Immigration in Scotland

[Freelander Sporrano]

Ultimately you will be a stranger in a strange land. And by-and-large that is how you will be treated.

I'm sorry but this last sentance is tripe in my opinion

Moving to another county is all about fitting in. Or at least trying to your best. I left the UK in 85 and only go back for holidays now.I have lived in Scandinavia since.
But my point is have fun and don't be " the load mouth Yank" Oops! be careful David .you'll fit in just fine... You'll have to forgo the pleasures of 24hr shopping though

[Nervous Jock]

I would think long and hard before moving the to UK, obviously political issues can't be discussed here but there are many social problems which really don't make this the nicest place to stay.

[Paul Henry]

Everywhere has some social problems, but everywhere has it's own character as well, which makes travelling a great thing, so if you get a chance take it

[Darkislander]

Oh dear. I have often found that Glasgow for example is known to be very friendly. Breakfast tv funnily enough covered the topic of community in Britain today and it can vary from town to town. I live in a multi-story with 87 flats. I've been here coming on 8 years and know a handful of the neighbours. Socially only know 1 couple. Lots of people are involved in their own lives, drive to work, drive their kids to school and rarely see nobody. Gosh, even at work we had no christmas night out - no interest as hard as I tried. Fomer colleague from England moved to Thurso last year and loves it. She has found the natives most welcoming and friendly. As a single man I find it hard to meet people as they tend to pair off. So as a foreigner I don't know if you would be treated much differently than a local. What do any of the U.K. xmarkers think?

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Wow, as someone who lives in both countries, I am not sure what to say.

First off, do you have any recent ancestors (parents or grandparents) who were born in the British Isles? That is the easiest way to claim citizenship.

Secondly, have a profession which is needed in the UK.

Thirdly, there is the possibility of marriage, but make sure your "love" withstands official scrutiny as the immigration folk are on the lookout for marriages of convenience.

I have dual citizenship which is very useful.

In the long run, how you adjust is dependant upon you. Even if you move internally within countries, you will be a "stranger in a strange land". There are enough differences between England and Scotland, or something like Eastcoast and Midwest USA to make it a cultural difference. It helps if you have some contact with the culture, even just watching movies or TV. This is truly a global village and there is enough facilities for contact between cultures.

Ultimately, where you end up sort of depends on fate. I mean, I would love to live in London, but it was easier for me to get into chambers in the far reaches of the Western Circuit.

No place is perfect.

As Carlysle pointed out: "your new world is within you". In other words, if you are looking to move because of something inside you, then what you are moving from will always be with you. If on the other hand, you like a certain city for its culture, public transportation, shopping, restaurants, etc., well, you do need to move.

Or make your current city (location) into that ideal.

Either way, it is not an easy path.

[Phil]

Please don't be put off by what some have said here. Apart from the usual language gaffes (rubbers, restrooms, pants) which you will rapidly come to terms with, you will find life here is surprisingly normal. Friendships are what you make them and people will go out of their way to help you if you ask. Just don't make the mistake of telling everyone how much bigger and better everything is back home. They will probably already know that and won't appreciate it being rammed down their throats.

Here is some light reading - http://www.effingpot.com/

[josephkirkpatrick]

This info has been great...

one of the things that is making me want to leave is the "bigger and better" attitude so prevalent here in the US. I had SUVs, Hummers, and Pickup trucks. I hate the fact that a "hemi" that gets about 12 miles to the gallon is a major selling point. I hate that, for whatever reason, men here feel the need to assert the size of their genitals by buying big houses, big trucks, and big guns. I hate NASCAR and the insane amount of fuel and resources burned for the entertainment of the budwiser-swilling masses in the infield. I don't understand this culture. Period.

[James MacMillan]

This info has been great...

one of the things that is making me want to leave is the "bigger and better" attitude so prevalent here in the US. I had SUVs, Hummers, and Pickup trucks. I hate the fact that a "hemi" that gets about 12 miles to the gallon is a major selling point. I hate that, for whatever reason, men here feel the need to assert the size of their genitals by buying big houses, big trucks, and big guns. I hate NASCAR and the insane amount of fuel and resources burned for the entertainment of the budwiser-swilling masses in the infield. I don't understand this culture. Period.

I have followed this thread with a little bit of amusement.

Several have started off telling you that you will always be a stranger. Others tell you that everything will work out. Well, after spending 33 years in the Marine Corps, and moving around so much that I no longer have an accent that comes from anywhere, have photos, memories and friends from all over the world - I would like to tell you that the stranger lives inside your head.

You can make friends where-ever you go. You can adopt local customs. You can learn new languages! But always remember that if you are leaving because you are dissatisfied with the politics, economy, neighbors, etc, that it is a small world, and the "politics, economy, neighbors, etc," are everywhere.

Don't take your problems with you.

Being dissatisfied is not a very good reason to move.

If you can not make yourself happy where you are now, what makes you think that you can make yourself happy in a new place?

Learn to change the things you can and accept the things that you can't.

Before you move and leave your country of birth, do an extended visit to your new location - minimum of six months!

[josephkirkpatrick]

As I mentioned, I"m planning on studying in scotland- glasgow maybe, so I have a bit of time before I need to really get the ball rolling...

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Actually, I wrote my piece late last night. Rereading it, I sound pretty gloomy.

I shouldn't have sounded so discouraging since the cultural differences between English speaking nations isn't as drastic as moving between countries with real cultural differences (e.g., Belgium, China, Nigeria, etc.) The real difficulty is in getting citizenship in the UK, not cultural. There are enough cultural influences between the US and UK these days that the change doesn't need to be drastic.

For example, you can get BBC radio via internet. Loads of British TV out there as well. The music isn't that different, especially if you listen to something like Radio 1.

Conversely, don't be surprised if someone in a pub asks you about NASCAR. I remember how popular "Dallas" was in the late-70s. William Hill (a "turf accountant") was taking bets on who shot J.R. Also, I was visiting my mother in Glasgow and the cabbie asked me if I was there to see "Frankie", as Frank Sinatra was in town at the time.

The point I wanted to make was that you may not get to live where you want. As I said, I would love to live in London, but various factors keep me from doing that. So, I keep the London in my heart, which is tough as I miss the culture (Theatre, Music, restaurants, etc.).

Ultimately, you may have to work on changing your current living situation, and I can agree with you about SUVs. On the other hand, you might get upset when you see SUVs driving down a British (inclusive of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland) street.

You also live on the East Coast, which is a lot closer to Europe in feel than Southern California.

Whatever happens, I wish you well and am willing to act as a resource for you.