Why thousands of English families are rushing to move up north despite higher taxes

The money-saving perks in Scotland make it a sweet-deal despite higher taxes: with public-spending per-person at £14‚456 (about 15% more than UK average) Scottish folks get free prescriptions eye-tests and uni tuition. Anyone making over £25‚688 pays more tax than down south though - a £110k earner would keep £4‚096 less yearly

House-hunters find major savings north of the border where average homes cost £200k versus £310k in England‚ Monthly rent runs 28% cheaper too. Council tax brings extra joy: typical band-D bills are £1‚421 compared to £2‚171 in England. No wonder about 14k people moved from England to Scotland last summer - its highest in two decades

David Brookes left London for Edinburgh with his family about 4 years ago: “We had a tiny flat in Dulwich but covid changed everything; hybrid-working made it possible“ he says. The family traded their small london-flat for a three-bed house near the beach (just 20 mins from city-center)

Laura Cameron moved from Hertfordshire to Dollar with her husband last summer. “We sold our house down south; bought land here for way less“ she explains. “Were building our dream-home for half the price of our old place“. Private schools cost less too - fees run 30% cheaper than london‚ plus scots dont pay uni tuition

Lily Rice who relocated to South Lanarkshire from Bristol points out extra benefits:

• Free bus travel for under-22s
• £1 train rides for kids
• Free school meals in primary
• No-cost prescriptions
• Cheaper kids clubs

But theres two common trade-offs: “Its about 5 degrees colder than down south“ David Brookes notes “and taxes arent cheap - but you adjust quick“