Why We’re Leaving Sunny CA for a New Life in the UK 

Hate it when people post negative comments, most places are what you make of it. I’m fairly broke but have a nice house in a lovely town in Wales. After 21 years living here, I still appreciate the beauty and history that surrounds me - every single day.

Scotland, the UK and Europe in generalare all a treasure trove of beauty, discovery and learning.

Wow. Just found this in my feed and so excited for you. We too have decided to move to Scotland after living on the South Coast of England for the last 35 years. (Although we have been travelling and living in our Motorhome for the last 2). Can’t wait to see how you get on. Good luck 🤗

My husband grew up in Scotland and we currently live in Washington State. We are in the process of trying to move to Edinburgh. Your videos are basically just what I need right now.

Crazy that Zack grew up in Scotland, you wouldn’t know, he sounds so American !

Lifes about memories...they cant be replaced...money can be...have a wonderful time in beautiful Bonnie Scotland ❤

Welcome to Scotland ! I live about an hour from Edinburgh in a village with breathtaking scenery but just hop on the train to Edinburgh to experience life in the city for the day I believe Edinburgh is one of the most stunning cities in the world. Enjoy your new life 😄

Hi Zachary & Annie ,welcome to Scotland ,my hubby ,son and I live in Glasgow with all my extended family . I watched your second most updated vlog first and subscribed to your channel I am looking forward to getting to know you all ,hugs Katie 🏠🍾🥂❤️😁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Best decision!! Welcome home ❤

Super excited for you guys!! I admire your courage. I can’t wait to follow you guys on your new journey!

Just subscribed. Welcome to Scotland I think you’re very brave and admire that about your family. I hope you’ll be very happy and contented here once the teething problems are over. Will be interested to follow your journey and wish you all the luck in he world. ❤👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

You are going to love it. Scotland is magical.

Having done the reverse journey as a young man and lived in the US and Canada for five years in the 1990s, I am full of admiration at your decision to move your whole family and careers to the UK. I really hope you have a wonderful, fulfilling time. We Brits can be very down on ourselves, especially at the moment after the Great Recession of 2008, Brexit, Covid and all the struggles people are having with inflation and fuel costs, but we still live in a rich, diverse, funny, beautiful and eccentric country, and it's wonderful that our American cousins - sorry, rebellious colonials, and look how little they've made of themselves since - want to visit and share their experiences, perspectives and talents with us. Thank you!

Your children are going to have so many opportunities growing up in the UK that they wouldn’t have here. They’ve already had a taste of US and the way the country is right now I think it was a great idea, and decision that you made just saying.

Good luck to you all!

Don't forget to visit Ayrshire, and the Isle of Arran. On your Scottish journey's.

I loved getting to know a little about you two in this video, and I've already connected with this incredible purpose that you talked about, I'm looking forward to finding out the next chapters!

I a sooooo looking forward to seeing and experiencing your adventure with you!

As a Scotsman and ex military, who has moved around “a few times”, I can relate to Annie’s experiences as an army child. Also, my travels brought me to Germany where I have lived since 1990, so looking forward to see what your adventure brings you, and also for a little piece of home. I’m not sure why, but your latest blog was recommended to me, but when I saw how new your channel was I decided to check it out from the beginning, so to try and help you on the way, one subscription coming up! Good luck to you both, and your the family.

Welcome hope you have a great life here.

At least your children will grow up, understanding, global geography and history.

The algorithm put you in my feed and I’ve gotta say - the algorithm nailed it so I had to comment. We are mid-pack for our move from Sonoma County to Ireland. We’ve planned a channel for our friends and family back home too. 🤗

I’m so glad I found your channel and I’m here for it! 🙌🏻❤️ I escaped from CA in 2004, but I only moved to AZ. I’ve been to Ireland 3 times and Scotland twice, and it’s SOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL there!! Not to mention the rich history that your kids get to experience!! How exciting and thank you for sharing this amazing journey with us! ❤

Looking forward to following your journey. As an Edinburgh native i love my city but like anyone whem you are constantly surrounded by beauty and great scenery you do take it for granted at times. However through videos like yours you come to appreciate what i have in Scotland. All the best on your great adventure

I really admire you both, and understand totally why you have decided to change your lives. As a child I lived in other countries, mainly in the far east, and it has given me many happy memories. I am certain you will make a success of your new adventure, and can't wait for further episodes. I am enjoying your videos so much. Thank you.

My daughter moved from Australia to Scotland for 2 years and loved it. I would love to move back to that side of the world now I’m an empty nester. You are inspiring!

Both my parents are from the west coast of Scotland, where most of my family is still. My uncle and his family lived in Edinburgh and so did a cousin from the other side of my family and all loved it. My husband and our family moved to London for a while. You’re going to love it!! There is so much outdoor activities and places to visit in Scotland. Take advantage of the cheap airfares to different places as much as you can. The train system there is phenomenal. I am looking forward to following you journey. Good luck.

Looking forward to you sharing your journey, most of us are in Germany currently haha Make sure you tune in on Sunday Alba gu Brath

welcome to Scotland. I hope we live up to your expectations.

I am English and have travelled around the world and I would say that Scotland is in my top 5 most beautiful countries anywhere and Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities anywhere in the world. Once you have settled in, my recommendation is to make plans to travel Scotland itself first as there is so much to see and do. Drive ‘The North Coast 500’ try island hopping around the Inner and Outer Hebrides on the wonderful Caledonian Macbrayne ferries, stay on Skye and walk on the coast paths, visit the Cairngorms National Park and so much more. And then, as you have said, you have the rest of Europe to visit virtually on your doorstep. You are going to have a wonderful time guys and I am looking forward to following your journey. Good luck.

