I'm moving to Edinburgh in August after I drop my kid off at college in the US. My partner is already there and we both have visas.
We are trying to ship as little as possible, but I'll have more things than a suitcase. I'm looking at some boxes but no furniture. Anyone have experience shipping?
Hi, I’m looking for advice because my situation is a bit complicated.
I’m 18 and currently studying A Levels in Bahrain. I just finished AS Level (Year 12 equivalent), and my school gives us the option to graduate after Year 12 instead of finishing full A Levels.
My family is relocating to Scotland because my stepfather got a job there. He is a Scottish resident, but he did not legally adopt me, so I don’t think I qualify through him for residency/visa benefits.
I need my own visa, and the easiest option seems to be a student visa.
The problem is:
\- my budget for education is maximum around £10k/year
\- I would preferably like to move by September, but January intake is okay too
\- I honestly don’t care much what course it is at this point as long as it’s legitimate and gives a student visa
\- I’d preferably study in Scotland because that’s where my family will be
I’ve been looking into colleges, HNC/HND courses, foundation years, etc. but I’m confused about:
\- which colleges actually sponsor student visas
\- whether NC courses sponsor visas
\- whether I can apply this late as an international student
\- what the cheapest realistic route is
Does anyone know:
good colleges/universities in Scotland for this situation? courses still open for late applications? cheapest student visa routes?
Hi. Anyone working in Raigmore hospital Inverness. Can you please suggest options for accommodation- want a place for 1person with parking. Is hospital accommodation good?
So we went to Scotland last week for a proper look around with a view to moving next year. Now, my sister lives in Scotland so I've been to visit multiple times but never with a view to living there.
We drove around looking at areas I'd seen online, and past some houses for sale etc. But of all the things that people warn you about (the rain, the wind, the long dark winters), I've never seen oilseed rape mentioned.
When we came in to land, the yellow patchwork fields were breathtaking. However, after two days my breath was taken away in a way I hadn't imagined. We were taking anti-histamines every day, and by the time we left after 7 days, I was sure I was coming down with a terrible cold. By the time we were half way home from Alicante airport, all symptoms had cleared up.
I'm fairly gutted as I never factored in the possibility that I'd be allergic to Scotland! I've not seen anyone else discuss this so I thought I'd drop it in here as food for thought for anyone else thinking of moving to Scotland.
Oh, and hello to the saddo who spends every single day here making sure every single post is downvoted...
I've been thinking about working abroad for years and never actually done it, and now I'm close to aging out of the working holiday schemes I qualify for, like the UK's Youth Mobility Scheme visa. So it's now or never. I've looked into eligibility and finance requirements on the UK Gov site. I meet the savings requirement, and I don't think there would be any hiccups in getting approved (no criminal record, no health issues, etc).
The process seems straightforward to me, but I want to hear from folks who made the move, for life or for a while, on why I should or shouldn't.
A bit about me:
Things I'd love to hear about:
By all means, this is a laundry list, so any response to any of the above is helpful, no need to try to tackle it all! Thank you in advance!
So, my partner and I have been discussing moving to another country.
We went back and forth with a few but currently we’ve been looking in Scotland.
I am excited for this idea, I’ve been to the UK and loved absolutely everything about the country and the people. I’d happily go back permanently, but he waffles.
Now, he told me he posted on this glorious site, and that the reception was not what he expected and primarily negative.
So, please enlighten me: if a liberal American couple moves to Scotland, to make natural lotions and jams, will the Scottish people hate them outright?
Hi! I’m 24 and originally from Ayr. I went to high school in London and I’ve been living in America for the last 5 years. The last few years I’ve just had a feeling that I want to move home and I feel like I’m at a point where I have to just make the decision and stick with it. I am scared though because I’ve heard that it’s really hard to find a job and the wages are low and it’s really hard to survive there. I also never went to uni so I don’t have a degree. It’s never held me back in the US so I do have a lot of work experience but I think this may afffect my chances of finding work in Scotland. I’m also starting over in terms of building credit, getting a car/drivers license, bank account and all that boring adult stuff. I really would like an opinion from someone that isn’t related to me because I feel like everyone’s advice right now in my life is biased. If I moved back I probably wouldn’t move to Ayr I was thinking Glasgow or another bigger city. My dad says if I go I’m throwing my life away and my mum (who lives in Scotland) is begging me to come back and said it’s a better quality of life. Should I make the move?
Hello! As title reads - I'm currently in the process of getting medication for my ADHD through ProblemShared in NW England, my GP is amazing and has already agreed to prescribe, but due to certain circumstances out of my control I have to move house within the next few months, and my friends kindly have offered their spare bedroom up in Glasgow for me.
I'm still on the waiting list to be prescribed and have worries since ProblemShared technically don't operate in Scotland due to the "Right to Choose" framework not being a thing unlike in England.
