Thursday 5 September 2013

Things to Love and Dislike Living in Scotland {part 2}

 
Week after week new people are finding this blog due to this post I wrote almost a year and a half ago. It seems that you all want to know what there is to love and dislike about living in Scotland! I'm happy to oblige with another post! Let's get this party started.

Things to Love::

01. The weather. I know, I know! I'm a contradiction! But, let me explain. We stay pretty mild around here. Mild winters, mild summers. Not too shabby. Once you're used to it  you can really thrive here.

02. There is a little bit of everything in Scotland. From the quiet and beautiful scenery of the highlands to the bustling cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Let's not forget that we're an island. We have beaches and a sea view! There is something for everyone.

03. The people! The Scots are famous for being welcoming. Just open your mouth and they'll want to talk. They'll want to know your story and tell you they've been to Florida ;)


Things to Dislike::

01. Cost of living is crazy compared with the USA. I stopped converting pounds to dollars a long time ago. It got depressing. Sales tax {VAT} is 20%!!! I don't even have any words for that. It is included in the purchase price so you don't notice so much, but still. Everything is so much more expensive.

02. Smoking. I'm not going to lie. Scotland, you smell like an ashtray. Glasgow especially {well, only the bigger cities really...}. I can't even believe this is still a thing. My old neighbour below me smokes and it entered right into my kitchen window. It gets me all kinds of mad.

03. Clothes shopping is all trendy. I don't mind trendy but where are the classic pieces for people who aren't into every trend that blows into this country? Not to mention I can't find any pants that aren't of the skinny variety. I'm a plus size girl. Skinny jeans don't do me any favours. It gets ridiculous trying to shop and I can't find a single thing that I like.

I'll do these posts from time to time to help you get a sense of what life is like here. The good and the bad.

Let's Connect!

11 comments:

  1. I totally agree with your list! (I am in England though.) I never thought I would say that I like the weather here, but you are right...once you get used to it, it's not too bad. And the scenery is incredible. I often pinch myself and wonder how I live in such a beautiful place. I have also stopped converting to dollars; it is just too depressing. And agree with you about clothes too...I'm not a trendy or skinny gal! :) Tanya

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    1. It has only been recently what I've been OK with the weather. I'm embracing it instead of complaining all the time about it. That helps soooooo much. My whole attitude shifted.

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    2. Congratulations,this might be your greatest achievement after motherhood

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  2. O I so feel you on finding clothes that fit right! Not sure if you know but Forever 21 has a plus size section on their website and that is where I bought tons of stuff last winter that actually fit unlike the little itty bitty sizes they have in the stores here!

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    1. I pretty much have to do all my shopping online. Bleh. I love online shopping but when you can't tell if it looks right on you it is a pain!!! Thanks for the heads up!

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  3. I really feel you on VAT. Bleurgh. It was such a shock moving to England. After 3 years I still can't get on board with the weather though. Maybe growing up in New Mexico spoiled me for life! xx

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  4. what a lucky girl to be living in Scotland!! The mild weather + beautiful scenery would be enough to keep this indoorsy girl outside.
    (um, minus being around bugs, of course.)
    But really, how cool??!!

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  5. I've been living in London for the past 7 years, and the ups and downs are very similar to your list about Scotland. I moved from Canada. After all that time, I've still never been to Scotland! It's high on my travel to do list, though!

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  6. I think the weather would be ideal for me.. My skin is so fair i just burn in the summers! I love spring and fall and don't mind winter.. The cost of living would get to me after a while, I feel your pain with that one!

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  7. this is great! yes, they've all been to Florida! HA!

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  8. I noticed the smoking thing...not nice.

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