Falkirk, Bathgate, Livingston? Are they about the same?
Discussion
JString1 said:
The cost of living in Scotland (average) compared to Oklahoma is very similar, we are an inexpensive state. My rent (in dollars) is $680 for a 2 bed, 2 bath apartment, lounge, dining, kitchen, all electric. My electric bill is $125 a month, internet and phone combined is $150 for the fastest speed and lots of channels (my daughter watches them, I don't) and I'll save on food too since I'm only buying for myself.
Last time I was in the US (~4 years ago) I was surprised how much dearer it seemed to have become - much more than the change in exchange rate alone. The only things that I considered still cheap by our standards were gasoline, soda, consumer electronics & cars.On the whole telecomms are cheaper in UK/Europe than the US. As for whether you need a TV licence that will depend upon your watching www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one?
Our apartments/flats & houses are generally smaller than in the US
As I linked above you will have the option of being able to use the NHS either by paying a fee upfront with your visa & then free thereafter or by paying after the event if needed or yes, you can have a health insurance policy. The advantage of health insurance for most people here is to avoid NHS waiting lists.
Be prepared for some culture shocks:
1) tipping culture is different here
2) when you go to the shops the price on the shelf ticket is what you pay [no adding sales tax at the till as the displayed price includes our VAT (if applicable)]!
3) the language - not even accent or Scots v English but common terminology e.g. apartment/flat, petrol/gas , pants/trousers etc. - "two countries divided by a common language"
4) light switches & power outlets
Heidfirst said:
JString1 said:
The cost of living in Scotland (average) compared to Oklahoma is very similar, we are an inexpensive state. My rent (in dollars) is $680 for a 2 bed, 2 bath apartment, lounge, dining, kitchen, all electric. My electric bill is $125 a month, internet and phone combined is $150 for the fastest speed and lots of channels (my daughter watches them, I don't) and I'll save on food too since I'm only buying for myself.
Last time I was in the US (~4 years ago) I was surprised how much dearer it seemed to have become - much more than the change in exchange rate alone. The only things that I considered still cheap by our standards were gasoline, soda, consumer electronics & cars.On the whole telecomms are cheaper in UK/Europe than the US. As for whether you need a TV licence that will depend upon your watching www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one?
Our apartments/flats & houses are generally smaller than in the US
As I linked above you will have the option of being able to use the NHS either by paying a fee upfront with your visa & then free thereafter or by paying after the event if needed or yes, you can have a health insurance policy. The advantage of health insurance for most people here is to avoid NHS waiting lists.
Be prepared for some culture shocks:
1) tipping culture is different here
2) when you go to the shops the price on the shelf ticket is what you pay [no adding sales tax at the till as the displayed price includes our VAT (if applicable)]!
3) the language - not even accent or Scots v English but common terminology e.g. apartment/flat, petrol/gas , pants/trousers etc. - "two countries divided by a common language"
4) light switches & power outlets
What do you mean by the tipping culture. I don't understand if you mean that you tip more or less in Scotland.
Oklahoma is not a very big tipping area, but we do tip at restaurants and hotels, some tip Uber and taxis.
I've been studying Scottish Gaelic for a year, as well as reading a Bible written in "Scots" which seems to be a mix of traditional and slang words and maybe 60% common English, or the Queen's English. I have a Scottish dictionary next to me so I can look up words. I'm filling up a notebook with words I come across so I can study them - - I'm so much better at reading Gaelic and even writing it than I am at understanding when it is spoken. That's going to take a minute.
Tipping culture is much less than in the USA. Say if a restaurant bill is £38 a british person will round up to £40.
A server will never chase you down the street because you didnt tip.
A taxi would be rounded to the nearest pound or note. Most taxis accept contactless credit/debit cards too so you can pay exact amont too.
Gaelic is a dying language in the central belt where you are looking to live. Theres very few speakers really. Old Scots language like Robert burns writes in is gone. Theres a good proportion of slang terms to learn and these can change between towns let alone counties.
A server will never chase you down the street because you didnt tip.
A taxi would be rounded to the nearest pound or note. Most taxis accept contactless credit/debit cards too so you can pay exact amont too.
Gaelic is a dying language in the central belt where you are looking to live. Theres very few speakers really. Old Scots language like Robert burns writes in is gone. Theres a good proportion of slang terms to learn and these can change between towns let alone counties.
