Reasons NOT to move to Scotland

[AprilHeather]

Hello all, have come across Scotsnet from some google searches - didn’t know it existed! And after some advice please. DH to be and I have considered moving out of England for a while and never taken the plunge. We originally looked at Denmark a few years ago but couldn’t afford at the time. Now my DS’s (11 and 13) are worried about the language, especially with getting behind at school and making friends. Scotland was our next choice. We like the scenery the outdoors and the more left leaning politics. We wanted to move to Kintyre or Arran, possibly Ayr, though we would like to be more remote really. My mum would be moving up with us too and we will build her a granny flat. I am an early career academic so I will be keeping my job at my institution in England (8 hour drive from Kintyre) and stay over at my Dads when I need to. Majority of the week and all weekends and holidays I will be in Scotland with my boys, OH and Mum. I’d like reasons NOT to come to Scotland - especially the areas I mention. The cold hard reality please! It’s so easy to see the life we want (Remote, peaceful, outdoor walks and not too many people to get to know, a small community) versus the reality of the life we will have. Also, can someone please please point out where I can go online to work out what year groups my sons would be in as my eldest would start/have started study for Nat 5s if he was in Scotland I believe? I can’t work it out! Thanks all xx

I grew up on the east coast of Scotland and have lived on the west for last 12 y or so (with a decade in England in between). I love the west coast it might be wetter but so much less cold!! Can’t stand bitter north east winds- but I’m a chilly person generally!

Worth it for the sunsets alone here though. Some places on west have less rain- in Ayrshire we’re slightly protracted on the coast by Arran- often clear in Ayr/Troon/Prestwick when it’s raining in kilmarnock.

And to the OP www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-53702007

rest and be thankful road closed again!!

Hi Roz, re the nuclear power station- unfortunately we have Trident on the West Coast (nuclear submarine - think Beirut times ten if there were an accident). Something to be aware of.
I don't know Dunbar itself but visited other parts of East Lothian and it's really nice. I think best idea is to have a few weeks holiday around areas.
I love East Coast but Edinburgh is freezing in Winter and I say that as a highlander but in Glasgow especially it can rain for days on end.
Also Edinburgh's nicer to walk around the full city centre whereas Glasto West End is nice but actual city centre not great for walking with kiddies.

@sofiessofa

And to the OP www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-53702007

rest and be thankful road closed again!!

Thanks @sofiessofa, we are heading up there tomorrow and saw there’s a diversion again. Definitely something to think about re: commute!!! Why not just sort the road once and for all. Surely cost would be lower in the long run?? Guess that’s just too sensible lol

[quote Roz4]@MumofHunter just reading a past post as I'm thinking to move to scotland. You've mentioned it rains mug more on the West coast. I'm looking at toon on the east coast or maybe somewhere close to edingbrough on the east coast as I'd like to be walking distance from the coast. I looked at Dunbar but a little put off by the nuclear power station near to it. Maybe that's not something to worry about. I would only be using public transport and would need to get to edingbrugh or Glasgow for days out with kids (home educating). Any tips on good places. I dont mind cold weather but if that's the only real difference then I'd go for the place with less rain :)[/quote]
Dunbar is OK weather-wise (Sunny Dunny). That little bit of the East Coast has a micro-climate. It is on the East Coast mainline so you can get into Edinburgh in under half an hour. Tickets are ridiculously expensive. Having mainline access means it is a mixture of traditional town and dormitory suburb. There has been a lot (and I mean a lot) of house building. Think bright shiny cream/white 5 bedroom new builds where you can open the door and shake hands with your neighbour. There is one primary and one secondary school. Both are OK. Until recently the primary was the largest in Europe (I am not kidding). I understand the roll with Nursery is still 1200+. Think P1 entry of 6 classes. There are other nearby areas I'd prefer where schools are smaller and if you need to commute to Edinburgh you can use the local North Berwick/Edinburgh line. Underfunded and crowded.

I think you might be underestimating how hard it will be going from a midlands village to an extremely remote location. You don't need to go remote to have nature and countryside on your doorstep in Scotland.

The remoteness of the places you're thinking of is pretty shit for teenagers, they mostly hate growing up in places like that and sometimes have to move out still quite young for their education.

The weather - cold. Wet. Windy.

The anti-English sentiment absolutely does exist despite what anyone else tells you, it's embarrassing to say the least.

Going on holiday is not as easy because there aren't nearly as many direct flights to places.

Petrol etc is actually more expensive in rural areas, not less.

You can never just pop to the shops for something because they're so far away.

A lot of Scots like a whinge (there's overall a less positive feeling/outlook - I realise this is completely subjective and people will have other views, this is just my observation)

Restaurants, theatre etc all much more limited

I haven't mentioned the many positives as that's not what you asked for