ABOUT
Tess is 22 years old, and she was born and raised in Vancouver Island, Canada. Her parents are Canadian and Czech respectively, so she grew up learning how to speak English and Czech. They also decided to enroll her in a French Immersion school, so she began learning French at 6 and studied it through high school. Unfortunately, it was difficult for her to keep up with all 3 languages, so as of right now, she would consider herself to be fluent in English and French and with a beginnerās level of Czech.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
We traveled a lot when I was growing up, which inspired my own passion for exploring the world. We would visit Europe every 2 years typically to visit my mumās side of the family, and also regularly road-tripped down to the USA. My parents both moved abroad in their 20s, which definitely inspired me to do the same!
I currently work part-time remotely in Social Media and Customer Service, and also work for my dadās tourism business. I also do some freelance work through Upwork, and volunteer for a Mental Health non-profit in my free time. I also love reading, cafĆ© hopping, traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with my loved ones.
I currently work part-time remotely in Social Media and Customer Service, and also work for my dadās tourism business. I also do some freelance work through Upwork, and volunteer for a Mental Health non-profit in my free time. I also love reading, cafĆ© hopping, traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with my loved ones.
Moving to Glasgow
When and why did you move to Glasgow?
I moved to Glasgow in June 2022, to experience living abroad and prioritize travel. My hometown never felt like home, and I knew I wanted to move abroad someday. Though I had never visited Glasgow prior to moving here, I chose it through research, with some of the appeals being:
- Large city, but still reasonably priced
- Good food options and live music scene
- Beautiful architecture, offers a good mix of city-life & nature
- Europe travel very accessible
- Friendly folks & lots of other expats
How to find a job in Scotland?
I am fortunate to still be working remotely for the company I was with back in Canada. As a result, I did not need to find a job after arriving in Glasgow. That said, Iād recommend using Indeed, Linkedin and MyJobScotland!
How did you find an apartment?
The main sites used to find rentals in the UK/Scotland are Spareroom and Rightmove. Facebook groups such as āGlasgow Housing, Room & Flat Shareā are also a popular way to find rooms or flats for rent. To find shared rooms in existing flatshares, I used Spareroom. Iāve now moved into a private flat with my partner, which we found using Rightmove.
The average rent for a 1bd in and around Glasgow ranges from about Ā£600-800pm. We live a little way out of the city, and collectively pay just over Ā£600pm in rent for a 2bd (not including utilities and council tax).
The average rent for a 1bd in and around Glasgow ranges from about Ā£600-800pm. We live a little way out of the city, and collectively pay just over Ā£600pm in rent for a 2bd (not including utilities and council tax).
What did you bring with you?
I only brought one checked bag, a carry-on suitcase, and a purse with me. The checked bag contained a few pairs of shoes, a few books, and mostly summer clothes (since I was moving over in June and they also tend to take up significantly less space than fall/winter clothes).
The carry-on had more personal/sentimental items, and more clothing, while the purse contained my main necessities such as entry documents, my laptop, and medications.
The carry-on had more personal/sentimental items, and more clothing, while the purse contained my main necessities such as entry documents, my laptop, and medications.
How did you get set up?
I have yet to get set up with a brick-and-mortar UK bank but rather opted for Wise, since it allows me to put money into different currency jars. This is really handy especially when traveling, as I can simply add Euros to my balance, which I can then spend using my card while abroad!
I ordered my SIM before I even landed in the UK, so it was at my Airbnb when I arrived and I could begin using it straight away. I got really lucky and found the perfect plan (no contract, monthly plan) for my needs with VOXI, and Iāve been with them since! My current plan costs me Ā£15 per month, for 60GB data with unlimited calls, texts, and social media data. This would be absolutely unheard of back home, as Canada has some of the most expensive (and useless) phone plans in the world.
If you want to work in the UK, itās also important to apply for a National Insurance Number (NIN). You can begin work before youāve received your NIN, as long as you have proof that youāve applied.
There are also a few fantastic Facebook groups that helped a lot with getting set up/questions, āCanadians in Scotlandā and āCanadians in the UKā.
