Possible Isle of Wight move?

[Sheilaroundthefountain]

My husband has always wanted to live on the Isle of Wight. We currently live in Surrey, not too far away, and have lots of day/weekend trips there every year. I do love it, but have never thought seriously about moving there.

We’re in a position where location for work isn’t important, and our children have currently moved out (jobs not uni, but there’s a good chance at least one might bounce back).

I’d love to hear other people’s experiences of life on the island, and any pros and cons. We’re not bothered about shops or theatre or anything big city. His parents have died and mine are only about an hour from the ferry. Our friends can visit, and we can visit them.

Somethings holding me back, but I don’t know what

We’ve considered moving there but wouldn’t because of our young children. So our reasons for not going won’t really apply to you. I suppose the only cons in your circumstances could be: hospital appointments might have to be back on the mainland (though obviously that’s only if you need specific care as there are hospitals there); there is problems with drugs but you don’t have teens to worry about; a lot of the work is seasonal (again probably not something to concern you); some online deliveries won’t post to Isle of Wight or, for example, white goods / furniture. But saying all that, if I were you I’d do it!

I know someone who retired there, they moved back to Suffolk 18 month later because the (fairly mundane) medical care on the IOW was not available and they didn't want to be older and having to take a ferry to the mainland all the time.

I love the Isle of Wight, but I wouldn’t ever consider living there. Just too many drawbacks. You can’t feel entirely comfortable with it OP, if your gut is telling you no, listen to it.

I adore the Isle of Wight but my main concern would be hospital provision and being at the mercy of the ferry for getting on and off the island.

What happens if one of you needs medical care?

I have to say that one thing that didn’t even occur to me was hospital provision. We’re 50 and 54, and healthy now, but no one knows what the future holds. It scares me that if we hadn’t thought of that, what else haven’t we thought of, so thank you.

It’s stupid but I think what puts me off is it seems so far away - even though it isn’t. My parents are 75 and 80 and my siblings are the other side of the world. It’s so silly because if we moved to Devon or Norfolk, we’d be a lot further. My husband would really love to move there though…

I grew up there but moved away 15 years ago.

Schools weren’t great but are definitely improving. Also public transport isn’t brilliant, especially as a teenager. It’s not bad though and I know worse in rural Worcestershire!

I’d definitely recommend it - I haven’t experienced medical care which is worse or harder to access than on the mainland. You do have to plan harder when you’re going somewhere else due to ferries and that also adds every cost but I would love to move back to raise our family.

The cost of the ferries for a trip to the mainland can be a lot, esp if you want to take a car, and it's also expensive for people who want to visit you!

It's lovely for holidays but the reliance on ferries for certain hospital appointments can be a concern as people grow older. During peak holiday season, the island is dominated by tourists, which would probably feel like an invasion. In winter it's quiet, but ferries often get cancelled during bad weather, so you would be very isolated.

Also, your parents are on the cusp of being likely to need support as they move into old age - if one of them develops dementia and/or other serious health issues then life might quickly become very difficult for the other one, who may well lean on you for support. It is up to you how much or how little support you would choose to give in the future, but living on the island would be a hindrance if you wanted to offer regular support. Arranging paid carers and overseeing that care from a distance can be nigh on impossible, so that is something to think about.

So, all in all, unless you have enough money to run your own speedboat/private aircraft, I would say don't do it.

There is a hospital there so its not like there is zero medical provision.

Some people buy a holiday home there and spend some of their time on the mainland, could that be an option?

You need to think about whether you are happy to accept the few down sides to island life in return for the way of life it can provide.

Cons
Expensive ferries
Some health provision you have to go to the mainland for
Distance from friends and family
Schools not great (getting better) but won't apply to you
When you get old might be tricky for your children to help with your care

Pros
Adult children will love visiting with their young children!
Beautiful beaches
Loads of great walks, cycle rides all close by
Friendly people
Slower pace of life
Easy reach of Portsmouth, Southampton, New forest if you fancy a change of scenery
Cheaper house prices, more for your money

What would your budget be for a property?

