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?

There is no way I would consider this a good move!

Scotland is beautiful, but what if he is made redundant, the company goes under, the probation doesn’t work out.

Absolutely no way would I consider moving from the south west! Which is a stunning place to live.

i would however feel so excited at a house swap and/or travelling opportunities throughout the year!!!!

I don’t think you are being ambitious enough. I would stay put as a base, and travel extensively. In school holidays if dc are older or at any time if they are young. The world is your oyster far beyond Scotland op!

Not really. Education system is failing - many Scottish teenagers are denied Uni places because there is no money to pay their fees ; Health Service is failing; taxes are higher but no-one has better quality of life in my experience. Political system is a mess - no checks in place so SNP do what they like. Every single initiative they start fails - Ferries, DRS, self- identifying etc…

I mean OP, we would love to have you , but please come with open eyes

Have you actually visited the area you have settled on?

We moved to an area where we didn’t know anyone, and far away from any relatives, and tbh it can be quite lonely.

What’s the job market like up there? I got made redundant from a remote role last year, and my current remote role is also now at risk.

@biedrona Yep, compared to England, a higher tax rate that provides 13 benefits that are better than (or not paid at all in) the rest of the UK.

SNP bad! Full house!

I love scotland but what is the specific reason to move there? Family/ friends are what matter in life - if you have young children it's so valuable to live near family. Sounds a bit like a daydream rather than reality.

The summers in Perthshire are lovely and mild so ideal for holidays. I personally don't look forward to the winter months and find it icier than elsewhere in the UK.

Stay in England

I was born in Kent, parents moved to NE Scotland. I worked in London in my twenties and came back home to Scotland. If I was without kids I'd go back down south. But I don't have issues with nhs access where I live, weather is chilly. However in June/July it was High twenties. I work in a school that's really really wild. My boys both go to fantastic schools. Perth isn't great for airports, there isn't one. Recent flooding means some houses postcodes are now treble in insurance. Far easier to purchase property here. Perth is lovely, but for teens... maybe not

I live in Perthshire and it’s really lovely… however …. It’s a pain to get to a train station or airport. Have you considered somewhere closer to Edinburgh where transport is easier to access?

I moved to Scotland (not Perthshire more remote) from England it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
Pros: it’s much more peaceful here, the air is less polluted simply because there are significantly less people/cars etc, the days are longer in the summer, the scenery is simply breathtaking (I’ve lived in 4 AONB in England), more wildlife, the Scots IME are significantly less pretentious than the English, houses are much cheaper, less people especially away from the central belt and much less tourists than say the south west, all Scots I’ve met are friendly, you don’t have to drive far to be in stunningly beautiful countryside, both Glasgow and Edinburgh are great cities personally I prefer Glasgow it’s really is a great city I consider Scotland to be my home nothing would get me back to England.
Cons: depending where you are the weather can be tedious, Im on the west it rains a lot here and it’s very windy, the days are shorter in the winter, you often have to drive to either Glasgow or Edinburgh (depending where you live) for shopping the former is my nearest proper shopping centre it’s 100 miles away, and for you may have to go there for some hospital investigations/treatment, it’s rains a lot on the west, it’s colder and windier on the east, you pay more taxes I earn above average and pay about £100 more a year than I did in England but as already said prescriptions are free and I get three medications a month, the NHS isn’t great here but it’s no where near as bad as in England, it’s a long way from the south east/west of England where I moved from don’t expect people to come tripping up to see you on a regular basis they simply won’t sometime the fuss they make I feel like I’ve moved to Outer Mongolia, it’s rains a lot on the west side and it’s colder and windier on the east, I do miss the culture; exhibitions world class opera and ballet etc found in London oh and did I mention it rains a lot on the west side and it’s colder and very windy on the east 🤪.
Personally I would recommend Scotland I get withdraw symptoms as I cross the border when I do go back to England and heave a sigh of relief as I cross the border when I come home.

Many on here bang on about the SNP (no I didn’t vote for them) but fuck they look positively amazing in comparison with the Conservatives!

The OP is asking about a move far away from family but immediately folks are putting the boot into Scotland. It’s just an excuse to slag Scotland off. What a horrible attitude.

Possibly, but gaining so much more.

What, every single state school? Have you experience of all of them?

Sorry, what?

FWIW I wouldn’t move that far away fro my parents. That’s not to say you’ll never do it ..just kick the dream down the road a bit.

I moved from somewhere close to Perthshire to way down south so that DC could be closer to their grandparents. It was a few years ago and in all honesty I am still not sure if I did the right thing. I miss my little part of Scottish countryside every single day. But on the other hand, the plane trip was just not that feasible on the regular and it was a pain travelling for every holiday. Not the actual journey time, but the faff and how you need to factor in times and only really getting one full day on a long weekend. The regular contact with grandparents was I think worth it overall, but I Personally was much happier before. But then again DP really regrets the missed baby years with family and regrets not moving sooner.

This is probably not helpful to you! I guess my point is that there maybe isn't even a right answer, you need to weigh up the pros and cons and commit.

Tothesea. 100% agree with you. Scotland is the same as everywhere else, we all have good and bad bits about our Countries.

We moved to the south west , away from both sets of parents and our siblings. We’re about 6 hours away.
it’s been great for us, feel like we found our own little piece of the UK. I have actually thrived being away from family, and we made lots of friends when our DC’s were at primary school.
my children do miss their grandparents though, and sometimes when we meet up with their cousins I wish they could see more of each other.
also, I’m aware that the bulk of the oncoming care needs will fall on our siblings…guilty and grateful!

This! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

But OP, I’d feel the same about my parents, why don’t you talk to them about it?

Haha I've just read the full thread - didn't know there were so many Tories on MN! I'm assuming you all love the conversative party if you're genuinely suggesting that the SNP is a reason not to move?

If you were listing multiple reasons why this move wasn’t for you then maybe you should rethink. But you’ve only stated one negative, compared with it being your “dream location”. Go for it.

Why?