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user1977

Greymug said:

[DELETED USER] said:

Thinking about moving to the Dumfries area, maybe Annan. Anyone care to comment on the area? Looks okay, Carlisle isn't far away, and it has the benefit of being in Scotland. I don't imagine the weather is great...

I personally wouldn't move to the Scottish Borders. I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that my council tax is financing a tory council.

Luckily, Annan is in Dumfries & Galloway, not the Borders, and D&G is run by a Labour/SNP coalition.

Greymug

So Labour/SNP is running Dumfries and Galloway despite the tories having won the last election? Tell me more

user1977

Greymug said:

So Labour/SNP is running Dumfries and Galloway despite the tories having won the last election? Tell me more

The Tories only "won" in the sense of being the largest single party group, they don't have an overall majority. Labour/SNP together form an overall majority.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Dumfries_and_Galloway_Council_election

https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15141/Councillors

Greymug

OK so it IS a tory council given the majority of people voted for the tories. Thanks for confirming.

coffeehound

I get the impression that the Tory voters in D&G are more of the retired, church-fete-organising type than the shouty far-right type. 

ellie99

Greymug said:

[DELETED USER] said:

Thanks. One of the things that attracts me to Scotland is it's overall more progressive and accepting nature compared to England. Maybe the south isn't the right place.

If you want more progressive and accepting nature, then I'm sorry to break it to you, but Dumfries and Galloway, along with the all the Scottish borders, are basically England.

SO not true. The south of Scotland is still Scottish. This is a view held by people in the central belt of Scotland, who seem to think that the south of Scotland "doesn't matter". This area often seems to be an afterthought for the Scottish government.

Going back to the OP...OP, have you visited the area? You say it "seems very rural" as though you're not sure?
It might be very different to what you're used to....will you be buying, renting? Need to work, and at what? Not as many highly paid jobs in rural areas.

[Deleted User]

ellie99 said:

Greymug said:

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delete 123 

Greymug

[DELETED USER] said:

ellie99 said:

Greymug said:

[DELETED USER] said:

Thanks. One of the things that attracts me to Scotland is it's overall more progressive and accepting nature compared to England. Maybe the south isn't the right place.

If you want more progressive and accepting nature, then I'm sorry to break it to you, but Dumfries and Galloway, along with the all the Scottish borders, are basically England.

SO not true. The south of Scotland is still Scottish. This is a view held by people in the central belt of Scotland, who seem to think that the south of Scotland "doesn't matter". This area often seems to be an afterthought for the Scottish government.

Going back to the OP...OP, have you visited the area? You say it "seems very rural" as though you're not sure?
It might be very different to what you're used to....will you be buying, renting? Need to work, and at what? Not as many highly paid jobs in rural areas.

It's a 10 hour drive for us so we have not visited yet. 

Maybe take a week off and visit Scotland. Couple of days in Edinburgh, couple of days in Glasgow, couple of days in the Central Belt and a couple of days towards the border. See how you feel about Scotland before you start looking for properties.

TripleH

We lived down South and moved up to the NW of England .

Yes, people appear more friendly than down south but depending on the area you pick that could reverse.

We have moved to rural areas and managed 4 months without a car before we cracked. It might be worth taking a mini break in the area (do some research beforehand)

I wouldn't focus too much on the brexit issue as that whose business was one big mess. I've not had any issues and I'm very obviously Central European in name and looks (but not accent).

Moving to a friendly rural area, you will probably need to adapt to fit in and expect to be the focus of interest if you don't sound ir look local.

A good way of thinking came from backpacking round Oz. A lot of small rural areas have 24 hour friendships. If you are new and willing to chat, everyone will be your friend but knowing you'll soon move on. It can be hard to settle long term as in some areas you are encountering friendship groups forged at school.

kayleighali

[DELETED USER] said:

South coast so pretty much everywhere is worse... Or is it? It's too hot down here.

The water is very soft up there.

Best tap water in the world!! Absolutely no question about it.

I have never lived in Annan but I have spent a lot of time in D&G. One thing to be aware of is that it is very touristy so a lot of things tend to shut over the winter. Not supermarkets etc but some smaller local stores/restaurants. Just something to bear in mind when looking, make sure the location won't be affected by things like this.

In terms of friendliness, I found places to be less friendly than I am used to, but I come from the Glasgow area so we speak to everyone coming from elsewhere though, this wouldn't be an issue.

House prices tend to be a lot more expensive in this area compared to elsewhere - again due to the tourist location. One village to look at if you like Annan is Strathaven. Bit further north but matches a lot of your criteria best of luck!