I’m definitely overthinking!

[Huntingforhaggis]

We’ve made the big decision to relocate up to the highlands. We’re specifically looking at Nairn but open to other areas as long as we are in a main town/ big village. We currently live outside Milton Keynes. Our current house is semi rural and we live between 2 villages but with good links to towns with great shopping, kids clubs etc. We can’t walk anywhere and even have to drive to access public transport. On average we have to drive 20-25 minutes to get to clubs etc. I’m realistic with the challenges of the move and wrote a ridiculously long post with all the fears that I won’t subject anyone too 😂

I was really excited but have read a few threads of people saying don’t do it and I’ve panicked. My biggest concerns are jobs and the kids happiness and wellbeing (and a little bit Nairn traffic).

If we move we’ll be mortgage free and debt free, we’ll have savings for the future and hopefully be able to give our children a helping hand. My in laws who we already share a house/annexe with are coming and we are looking at similar house set ups so we have help with the girls and were able to help them as they get older. My MIL is Scottish and is ready to go ‘home’. The girls are 8 and nearly 5. My oldest is in Year 4 but would go down a year group in the Scottish system and be in P4 which I thought would help her with settling as she can concentrate on making friends without getting behind. On paper it seems like the perfect move and my heart is already there.

My family live fairly close to Luton Airport so it feels we can easily access them even if it does require planning.

I think I’m just hit with the fear of what if we’re making a huge mistake! I have a career I adore down here. I’m a play therapist with a MSc in child and adolescent mental health and I’m worried I won’t find a job in my field. I commute some days currently so travelling round for work isn’t an issue. I’m also happy to do anything for work when we initially move but I would like to keep my career long term. My husband is a sports coach and again he wants a career long term not just a job.

A few years ago my children got really poorly and my priorities changed and my biggest focus now is our health and quality time together. We love the outdoors and the kids are really active! Someone reassure me that the fear is normal and I’m not ruining our lives!

Good luck with your house sale. As above be aware houses often go offers over in Scotland. The system is very different and gazumping isnt really a thing nor are offers under the asking price. Offers over can be tricky and be wary your not paying more than the house is worth. I bought new builds the last twice because some sellers (encouraged by greedy estate agents) wanted way more than their house was worth. However depending on the market at the time you may get lucky with older houses.

I am not sure what you both do for work but if its something you have to travel to Inverness for I would be very careful of not going to far away. Nairn is only 16 miles but the traffic can be horrendous in the summer due to lots of tourists around ( the whole of the Highlands is super busy with campervans) . Also if your children are into particular sports look to see whats on in Nairn sports wise as often parents end up travelling to Inverness for activities. Have your in laws looked at what local activities are on offer for them in Nairn?

Nairn is lovely we are Scottish but holiday in and around Nairn every year, of course there is a difference between holiday and living, how exciting a whole life move, it will be absolutely fine, good luck

The only thing I would be concerned about in your shoes is jobs as I think opportunities in those fields in the Highlands would be few and far between.

I have moved for work a few times but have always had a job lined up first, seems crazy not to especially when you have kids?!

Nairn is nice but there's so much more to do in Inverness.
I understand your in laws preference but you are the ones wirh jobs to find and children to ferry around.

Scotland is starting to suffer from southern English moving up buying up the cheaper housing and pushing locals out the market.
As you said this makes YOU a lot more financially comfortable
This may be why you are getting negative attitudes.

I'm Scottish and love the quality of life and unpretentious people. Also fun to take a few risks and not get stuck in a rut. My main watch-out would be jobs as you are in quite a specialist field. I'm in Edinburgh and even here, there isn't a lot of movement for certain roles - once people secure them, they tend to hug/hang onto them from a very long time. If you are open to freelancing that would be good.

Also - it sounds like you have already successfully lived with your in-laws for a while, so that set-up may suit you fine, but great to make sure - in a new place - you don't get on top of each other, everyone is contributing to decision-making and your own voice is definitely heard.

My other thought was that, at the beginning, if you can't find a career job and you invest in a larger property, you might consider Airbnb. My friend rapidly got superhost status when she rented out one room for a while in Inverness and found it sociable and rewarding. There still seemed a shortage of good ones in the area compared to more oversaturated markets. She was lucky in that the house layout still gave both sides plenty of privacy - obviously not for everyone.

The Moray coast is gorgeous.!I think it’s a good move. Nairn might not be my first choice but a lot going for it.

two things -the weather. It’s cooler up here and our winters are longer. In march, it’s still very cold and I envy the south (of England!) at these times

the education system - it’s become crap. The envy of the world to bottom tier.

the NHS is fucked all over the UK - I don’t think in Scotland it’s any worse and may be slightly better in some areas.

"My oldest is in Year 4 but would go down a year group in the Scottish system and be in P4 which I thought would help her with settling as she can concentrate on making friends without getting behind."

Believe me, if your DC is at a standard English primary, they will be miles ahead of children in Scotland in the same age group - quite possibly 2 years ahead. So if there's any way you can avoid your DC moving down a year, do that.