Edited by sherman on Tuesday 29th June 02:28
I would also have a look in Balerno /Currie area which is on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Lots of the houses in this area are quite expensive, but there is a mixture of places and their will be 1-2 bedroom flats to rent. I suspect that as its in Edinburgh the council tax may be more.
The advantage is that they are close to the Harlaw/Threipmuir reservoir so have lots of walks https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/harlaw-thr...
There is also a farm at the top beside Harlow which stables horses which may allow you to stable an animal if you get the opportunity.
Lots of the houses in this area are quite expensive, but there is a mixture of places and their will be 1-2 bedroom flats to rent. I suspect that as its in Edinburgh the council tax may be more.
The advantage is that they are close to the Harlaw/Threipmuir reservoir so have lots of walks https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/harlaw-thr...
There is also a farm at the top beside Harlow which stables horses which may allow you to stable an animal if you get the opportunity.
JString1 said:
I've been studying Scottish Gaelic for a year, as well as reading a Bible written in "Scots" which seems to be a mix of traditional and slang words and maybe 60% common English, or the Queen's English. I have a Scottish dictionary next to me so I can look up words. I'm filling up a notebook with words I come across so I can study them - - I'm so much better at reading Gaelic and even writing it than I am at understanding when it is spoken. That's going to take a minute.
I'd (genuinely) recommend studying 'Chewin the fat' and 'Still game' to get an idea of how Scottish people speak, our sense of humour, and a feel for the accent! Very much slang rather than proper 'Scots' though. Gaelic isn't really used at all in the central belt other than by Scotrail in their (often made up?) Gaelic alternative names for stations. Definitely an interesting thing to study from a history perspective though.JString1 said:
Hello again, still doing research using the fantastic SIMD map that was sent to me by another PH'er. THANK YOU. I'm thinking about renting 3-6 months to get the touristy stuff done before I buy a place, but when I do buy I want to settle in a good location that is about equal distance by rail and/or bus between Edinburgh and Glasgow. I could lecture at any college, so I would like to be within traveling distance. I am an author, so I won't be working outside of the house unless I'm lecturing. I don't mind the travel time. It will be great leaving the car here and just traveling by rail or bus mostly. What do you think of Falkirk, Bathgate, Kirkliston, Livingston, Broxburn? Let me know what your preferences are. I'm not a clubber or a party girl, just an average person who walks, rides horses, bikes, writes, cooks, and likes history. THANK YOU in advance.
Lanark30 Minutes to everywere
I am biased though :-)
sherman said:
Tipping culture is much less than in the USA. Say if a restaurant bill is £38 a british person will round up to £40.
A server will never chase you down the street because you didnt tip.
A taxi would be rounded to the nearest pound or note. Most taxis accept contactless credit/debit cards too so you can pay exact amont too.
Gaelic is a dying language in the central belt where you are looking to live. Theres very few speakers really. Old Scots language like Robert burns writes in is gone. Theres a good proportion of slang terms to learn and these can change between towns let alone counties.
Thank you. Yes, I do realize that the Gaelic language(s) is a dying language, but I am an enthusiast. I like to study. I prefer Gaelic to Spanish, which is something I really should have learned considering where I live now. I am a tipper, so hopefully the restaurants and/or taxis or whomever will not mind if I over pay a bit for good service. It's just who I am.A server will never chase you down the street because you didnt tip.
A taxi would be rounded to the nearest pound or note. Most taxis accept contactless credit/debit cards too so you can pay exact amont too.
Gaelic is a dying language in the central belt where you are looking to live. Theres very few speakers really. Old Scots language like Robert burns writes in is gone. Theres a good proportion of slang terms to learn and these can change between towns let alone counties.
Edited by sherman on Tuesday 29th June 02:28
douglasgdmw said:
I would also have a look in Balerno /Currie area which is on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Lots of the houses in this area are quite expensive, but there is a mixture of places and their will be 1-2 bedroom flats to rent. I suspect that as its in Edinburgh the council tax may be more.
The advantage is that they are close to the Harlaw/Threipmuir reservoir so have lots of walks https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/harlaw-thr...
There is also a farm at the top beside Harlow which stables horses which may allow you to stable an animal if you get the opportunity.
Thank you. I think I will keep my horses in the states and let my daughter continue working them. As I don't have a car it would be difficult for me to be committed to seeing the horses at the stables. I ride nearly every day at this point, but will have to give that up I'm afraid. I may go to volunteer if they'll let me. Lots of the houses in this area are quite expensive, but there is a mixture of places and their will be 1-2 bedroom flats to rent. I suspect that as its in Edinburgh the council tax may be more.
