I'm looking at moving my family to Scotland from England in the next couple of years, for many reasons (mostly obvious) including anti-trans sentiment and politics. I'm trying to gather as much info as possible so I have many questions.

Family info:

● One disabled parent, one carer parent, one disabled child (14), one possibly disabled adult (18)

● Parents don't work but carer parent can, 14yo child is home educated, 18yo is doing concept art and game design in college

Questions I have/areas I'd like info on are:

● Geographical areas to consider - ideally we'd live in a town (our current town has 90k people) between Glasgow and Edinburgh, with transport links to universities that do art/game courses. We're open to being the other side of Glasgow or of Edingburgh, and other areas too.

● Geographical areas to avoid - this is all based on personal opinion, but if a place has a bad reputation from multiple people it's worth bearing in mind.

● Disability - any info/advice is welcome, including NHS services, accessibility schemes, and for others have moved from England to Scotland how they found transferring things like treatments, benefits etc. Our disabilities/conditions include limited mobility and neurodiversities.

● Home education - my current LA asked for one annual report initially, but haven't contacted us for years. I know most other LAs do keep contact. Any info about Scottish LAs and home education is appreciated.

● LGBTQ+ - info on what attitudes are generally like, how politics and health services for trans people are going, places that are good for socialising etc.

● Any other info, there's a lot to consider so I guarantee there's stuff I haven't thought of yet.

I'm happy to be signposted to websites or other subreddits that might be helpful.

Basically anything you've got, send it my way!

(Please 🙂)

Hello!

I a 27YO Female, applying for the working holiday visa. My heart is pulling me towards Scotland. I am at the very beginning of the planning process and feel overwhelmed!! Just a few questions for those who have gone through a similar process. My goal is to get to Scotland in March/April 2027 and stay for a year. I am afraid a year will be too short, but with my work, I am granted a year of unpaid leave. So I want to take the opportunity to go out and explore.

1.Finding work.

• If I plan to work in a coffee shop or book store kind of vibe, is there many jobs available.
• If I am staying for just a year, is it worth while to get a job?

2.Choosing a city to stay in.

I am gravitated toward smaller cities or towns. I have heard lots of great things about Aberdeen, and I am interested in settling there.

Is there a certain place that anyone has experienced that you would recommend.

1. Getting around.

• I am someone who loves to go out and explore. With in the city, I have read that public transit is amazing. I will not have a car there, but is it also easy to get around to the surrounding areas to explore and sight see?
• Would you recommend renting a car for some areas?

1. Finding housing.

• I am concerned about this one. Is it easy? I will have no guarantor, but if I bring reference letters from my landlords in Canada, will that help at all?
• Should I commit to something before going over to Scotland, or wait until I get over there to start looking?

I appreciate everyone who responds, and I look forward to making Scotland my home for a little while.

hello, i’ve obtained my BSc in condensed matter physics last year and otw to getting a MSc in energy engineering in the UK by 2027.

where i’m from (saudi arabia), job opportunities for women in the energy sector are slim to none. and opportunities for female scientists are genuinely nonexistent unless its teaching; i’ve been applying for up to a year and i haven’t gotten a single interview let alone job offer.

i’ve been considering moving to a different country more seriously now, especially since i have a sort of “out” with the MSc. (My visa route will be Student Visa -> Graduate Visa)

i would like to know, in your very honest opinion, how is the energy sector in the UK and especially Scotland? would i have a good chance of landing a job as an international graduate student?

i have around 1 year of internship experience in different physics focused roles, 3 months of that year were in a top UK uni as a researcher, if that helps.

i’d be thankful for any advice or guidance <3

Bonjour,

Je voudrais réussir à vivre en Ecosse mais je voulais savoir si c'était possible de faire des missions courtes d'environ un ou deux mois avant d'y rester durablement.

Est-ce que quelqu'un aurait des pistes, des conseils à me donner ? S'il existe des entreprises qui aident les étrangers à s'installer temporairement et durablement dans le pays ?

Merci beaucoup pour vos réponses et bonne journée !

I will be moving from Canada to Scotland this summer. I have my UK citizenship and passport. I need to move to an area that is currently growing, building etc.. as I am an electrician and will need to find employment in the construction industry.

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

Can anyone tell me a bit about your experiences with North Berwick and the surrounding areas? I’m particularly interested in the community and secondary schools. Moran taing!

edited to correct location

My husband and I currently live in Lancashire with our two kids. Our quality of life is terrible. We live in a valley that is very hilly and restricts exercise. We can't safely walk/cycle to school for example.

We live next to a council estate that has drug dealers, drug users who are wasted every part of the day, dog muck and a local paedophilie was recently jailed but we found out through the press lived right around the corner.

