Scotland Info
Scotland isn't just a land of bagpipes and Lochs, it's friendly and cheap too.
You can hear in Jean Nee Ooi's voice how much she loves Scotland. She gets excited talking about it. "Compared to London, the people are friendlier and it's not as hectic, so the lifestyle is better - from where I live I can walk into town," she says. Ooi moved to Edinburgh almost a year ago as part of her plan of living in London for a while and then moving to Edinburgh. And if you ask her now which city she prefers, she'll say Edinburgh. Things are generally cheaper in Scotland. From travel and transport to accommodation, you'll be dipping into your pocket a whole lot less.
You're probably worried there'll be less pay when you compare salaries to London wages. You are right, but according to Ooi the lifestyle more than makes up for it. "Where I live is just 10-15 minutes' walk from the city and my accommodation is so much more affordable," she says.
Even though her pay is about £5000 a year less than when she worked in London, she pays just £300 a month to live with three other people in a four-bedroom place in Edinburgh. And it gets better. "Transport is also cheaper. I was paying about £120 a month for a Travelcard for the tube and buses, but in Edinburgh I pay about £7 a week for the bus.
"There aren't as many options for travel as in London, but I find flights are often cheaper, and if I want to go to London I can get a train ticket for £14 if I book two or three months in advance. In fact the train actually takes the same time as flying."
Visas
It's the same as working in London. Your two-year working holidaymaker visa is valid in Scotland as well.
Facts about Scotland
Scotland has about 790 islands, 130 of which are inhabited.
Edinburgh was the first city in the world to have its own fire brigade.
Gaelic is spoken by 1.4 per cent of Scotland's population.
Scotland had its own king until 1603.
The only snake found in Scotland is the adder.
Scotland has more than 300 castles - one every 100 square miles.
The first Scottish Parliament for 300 years opened in 1999.
