Option to move to Cornwall or Edinburgh! How to decide

[Lozzie789]

My husband’s job has given him the option to relocate and we could go south to Cornwall or to Scotland! We’re in the midlands currently so same distance to either. We’re both really keen to move for a better lifestyle and better education (3 kids age 8,4 and 2) but can’t decide between the two. We’ve had holidays in both. The weather in Scotland worries me, but can it really be that different to the midlands? We’d go Edinburgh way. The education and general cost of living seems a lot better in Scotland, plus job opportunities for myself. Anyone relocated from the midlands to either?

Edinburgh - vibrant city , very expensive housing , good transport
Cornwall much more rural and I think more poverty , very poor transport

kind of very differnt vibes reallly

Edinburgh. Much more job/housing opportunities and better education.. If you move to Cornwall, nice as it is, your kids will grow up and move away from you as they can't afford to live there. Edinburgh weather is basically no different from the Midlands, honestly. Tomorrow's forecast is 17 degrees for Edinburgh and 18 in the Midlands. Will that make much difference?

I expect the Scottish weather will be less clement than Cornwall, although the latter is known to be wet quite often.

Unless you locate to a Cornish town, like Truro for example, I believe that the rural areas are quite isolated out of season and it may be difficult when you have older children to chauffeur about. Edinburgh will surely have plenty of things to do all year round and transport so the children can be independent when they’re older.

Cost of living would surely be higher in Edinburgh- Scottish taxes are higher, property is expensive and state schools are very mixed - so you need to be in catchment for good primary & secondary (very little choice of school in Scotland, it's usually just your catchment school unless you can justify somewhere else). But it is very pretty, loads to do and great transport links. Definitely colder than the Midlands!

Cornwall - rural, lots of chat about transport & employment opportunities being limited.

Do you want to be in town or country?

Edinburgh would have much better prospects than Cornwall and probably drier weather too

It would be Cornwall for me given the choice.
I love it in all Seasons, and the peaceful ruralness appeals hugely.

Edinburgh definitely. Not me, but my partner moved from the Midlands to Scotland and she loves it here. The tax thing evens out for us as we aren't big earners and we get free eye tests, prescriptions, uni tuition fees for dc etc.

Edinburgh.
Cornwall is beautiful but personally I'd go for Edinburgh. I'm a city person and Edinburgh is surely one of the loveliest cities on earth.
Also free university in 10 years' time (unless that changes).
Edinburgh is colder than the Midlands but that wouldn't put me off.

What sort of field are you in job wise?

Do you want city, suburbs or rural?

What do you want from where you live? To be able to walk to shops, beaches or country?

Are you a wrap up and get on with it type or a sun worshipper?

Scottish climate can be harsh but the east side of Scotland is quite dry. It doesn't bother me and I enjoy the summer with plenty of sunshine but rarely overly hot.

Hower if you like to lie out in your garden every evening it may not be for you. We sit out plenty but it's not quite the same as further south if you actually sun bathe.

If you want to live in the city then Edinburgh housing is both expensive and very different in terms of style with lots of tenements.

It is also more complicated to move England to Scotland if buying. You need to fully sell in England first and you'll need two different solicitors. It's common to rent first but that's not insurmountable and a good idea to get a feeling for areas before committing.

I have lived in both Edinburgh and Cornwall. Neither are better than the other. They are too different. What do you want from life? Cornwall has nature, beaches, a sense of peace and space. a unique culture (that may not be evident to holiday makers). Edinburgh is vibrant, buzzy, stuffed full of history and culture, genteel with slightly seedy undertones.

I could never go back to living in Scotland, the winters are just too long and dark, but I have very fond memories of living there.

I would put money on Scotland abolishing free university education* in the next 5 years, let alone 10.

• it’s not free btw, it’s paid for by general taxation.

Where in Cornwall would you be located as that influences my answer!?

Edinburgh has beaches! 7 hills, 2 extinct volcanoes, 4 Universities and an amazing arts and culture life.

I love Cornwall for holidays but would rather live in (or near) Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is great, look more to West Lothian, Linlithgow, direct train links to Edinburgh and Glasgow 20 mins. Beautiful town. Excellent schools. Bit more for your money too. But weather wise, rains for days but it does get the sun lol

Edinburgh is great, look more to West Lothian, Linlithgow, direct train links to Edinburgh and Glasgow 20 mins. Beautiful town. Excellent schools. Bit more for your money too. But weather wise, rains for days but it does get the sun lol

A few people had said this, and I do worry we wouldn’t be given them much scope career wise! Edinburgh feels like it would have more variety!

Such a good reply thank you!
not too worried about sun bathing, just don’t want to constantly be in the rain. I wouldn’t want to be too rural but probably not directly in Edinburgh. We’d like the look of south queensferry and areas around there.

Im in marketing, seems to be a few jobs and there’s also a lot of fully remote jobs.

I used to live in Hitchin in Hertfordshire and loved it. Was such a nice vibrant place without being too busy. Loved having a lot of things to do and it felt like being on holiday all the time. So looking for that vibe but really want to be close to the sea.

Im trying to think ahead for when the kids are teenagers and having the best opportunities for them, I think that’s what appeals about being near to Edinburgh

I did say to hubby that we’d surely be able to fly down south for holidays! I think Edinburgh airport has good flight paths

We’d need to be commutable to Truro. So most likely Newquay side as if going to be in Cornwall I’d want to be close to the coast. Also think for when kids are teenagers being around that area would be easier for them

100% Edinburgh. Far better prospects for a growing family, great transport connections, coupled with a lovely city and nice scenery.

Cornwall is OK for a holiday but its very insular, poor prospects, poor transport connections and (generally) less welcoming locals.
(And before anyone flames me, I have experienced it.)

If you loved living in Hitchin, moving to Cornwall is quite a difference.

And Cornwall could stay as a holiday destination :)

my husband has family in Scotland already so that helps as well

Edinburgh is grey, cold and miserable - the buildings are grey, the sky is grey - it is grim.

In Cornwall the children will have big skies, small friendly communities, sea and sand, beautiful cities like Truro within striking distance along with fabulous moors and scenery.

No contest!

I’m trying to get out of Edinburgh. I’ve lived here all my life and in many areas across the city. Currently based in what would be considered a nice area but the negative aspects travel. I don’t rate the schools, bullying is rife, there’s a real gang culture in many teen groups with balaclava wearing youths running riot. Can’t wait to get my teen dc away to be honest.