I ordered my SIM before I even landed in the UK, so it was at my Airbnb when I arrived and I could begin using it straight away. I got really lucky and found the perfect plan (no contract, monthly plan) for my needs with VOXI, and Iāve been with them since! My current plan costs me Ā£15 per month, for 60GB data with unlimited calls, texts, and social media data. This would be absolutely unheard of back home, as Canada has some of the most expensive (and useless) phone plans in the world.
If you want to work in the UK, itās also important to apply for a National Insurance Number (NIN). You can begin work before youāve received your NIN, as long as you have proof that youāve applied.
There are also a few fantastic Facebook groups that helped a lot with getting set up/questions, āCanadians in Scotlandā and āCanadians in the UKā.
Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance?
I actually had to pay my health surcharge upfront prior to moving for the full 2 years. This cost approximately $1,600 CAD.
It is SO much easier to register for a GP here than it is back home, where we have a shortage of healthcare practitioners. I have not had a family doctor or GP for my entire adult life, and would rather have to attend walk-in clinics or use telehealth services (phone/video calls) if I had any health issues.
How can Canadians immigrate to Scotland?
There are a few different ways, namely Skilled Worker Visas, Ancestry Visas, Study Visas, Partner/Spousal Visas, and the Youth Mobility Visa (which is what Iām here on!).
The Youth Mobility Visa is widely recognized as one of the easiest ways to move to the UK for those under 30, as it has a very high acceptance rate and minimal requirements. I have more detailed info about this visa on my Instagram, but essentially it is available to any Canadian citizens who are under 30, have no criminal record, and meet the minimum monetary requirement.
Living in Glasgow
What should people consider when choosing a city to live in Scotland?
It really depends on what youāre looking for! Luckily, Scotland offers a bit of everything. If you want a bigger city with a vibrant lifestyle, Glasgow or Edinburgh are your best choices. If youād prefer a quieter university town by the water, you could live in St. Andrews. The Highlands or the Islands would make a great home for anyone wanting to really live in a more remote area and take in all the natural beauty that Scotland has to offer.
Itās also super important to consider the fact that public transit accessibility ranges quite a bit across the country, and choosing a certain area might also leave you in need of a personal vehicle.
Itās also super important to consider the fact that public transit accessibility ranges quite a bit across the country, and choosing a certain area might also leave you in need of a personal vehicle.
What are your favorite things to do in Glasgow?
Glasgow has a fantastic restaurant and cafe scene, I love trying new places (as well as returning to my tried & true favorites). Thereās also an amazing live music scene here, and I have had the opportunity to attend 7 different concerts since arriving in Glasgow! I also love walking around the University of Glasgow grounds and Kelvingrove Park, as I truly think itās one of the most beautiful parts of the city.
Where is the best area to live in, in Glasgow?
This definitely varies by person and by what youāre looking for, but based on my own experience, I would recommend looking in the City Centre, West End, or Partick. I spent about 6 months living in Hyndland (near Partick) and absolutely loved it. My flat was within walking distance of many amazing bakeries/cafes, restaurants and shops, and also near a variety of transit options to get into the city centre or out to surrounding cities.
Southside also offers some cheaper flats and local gems in terms of cafes/restaurants, however, I think itās important to note that public transit options are a bit more limited. The same can be said for the East End, which was historically a rougher area but is seen as an up-and-coming neighbourhood by many now. I still donāt know that Iād advise living in the East End if youāre a solo woman, as this was the general consensus of those I spoke to.
Southside also offers some cheaper flats and local gems in terms of cafes/restaurants, however, I think itās important to note that public transit options are a bit more limited. The same can be said for the East End, which was historically a rougher area but is seen as an up-and-coming neighbourhood by many now. I still donāt know that Iād advise living in the East End if youāre a solo woman, as this was the general consensus of those I spoke to.
What has been the hardest aspect of living in Glasgow?
Honestly, itās being so far away from my family and friends. My loved ones are so important to me, and having them nearby is something I really value.
As for the logistics of living here, trying to do my taxes as an expat has been so incredibly confusing and expensive.
How much money do you need to live comfortably?
