Thinking of moving to Shetland

Piggo_2

Hi
Wasn't sure where to post this. We've been debating on whether to move to Shetland for some time now and I just wondered if anyone else had - or moved to any remote islands and how they went about it. For instance:

• Did you mortgage apply equally there as it did on the mainland - we wondered if they might be less likely to give you one for moving there or not due to the reduction in work opportunities for example (we are due to see our existing mortgage person next week, we just wanted to get some info first)
• How did you go about finding your house - we're actively looking on the internet and are thinking of planning a trip there. We have been before so know the island well.
• How did your actual move go - practicalities of getting your stuff there, expensive, etc
• Finally, How has it worked out for you

Thanks!

Emmzi

from my last visit to Shetland I remember property was quite dear as limited space to build. No problem getting mortgages but I might go for one of the local branches of a bank who understand the market better rather than a mainland broker.

RAS

If one of you can get a job, move up and rent for a year or two, until you know if the very short winter days and the roaring winds suit you.

personally, given the attitude to incomers in much of the Highland and Islands, I found the welcome from orcadians and shetlanders refreshing. I remember one great conversation, "Asylum seekers, they are always going on about asylum seekers! Can we have some please? We need people.""

Piggo_2

Thanks for these. We loved the winds, might sound daft but made the air feel fresh! We also thought that the attitude of people there was very welcoming and scenery just stunning. We couldn't decide if we wanted to rent, although this probably makes sense.

maninthestreet

Piggo wrote: »

Thanks for these. We loved the winds, might sound daft but made the air feel fresh! We also thought that the attitude of people there was very welcoming and scenery just stunning. We couldn't decide if we wanted to rent, although this probably makes sense.

Have you been there in winter? They don't get much daylight.

jillyflower

Hi there,

This is just a practical view of living on a scottish island. I lived on Mull for 4 years, which is not as far from the mainland as Shetland but non the less very remote. We had always found the islanders very friendly before we moved there, of course we were tourists and they were taking our money.

My son was very badly treated at school, by the other children. Work was very hard to find.
If you want to buy something from the internet or mail order you need to check postage as it is always more to the scottish islands, if they will post it there at all.
We found that it was very expensive to come home on holidays and although friends and family promised to come and visit they just wern't preared to pay they costs of getting there, so gradually we lost touch with lots of friends.

I would suggest that you try renting first, just to see what it is like, some people love it but, if when you've lived island life for 6 months and decide it's not for you (if you decide that) then it's not too much effort to move, compared with trying to sell a house etc.
Hope thats given you a little food for thought. if you decide to give it a go good luck and I hope you enjoy the adventure

Piggo_2

Thanks jillyflower. Friends & family visiting had been a concern and we'll calculated costings and it isn't cheap, this was one of the things that was a bit question. We'd also worried how easy/not it would be to integrate when actually living there. Renting does seem sensible its just something we've never been keen on but will look into more I think. Thanks.