Reasons for moving to Scotland
scotlandThis is a complicated one to answer; there are many reasons to do it and many reasons not to.
The plan was to eventually move to Ireland, England or Wales. Then we visited Edinburgh in 2020 and fell in love…but it was still a retirement sort of plan, not something that would happen now.
We’ll get into the timing change sometime. It’s not completely our tale to tell but the school year start suddenly became a thing to be aware of.
Some of the reasons for and against the move are more theoretically interesting, some are much more practically relevant. Mixing them up…
For: - Walkability is important and our current location is not walkable. - This also drives a goal of not having a car. Might have mopeds/etc. - A car may become necessary, but we’re going to hold off as long as we can. - Living Wage / Cost of Living - Living Wage really appeals to us as a concept. - Climate - We’re both from Northern European stock, after all ;) - Politics - More interested in the EU and Scotland’s slant than UK’s current path - Starting a business or two, maybe with a side of a nonprofit or two. - I’ve long wanted to make opportunities for others, especially something like a coop. - Scottish co-ops - https://co-operate.scot/ - Community wealth-building bill - Narrowboats - We’re not about to live aboard a narrowboat, but it’d be a nice hobby, especially as folks visit us.
Against: - Friends and family - No getting around this one: all relationships here will be disrupted to a greater or lesser extent. - However…we’ll also be closer to other friends and family. - Work - My current job is great. Great people, great culture. Actually leveraging my experiences, meaningfully challenged versus the cycle of pitting employees against one another… - SCA - This will be different. Fewer regular activities (we likely have 20 things to choose from on a weekly basis within a 90 minute drive). However…events in castles…