Don - This is why I ask for genuine cost of living figures. Everything I've ever seen says London/Home Counties is the best paid portion of the country & the most expensive to live in (the one is a consequence of the other, I think). I wouldn't be at all surprised to find enclaves that buck the regional trend, be it because of tourism or wealthy incomers/retirers (an old Ake argument there! ;-) ).

But the money, as we are told time & again (often negatively), is in the London area. Even the likes of Rutland have seen property prices go through the roof - it's "only" 90 minutes commute from London, rural, pretty, quiet, CHEAP... Well it was... Another dormitory... :(

Scotland is pretty big, so I'm sceptical of a blanket "Scotland is expensive" statement. I can well believe that certain picturesque parts are abnormally pricey. I'm just a tad dubious about hard-done-by remarks made by miserly Scot's gits! ;-)