How does Scotland differ from England/Where should I live?

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I'd like to hear from people who have lived in both!

At the moment I'm considering moving to Scotland but I'm not sure if I'm totally romanticising it. I'm planning a year ahead of time so I'm going to be doing lots of visits and research but just wanted to get a feel for things ahead of time.

I work from home so commutes etc aren't a problem. Shite weather isn't either as it's my favourite kind :-D

How does Scotland "feel" different from England?

At the moment my thoughts are all over the place and pretty vague. I'm quite drawn to Edinburgh but I'm also drawn to Inverness and places like Forres.

I'm 32 with no children. What I'm looking for is somewhere either in a city or with good access to a city. I like open mic nights, I'm a writer so would be great to have a creative community. I'm really looking for somewhere that has a bit of energy but isn't necessarily a big city. Somewhere where people are friendly. Glasgow doesn't appeal. I'm looking for something like a Scottish Brighton

I moved to Edinburgh in 1998, and it was the best thing I ever did. I have had a great life living in the city, and now live rurally in South West Scotland with DP and DD5 and loving it too. I could and would never move back to England. Edinburgh is a fantastic city (though expensive) with so much to do and see, and near the sea! I don't know about the Highlands, but can't recommend Edinburgh enough 😊

Glasgow is a great city!! It has it's bad parts but what city doesnt? But in your day to day life you are unlikely to see this unless you travel to some bad areas.

Ps I have lived in Glasgow, Edinburgh and essex

Knowing both Brighton and Glasgow pretty well, got to agree with the posters suggesting a Glasgow. It has- vegan cafes, amazing art scene, good vintage shops, lots of good bars and restaurants. So far, so like Brighton. Lots of students- like Brighton. There are even cobbled lanes, like Brighton!

I don’t particularly like Manchester (no offence to any Mancs), don’t know it very well, but definitely don’t see much of a comparison to Glasgow apart from both having industrial heritages, both having suffered from these industries shutting down last century but both having had considerable investment and regeneration in the last couple of decades. They also both seem to carry a working class vibe.. that seems to put some people off.

You could look at being in a smaller town with rail links to Glasgow for the cultural scene and open mic nights etc, but if you’re hoping to meet people with similar interests I really think the West End would suit you.

I know Aberdeen has lots of gigs etc but really is so much smaller. I always think of Edinburgh as more like Bath than Brighton although I admit that’s partly the architecture, partly the more ‘proper’ and posh image it has. Obviously it has incredible art scene too!

Edinburgh has loads of more quirky areas. It's not all art galleries and theatre - just like Glasgow isn't all gangs and drug deals.

I've lived in both (south east England, now in Edinburgh).

This is only my perception, but Scotland is vastly superior from my perspective. The people are friendlier and take themselves less seriously. The Scottish sense of humour is brilliant. There is a sense of pride in the culture and history of Scotland which I really love. The artistic community is world class. And it's an astonishingly beautiful country. There are glorious parts of England too, but for me personally none of them can compete with Scotland.

There are downsides too - there has been a lot of division and strife over the independence referendum, somewhat exacerbated by Brexit. Some Scots have a chip on their shoulder about the English (but this is rare, and even rarer for it to be personal). Some areas of Scotland have big problems with drugs and poverty. Some areas have issues with sectarianism.

Overall though, it has been a joy to me to live her and I would never go back to England.

If you're into arts and literature, it has to be Edinburgh - the Athens of the North, one of the world's top literary cities, there's no beating it!

Southside of Glasgow would give you the vibe you're looking for - not as a studenty or expensive as the West End (although I agree it's getting more expensive). Strathbungo, Shawlands, Pollokshields, Newlands.

There are Open-Mike events and gigs in places like the Glad Cafe and The Bungo. Arty events at The Tramway. Plus of course events and gigs going on in the centre of Glasgow (eg King Tuts, the Barrowlands). Plus Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the RSNO symphony orchestra (amongst others) are based in Glasgow

The Burrell Collection will be opening again next year (or is it the year after?) after a multi-million refurbishment.

The other lovely thing about Glasgow is that because it's a long narrow city, with a motorway through the middle, you're never far from fabulous countryside and the sea is not far either.

