Remind me what's good about living in Scotland?

[CoralPaperweight]

I moved to Scotland 25 years ago (central belt) and I've had a great life here but over the last year or so I've got increasingly itchy feet. May be a post-Covid or age thing but I'm not sure I want to stay in Scotland forever - it just doesn't seem to be as appealing to me, and even the cities seem a bit flat at the moment. Realistically, I can't disrupt DS education at the moment, he's very settled and happy so please remind me of everything that is fantastic about life in Scotland. I'm forever reading threads about people who are desperate to move to Scotland and I'm not really seeing why at the moment.

I guess your experience of community life depends on where you live. Where I came from in England there is a strong community feel lots of activities etc but then the population is 15 times the size of the tiny village I now live in, I've lived in other places in England both urban and rural and there’s nothing. Where I live now bearing in mind how tiny it is I think it’s amazing what is on offer including a brilliant community shop lots of activities and everyone is definitely more friendly. Don’t get key wrong in the village I used to live in England if you passed someone they’d always smile and say hello but here they stop and have a chat.
As someone said above free prescriptions easy access to NHS dentistry are a big bonus and you don’t pay to park in NHS Scotland hospitals unlike in England.
The other big thing I’ve noticed is the air feels cleaner (and colder) and the light here is different, this isn’t just my opinion but the opinion of the local art community.

NHS dentists are rare as hen's teeth here - we had to go private. You pay for parking at ERI - it's pretty expensive. Our local hospital has a 3 hour limit on parking, which often isn't nearly long enough.

MN isn't really the place to ask for positives about Scotland. It's full of posters who complain about Scotland on every single Scottish thread. God knows why they feel the need to comment on a positive thread or why they feel the need to stay in Scotland if they actually do stay in Scotland of course - posters on the internet can be anyone after all. If I'd spent the last 8 years complaining solidly about the country I lived in, I think I'd move

Why not ask on your local area's Facebook page for suggestions of what people love most about the area or their favourite restaurants, museums, walks, short-stay holiday destinations, etc? That's a great way to discover hidden gems.

Scotland is beautiful. The cities have amongst the best shopping in Europe. The art galleries and museums are fabulous and, in the main, free. The scenery is striking and there are lots of outdoor sports available from skiing to sailing, from climbing to archery. The islands have unique histories, cultures and even micro-climates in some cases. The universities are amongst the best in the UK and offer a wide range of special interest and short courses, and guest lectures that you can attend even if not a student. There is a thriving arts and creative scene - and a real culture of bringing the arts to all demographics.

There's also a real sense of community. Scotland often feels like a village. There are so many interconnections between communities, interest groups, families, etc.

I hope you fall back in love with where you live OP. There is nothing worse than staying somewhere you don't like

(unless you're like the grumpy posters on this thread who seem to take pleasure in staying somewhere they despise and then posting about how much they hate it day in and day out but especially around election times )

I love it here and am surprised by some of the comments on this thread. My husband is English (Devon) and there is a lot about living in Scotland he prefers after 10 years here (I am Scottish born and bred and have lived all over the country, east coast, west coast, north).

I am surprised about the NHS comments as my antenatal and postnatal care has been light years ahead what several of my English friends have received in recent years. I always get the impression that the NHS in England is an absolute mess of trusts that do things their own way and there's no consistency. Not that it's perfect here by any stretch, there are major issues here too. But if we are comparing to England, I'm not sure that either come out well in terms of healthcare. I was shocked when my friend in York was telling me about her antenatal experiences and the lack of support she had postnatally. I've had two pregnancies in the last four years and the care has been excellent here.

We live in a village that has lots of community stuff going on. If it's cliquey I haven't noticed, but I don't really get involved with stuff like that anyway. Beautiful countryside and loads of things to do as a family. And I think Scotland in general leans to more progressive and accepting views than England in recent years, which suits us.

