Falkirk, Bathgate, Livingston? Are they about the same?
Discussion
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.
THANK YOU everyone. I'm an author, and I stay at home most of the time either reading, writing, working out, or just hanging with the dogs. I'm not really all that exciting. I will be volunteering with the Bethany Christian Trust and hope to even open a thrift store for them, or find a way to bring attention and awareness for them in the area. I look forward to meeting new friends. If you're interested in writing to me you can do at jude.stringfellow@gmail.com I would welcome new friends online and perhaps meet up for coffee or tea when I get there. Thanks again for your help.
CraigyMc said:
sherman said:
The BCT already operate in most of the areas you are looking at.
Yet another charity shop will not be worth your time.
Just in Linlithgow. Theres Oxfam, Cancer research and the red cross on the high street with Marie curie and tge local churches, rotary, round table and many more doing pop up type things all the time.
Most of the high streets have more than 1 charity shop already. The supermarkets have clothing bins for the salvation army etc.
We get more clothing collection bags through our door for door step collection than we have clothes.
When life gives you lemons...Yet another charity shop will not be worth your time.
Just in Linlithgow. Theres Oxfam, Cancer research and the red cross on the high street with Marie curie and tge local churches, rotary, round table and many more doing pop up type things all the time.
Most of the high streets have more than 1 charity shop already. The supermarkets have clothing bins for the salvation army etc.
We get more clothing collection bags through our door for door step collection than we have clothes.
Yes, I can't get too excited about moving yet until I sell books and know what to expect for income. I will likely be renting for 3-6 months to make my mind up as to which areas are best. That way I can get all my touristy events out of my system. Would anyone care to share how much I'll be paying for utilities, electric, gas, water, garbage, etc. I know there is a council tax based on bands. I just don't know what all it covers. I know I'll need internet and phone service too. Are there other costs? Transport obviously, I won't be driving.
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
sherman said:
Council tax £1200ish per year. In Scotland this includes water and garbage.
Gas and electricity - £100ish combined bill or less per month
Sky tv/broadband and phone line £60 a month depending on your package.
You will need a tv licence too £164 a year
No health insurance unless you want it because of the NHS.
Car insurance and road tax will vary depending on your car.
THANK YOU. Gas and electricity - £100ish combined bill or less per month
Sky tv/broadband and phone line £60 a month depending on your package.
You will need a tv licence too £164 a year
No health insurance unless you want it because of the NHS.
Car insurance and road tax will vary depending on your car.
Edited by sherman on Sunday 27th June 00:31
Edited by sherman on Sunday 27th June 01:15
I don't and won't have a car, so there are no worries there. Here I pay $336 a month for the payment, $100 for insurance and $60-70 for gasoline each month. I work from home, so I do save money that way. Still, I'll be released from over $500 a month by not having a car. I'm looking forward to that.
Because I'm an American I won't be under the NHS. I think I'll need to find a health plan that crosses the pond on a daily basis rather than the emergency one I have now. I can visit and use my insurance, but if I live there I will need a new policy.
Thank you for the update on the rest. I didn't know we had to pay a TV license. That's interesting. I really never watch TV other than local or college football and the weather. I use the internet for all the shows I want to watch. I'm hoping I'll get into soccer the way I get into college football here. I don't know that I will, but I hope I do. I will need to support someone / some team not just the national team.
Heidfirst said:
If you live in a nice flat/house in a nice area you may well pay more for council tax & sewerage/water. Even with a 25% discount for single occupancy I pay ~£1800 p.a. - admittedly Glasgow is at the high end of council tax charging.
When you are looking for a temporary flat/house watch out for how it is heated - electric heating will probably cost ~3x as much to run as gas central heating. Depending upon the building, heating system & your energy supply package if you are frugal you can probably get that down to £7-800 p.a.
A reasonably fast fibre broadband & landline package will probably cost you ~£300 p.a. but with phone call costs on top. However, a mobile (cell) sim card with unlimited UK calls/texts & a small amount of data will cost you ~£10 per month.
You quite possibly won't need an additional cable/satellite TV package but for terrestrial TV you will need the aforementioned TV licence £159 p.a. based on a 1-off direct debit, £164 if quarterly DD.
You will need to pay an upfront fee to then be able to access the NHS without charges https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights...
Depending upon where in OK you live our summers are ~20f lower than yours but winter temps possibly similar. Rainfall probably similar too but luckily tornadoes are very infrequent
WHAT? No tornadoes? Well, I guess I'll just have to talk to God for the heck of it then. He and I do a lot of talking during those tornadoes. I've lived in Oklahoma all of my life with the exception of 3 years in Beverly Hills in the 80s and 5 years in Indiana from 2010-2015. I have been through enough bad weather to be done with it. Looking forward to the cooler and more mild climate. I don't mind the rain, I don't mind the cold, I don't mind the snow. It's the wind that kills you in Oklahoma and the heat. When you are looking for a temporary flat/house watch out for how it is heated - electric heating will probably cost ~3x as much to run as gas central heating. Depending upon the building, heating system & your energy supply package if you are frugal you can probably get that down to £7-800 p.a.
A reasonably fast fibre broadband & landline package will probably cost you ~£300 p.a. but with phone call costs on top. However, a mobile (cell) sim card with unlimited UK calls/texts & a small amount of data will cost you ~£10 per month.
You quite possibly won't need an additional cable/satellite TV package but for terrestrial TV you will need the aforementioned TV licence £159 p.a. based on a 1-off direct debit, £164 if quarterly DD.
You will need to pay an upfront fee to then be able to access the NHS without charges https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights...
Depending upon where in OK you live our summers are ~20f lower than yours but winter temps possibly similar. Rainfall probably similar too but luckily tornadoes are very infrequent
THANK YOU for the update on the costs. It is very helpful. I am looking forward to so many things, including living in a good area with safe neighborhoods and good amenities since I won't be driving, I'll be walking and riding the bus. I looked into the costs for transportation and that makes me happy too. I just have to remember to leave on time to get to where I'm going, and to allow for the stops and traffic. Still, I'm pretty excited about it.
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.
I went to www.tesco.co.uk and pretended to buy a month's worth of food to see what it would cost. I was spending almost exactly the same amount and getting almost the same things. I am truly excited about the move overall. Rather sad I won't be able to bring my horse, but to be honest I wouldn't be able to get to the barn easily, not every day, and he'll be loved and cared for here. He's an American Mustang, and I ride Western, so I'm not even sure if there is a barn that would accept us.
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.
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.
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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