Moving to an island...help!!!

[madcatladyforever]

So post divorce I need to downsize as I can't afford my mortgage on my own anymore so I'm moving 100 miles away to an island.
I can't say where as it will expose me but I haven't moved house for 25 years and have no idea of the logistics of such a move - what do I need to do?
It will involve a ferry across water and I have very little money but will have to hire a removal van (burn credit card) as I have a bad back and can't lift things into a van.
I'm having a panic attack just thinking about it.

How much stuff have you got?

It might be cheaper to hire a man with a van rather than use an actual removal company.

Or if you have friends/family that can help, hire a van yourself and drive it and your friends/family do the lifting.

Well...are you moving into a rental or into your own home that you're buying? What amenities are there on the island? Is it well populated? Is there a doctor there? I've moved LOTS of times including abroad...so I'm a bit of an expert.

I moved to the Isle if Wight and it’s the same as moving anywhere. If you use a professional moving company you may have to pay extra for the ferry crossing.

Is moving to this island a good idea if you're strapped for cash? Island living is often more expensive due to needing to travel to the mainland frequently, or basic goods and services costing more.

Is there another advantage of living there - support of friends/family or very cheap housing?

If you don't have a lot of stuff can you use a box van with a tail lift and some strong friends/family members to help you?

Can you have a big clear out prior to moving, so you're only moving things you actually need/use?

Just reread your post - if you are self hiring then when you buy your ferry ticket it will ask you what vehicle you are driving. Huge lorries go on the ferry it’s not a big deal. I’ve taken a long wheel based van over a few times. Remember you usually have to return the van unless they have an outlet where you’re moving to!

And if it is the IOW then housing stock can be cheap - its one of the reasons I moved here. Everything else on par but it can be expensive if you have to commute to the mainland regularly.

Three bed house moving from to flat initially then buy in a year. No commuting to the mainland and very cheap housing stock!!! I thought I'd scope it out first to see where I want to live then buy outright as it's so much cheaper. I'll probably go to the mainland twice a year to visit.