Thinking of relocating to the Isle Of Wight...

ferry

Hi all
Well after a lot of discussion, we are thinking of relocating to the Isle Of Wight.

Was just wondering if anyone actually lives there that can advise us who uses this board or if anyone can offer any advice or post links to where we may find more info on this...?

The usual would have to apply-employment,schools,areas to avoid etc etc..

Thanks

Jnelhams

http://www.upmystreet.com/l/isle+of+wight.html

seems to do what you want.

loopy_lou_5

try http://www.iwight.com/

although i heard ventor isn't very nice . . . . . (troublesome people there)

the cost of living is quite high, everything in a supermarket is 2/3p more as to cover ferry costs!!! (In-laws live there)

HTH

crunchy_with_ketchup

We live in Newport, have done for 3 years, and love (most of) life on The Island.

Not sure about things being mroe expensive in the supermarket, I have noticed no such effect. What we don't have is as much choice in where we shop. We have Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, but no Asda, who are IME the cheapest of the main supermarkets. Also missing Lidl and Aldi :-( though Lidl are building a store in Shanklin :-))

Daily travel costs shrunk for us, as you can't drive far on the Island, and we are a short walk from the town centre. Bus travel is expensive though, as, of course, are the ferries. Newport supports greater facilities than you would expect for its size and hinterland. When we first moved here we expected to make frequent mainland shopping trips, but as it is, we don't. Frankly if we cant buy locally or online, we give up trying! When we vist people on the mainland we do tend to make certain shopping syop offs - Ikea, Aldi, Asda and a big indoor shopping centre just to remind me that they are horrible and I hate them.

Can't comment much on schools, as we home educate our 3 - the home ed scene is excellent if you want to cond=sider a bit of DIY though!

Employment is restrictive - the population is only 132K, so if you specialise in something, you may be the only one of your kind. Much depends on your skills, flexibility and desired income level. Many commute, esp. to Portsmouth and Southampton, but London is not uncommon (urgh). Ryde or Cowes are only 15/22 min from major cities, but it will cost a bob or two.

Areas to avoid - if compared with most of Luton, none! Ventnor does have some issues, but is on the up. There are a few not so nice council estates, but Island folk often speak of them as terrible dens of eniquity (sp?) when in reality they are way better than many estates I have lived on! Crime is relatively low across the Island.

If you want more info. IM me or post some more specific questions.

HTH

Martin