The advantage is that they are close to the Harlaw/Threipmuir reservoir so have lots of walks https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/harlaw-thr...
There is also a farm at the top beside Harlow which stables horses which may allow you to stable an animal if you get the opportunity.
Gin and Ultrasonic said:
JString1 said:
I've been studying Scottish Gaelic for a year, as well as reading a Bible written in "Scots" which seems to be a mix of traditional and slang words and maybe 60% common English, or the Queen's English. I have a Scottish dictionary next to me so I can look up words. I'm filling up a notebook with words I come across so I can study them - - I'm so much better at reading Gaelic and even writing it than I am at understanding when it is spoken. That's going to take a minute.
I'd (genuinely) recommend studying 'Chewin the fat' and 'Still game' to get an idea of how Scottish people speak, our sense of humour, and a feel for the accent! Very much slang rather than proper 'Scots' though. Gaelic isn't really used at all in the central belt other than by Scotrail in their (often made up?) Gaelic alternative names for stations. Definitely an interesting thing to study from a history perspective though.Thank you. I will try to find the shows you mentioned. Perhaps they are here, or online. I can always try Netflix, right? LOL. I need to know when I'm being made fun of, but then again, ignorance is bliss too, so maybe I'll just smile a great deal and not be offended.
I can't help but think not having access to a car will be a bit of a handicap if you live outwith main cities and want to get out and about to see more of the country.
While public transport in Edinburgh and Glasgow is very good, once you move out it becomes much less frequently available - house prices close to decent transport hubs (central belt or other mainline stations) and in OK areas will reflect that, and even with that access you may find you still have to go into a major city to then get transport out to somewhere else which is a PITA.
Fine for the occasional commute into the cities for work/shopping/"the sights" but to get out into the countryside not so good. It's also not clear at this stage what public transport will be like post COVID, with reduced services and higher prices quite likely.
Of course with the Scottish Green Party striving to become part of the Scottish Government just now you might find a horse is the most socially acceptable way of getting about
While public transport in Edinburgh and Glasgow is very good, once you move out it becomes much less frequently available - house prices close to decent transport hubs (central belt or other mainline stations) and in OK areas will reflect that, and even with that access you may find you still have to go into a major city to then get transport out to somewhere else which is a PITA.
Fine for the occasional commute into the cities for work/shopping/"the sights" but to get out into the countryside not so good. It's also not clear at this stage what public transport will be like post COVID, with reduced services and higher prices quite likely.
Of course with the Scottish Green Party striving to become part of the Scottish Government just now you might find a horse is the most socially acceptable way of getting about
s2kjock said:
I can't help but think not having access to a car will be a bit of a handicap if you live outwith main cities and want to get out and about to see more of the country.
While public transport in Edinburgh and Glasgow is very good, once you move out it becomes much less frequently available - house prices close to decent transport hubs (central belt or other mainline stations) and in OK areas will reflect that, and even with that access you may find you still have to go into a major city to then get transport out to somewhere else which is a PITA.
Fine for the occasional commute into the cities for work/shopping/"the sights" but to get out into the countryside not so good. It's also not clear at this stage what public transport will be like post COVID, with reduced services and higher prices quite likely.
Of course with the Scottish Green Party striving to become part of the Scottish Government just now you might find a horse is the most socially acceptable way of getting about
At least I can ride one. I could make a few bucks teaching others how to ride Western rather than English if their horses could adjust. I can't sit the English saddle properly. I need my big saddle to fully appreciate the ride (I'm not jumping). While public transport in Edinburgh and Glasgow is very good, once you move out it becomes much less frequently available - house prices close to decent transport hubs (central belt or other mainline stations) and in OK areas will reflect that, and even with that access you may find you still have to go into a major city to then get transport out to somewhere else which is a PITA.
Fine for the occasional commute into the cities for work/shopping/"the sights" but to get out into the countryside not so good. It's also not clear at this stage what public transport will be like post COVID, with reduced services and higher prices quite likely.
Of course with the Scottish Green Party striving to become part of the Scottish Government just now you might find a horse is the most socially acceptable way of getting about
I think I will probably move to Edinburgh for 3-6 months and rent to get all the touristy stuff done, and then out to Polmont, Dalkeith, Dunfermline or Redding - - I love Stirling!! I don't know yet. I need to get there and experience and experiment. Thanks.
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