r/Glasgow Tools

We made the opposite move (country to city) and I would love to be able to move out again, and hoping that working arrangements will permit this.

There's loads of socialising in the country, it's just that you kind of have to make the most of what's there. I knew a lot more people out there than I do here.

The main negative is that while you get to know lots of folk around you...it's compulsory and you might not necessarily want to know all of them. There will be wankers, there will be village gossip, huge dramas over minor things, and it's hard to get away from. The absolute most important thing is to make yourself known as friendly and helpful to your neighbours, and then others will do the same for you, and it makes life so much easier.

Also, while I don't think this applies to anywhere you've listed as they're not particularly remote, beware of places with a strong 'natives vs incomers' mentality. Many rural communities around Scotland - I'm thinking particularly where there's a big farming community - can be very hostile towards city folk who migrate there. Get to know the 'vibe' of each place before you make a decision, even villages a few miles apart can be very different in character and how welcoming they are.

All the other aspects you might expect - lack of diversity, conservative attitudes (country folk can be *astonishingly* racist), multi-generational grudges over a field boundary - are all there in spades but I wouldn't put this as something to put me off. Rural life is great if you can do it and have an income.

The absolute #1 thing to consider about rural life in the West of Scotland though - half of it will be in winter. Think of Glasgow weather but with literally fuck all to do when it's dark and raining. This is what drives the vast majority away from such a lifestyle, winters are long dark and depressing. When looking at places to live, think about what it will be like in the middle of January, not July.