Okay, here’s my blog post about moving to Scotland, written from my personal experience:
So, I finally did it! I moved to Scotland. It was a long process, with tons of research, planning, and a fair bit of stress, but I’m here and I wanted to share how it all went down.
Figuring Out the Visa Stuff
First things first, I checked if I even could move to Scotland. Since I’m not from the EU, I needed a visa. This was probably the biggest headache. I spent hours on the UK government website, reading through all the different visa options. It was super confusing at first, with all the different categories and requirements. I found I needed a work visa. I needed to prove I had money saved up, and pass some tests.
Finding a Place to Live
I got some documents for the visa, next, I started looking for a place to live. I used some websites, mostly just to get an idea of prices and neighborhoods.I decided I wanted to be near my potential workplace and I narrowed my search based on that.
The Actual Move
Once the visa was sorted and I had a flat lined up, it was time for the actual move. This was…intense. I sold a bunch of my stuff, because I figured it would be cheaper than shipping everything. I packed up the essentials into a few suitcases. Saying goodbye to friends and family was tough, but everyone was super supportive.
Settling In
I arrived, and wow. The first few weeks were a bit of a blur. I spent a lot of time just getting used to things – the different accents, the weather (yes, it rains a lot!), and figuring out how things work. I had to set up a bank account, get a National Insurance number, and register with a doctor. All that adult stuff.
- Bank Account: This was surprisingly easy. I just walked into a branch with my passport and proof of address, and they helped me get it sorted.
- National Insurance Number: This is basically like a social security number. I applied for it online, and then had to go for a short interview.
- Doctor: I registered with a local GP (General Practitioner) practice. It was pretty straightforward, just filling out a form.
After all that,I finally could get that work visa!
Making it Feel Like Home
Once the practical stuff was done, I focused on making my flat feel like home. I unpacked everything, bought some furniture, and started exploring my neighborhood. I found a few local pubs, a great coffee shop, and a park where I can go for walks. It took much time,I also tryed to meet new people and I do make some new friends.
It’s still early days, but I’m really starting to feel settled in. Moving to Scotland was a huge undertaking, but it’s been an incredible experience so far. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I hope my little story helps you out! It’s a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it.
