Scotland is a nation that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located in the northern part of Great Britain and occupies more than a third of the country’s area. Its capital is Edinburgh, and the largest city is Glasgow. However, those who want to live in Scotland must know that it is not for everyone.
Scotland is beautiful. The west coast and the islands of the Highlands are majestic, the east coast extraordinarily rugged and the far north breathtaking. Undoubtedly, there are some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. It also has a lot of history and culture to offer. Hundreds of historical sites throughout the country.
Apart from its landscapes, Scotland is also famous for its people. Friendly, kind, curious, educated, loving and full of humanity. If you need help, most people will do anything to help you. Going out is rarely boring, because you will always meet people full of humor. Scotland and the Scots will embrace you. You will never be offended as a stranger.
The country is full of people from all corners of the world and perfectly integrated. Suffice it to say that Scotland voted overwhelmingly against Brexit. Everywhere you will find a “foreigner” working side by side with the “locals” who make him feel part of the team and respect him as a human being without judging him for the color of his skin, the way he dresses or the way he works. There are frustrated and racist people, but this isn’t Scotland. That, unfortunately, is part of the human race.
The cost of living in Scotland is lower than in the major English cities. Some cities like Edinburgh are more expensive than others, like Glasgow, because the income opportunities are higher.
Health care is free (funded by deductions from salary). It’s not perfect, but overall it’s a good system. Education, from kindergarten (3 years) to university, is free for all. Wide variety of universities, from ancient campuses to modern campuses surrounded by nature. Scottish universities are famous all over the world. It does not matter if you are not born in Scotland. If you have lived in Scotland for at least three years, you are entitled to free university studies. Public transportation in major cities is great. If you don’t live in a big city, you still have access to regular buses and trains that will get you around the country quickly and cheaply. It’s incredibly easy to get around anywhere without having to buy a car.
It is a very safe country to live in. As with all countries in the world, there are only a few areas in large cities where you should not venture. If you want to get specific, the biggest safety issue in Scotland is public drunkenness. It’s not uncommon for someone who has had too much to drink to try to strike up a conversation with you.
Unfortunately, the weather in Scotland is a major drawback. Scottish weather generally consists of rain, cold, wind, and humidity. Since Scotland is surrounded by water, the humidity is always high, making the already cold and dark days even more humid.
Live in Scotland
If you want to move to Scotland, the first thing you should do is to look for accommodation. The cities where most foreigners live are: Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, because this is where most of the companies are located.
The cost of living in Scotland is not the same everywhere, so the cost of rent in Edinburgh is also higher than in Aberdeen, Glasgow or Inverness. As everywhere, it is easier to rent a shared flat (which is recommended at the beginning) than to rent a whole flat. In this case, you will need to provide your employment contract, any guarantees, a copy of your last bank statement, etc.
In big cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow there are a large number of shared apartments. If you do not mind living with strangers, it will be much easier to find an flat. In Scotland, it is rare to find an unfurnished flat or house for rent. Most apartments are equipped with everything you need: Dishes, beds, sofas and everything else.
Here are some of the most popular real estate sites in Scotland:
- Zoopla, a very popular website
- Prime Location, another very popular website
- Rentberry, contains hundreds of proposals
- S1 Homes, real estate portal
For those who do not want to waste time and energy, there are dozens of real estate agencies that can help you in your search.
Work in scotland
In Scotland, wages are good, as are working conditions. The most in-demand occupations vary significantly depending on where you are located. There are several sectors in Scotland where skilled labour is in demand, such as financial services, IT, the oil and gas industry, and healthcare. If you intend to stay only temporarily, I recommend looking for a job in hospitality and customer service, as they are much more flexible.
Scotland makes life very easy for foreign job seekers. Recently, it has begun to attract talent from all over the world, and many new technology companies are springing up. Major cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow offer many job opportunities for foreign workers and temporary workers. You can find employment in hotels, hostels, offices, pubs or stores. However, for these jobs you need to have English skills and keep in mind that the Scottish accent, even if you know the language, is one of the most incomprehensible, so you need time and patience to get used to it.
These are the most popular websites for job search:
- S1 Jobs, very well known portal
- Total Jobs, online recruitment agency
- Reed online recruitment agency
- Gumtree, well known classifieds
Alternatively, you can find temporary work through Scottish employment agencies, which sometimes offer accommodation as well as work.There are several temporary employment agencies in Scotland that can help you find work. Whether you are looking for an office job in a city or a job on a farm with accommodation.
Temporary employment agencies
- Stafffinders, Scotland
- Firstsource, Edinburgh
- Brightwork, Edinburgh and Glasgow
- Globalhighland, Inverness
There are also several types of jobs in Scotland that provide housing. Most of these jobs are located outside of the larger cities. However, if you want to spend your days exploring the beautiful Scottish countryside, a job with accommodation may be the best choice.
Regardless of whether you plan to live in Scotland for a year or move there forever, know that Scotland is a beautiful country with breathtaking scenery, a rich history, great opportunities, and great people. Regardless of how long you live there, Scotland will change you for the better and make you a proud Scot, even if you don’t have Scottish ancestors.
