the world. I've visited every continent and can honestly say Perthshire is just the best!
Phenomenal education system, lovely, kind and very friendly locals, good quality of life. Can't believe how busy life is now we're back in England. Looking forward to (hopefully) permanently move to Scotland again soon once my husband has finished his current placement.
Also, Mothers Pride bread, square sausage, black pudding and irn-bru...need I say more 😂

Perthshire is pretty and lovely for a holiday but there’s not much there 😕

Stamp duty is double what I’d have paid had I lived in England. The state schools are appalling currently too so you might want to factor in private.

Scotland really is a basket case under the SNP

I live in Essex and would move to Scotland tomorrow if I could. The south east is now so crowded I could scream. At times it feels like I'm suffocating. At the weekends I hardly bother leaving the house as I can't face the traffic. My local woods have been hacked down to build a disgusting new housing estate, and a second housing estate is being built at the other end of the village. The traffic is a nightmare now, so god knows what it will be like when those estates are finished and occupied. I'd give a lot to live in rural Scotland – to be somewhere with space and silence.

True.

What does Perthshire offer that your current home does not?
do you have a support system in place?
what will you do once you move?