The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is around Ā£1,500-Ā£2,000 in Glasgow.
As you might imagine, this varies greatly depending on your lifestyle and other factors. I would definitely say that Glasgow is overall comparable to Victoria/Vancouver in terms of affordability. However, as is the case with most cities across the globe, cost of living is rising, and everything is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
As you might imagine, this varies greatly depending on your lifestyle and other factors. I would definitely say that Glasgow is overall comparable to Victoria/Vancouver in terms of affordability. However, as is the case with most cities across the globe, cost of living is rising, and everything is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
What are your favorite places?
My favourite restaurants are Chaakoo Bombay CafĆ© – which serves authentic, small-plate Indian dishes, and Sugo – an Italian restaurant offering fresh pasta dishes at an extremely reasonable price point. I also love Single-End and The Brunch Club for breakfast/brunch.
I also have to mention cafes, because I love a pretty cup of coffee and a sweet treat. My top picks are 1841 Coffee, Cottonrake Bakery, Riverhill Coffee bar, and Wee Paree.
As for bars, Iām honestly not a big drinker anymore! That said, I do enjoy a cocktail here and there and typically opt for places like Gin71, Revolution, Missoula or Slug & Lettuce.
Iāve also regularly attended Cabaret nights with friends of mine at Katieās bar (an LGTBQ+ bar in the city centre), so much fun and such an inclusive/safe space!
I also have to mention cafes, because I love a pretty cup of coffee and a sweet treat. My top picks are 1841 Coffee, Cottonrake Bakery, Riverhill Coffee bar, and Wee Paree.
As for bars, Iām honestly not a big drinker anymore! That said, I do enjoy a cocktail here and there and typically opt for places like Gin71, Revolution, Missoula or Slug & Lettuce.
Iāve also regularly attended Cabaret nights with friends of mine at Katieās bar (an LGTBQ+ bar in the city centre), so much fun and such an inclusive/safe space!
Was it easy making friends and meeting people?
Glasgow is a really friendly city, and I definitely found it fairly easy to make friends! I mostly used apps like Bumble BFF, MeetUp, Instagram & Facebook, as well as just striking up conversations with people at gigs/events.
I would say my current social circle is about 70% expats and 30% locals. Thereās a large expat/international community (including many fellow Canadians!) in both Glasgow and Edinburgh so itās easy to meet folks from all around the world. Iām fortunate to have an absolutely AMAZING group of friends, who are so important to me.
I would say my current social circle is about 70% expats and 30% locals. Thereās a large expat/international community (including many fellow Canadians!) in both Glasgow and Edinburgh so itās easy to meet folks from all around the world. Iām fortunate to have an absolutely AMAZING group of friends, who are so important to me.
What are the main differences between Canadians and Scottish people?
Iāve truly noticed more similarities than differences! That being said, I think Scottish folks are quite a bit more direct/unfiltered compared to Canadians. There are also a variety of societal/cultural differences that Iāve noticed over the past 10 months. Iāve gone into further detail about these differences on Instagram, but they include things like slang, traffic laws, drinking culture, and more!
Final Thoughts
Are there any experiences there that you are particularly proud of?
Honestly, I’m really proud of myself for still being here. I had a few really difficult experiences near the beginning of my stay and had I not been lucky to have the support system here that I do, they had the potential to have been significant enough to force me to run back home.
What are your plans for the future?
As of right now, the plan is to move to Vancouver, BC with my partner after my UK visa expires (Jun 2024). I have absolutely loved my experience living abroad, however, being so far away from my family has been really difficult for me. Iām going to make the most of the time I have left in Scotland, and Glasgow will always have a special place in my heart.
I have some exciting collaborations coming up (but thatās all Iāll say for now), so Iād definitely recommend keeping an eye out on my Instagram!
I have some exciting collaborations coming up (but thatās all Iāll say for now), so Iād definitely recommend keeping an eye out on my Instagram!
Thank you Tess for your detailed answers! I love that you also mention the difficulties of life abroad, which are definitely to consider before making such a move! I wish you the best for those exciting collaborations coming up and your last moments in Scotland!
