Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland with a population of about 200,000, but it’s quite compact and doesn’t feel like a big city. Being quite small, it feels more like a big country where everyone knows everyone and nothing escapes them. One advantage of living in Aberdeen is that it’s so small and within a few miles you’re in the country. Aberdeen is indeed an excellent starting point for trips to beautiful natural landscapes.
Aberdeen is an unattractive city from an architectural point of view, although there are many historic buildings, all of which are rather gray, having been built of the granite that is abundant in the area, which, together with the almost permanent drizzle and constant wind, creates an atmosphere that can be quite depressing on many days of the year. All these buildings constructed of granite have earned Aberdeen the well-known nickname “Granite City.” But on the two days a year when the sun shines, the granite reflects the light, and on those brilliantly beautiful days Aberdeen earns its other nickname: “Silver City“.
The city is well connected with other Scottish cities by good road and rail links and direct trains to London. The airport is well connected and offers a wide range of direct flights to London and other places in the United Kingdom and Europe
In short, it is a well-equipped city with numerous facilities and public services. There are libraries, galleries, schools, hospitals and a good transportation network. Not surprisingly, Aberdeen is considered one of the happiest cities in the whole of the United Kingdom, which makes it a good destination, since it is very welcoming to foreigners.
If you choose to live in Aberdeen, you do not have to worry about hiding your race, origin or religion. In this sense, Aberdeen is certainly one of the safest cities in the entire UK for immigrants. Most people in Aberdeen are quite friendly, but they are generally a bit more reserved than people in Glasgow, which in some ways is not a bad thing.
A common characteristic of all Scots, and Aberdeen residents are no exception in this regard, is that they are very patriotic and many harbor a strong antipathy toward the British.
There are tons of pubs, and if the weather does not cooperate, which is very likely, you only need to go to one to find a shelter and someone to chat with and lift your spirits.
When it comes to the cost of living, Aberdeen is one of the most expensive cities in the UK. Like any city, it has its own problems, and one of the main ones is the cost of housing, both for buying and renting. This is due to the significant price increase caused by the oil industry. Aberdeen is the oil capital of Europe and generally a fairly prosperous city. However, in general the standard of living is quite high and prices for accommodation in Aberdeen can be very high unless you are willing to live 30/40 km away.
If we want to live in Aberdeen, we cannot avoid talking about the weather. The weather is the main topic with which people in Britain start a conversation. However, it rains everywhere in the UK, and Aberdeen is no exception. However, the climate in Aberdeen is influenced by the sea, as the city is located on the coast. A branch of the Gulf Stream flows south through the North Sea, providing a relatively constant temperature throughout the year. This means relatively warm winters and cool summer.
The city of Aberdeen is closely tied to the oil fields in the North Sea, and most jobs are oil-related, so wages can be very good, but the sector is cyclical and has experienced severe declines. Jobs outside the oil sector tend to be quite poorly paid. The best employment opportunities are for professionals, technicians and skilled workers in the oil sector. More and more foreigners with these qualifications work in the oil industry.
If this is not the case, however, do not be discouraged, because the city’s large port allows for good commercial activities. The service sector also has good prospects, especially since tourism is developing strongly.
For all the information on how to work in the UK, I recommend you to read the article: How to work in the UK after Brexit
On the other hand, if you want more information on how to move to the UK, I recommend you to read the article: Moving to the UK after brexit
