Relocating from England to Scotland

[YorkshireGirl2016]

Hello, we are relocating from England to Scotland. Hoping to buy somewhere with a bit more land and better quality of life.

Does anyone have any hints and tips? This is our first property in England, therefore I have never sold a house before and never bought a house in Scotland.

Any advice would be much appreciated - feeling a little apprehensive! Thank you

@Scotslassie1 North from there, not as posh!

Yes it is massive, and you need to drive but I never found it difficult to work in the central belt living there. I regularly did the Glasgow commute for many years and even worked in Manchester for while and had the benefit of living in a beautiful part of the world.

I’d check out some maps of broadband speeds. Also the met office historical weather data. East coast is massively drier if you are looking at keeping livestock outside.

@Hawkmoth, could I please have the name of your solicitor firm? I thought we would need two but one would obviously be ideal. Thank you!

Broadband speeds vary and it's unrealistic to say rural =bad city/town = good.

I live in Shetland and have fibre optic connection but 2 miles down the road it's like dial up. If looking at rural property you really will have to investigate on a case by cases basis.

Ooh. Whereabouts Mrs Amaretto. We're just now moving to Whalsay.

@WouldBeGood
Rather sweeping comments to make about an entire country. OP Scotland is very welcoming and 1000s of very happy newcomers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

St. Andrews Road, Largoward, LEVEN
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68283078.html

Why are you wanting to move here?

Shield Cottage, Tighcladich, Cairndow, PA25
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82231861.html

Ardarroch House, KISHORN, IV54 8XA
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73367592.html

Taigh An T-Solais 11 Upper Ardelve, , Kyle, IV40 8EY
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-34339974.html

@YorkshireGirl2016

When looking at property, the "offers over" usually means considerably more, not like £2k more. How much more totally depends on the area, but if you see a property you like request the home report from the estate agent. You'll find the actual value of the property in there. In Glasgow for example you might need to pay 5-10% above that, but rural areas are bound to be different.

You can check Registrars of Scotland website for actual sold prices to gauge likely outlay for what you want.

I know quite a few English people who have moved up and absolutely love it. In terms of the political landscape, I wouldn't fear independence...and I say that as someone who voted No in 2014 and doesn't really rate the SNP. I've reached the conclusion that no matter what happens up here, it cannot possibly be as bad as being part of the UK, under a Tory government and out of the EU.

The weather is garbage a lot...but it's been getting better the last few years (in terms of getting an actual summer). But the positives FAR outweigh the negatives!

I'd buy Byebush of Fedderate Farm at New Deer in Turiff for the name alone.

My advice would be to be honest with yourselves about how rural you really want to be. It’s easy in Scotland to be somewhere that feels rural but with good access to transport, activities etc. It’s also important to bear in mind that the winters are long and dark, particularly if you’re somewhere properly rural. That said we moved from England two years ago and would not go back. DH is English and hasn’t come across any nastiness. Good luck!

Shetland is lovely. Its far to get to, but it has great infrastructure because of the oil and gas fields.
A lot of the properties there are not only reasonalbly priced, but also fixed price.
The countryside is beautiful, the weather is remarkably good for the latitude and the summer days are long. Winters are wild, but not particularly frosty, and the people are lovely.

Where are you moving from @Sagggyoldclothcatpuss ? I live on mainland Shetland and although Whalsay etc is lovely I couldn't cope with having my movements dictated too by ferry timetables!

Lots of houses for sale at the moment but all offers over. Lots of people coming up from England to buy currently, my pal has just sold her house for £24k over the valuation. Tempted to get my house valued 😂 !

MrsAmaretto we are from Colchester in Essex.

That's some change! They are very welcoming on Whalsay so you will quickly settle in. Best of luck with the move.

@Sagggyoldclothcatpuss we have recently relocated up from sunny Essex as well and are living about 20 minutes outside of Glasgow on the west side. I can say the people are so much more friendly ,welcoming and helpful. I rent but all processes like schools and things are so much more easier and straight forward than in England and with employers as well. The scenery is out of this world , less population and the air is fresher. Can’tsee us going back it’s a great place 😄