help

[Londonflatroofingservice]

Hello everyone this is my first time on this site and really just looking for some friendly advice and guidance. So here go's

We are a family of 6 husband wife two boys aged 16 & 10 and two girls aged 13 & 11 at the moment we live in a council flat 3 floors up in a run down area called Peckham postcode SE15. In the last three months of this year there were 2500 crimes reported in just the SE15 postcode alone the schools my children go to are very over populated and the area is not nice at all and i feel i can't let my kids out for fear of something happening to them there are always stabbings and gun crime going on if not in my postcode then very close i have been able to keep my eldest son out of trouble so far but can't see anything in london for my family anymore crime is to high, schools over run, NHS, can't get appointments, property to expensive, the list goes on.
What i would like help with is this I am saving as we speak for my deposit to buy our first house in the highlands I do not want us to be near a city not at all not for nothing. I am thinking of places like Fort William, Kinlochleven, Fort Augustus, and maybe even Isle of Skye.
I am a flat roofer at present but have run my own small handyman business in the past also done 15 yrs working as a welder fabricator in engineering industry. my wife is a carer for the elderly but has also worked for many yrs as a teaching assistant.
We have spoken as a family about moving to the locations mentioned and everyone wants to go for it we are all very out doors orientated as well walking, nature, hiking, biking, camping, we love it all.
My goal is to move out while the kids are still young-ish give them some freedom that they deserve give them and my wife and I a better way of life and also the chance for my children to buy a place of their own when they are ready.
So a little advice or help would be very much appreciated indeed.
What are the schools like ?
What are the people like ?
What is the work situation like ?
And has any of you actually made this move if so what are your thoughts ?

thank you so much

I'm in Glasgow so can't help with the areas you're talking about, but wanted to wish you well.

Scottish schools have defined catchments - but I think in tbd rural areas, the schools are pretty much of a muchness, especially at primary. If you are particularly rural, the primary school might be very small. You might want to check the catchment secondary - some of them I think are more limited in subjects offered than others.

Unlike England, most secondaries go all the way through to S6 (Y13) - although I think that some of the rural secondaries in the Highlands and Islands might stop at the end of S4 (Y11).

Need the month of your kids birthdays to work out which years that they would go into, as the cut-off dates are different. Plus secondary school starts a year "later" than in England (equivalent of Y8, age 11/12).

Good luck

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-22424941

The above or the yard at Nigg may be of interest.

Bumping for you

I know people in the Highlands who do handyman work in a touristy area with lots of holiday cottages, grass cutting etc.
There's often a shortage of tradespeople, and carers etc. so I think you would have a good chance of making a living if you're adaptable.

Some people say it can be difficult for incomers, but in fact there are many English people all over the Highlands, both working and retired.

I would caution against too remote an area with your children at the ages they are. It can be too big a change for them with nothing to do and long bus journeys to school.

Sorry I can't be more specific about schools and areas. Hope someone else will spot this and give more info. Good luck!

Your idea sounds sensible and great. I have a good friend who has just moved up to Central Scotland from London. My only advice would be not to limit yourself to those areas, many parts of Scotland are good for those who love the outdoors and the areas you mention may be more expensive than others. Also think about travelling to jobs as a roofer, you'll have a much bigger catchment for jobs if you are closer to good roads. So for example being based in Inverness gives you the chance to drive in different directions for work. Have you thought about the Lochgilphead area... Great property prices, access to the city in a couple of hours. Good luck.

Have you visited any of these places . It will be a huge culture shock for your dc moving from London and they may find the change very difficult. Skye is beautiful but far away from everything , Fort William is a bit of a dump ( IMO). There are other places such as Oban and Inverarie. However the weather can be unrelentingly grey and damp .

In the more remote areas there can be a shortage of gps and a lot of travelling to get to hospital for more specialised medical services .
You say you dont want to be in a city but if you are closer to a city - even a small one like Perth or Stirling is does offer more amenities , which esp your dc may appreciate. These places will still be very far removed from living in London.

Have you looked at the Scottish Borders or Dumfries and Galloway which have lots of walking , mountain biking and property is reasonable .its not as lovely as the highlands but less remote and the weather is a bit kinder . Peebles is lovely as is castle Douglas .

Anywhere on the West Coast/Argyll is fantastic. Close to beaches (think 10 minutes drive) with small primary and high schools. There are lots of parks, green space, forests etc. Crime rates are low. Most towns are 2/3 hours away from the city. Oban is lovely with great amenities for its remote location.

The west coast is stunning but it rains - a lot! The east is drier and sunnier. You may not think that's important but it would matter to me as I find the lack of sun depressing.
The Black Isle (it's not an island) is a nice rural area, within reach of hills but also near Inverness.

Wherever you go you will need to investigate how easy it is to rent suitable accommodation.