I'm reading that usually Scottish GPs don't do shared care agreements, either, and I'm stressed that if I don't get medicated by October, my whole case will go down the drain, or I'll have to travel back down every month or so to refill my prescription, which I'd like to avoid as I don't drive so trains/coaches would add up. I struggle with ADHD to the point i'm on LCWRA (Universal Credit Limited Capacity for Work and Work Related Activities) and have been for almost 4 years, so getting medicated could genuinely change my life as I could start getting myself back out there work wise, but it also means exhaustion and burnout if I were to have to travel once a month just to get my meds.
I'd love to hear people's experiences and if what I'm seeing online isn't fully accurate RE: Scottish GPs, or any other advice relevant. Thank you in advance!
Hey everyone!
It was recommended I post over here.
I’m from Canada but I have the opportunity through work to live in another country for a short period, and Scotland is at the top of my list. I’m starting my research and looking for advice on short-term rentals.
Ideally, I’d be looking for a 1-bedroom or studio with a budget around £815/month. I was initially thinking about Dundee, mainly because I’d love to be near waters, but I’m open to other areas if they’re more affordable.
I work remotely so commuting and whatnot aren’t a huge concern, however I spend most of my downtime hiking and walking so I’d likely fit into an outdoorsy community? If I can have access to touristy things that would also be rad!
Also I would need walking distance (maybe max 2-3km) to a gym!
Does anyone have tips on:
• Websites or platforms to find short-term rentals in Scotland?
• Whether my budget is realistic for a studio or 1-bedroom in Dundee, or if I should consider other towns/cities?
• Areas that are nice for walks but might be more budget-friendly?
Thanks in advance :3
So I'm a 35 yo stay at home mom to 2 kids and my husband works in IT. I'm hoping to apply to the university of Edinburgh law school for 2028 once i finish my undergraduate degree. I'm applying for the accelerated 2 year graduate entry llb. I know that I want to stay in scotland once I'm done with my schooling. I cant stand the states political climate. I just want my kids to feel moderately safe being kids. But in all honesty what are the odds that even if I do my schooling in Edinburgh that I will obtain a position as a solicitor as an expat? I really wanna work with more poverty driven crimes and I'm not really sure if that's possible.
Edit: Upon more digging, she has to go to the UK via a pet cargo transport company. If anyone has a trusted and affordable option, please let me know!
Hello, like the title says, I’d like to bring my cat to the UK (Florida to Edinburgh). I’ll be coming on a student visa and will be staying in a housing accommodation that does allow pets. Here’s what I know and what I’m trying to figure out.
What I know:
- Cats cannot come into the UK in the cabin, they must be in cargo. I know the cargo is safe, it’s just not my most desirable option but I would do it if I absolutely needed to.
- I have seen ways to circumnavigate this, such as going to France/The Netherlands and getting another form of transport the rest of the way. However, this would involve needing another health certificate on top of the UK one (which is already expensive enough), so I am trying to avoid needing to get that.
- I know there are pet transport companies that can do all of this for me, but they are out of my price range. If anyone knows a cheaper one, feel free to suggest it!
- Many American based airlines have stopped their pet in cargo services except for military personnel since COVID.
What I’m trying to figure out:
- For those of you who have done this (in cabin partway or in cargo), who did you fly and what route did you take? Were there any issues or things you didn’t expect? I am comfortable coming into the UK anywhere and figuring out the next transportation steps myself.
- Is there a way to fly in cabin to a layover destination in Europe, and transfer her to the hold for the shorter flight to EDI without needing an EU health certificate?
- Has anyone had another person take their pet for them, such as a family member or friend, without them present. Were there any additional steps other than needing your written consent? I am considering this option as another last resort in case my ideal timeline does not work out.
Thank you very much!!
I'm from Ontario, Canada, and am going on international exchange to Glasgow in January-May of 2027. I have a ski jacket that is relatively waterproof, the brand is suokeni and it's been good at keeping me warm the last 2 winters. I'm worried it won't be waterproof enough or warm enough for winter in scotland. Do you have any recommendations? For shoes aswell? I only have an old pair of fur lined boots that are somewhat waterproof.
I (f33) moved from the US to Scotland 6 weeks ago to be with my husband. We currently live by the coast in Fife with an absolute steal of a home with 3 cats, 1 car.
I somehow managed to get a decent paying job 3 weeks after moving over that lets me work remote while I’m in the US visiting family. £30k plus profit sharing. Husband just moved back to Scotland after living in France and then splitting his time with me in the US. Secured a lower paying job in his prior field at £36k
The extortionate visa fees, moving fees and an unexpected catastrophic pipe burst in the basement of my house that I’m renting out in the US has nearly depleted my emergency fund. I also got wrecked on my self-employment taxes this year and had to pay an unaccounted for $5k. My husband is basically starting over as well.
How long after a move of this scale did you feel like you were finally back on your feet again financially? Emotionally? Spiritually? Or did we do it wrong
What’s it like living working and raising children in Scotland compared to Canada. Obviously I’ve done some research but genuinely curious. A lot of my family immigrated to Canada from Scotland. Tired of Canadas ways and would like to raise my children in a more family oriented environment.
We currently live in Alberta and have lived on the BC coast. We’ve experienced many types of weather and driving in crazy winter snows and crazy rain storms.