Cost of Living, Housing, Employment Opportunities

[Vintager]

Hello everyone,
I am Canadian, mid 50s, thinking whether to move to Scotland to start anew (Dad was born in Glasgow). No relatives abroad. I'd like to find out
1) the average monthly rent for a decent 1 bedroom apt/flat in any of Edinburgh, Inverness or Glasgow.
2) Employment opportunities for someone with 30+ years of senior secretarial experience (corporate environment).
3) Typical salary range re same.
4) Each city's public transit situation.
5) Health care system.
5) What documentation do I need to work/live in Scotland?

If there are links to provide a reasonably comprehensive overview, I'd much appreciate it. Personal observations are welcomed!
Kind regards, everyone.

[Vector2222]

Hey Vint,
I can only speak of Edinburgh, but here go my thoughts after living here for a bit over a year...
1. I would think about 450-500 pounds a month would do rent, I rent a nice 2 bed flat and that is 650 and then on top of that figure about 100 pounds per month in council tax and then utilities on top of that, maybe another 30 pounds.
2. No idea
3. No idea
4. The public bus system is great here, a couple of companies that run lots of routes pretty much on time and its pretty cheap
5. If you are able to get a visa and a work permit to come to Scotland then once you get full time employment you will be covered by the National Health Service, you just need to register with a doctor
6. You will need a visa to get into the country and then a work permit to let you get employment. I am here on an Ancestry visa, since my Grandfather-in-law was a UK citizen, given your birth this may be a route for you as well as long as your Father's parents were also Scottish, in which case you can get a 5 year visa that also gives you the right to work in the UK.
Best of luck!

[doe95]

Hey Vector. Hoping you can clear something up for me as well. I am a student from Alberta and am moving to Aberdeen for the summer to live and work. Just curious about the mobile phone situation because it is obviously a vital part of getting a job upon arrival. Is the Pay as your go system most likely my best bet? I think so as I will only be there for about 4 months total. If you have the slightest clue on prices of a mobile and phone/texting minutes it would be greatly appreciated.

-Gord

[Vector2222]

Hey Gord,
Yeah you would want pay as you go as the contracts here are for 18 months usually or you can pay more for 12 months, but you won't qualify likely as you have no credit history in the UK. A cheap phone can be had for about £10 and then I think its about 10p per minute or per text in general, but you can get different deals with different carriers to give you cheap minutes at night/weekends or some free texts with every top up etc. And topping up is easy peasy, just do it at most ATMs and many convenience stores etc.
Best of luck

[neil98]

Hey Vincent,
We are currently living in Glasgow and do love the city. The West End, where we live, is the greenest and priciest part of the city. We have been here for just over a year:
1. Price of flat: we pay £600/month for a two-bed flat + £150 council tax. You can find something in Glasgow a little cheaper, but under £500 for a 2-bed, the quality and/or location may be dodgy. You should be able to find a good 1-bed flat for £400-500 + £100 council tax.
2. Employment: I work in the private engineering sector and there have been a number of layoffs due to the economic downturn. Might be hard to get work in private industry. I suggest approaching different employers.
3. Salaries in the UK based on our experience are similar to those in Canada if you do the conversion (i.e. $50K in Canada = £25-30K in UK).
4. Public transportation in Glasgow is very good. The underground gets you around quickly around the city centre. The train gets you out to the outskirts and there are buses that all travel to city centre. We don't have a car and don't need one. A car would however come in handy to drive to the beautiful areas outside the city on the weekends...
5. NHS health care is quite good. Similar to Canada overall. Prescriptions are cheaper here.
6. Your ancestral visa will allow you to work and live in Scotland.

Good luck!

[elevensie]

Don't believe everything you read here.

Vintager, If your dad was married at any time to your mother, you are a British citizen and can apply for a UK passport. Lucky you. Took me years. More details at ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Gord, you can get a pay as you go sim card with no contract. It is much easier and cheaper than in Canada. There is no monthly activation fee, and incoming calls are free. Check out moneysavingexpert.com for a list of available PAYG offers. You're probably already in ABZ now, and have figured this out for yourself. Drop me a PM if you're missing canadian company, or peanut butter.

Anyone else in Aberdeen?