Hello people of the UK. Long story short, I'm from the US but currently living in France (metro Lyon). My employment situation has suddenly changed such that I may need to move to the UK. I'll have many decisions to make over the next two-three weeks, so I'm doing a crash course on life in the UK. If I decide to do this, my employer will be sponsoring me and I'll be performing work remotely, so I can choose where I live in the UK. I do have friends in London, but I feel I would ultimately be happier in Scotland.

Based on research done so far, I’ve learned the cost of living (outside London) is lower than what I’m used to in the US, but more expensive than what I’m experiencing in France. I presume I’ll need to get private healthcare in the UK, but I'm not sure of the cost or what to expect as far as the quality and how one navigates the healthcare system. 

If I move to the UK, I would likely live in London for the first 3-6 months, but ultimately I think I would prefer somewhere in Scotland. Given I want a more rural setting that is close to a city, finding a living situation outside Edinburgh or Glasgow seems logical.  

For further context, I'm a happily single woman in my late 50s. I'm a creative, I enjoy keeping dogs and horses, exploring nature is a necessity, and I also love city life. I've lived all over the US (Los Angeles, Miami, Colorado and Vermont), but was raised in Michigan, so gloomy, blustery weather doesn't bother me one bit. I prefer places with beautiful/interesting architecture. And I love meeting new people.

So, given that information: 

  1. What challenges should I expect with healthcare in metro London, or Edinburgh or Glasgow? How does healthcare in these three places compare?  
  2. I know rent is very high in London, but if I were looking for a small rural place outside either Edinburgh or Glasgow, what should I expect to pay? What could I expect to rent for around £1200?
  3. What challenges should I expect when trying to find a rental? I am aware there is a housing shortage and don’t want to add to the problem by using AirBnB or similar services.  

Any insight you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks!


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