From what I understand most NHS hospitals in Scotland generally don’t charge for parking. Maybe ERI is different in England I do know some trusts in major cities found if they provide free parking/affordable parking or allowed both and for people to park all day others who weren’t using the hospital took advantage of it and we’re leaving their cars there instead of using expensive private car parks!
For those of you who think there’s problems in Scotland with the NHS you should try England!!
Colleagues looked surprised when I asked if their dentist was NHS or private all use NHS and don’t see to struggle to register/get an appointment we also have an emergency dental treatment centre open at the weekend.
I agree with *@Hugasauras Scotland does “lean towards more progressive and accepting views” than England in the last few years.
I agree if really you hate it here move but I doubt you’ll find the pasture any greener and in fact suspect you’ll find it a shade browner.

By progressive do you mean the erosion of womens rights in favour of men who self ID? Or steam rollering the country into being independent?

I think a lot of what has been depressing me recently has been the constant 'keeping you safe from Covid' narrative combined with the Scotland good / everywhere else bad message. It's become a bit too negative for my liking and it's affected some of my most previously optimistic friends.

Plus services seem to be shot to pieces - as an example my dentist has withdrawn from providing NHS services and there are still waiting times of 6 weeks + for routine appointment.

Is Scotland being steam rollered into independence? I have no view either way although I’m aware it’s a very emotive topic for many Scots. I thought NS was hoping for another referendum in which Im assuming all who live in Scotland will have the right to vote as they feel fit. I’m not sure that is the definition of “steam rollering the country into independence. I think it has to be acknowledged that her 15 year record of success suggests that quite a few Scots support the idea of an independent Scotland. I also can’t comment on the erosion of womens rights personally I have noticed no difference here or in England.

I repeat come to England you can’t even get an NH:S dentist in most parts this report came out only this morning let alone wait 6 weeks for a appointment.
The general consensus from those I know in England is that NS regardless of her other political views handled the Covid epidemic better than BJ not that he exactly set a high benchmark but at least she was able to string a coherent message together. My admittedly unscientificly observed opinion is the the Scots seemed more compliant with restrictions in particular mask wearing than the English.

Thing is OP, if you’ve decided that you are miserable here then none of us are going to convince you otherwise because the things that are important to us might not be the same for you. I enjoy that people are friendly, that there is amazing countryside and things to do and we’ve always been granted good exciting work opportunities. And in my case opportunity I wouldn’t have had without my degree which I wouldn’t have, but for free tuition. But on the whole, our families, good friends and communities are here and for me that’s worth a huge amount

On the whole though, I’d agree that Scotsnet isn’t the place to be looking for reassurance…

@CoralPaperweight reading your most recent post, I think you should consider moving. You're obviously unhappy in Scotland and have a peer group that are also unhappy. Your DCs will fare better with happier parents no matter where you live. Life is too short to live somewhere where any positive messaging makes you feel it's a competition between Scotland and elsewhere. That's not a sustainable MH position. Good luck with finding somewhere you can feel more positive.

All the positive posts in the world and all the attributes that other posters enjoy won't make any difference to you when you're feeling this way.

But its some of the traditional things about Scotland that are the best! Progressive is fine but its going a bit too far now. You know those managers who change everything to look busy - thats what its like. Theres a part of my work that involves dealing with legislation for the same thing across several European countries, and of course Scotland and England are separate jurisdictions. And its Scotland which by far has the most number of legislative changes. Some of them only last 4 years before they change the law again.

What I like most about Scotland is the countryside, the history, the freshness of the air, the light (as above). Not sure that being in the most woke country in Europe is particularly high on my list and constantly taxed, licensed and permitted even to live in your own home (cf mains smoke alarms which can only be the thin end of the wedge).

I also really hate the attitude that if you dare to criticise Scotland, as is quite normal in any other European country, you are faced with suggestions that you should leave the country. As if suggestions cannot be constructive and theres only one way of doing something. Its incredibly xenophobic. I'm trying to imagine a group of Germans or Dutch having a similar discussion, only for them to resort with cries "but its best if you leave the country" and failing. Most people from other countries I know are fairly sceptical of things their governments do and criticise them all the time. Especially the French. Imagine trying to tell a bunch of French farmers to leave the country because they criticised the government....?

