About jambohighlander

Status:

Expatriate  

Currently Lives:

Highland, United Kingdom

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Scotland: Possible Move to Scotland:

Hi! I live in Scotland and in most ways it is truly wonderful. I assume you have looked into the entrance requirements re: jobs etc and are aware that the UK isn't the easiest to settle in if you aren't independently wealthy? If you have work then Scotland is definitely the best choice. I lived in Edinburgh for a few years and it didn't suit me but my Edinburgh born husband moved us up north earlier this year and it has been fantastic. The National Health Service is pretty good, prescriptions are capped at £5.00 for anything, you are allowed one free eye test a year and money off any spectacles if you are receiving working tax credits and you can choose private health care or private dentistry for a nominal monthly fee if you so desire. Children receive free eye and dental care/prescriptions etc until they are 16. On the downside, houses are much smaller for alot more money, prices for all items are much higher and the cost of standard of home furnishings can be prohibitive if you are looking to live as most Americans do with large tellys, large houses and luxuries. If you are willing to really "go with the flow" in that regard you can of course live comfortably and enjoy yourself. The opportunities for travel from the UK are boundless and it is easy to simply jump on a budget flight to Italy or Spain for a weekend if you fancy it. All in all, I would say that Scotland is truly a wonderful country and having lived many places, it is the one place I feel most at home. Good luck in your decision!

Scotland: 10 Tips for Living in Scotland:

1. Learn to follow a local football team instead of simply Rangers or Celtic. You will get much more respect from locals, you can actually go and enjoy the game and it will be much more affordable! 2. Enjoy the colloquialisms. Every area of Scotland has different sayings and Scots is a REAL language, not just a strain of English 3. Learn to enjoy the outdoors and as mentioned earlier, always prepare for bad weather and take it as a bit of good luck if it doesn't rain. There is no such thing as a drought in Scotland. 4. Go to a ceilidh or a folk gig. Scottish music does not begin and end with pipe bands. 5. If you move to the Highlands, learn a bit of Gaelic. It's a beautiful language and features on many of the road signs, shops and even has it's own tv channel now (bbc Alba) 6. Learn to take life at a slower pace (unless in Edinburgh and Glasgow) and accept that anything that needs to be done can be done online if the shop or bank is closed. (more later if I can think of any!)

Date Joined:

1/2/2009

Total Posts:

2

Posts/Day:

0.00