Moving from New Mexico, USA to Aberdeenshire

[MammaCeleste]

Hello, Mums.

We are possibly moving to Aberdeen in the next few months from New Mexico, USA. Yes, I know... the weather is very different.

My primary concerns are this:

1. The company will pay for our children's schooling. Which is better, The International School of Aberdeen or Robert Gordon's College? I am not concerned about the difference in "education system". I just want to know what locals know about the two schools. We have twins who are pre-K age, and a 15 year old.

1. The school we pick will determine where we live. I'd like to live in the countryside, in order to have a garden and chickens (fresh eggs, yummmm!). What areas are a reasonable distance from the two schools that are considered nice, peaceful, and have lots of room to roam outdoors for the children.

1. In the States, we have a big car (a minivan). It has 3 rows of seats and works very well for our family. Given the cost of fuel in Europe, we can't have such a large car. What are good family cars there? Reliable is key. Also, will we need All Wheel Drive in the winter? We like to do a lot of outdoors things year round.

Thoughts and advice is much appreciated!

RGC and International School are very different. International School fees are around double the RGC fees. My kids are at RGC but have attended summer camp at International School. It is a fantastic facility. So is RGC though

International is slightly more rural than RGC, so that may sway you.

Fuel prices are higher here, yes, but remember we don't usually drive as far as the average American does, day to day. Just get the car that suits your family best.

All the best!

Lots of minivans here too. If you are thinking about living semi-rural then I would look at something with 4WD, as country lanes tend to be low priority for snow clearance (not that we've had much snow in the last few years).

Do you know where DH's work would be? Location of his workplace may sway you in terms of area to live - basically north, west, south of city or city centre. It's easier to live in the same general direction as work - or you'll be crossing the city, or finding a rat-run cross-country.

Schooling - RGC is in the city centre, International in the western suburbs. If you're not fussed about the system itself, I'd say both were equal - which isn't much help I suppose!

So, area to live - you could live anywhere and have the same commuting issues to get to RGC. There are buses from certain areas - see the school website. ISA also has school transport from certain areas - but because it's on the west side of town, it's definitely easier to access from the west / SW area. So that is probably the milltimber / cults / peterculter areas of city, further out towards Stonehaven in south or west towards Westhill, then Banchory.

If you drew an arc from Ellon towards inverurie, banchory, Stonehaven then inwards to the city is traditional commuter land. Beyond that is lovely countryside with smaller towns and villages - definitely more rural but obviously longer journeys to school and work.

If you go rural, you'd maybe want 4WD but in huge towns you'd not need it. All main brands available with their own versions of SUVs and minivans. Shop around - many folk report it's cheaper to buy from a retailer further south.

Sorry, I very unreasonably assumed it was "DH"'s work facilitating this move, when you said nothing of the sort! My apologies for assuming!

Thank you for your thoughtful reply.

Yes, it will be DH. He will be working on the West side of the city center - Rubinslaw area (if that makes sense to you). I guess it is near the old granite quarry. The areas you pointed out on the West side are the ones I've been looking at online.

We'll have to see what the traffic and commute is like from the West before we settle in, as I'd like nice countryside as our daily surround, but we may have to compromise that for convenience. I would like access to a good Yoga studio, and the freshest local produce... but again, I suppose we'll need to figure that all real time, there.

I truly want the kids to have Scottish friends, and I fear that if they are at the International School that may be harder to accomplish. Perhaps we can find activities that will integrate them with Scottish children, and while I prefer to have some space around me, we may opt for a suburban neighborhood so they can ride bikes around with friends, play and explore.

I'm hoping that Icelandic volcano doesn't blow, as the news reports say that the UK could have the coldest winter EVER, and a cold summer to follow. I was in Callender, Scotland in July about 10 years ago. When it rained, I was freezing. But, the people were so wonderful, it made up for it.

Scotland is so much like the area I grew up in - the Northeastern US... in terms of green, lovely and historic (although different). While I now live in the Southwestern desert, I would so much prefer wet, cool and green. Access to a coast AND mountains is a major plus, too.

Anyone have thoughts on which way the Independence vote will go? Are there concerns locally one way or the other? Seems like an interesting time to be living in Scotland, whichever way you lean.

Oh, the independence vote ..... How long have you got?! If you're across here, buy me a glass of wine sometime and I'll give you my spin!
Seriously, none of the specifics are decided so theres nothing for folks like you upon which to make a decision, e.g. Different currency or tax regimes. If DH is at Rubislaw, I'll assume he's got an oil-related job, in which case the job will be there for as long as the oil, whoever governs these shores!

Rubislaw itself is a lovely area to live if you've got the the budget! The suburbs of Hazlehead and Mannofield would be nice too and convenient. Westhill is a straight line out of town from his work - I don't know the schools there, but it's a perfectly fine town, good mix of facilities yet close to the city and on huge doorstep to the countryside. Although in fairness, I'd say that about most of Aberdeen - traffic & rush-hour aside, you're on the doorstep of a reasonable sized city, yet the countryside and pursuits there are very accessible.

PM me if I can help with anything specific.

Good to know... there are different brands/models over here vs. over there. I've tried to research things via the web, but it just doesn't compare to seeing things up close and personal. Based on what some others have said, we'll have to look for something with All Wheel Drive (which we have here) as the more country roads aren't maintained as diligently in the winter.

Being American, I have this weird car thing - I won't buy an American car. Strange. Long been a Subaru & Toyota driver. Volvo XC90 does sound appealing though.

Love all the nuggets of information here. Thank you!