Immigration in Scotland

**gilmore** · 7th May 08, 08:56 PM

I addition to the above suggestions, you might also look into becoming a citizen of another country in the EU where that could be more easily done, and then moving to the UK. E.g., if you have a recent ancestor (parent, grandparent or also great grandparent, I believe) who was Lithuanian, you have a right to Lithuanian citizenship.

**Mike1** · 8th May 08, 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by McClef

You are guaranteed a fair number of American programmes...

My ex-fiancee's sons were big fans of CSI and they were amazed to learn I had actually spent time in Las Vegas.

It made the show a bit more 'real' for them, to know the city is more than a television set.

To be sure, there are various things that are completely different between the US and Scotland. Everyone was amazed to see me eating food with a fork. I used the front, or concave side of the fork, whereas they use the back, or convex side. And drinking my coffee and tea with no sugar or cream was another oddity for everyone. Coins drove me crazy. I can spot a £1 or £2 coin in an instant, but the other coins had me confused. It's amazing at how something as simple as reaching in my pocket for 37p could take that long.

But if you allow yourself to be drawn into the culture of wherever you choose to live, then these minor differences will soon go unnoticed.

**sharpdressedscot** · 8th May 08, 05:37 AM

Plus, it's fun to learn about other cultures.

This threads been good help, for a possible future in my head.

**Cynthia** · 8th May 08, 05:42 AM

I've lost track of how many times I've been asked by someone in Europe if life in Texas was really like the show Dallas. I wouldn't know.... I never watched it

Actually, I'm like that to this day because I really don't watch a lot of TV or movies. I hate reality TV and I've never seen an episode of popular shows like American Idol. I have no clue who the popular musicians are these days and don't know a lot of the actors that everyone babbles about.

**Pleater** · 10th May 08, 05:12 PM

Although I have only lived in England and visited Scotland and Wales on holidays, I think it is fairly safe to say that you need to move around and sample different areas before deciding about a country.

Districts only a few miles apart can be very different - very different crime rates, attitudes of people to newcomers/foreigners, safety at night, availability of fast food after midnight, drink sales in supermarkets can be curtailed in city centres (many supermarkets only close from late Saturday to 10am Sunday then 4pm Sunday to Monday mornings. They were selling alcohol all the time, but changed when requested by police.)

It's a bit like the weather, if you don't like what you are having, just wait a few hours and you'll get a change. If you don't like where you are living move ten miles and it will be completely different - though of course in both cases, it might be worse than what you were complaining about.

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 15th May 08, 07:44 PM

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** · 16th May 08, 07:33 AM

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** · 16th May 08, 07:48 AM

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** · 16th May 08, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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!