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'm in Scotland (central belt) and really don't identify with a lot of the stuff being rolled out here! Like anywhere, there are good and bad pockets but it would be wrong to suggest all schools are bad, weather always crap etc! It's a great place to live. My DM lives close to me and her mum started needing more care in her mid 90s so my mum would travel up and down to the north of England which was doable as she's retired. So if you're not working (?) then you'd have the time to travel if needs be?

I think you’ll find it’s Labour that those disappointed with the SNP are swapping to - and they are doing it in their droves.

I took Mamato to be a Scot 😉

For the avoidance of doubt, this does not make me a Tory, Scot-hating, insular, narrow-minded bigot.

Well said. One can love Scotland and loathe the SNP. They are certainly not Scotland.

There are plenty of "true" Scots who don't like the SNP but do like Scotland.

If only people would direct their loathing where it really belongs, rather than where MSM tells you to. For the avoidance of doubt I’m talking about the tories.

This thread is the gift that gives on giving, but my 2p worth is...

Don't do anything until he's passed his probation. Madness to throw everything into a move based on one job being fully remote.

Research, research, research his industry to make sure that if he does move on the basis of this job being fully remote, that he'll be able to find another one locally

Work out how YOU are going to live and meet people (I'm assuming you're a SAHP as you're only basing the move on DH's job?) It's hard to meet people in rural-ish locations, often there's no school drop off as DCs get the bus, etc. How are YOU going to build a life?

Also have you looked at any property? It's not plentiful at the moment...

I would do nothing for a year. Get settled in the job and come up LOTS for research in the meantime.

Well there you are OP. Move to Scotland and get a whole new political debate. Only you can decide whether it's a pro or a con

Leaving aside the family issues, don’t underestimate the difference in climate between the south of England and even lowland Scotland. It really is significantly colder and, particularly in the west, much wetter.

Possibly… I thought we’d got over all that 😆

It’s not dark 6 months of the year especially in Perthshire Shetland maybe a lot darker but not Perthshire.

I wouldn’t move far away from your parents (if you are close to them). I know they are ok now but it can be very painful when they get old and sick, and also go on for many years. In my case, I’m the one left nearby and it’s hard at times but I know my sibling living far away finds it very tough altogether.

Could you rent a place there for 3 months and see how you get on? I think the reality of living there (or anywhere) will be very different than you how you imagine. You need a reality check before selling your house.

All the very best.

Depending where in Perthshire you go it’s not that far to an airport or railway station. I lived there and loved it, loads to do and stunning scenery. Why not rent for a bit and see how you feel? Fwiw my OH is English and did find the dark winters a bit of a culture shock. Obviously not too much as we then moved to Shetland where the winters really are dark (it got dark at about 3.30 today).

Stay close to parents. The 80s are when it can go very wonky.

Kids can go to university regardless of household income. We receive prescribed medication without paying a charge. NHS isn’t brilliant but it’s never let me or my family down (same day GP appointments etc). Free bus travel for young people up to age 22 and for all over 60s. Baby boxes for all new parents. 30 hours per week nursery for 3 and 4 year olds. Lower council tax.

That’s just off the top of my head.

Genuinely I wouldn’t. And I live there.

What is it that appeals about Perthshire? It's quite a diverse county as there's a big difference between Perth itself and say Tyndrum.

I love it and it's a great place for getting to the rest of Scotland. But it's a long way to the south west and depending where you are a tricky journey.

Perth is a great little city and in easy reach of Edinburgh. I suspect more rural Perthshire might come as a shock. People underestimate distance in Scotland, especially east to west. It might not look far but you have to drive round mountain ranges. There's also not the number of other places like England. You have a city and then very small places, not a multitude of smaller towns for shopping, bars etc. Perhaps less of an issue in central Scotland.

If you are going to do it really consider your transport options. Being within easy reach of Edinburgh airport or the main train lines.

I head south about 6 hours fairly regularly. That is manageable but much beyond that not so much. Even for holidays it's a pain to go further than the north of England. I have family in the south west and trying to visit them is just too far on the train and pricey to fly (though depends if we are talking Bristol or Penzance).

As a previous poster suggested if you want Scotland consider the Borders. Edinburgh ring road is always a pig and the A1 is slow. Being south of that point makes it more feasible in a day.

As if you can boil down living in Scotland to ‘cold and wet’ and ‘dark six months of the year’ 🤣

Weather varies massively between areas eg West is rainier than East. We got more rain where we lived on the South Coast than we do here in Edinburgh. It’s definitely cooler but that’s not a bad thing for us - it’s hardly that cold and cooler weather can be a plus - especially in the summer when the South East can have temps in the 30s. We love the really long days in the summer, when we are likely to go out and enjoy the evenings - after work etc. The extra daylight you’d get in the South in winter doesn’t feel as beneficial - I was never out enjoying that extra 30 mins daylight in the middle of December 😂

But it’s all personal and you need to work out what works for you/what you want from life and then think whether it’s worth the move.

For us, living in Scotland gives us a much, much, better quality of life than we had in SE England - it’s much friendlier, calmer, quieter, better services, less travel, shorter commutes, cheaper housing, better access to nature… I could go on. But that’s our perspective and what we love might not work for someone else.

It’s bleak

Having made the move from England to Scotland, there are things I love, and things I miss, but I’m not sure I’d make the same choices again. Especially with school age children (if relevant to you). My parents are also now in their 70’s, and I’m really feeling how far away I am. Also, you will still find some anti English sentiment in places.. all my children faced some level of bullying in school for their accents. So that is something you need to be aware of (and isn’t often talked about). It’s also a beautiful part of the world and I’m not all negative about where I live and I’ve met some great people too. It’s isn’t clear cut.

Putting facts and opinions about politics, weather, darkness (🧐) and distance from family aside, the general anti-Scotland rhetoric on mumsnet is as disgusting as it is ignorant.

But feel free to carry on, because while mumsnetters spout a load of shite about Scotland in threads like this, Scotland continues to quietly gain traction internationally for its attractiveness to people who want to come and live and work here - primarily because of the comparatively strong quality of life, low cost of living and access to the great outdoors.

Nowhere is perfect, but to automatically knock Scotland is ignorant and you might want to ask yourself why you do that.

To the OP - it sounds like a difficult choice, and actually would depend where in Perthshire you are considering as some bits are more connected than others.

while I also love beautiful Perthshire, I’m not sure I would move so far from family - I guess much will depend on their willingness to travel and visit while they still can.

Very good point.

Extreme ! it is hardly Outer Mongolia.

I am furious at these remarks.Im 75, a Scot,in Edinburgh. It's not any colder or wetter than many parts of England. How dare !😡you all talk about my country like that. I have to ask the admins of Mumsnet if its set up for England! I did wonder- I am so disgusted I don't think I want to be on here.,Sending a complaint in also.

It’s bleak

I find the ring road around Birmingham bleak. Not so much rural Perthshire, which is very pretty indeed.