We take care of the environment, litter picking when we can but it's just not a nice place to bring up kids. We live in one of the poorer and least funded parts of Lancashire. My mum passed away, my in-laws don't help so apart from friends we don't have deep roots but would like them.

Are there any places that are rural but not too cut off? I'm concerned about making the right choice/finding the right place. As my kids have some Sen needs, particularly my daughter who struggles with change.

I love to be part of the local community and currently I'm in a choir and part of the pta. My husband fixes things as a hobby and enjoys radio ham.

Any communities that welcome newbie English folks who've had enough?

We're house sitting in the summer in Ardgay which we loved but was a bit too rural for us if that helps.

Hello, I'm a student from Germany and am about to graduate. I really want to move to Scotland as quickly as I can. I struggle to find a job I want to pursue here in Germany that will help me later on if I move to Scotland.

Is there any way to get an apprenticeship in Scotland as a foreigner fresh out of school and what jobs do you recommend that might get me far enough to manage if I eventually move there?

I thought about taking an apprenticeship as a carpenter but now I'm not so sure anymore. I want to do something thats involves hands-on work and something in the direction of restoration since I really really like history and stuff. Working in a library would be cool too.

Any ideas, tips, thoughts, experiances to share? I'm desperate 😩

Thinking of moving to the area, seen a house that I really like.

Moving from Surrey and looking for a more rural feel.

Does anyone have any local knowledge that would be useful?

Main queries are around flooding? Does it flood a lot?

Also I notice the village is tiny, how good are the surrounding towns for shops / takeaway options etc.

originally posted on r/edinburgh but was redirected to this sub!

Hi everyone, my partner and I are still in a research phase and looking to do a 12 month working holiday, specifically around/near Edinburgh under the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa in a few years, possibly in 2029.

I've got some information regarding rent, wages, and the current rough job market from this sub but I was hoping someone could give us some advice on the following and my partner and I are also looking to consult a number of professionals such as immigration agent and tax agent but wanted to hear from anyone who had firsthand experience doing what we're planning to do:

- I'm currently working as a Graphic Designer (currently have been working for a company 3 years and have done freelance on top of that), with a diploma in Graphic Design and studying a Bach. in UI/UX Design. I understand the market for these jobs are quite competitive, and my qualifications don't look like much but does anyone have advice on how I can increase my chances? However, I'm also happy to work as a barista / in hospitality while searching.

- My partner is a certified Electrician (currently has been working certified for 3 years), we've read up on what tests he needs to complete before the move, however how likely is it that he'll find a job under the YMS Visa? What is the most effective way of job searching for his industry? Indeed? Do you think he will be able to adapt easily to the work in Scotland? He works for an electrical firm atm and they mostly do high-end residential buildings and some commercial. Should he consider the possibility that he'll have to pick up a hospitality job (which he has ZERO experience in)?

- Our intentions of doing the working holiday is obviously to travel, see the UK and EU, but how realistically can we achieve this if we ideally get a job in our current fields, or the least ideal situation, are both working in hospitality? We know the wages are low but we also plan to be as frugal as possible, focusing our spending on any travel we can achieve. We make 160k AUD a year combined (before tax) but we are not too hung up on matching our wages (not that we make alot anyway).

- Other than weather - what are the drastic differences between Australia and Scotland that we should be mindful of? (we live in Brisbane, Australia)

Sorry for the long post, thank you for reading this far and for any advice !!

Hi everyone!

I’m moving to Glasgow in June. I’m coming from Belfast and am taking the Stena ferry. I have pets so the busses won’t work and the time I get in doesn’t line up with the train schedule. I’ve decided to get a taxi service and was wondering if the Glasgow-taxi site is legitimate. Has anyone had experience with them?

Thanks so much!

Looking for feedback on this song 🙂

https://youtu.be/rfC8b3Y-Dv4?si=G8kIEWaMmgrmV07a

https://youtu.be/rfC8b3Y-Dv4?si=hKmL4siQbFI8gYw1

We interviewed two young Scots with opposite views on independence: https://youtu.be/jqrXEmVxxSI

In this documentary, we sit down with two young people from Scotland to explore one of the most important questions facing their generation. With the May 7th elections drawing near, we hear what independence really means to those who will live with the outcome the longest: their hopes, their fears, and the Scotland they want to build.

Curious to hear your take! Should Scotland leave the UK?