We welcome ya back hame again Zach n your kin from the McDonald clan. Just across the pond in Ulster. You have made the right decision for the unhurried life. We will enjoy following your wee families adventures God bless

I live in Scotland and still can see the beautiful country and history but growing up here i know that the Scotland is not eden but it still is to me. I am sure that wherever you come from the beauty will be there. Good luck guy's i hope you find happiness in Scotland and find family,friends, and village idiot's all great people to have in life.

I'm already loving this channel and I just discovered it today! We also share a few similarities. I was born in the UK and raised in the States. I currently live in LA and am in the process of getting my UK passport. I plan to stick around for now, but I'm grateful for the option to live in the UK (and Ireland) if I wanted a change. I do plan to spend more time in the UK regardless. Thankfully, my mom's side of the family is still in England so I would have family there, which brings so much comfort. :)

Welcome to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Sensible, logical decision especially with young children, I couldn't imagine living in the States, bit of a hellscape.

Things change.

Wow I too grew up in Sonoma county for 25 years and moved my wee family back to Scotland in 2018. I’m originally from Scotland as well, Fife. We live in Edinburgh. Would be great to connect, probably about the same age - I have two kids. 8 yr old son and 2 yr old daughter.

We leave tomorrow to go to Scotland. Just vacation though.

But many people think that the UK is way ahead of the US in terms of technology. We just scan everything with our phones to pay. They’re ridiculously complicated tax returns over there. Not to mention how difficult banking is.

There’s two other couples on RU-vid that I watch one is the Newby‘s, and the other is their page is called raising voyagers. The first one I mentioned, husband is British, and the wife is from Zimbabwe. They bought a house in Portugal. They have two kids in our building, his farm self-sustaining, etc. the other couple, who who’s page is raising voyagers they moved from the US to Italy. You might want to check them out lotta RU-vidrs get to know each other, etc. and you can make tons of money as you know.

There are peple from Scotland who will decry the Country, but you know everywhere has its downsides. I li ed in Australia for 11 years,great job and great salary, then when i came home people always asked why id moved back as if i was nad. As i always say sunshine dosent make a lifestyle, and tho i loved my time in Oz i missed many aspects of living in Scotland.

Also, since you’re over there and you want to go to different places in Europe, I don’t know if you would fly or drive you should get a VPN you can get cheap cheap flights, etc.

I moved to England from Scotland when I was 9, then moved to Canada when I was 28 , I’m now 41. I still to this day have a strong Glaswegian accent. How do you still not have a Scottish accent when you left at 24. Anyway, hope you and your family enjoy Scotia, no place like home!

I just found you ❤

Heyy! I'm new to the channel and when I first heard Zach talk I was like ''is it me, or do I hear a faint british accent?'' I live in the Netherlands but my mom was born and raised in Glasgow so when I heard that Zach was actually born and raised in Scotland too I was a bit surprised because the scots have a very thick accent. But when you live in a different country for so many years you kinda lose the accent I think.

Is North Berwick representative of Scotland? Give the Highlands a visit to compare the regions.

Can i sugest a SAD lamp or 2, it is very dark in the winter a lamp or 2or 5, they may help. In the winter it is very dark for a huge part of the day and it cxan realy affect people.

I was born in Scotland and am in EDI each year to visit family.... pls do research this thoroughly. esp the educational system. My daughter teaches in EDI and one reason they will leave is that they want to have children but will not put them in Scottish schools.

We dont expect to see people from other countries looking forward to coming to Scotland or England due to the rainy, cold weather. The main upside is probably the NHS thank heavens. Nature wise, its certainly beautiful, so wishing you all the best. The law is different in Scotland so watch what you say. Scotland punishes you for saying negative things now. Yep, Its a crime now. But the Whisky is good! as is the beer. Have a sunny day, everyday, from Paul & Kathy in GB 🤝👍✊

Very sensible to moving from a country that celebrates guns

Did politics have much of an input in your decision to move here to Scotland? You don't need to go into detail, I'm just curious if that was a factor for you Besides that, I hope you're enjoying Scotland so far and decide to stay for many, many decades!

Seems like a good move, at least you won’t have to pay for your children’s education now.

Confused as to the guy living in Scotland until he was 24. He doesn’t look massively older than that now but has an American accent? 🤷‍♂️

just be aware, your children will end up with webbed feet, wow your going to see some rain.

Another thing about Scotland healthcare is free .if you have a baby the Scottish government provides a baby box free with nappies baby clothes bibs baby wipes everything you need for a newborn .

Zach, how long do you think your car crash of an accent will take to normalise?😂. Annie, how long before you speak with a Scottish twang? Kids are sponges so for them no time at all.

Wow lived in Scotland till he was 24? I thought he was a yank, totally lost most of his accent

"Leave an excellent school system for the kids." Are you sure you were talking about America? 😂

Scotland, too wee too poor, as they say.

Scotland is the pits now.

I.m from Glasgow. I.m so sure you both have made the right decision for your family. Your going to do very well. Good luck to you both and your kids. Hope he supports rangers fc. 😂

Super excited for you guys!! I admire your courage. I can’t wait to follow you guys on your new journey!

But many people think that the UK is way ahead of the US in terms of technology. We just scan everything with our phones to pay. They’re ridiculously complicated tax returns over there. Not to mention how difficult banking is.

Super excited for you guys!! I admire your courage. I can’t wait to follow you guys on your new journey!