I think it’s human nature to wonder if somewhere else/another job/house/school etc is better than what we currently have is better. And I agree if you really hate Scotland it’s time to move somewhere else but I do think you need to be realistic and have reasonable expectations where ever you choose to live. No where is perfect Ive friends in various parts of the world band often have misconceptions about where they live but once in conversation with them I find that they don’t live in paradise anymore than we do and they are keen to moan about their country as much as anyone. As the saying goes familiarity breeds contempt!

@Hugasauras Antenatal I would agree its pretty good but postnatal no its unfortunately a lottery. Our area has completely got rid of mums 6 week check (friends in England horrified by this), we have lost 6 out of 9 community midwives to the changes and expectations that were made on them to be on call way more a few years ago by the scottish govt which they were warned by midwives about (and they didnt reallybother to consult them). Our hv team is down to 1 and in the city they have a stopped all hv from 3 weeks until 8 months which is ridiculous!
Just today for the north of Scotland in the news was the complete lack of mum and baby unit.

Lack of long covid care is a personal bug bear of mine the Scottish govt has been ridiculously slow and even now many areas they are still examining options......the estimated number of sufferers in Scotland is 65,000+ and whilst English clinics are hit and miss (hospital ones generally pretty good physio led not) at least there is something. It's like pulling teeth in the North (I think Glasgow and Edinburgh is better but you have to live in these areas).

I posted here because I wanted people to remind me of what's great about living in Scotland and what I've ended up with are some posters telling me to leave because I'm clearly very unhappy ...

FWIW I think every place has it's good and bad points and it is very easy to be lured by rose-tinted spectacles. As I posted upthread I think some of my dissatisfaction does link directly to the pandemic and outcomes from long lockdowns / restrictions ie so many things cancelled, activities stopped and not resuming, poor experiences recently with NHS services etc. Don't necessarily think would be any better elsewhere but certainly services aren't as great as some posters on here would have you believe.

Actually posters took a lot of time to list what we find good about living in Scotland. You then responded to say you find it depressing, that even the positives feel like negatives and that your peer group feel the same.
You started this thread by saying you've got itchy feet.

With all of that very important context, then some posters suggested you might be right to consider moving. The parts of Scotland that are bothering you aren't integral to Scotland at all. They're integral to how you feel about where you live. None of us can fix that. None of us can make you feel better and less depressed. And it's absolutely valid to move if you've reached the end of your tether with your current location.

Coming out of a pandemic and having recently lost loved ones, I absolutely recommend seizing the day and living the life you want to live, where you want to live it. You only have one life.

Don't be one of those posters who spends years and years hating everything about where they live and unable to see any positives even when they are listed in black and white. That is soul destroying for you and your DCs. Good luck OP! Where else are you considering? Perhaps it might be a good idea to start a thread asking for pros and cons of the other places you'd like to live. There are MNers all over who can offer advice.

I appreciate everyone who's shared ideas and thoughts. Lots to think about.

Oooh a lot of us are totally fed up and considering big changes after two years of the pandemic, plus the politicians have never been so ever present. I can't think of a friend who isn't wanting to change something in some way.

The extreme ideology and attack on women is very worrying. This is what the Hate Crime Bill is about - a genuinely chilling piece of legislation.
I also agree about the over regulation - in the current climate, the government absolutely shouldn't be making things more difficult for people trying to make ends meet, at home or in business.

Not much, I think I’ll move when ds is grown, unless the SNP has trashed the property market

Fewer people. That's the biggest positive, in my view. Lovely landscapes.

We are keeping on top of property maintenance and will have it on the market the morning after a yes vote if that ever happens. Hopefully that will be quick enough to dodge the worst of the property market fall out.

Yes we are in the same position.

Well I'm pinning hopes on large majority no voting areas then voting to secede from Scotland since it's all invisible borders - that or a lib-lab pact at the next election.

Probably worth knowing that more people voted for unionist parties than the Nats, to a similar proportion to 2014. NS knows this but has to drip feed her support to keep them happy. She can then blame delay on Westminster.