Good public transport too with an extensive suburban railway network, our diddy Clockwork Orange Underground and good bus services (although not as good as Edinburgh's bus service )

There’s a Facebook group called “women in the arts Scotland” which you could join to get a sense of different areas. It’s mostly visual artists but not exclusively and often where there are more independent galleries there are book shops with readings etc too.

I've lived in Inverness and Edinburgh. I thought of staying in Inverness but was ultimately really glad I moved back to Edinburgh. It is a fabulous city. Small, loads on, green. Real buzz, lots of culture. Loved it. It is bloody cold though with a serious wind chill factor. I live nearer the midlands of England now, honestly, it feels so warm in comparison I feel like I am on hols all the time. SPend much more time outdoors, and in dresses, just cos it is warmer.

I have to say though as an English person, I never felt quite at home in Scotland, always keenly aware that a good proportion of the population would never accept that Scotland was my home and that was a bit alienating. I know plenty of other english people living in Scotland who felt the same. You don't need to move far outside of the middle class bubble (and sometines don't need to move out of it at all) to face anti-English racism.

Still, I love Edinburgh and would definitely consider moving back if opportuntity came up.

If you do have kids I think the education system is infinitely better than England.

That's sad to hear, I honestly don't think I know a single soul who would claim that an English person couldn't claim Scotland as their home

I'm from the South West, but I can safely say Glasgow is the best. Honestly, when I went to London, it just felt like a bigger Glasgow. I wouldn't compare Glasgow to Manchester.

That's so sad @UnimpressorOfCocks. I've never thought that about my English friends. You are welcome here!

Generally, we Scots don't hate the English - we hate your government and we hate your football team

@prettybird was waiting for you to show up with the Southside love.

If a commute isn't an issue then Aviemore is a great place. Lots going on all year round, holiday vibe etc. Similar type places are Arran and North Berwick if you want to be coastal. Glasgow is much cooler than Edinburgh...loud and brash with lots of going on. Edinburgh is more beautiful but not quite as exciting. Going between the two is easy anyway...less than an hour on a direct train.

I hope you come...its a really beautiful place! If you want any more info or someone to show you around send me a PM. I live in a town just outside Edinburgh.

Didn't want to let the regulars down

...at least this time I didn't go on about the schools as it wasn't relevant for the OP's needs

There's no-one more fervent than a convert: and I'm a northsider by upbringing . Worse - I'm originally from outside the city boundary (Bearsden/Milngavie ).

Ignore my previous post as just saw you've discounted non-cities. Maybe Portobello would be a good shout. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness are all great areas...just depends what you are after. Stirling country side is nice but the city itself is a bit drab and rundown...i can't see it topping any of the other 3 in the list.

DH is English, we've been here 12 years and he's never had a problem. We're in a fairly cosmopolitan area though, there are parents from all over the globe at the kids' schools.

I second everythin *prettybirs says - as a native Southsider ! Avoid Aberdeen - it's nowhere enar as good as Glasgow ( or Edinburgh)!

sorry for the typos

My Ds is at Uni in Dundee and, while there are great things to do, I find that many of the locals appear very socially deprived and walking around can be quite unsettling. We always seem to find drunken people shouting at each other when we go into the town.

Wow. Just wow.

I’ve lived in Broughty Ferry and worked in Dundee all my days and this is not a Dundee I recognise

I understand that locals to Dundee will undoubtedly feel that I'm being unfair as they feel comfortable, but my experience is what colours my view and my advice.

I have lived in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Sheffield, Paisley, Renfrew and now a town over the bridge from Edinburgh. I will stand by my impressions of Dundee. I don't hate the city or it's people, but I wouldn't live there as my impressions haven't been positive during my many visits over 2 years of my Ds living there. I'm sure there are nice parts, but the areas around where my Ds has lived, and the city centre haven't been welcoming.

"Have you considered the accents? When Scottish people talk amongst themselves I struggle to understand them, and you might start offending/annoying people if you keep saying pardon 10 times within their sentence."

That sounds like a you problem rather than a they problem 🤷‍♀️

I came on here to suggest Portobello as well. It is a nice area and not far from central Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is cold in winter but Portobello is colder (lived there as a student -have never been so cooooooold, we prob couldn't afford proper heating).
I would rent in Edinburgh and visit places to see what they're like.

Personally I love dundee but it is the drug death capital of the U.K.