Should we move to Scotland?
Hello Everyone,
This is my first post so apologies if I do something wrong! My husband and I are thinking of moving back to the UK next year (we're currently in the West Indies and have lived here for seven months). My husband is Polish, I'm English (from London). We're split on where to live. I suggested a city in England (not London). My husband wants to live in Scotland or London because he feels worried after the Brexit vote. I've ruled London out as it's ridiculously expensive. How is the anti-English sentiment in Scotland these days? I never found anti English sentiment much of a problem when I lived there (lived in Aberdeen for 5 years for uni, left about six years ago), but a lot of time has passed since then and there has been two referendums which have worsened relations between Scotland and England. Before moving to the West Indies we were in London. What are your thoughts? Any English or Scottish people who can give their thoughts? |
Re: Should we move to Scotland?
No need to worry about anti-English sentiment in Scotland. I moved to Glasgow from Hong Kong and I am English. I was made very welcome indeed there.
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Re: Should we move to Scotland?
As your husband is married to a British citizen, I am not sure what your husband is worried about as there is virtually zero liklihood of a citizen of an EU country who is married to a British citizen and resident in the UK being deported following (actual) Brexit.
IMO there is a much greater risk of you getting "trapped" outside the UK when Brexit happens and if you subsequently want to return to the UK, your husband would have to go through the spouse visa application process, which currently costs about £6,000. On the other hand if you return to the UK and stay five years then your husband could apply for British citizenship, and he could then come and go from the UK as he pleases. :) |
Re: Should we move to Scotland?
First, I don't think there are any Bexit issues in England. Though I think you are right about considering London too expensive. It is and unless you have very in demand skills that can carry decent salaries.
Scotland is a great place and I am not aware of any English people having any issues. Far from it. I have just accepted a job in Glasgow and was there last week. However, the only thing I would say about a lot of Glasgow is how much of a shock the weather may be coming from where you are now. |
Re: Should we move to Scotland?
You will always get a few idiots who resent other people for whatever reason.
I am aware of some anti-English feelings by some Scots. I am aware of anti-Catholic feelings by some Scots. I am also aware that a Polish guy was stabbed in Salford in June and another at the Notting Hill carnival. AFAIK this is not a general problem and if you avoid certain areas then you should have no problem. I have experienced anti-Scottish behaviour in England but it is not the norm. I have not reduced my visits to England in any way. My point is that you could choose to live in England and your OH could experience anti-Polish behaviour. You want to choose to live in a well-integrated area where the locals don't feel threatened by large ethnic communities. |
Re: Should we move to Scotland?
To echo above, my impression is Scotland is more open to immigrants than England. Looking at the recent welcoming statements by Nicola Sturgeon and the vote to stay in the EU, I had also never heard of any anti-Polish violence or property damage in Scotland.
By the way, Pulaski above makes a good point about returning with your EU spouse before Brexit actually occurs. |
Re: Should we move to Scotland?
Thank you very much to everyone who replied.
I think our main worry was the anti-polish zenaphobia on the rise in England at the moment. It seems others agree with me. With regards to the weather, going back to the UK will be a big shock but I'm really not keen on the weather here. For me tropical heat and humidity is for holidays only. 😊 |
Re: Should we move to Scotland?
Originally Posted by Taz1984
(Post 12043592)
Thank you very much to everyone who replied.
I think our main worry was the anti-polish zenaphobia on the rise in England at the moment. It seems others agree with me. With regards to the weather, going back to the UK will be a big shock but I'm really not keen on the weather here. For me tropical heat and humidity is for holidays only. 😊 If someone says crap it's raining, you just say great it's going to clear up again. The weather in Glasgow is probably similar to what we have here in parts of the West of Ireland and the people who struggle are those who complain. I looked out yesterday morning and it didn't look that great at first, but once you actually go out it's often not that bad and can clear up very quickly. Drove to the beach and it ended up being a great day. |
Re: Should we move to Scotland?
OP, you have both experienced living in another country, likely seen the good & bad side of living life of different cultures, made all the necessary adjustments, so really, there wouldn't be an issue as I see it moving to the UK setting up house, keeping & minding your own business.
Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, West Indies, Poland, Australia, NZ, Canada, USA... its all the same - live it, be happy & carry on Do it & get on with it if its what you want to do, onward & forward.... make it happen & make it work. If it doesn't, then you can choose to stay or find someplace else . |
Re: Should we move to Scotland?
Taz 1984,I am English now living in Spain.I was married to a Scot from Ayrshire.Our daughter was born in Glasgow,a city I loved,very warm people even if they gave me stick for being different.We then lived in beautiful Edinburgh,but the folk are more reserved.Our granddaughter,who comes from the south coast of England,is married to a Sussex man & they now live happily in Inverness where he relocated with his job & their daughter was recently born there.Coming from a hot climate you might want to invest in a woolly vest for a while,you will certainly learn about making soup.I must admit I have never been to Loch Lomand when it was NOT raining but as they say"Dinna fash yersel Lassie"You will learn to adapt. Best wishes
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Re: Should we move to Scotland?
Edinburgh ? That is where you are arrested if you speak to a stranger at a bus-stop. the West Coast is different !
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Re: Should we move to Scotland?
This is an interesting thread. I do wonder if/when the UK leaves and if/when Scotland breaks away, how long it will be for Scotland to join the EU, at that point how easy it would be to simply move to Scotland with a non-EU spouse, just like every other civilized European country.
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Re: Should we move to Scotland?
Scotland is underpopulated and ScotGov policy reflects that problem.
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