Moving to Dumfries and Galloway: What Nobody Tells You!
There are plenty of guides to relocate or moving to Dumfries and Galloway. They’ll tell you about house prices, schools, and the area’s famous dark skies…What they tend to leave out are the things you only discover after you’ve actually moved and lived there – the unexpected joys, the adjustments that take longer than you expect, and the things you wish someone had mentioned before you moved your entire life there.
Here at Kenneth Hayton Removals, we’ve been moving families into (and occasionally out of) Dumfries and Galloway since 1995. Here’s exactly what we’d tell a friend who was thinking above making the move to Dumfries and Galloway:
People Actually Talk to Each Other!
If you’re moving from a city, prepare for a culture shift. In Dumfries and Galloway, people actually acknowledge each other. Strangers say good morning. Shopkeepers remember your name after two or three visits, and your neighbours will probably knock on the door within a few days of moving in.Â
For some people, this might take a bit of getting used to. For most, it becomes one of the things they love most about living here in Dumfries and Galloway. Community isn’t a buzzword in this part of Scotland – it’s a reality!
Rural Internet Has Improved - But Check Before You Move!
Although broadband coverage in Dumfries and Galloway has improved significantly in recent years, it still remains patchy in more rural areas. If you’re buying or renting in a village or rural property, check the actual available speeds at the specific address before you commit to moving. “Rural Broadband” can literally mean anything from a perfectly usable 50Mbps fibre connection to a 3Mbps ADSL line that struggles with a simple video call.
Starlink satellite broadband has been a genuine game-changer for many rural Dumfries and Galloway residents, giving them broadband speeds they never thought possible. Although a bit more expensive than fibre broadband, it’s worth considering if you’re moving to an area without a modern fibre connection.
The Drive to "Everywhere" Becomes Normal
Dumfries is the main central hub of Dumfries and Galloway, and for anything beyond day-to-day needs, most people drive to Dumfries for their shopping and supplies. If you’re in Stranraer, Castle Douglas, or the more remote parts of the Machars or Glenkens, “popping out” for something is a longer journey than you might be used to!
This isn’t a complaint, it becomes entirely normal and commonplace within a few months, but it does require a shift in planning habits. People down here in Dumfries and Galloway are naturally better organised and it’s purely down to necessity. You learn to group errands, keep a well stocked freezer, and Amazon will become your newest bookmark!
The Landscape is Genuinely Jaw-Dropping
You probably already know this, but it’s worth emphasising how beautiful Dumfries and Galloway actually is. The Galloway Forest Park is the UK’s largest, and on a clear night offers some of the darkest skies in Europe, perfect for stargazers and photographers. The Solway coast has a particular quality of light that landscape photographers travel from around the world to capture.
People who move to Dumfries and Galloway for lifestyle reasons almost universally say the landscapes exceeded their expectations. The outdoor life with hiking trails and cycling routes are world class, and the best part is they are almost entirely uncrowded!
There's More Going On Than You Think!
Dumfries and Galloway can appear quiet from the outside, and compared to Edinburgh or Glasgow, it definitely is. However, there’s a thriving arts scene, excellent local food and drink producers, independent restaurants, multiple music events, and extremely active community calendar.
There’s the Spring Fling open studio trail, The Eden Festival, and even the famous Wigtown Book Festival! Widely considered the best small literary festival in Scotland, it’s a genuine cultural experience that surprises most newcomers to the area. Books or a Spring Fling not take your fancy? There’s plenty here for everyone once you take a look beneath the surface.
Services Are More Centralised
Another adjustment worth being prepared for is the centralisation of the main services. For services like medical appointments or larger retails services that are generally found in a city, can be found in Dumfries itself. So if you live in a smaller town or village, expect to have to travel into Dumfries to catch an appointment or get more supplies. If you live in the West of the region, Stranraer has its own range of services, but for many thing, Dumfries is the main destination.
To make things easier when you move to Dumfries and Galloway, be sure to register with a local GP practice as a soon as possible. Some Doctors will have waiting lists and it’s easier to sort this out in advance rather than waiting until you actually need a doctor.
The Pace of Life is Different - and that's the point!
Most people move to Dumfries and Galloway specifically for a different pace of life, and they get it! However, there an adjustment period. Things move much slower down here. Tradesmen are busy, so book early if you’re planning renovations or repairs after your move as the planing process can take time.
The majority of people look back on their adjustment period with affection. The slower pace, once you’ve adapted to it, is the thing most Dumfries and Galloway residents say the never want to leave.
You'll Wonder Why You Didn't Move Sooner!
Taken directly from the thousands of people we’ve moved to Dumfries and Galloway, the majority of them always say Dumfries exceeded their expectations and wish they’d move sooner! The community, the landscapes, quality of life, and value for money all compare very favourably against city life.Â
If you’re still on the fence, we’d gently suggest you come and spend a long weekend here before you decide. Walk in the Galloway hills, eat at a local restaurant, or even watch the sunset on the Solway coast. We bet you’ll make your mind up there and then!
Planning Your Move to Dumfries & Galloway?
If you’re planning on relocating to Dumfries and Galloway, whether you’re coming from elsewhere in Scotland, from England, or even from abroad, the team here at Kenneth Hayton Removals are ideally placed to help out. We know every part of this area, and we’ve been down these road more times than we’d care to admit! So, click the button below to get your move to Dumfries and Galloway off to the best start.
If you’re looking for more practical information about the Dumfries and Galloway area, like schools, healthcare, cost of living and property prices, check out our dedicated Moving to Dumfries and Galloway page!Â