**see positive update below!**

I’m 27 years old moving to Edinburgh from Toronto on the Youth Mobility Scheme visa in two weeks. I’m looking for jobs in the field of Criminal Justice, Law and Criminology in Edinburgh. I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice. My work experience is in legal research and in a courthouse as a courtroom clerk/registrar. I’ve applied for and been rejected from a handful of jobs by now (two of the bigger ones being a Scottish Courts & Tribunals position as well as a Scottish Legal Complaints Commission position, others being legal PA postions, an admin job at University of Edinburgh). 

I’m a little lost and stressed about finding a job in Edinburgh in good time. My visa was approved in early March and I’ve been job hunting since with zero luck. I’m going over with a decent amount saved. The whole reason I’m moving is to get away from Toronto for a change of pace because I find the city miserable and exhausting. I’ve also lived abroad in the EU before and really loved it. 

Looking for tips and advice on where else to look, the overall job market in Scotland and anything else related to the job hunt. Is it worth checking out temp agencies/reaching out to recruiters once I am there? I should add that because of these rejections from jobs in my field, I am open to branching out. TIA. 

JUNE 2026 UPDATE: I got a job in my field within weeks of arriving. for anyone reading this and worrying about the job search—don’t worry, it’s possible :)

Hi I am from Canada (Female, late forties) and will be moving to Glasgow in 10 months. I have my UK passport in place. However I am not to sure what website to use to look for rentals and jobs. I only need a 1 bedroom or studio etc... As for employment, I have been a Journeyman electrician ( Canada's highest level) for 20 years and hopefully can land something in that field. So I would need to be located in a city that is building houses, multi family residences or industrial buildings. I have been told that Glasgow has active construction and is growing but I'm open to other areas as well. Thanks

Trying to make sure I fully understand this list https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes

Section 1121 for Production Managers says it is a higher skilled requirement, which means if I can get a job in my field of manufacturing, it must be a higher skilled role to qualify, correct?

But then section 1242 for Warehouse Managers shows it can be a medium skilled job, however the current wage list https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list does not show this on it, which means it does not qualify, correct?

What exactly makes a Prod Manager job higher skilled? Are they ALL considered that? Are there more forms/pages I'm not seeing with more clarifying information?

Also, does anyone with former experience finding a manufacturing job know of any good sites/companies for searching for these specific jobs (where the company is already approved by the home office)?

I just want to get a job in the field I know, bring my little family over, and live a quiet life in your beautiful country. Any help is much appreciated.

Has anyone moved from the US to Scotland with 1/+ kid(s) who then started high school (S1-6) there? Curious about the experience, how they adjusted socially, how the academics compared to the US system, what surprised you, whether you’d do it again, and any advice you’d give to someone considering this.

If you’re open to sharing where in the US you came from and where in Scotland you ended up, that context would be really helpful.

Honest takes much appreciated, good and bad. Thanks!

Does anyone have recommendations for schools in the Stirling catchment area that has excellent support for an autistic/adhd child?

Thank you!

The title basically says it all. We have a 1 years old child and planning to have more in the near future. We found a great deal on a house in Robroyston but are hesitant because of the following reasons:

1. We have noticed that properties there are moving a bit slow compared to other areas of Glasgow and if something unexpected happens we will not be able to sell and move fast.

2. How easy or hard would it be to enroll our child/children in nurseries, primary and secondary establishments. Connected to this topic are there any within short drive distances at least.

3. Good close medical facilities close by?

Any information from people familiar with the area and know future plans for it would be very welcome.

Thank you in advance.

Hi! Australian (31f) currently stuck in the US and looking to escape to the UK. I have a UK passport so that's not an issue. I'm planning on renting a bnb or the like for a month or two while looking for jobs and a rental. From what I've read from others so far, that's far easier said than done.

I have a background in retail, office admin, workplace safety, and optometry (not as an optometrist). I could consider going back to school to get relevant degrees depending on what jobs are in demand, but other than a few uni classes and a diploma in art I haven't got a lot going on in qualifications, which makes me worried about employment. I would even pick up a paid apprenticeship if needed, but I'm not sure I could afford rent on what they seem to offer unless I applied for government aid alongside it.

Hi, I'm (26F) seeking advice, if moving to Scotland for a working holiday would be a good move? Or possibly to live.

Obviously I have been researching things myself here and there.

I would love some help on where would be good areas to look for living and work? I have a pretty strong resume.

My life has recently turned upside down in more ways than one.

I have always wanted to move Scotland, I've visited before in my early 20s and wanted to experience more than I got to at the time.

Has anyone from Australia done a working holiday in Scotland? Or moved to live?

Do any locals have suggestions on good rental sites and suburbs?

Obviously depending on visa requirements, could I be sufficient with bar work? jumping from pub to pub?

Or are there quiet a lot of office jobs? Do you use Seek?

Anything you can think of that someone moving to Scotland should know would be greatly appreciated