There is medical care on the Isle of Wight and St Mary’s Hospital is fairly central with an A&E. In an emergency that can’t be dealt with locally, there is a helipad to take you to (usually) Southampton Hospital or else the boats will prioritise you.

It’s a different place during tourist season to the rest of the year.

I’m an ex Islander who left to go to Uni and stayed on the mainland . I still have elderly relatives there and it is problematic . That hour on a ferry to take a car over can be a real pain and expensive . Whilst my olds are happy with their medical care I personally think their GP is terrible and lots of people need to travel off the island for care. Hopefully a current Islander will come along and be more accuRate but I also know it’s very hard to get NHS dental care .

I have a friend who lives there and whilst she would never move, there are definite downsides that would put me off. The GP service and pharmacy service she says are awful, with surgeries closing and reduced opening hours for pharmacies. The hospital thing is definitely a consideration and I know she’s had problems getting deliveries, in terms of furniture items etc.

The broadband is unreliable and everyone has mentioned carries to the mainland, which will be problematic in poor weather. I don’t know the area, but I’m told by another friend that it’s quite insular.

It wouldn’t suit me, but go for it, if you and your DH love it there.

I have lived here almost 20 years.. (am not yet retirement age).. moved from Brighton , and love it..

Schools are not the best apparently , (but you dont need them). No real problems with ferries ( although yes in bad weather they do stop)and you get cheaper travel for island residents . Have had no problems with medical provision , ( but yes, its an island and one small hospital ) dentists are a bit f a problem if you need an NHS one but there are plenty of private ones ..

We have had no problems with broadband..

Most companies deliver , and most of the couriers (I have occasionally found companies dont or want to charge extra but we've never had any real problem sourcing alternatives..) .

Local high street shops are not great ,( but look at any high street at the moment) ..We have all the supermarkets.. , .. Its easy to get to Portsmouth and Southampton for shopping on the fast cats and link to fast trains to London etc ..

there are Some truly fab restaurants here and local food , but can be busy in the summer.. A fairly good of arty and music scene- again depends on what you re into of course..

You get a lot of house for your money here, but island jobs if you needed one can be problematic ..

But yes its a different way of life.. if you like being outside, beaches , cycling , sailing , walking , etc etc you'll love it , if you prefer city life well then not ..

We live over in West Wight which is lovely but more rural. Depending on what you like, I'd recommend looking here, or around Cowes, or Ryde . (Personally I dont like Sandown or Shanklin areas which are more old style seaside .. )

Ventnor area is popular and keeps being mentioned in press as 'up and coming' but is difficult transport-wise and for things like summer sea fogs and difficult broadband and DAB signals..

I really do notice how busy it is driving on the mainland now.. but driving here is different.. and easier in the winter when there are less visitors! .. .. You do get used to a different style of driving..

Buses are not brilliant and expensive ..

Some absolutely brilliant replies here. Thank you very much. The wifi thing is a problem, as we both need it for work, not a huge amount but it needs to be reliable.

I was under the (mistaken) belief that buses were good, and not too expensive. I’ll definitely need to research that further as I don’t drive.

I’m worried my husband sees himself spending his whole life hiking. We both still need to earn. We can buy somewhere up to £450k without a mortgage, but need 4 bedrooms (or an extra reception room) so we’ve got a room each to work, and a spare for the kids so it’s not going to be easy. I really like the vent or area, but not because it’s up and coming, in face that’s not my thing at all 😂

Our broadband connection is fine.. actually I meant DAB for parts of ventnor not broadband ..
Also a lot of the island has fibre connection being rolled out ( check Wightfibre website for postcode you are interested in)

We looked into it a few years ago. We decided against because of the cost of the ferry/ the likely need to collect adult dc. Also concerned about medical as others have said.
Now live in east sussex. Plenty of hiking on the South Downs etc.

I’d recommend visiting at different times - in the summer it can be lovely but things like Old Gaffers, festival, cowed week etc can make it very busy (is there still the garlic festival?!). In the winter it can feel very quiet.

I grew up in wootton (between Newport and ryde) and buses were good as it’s the main road. My brother lived in niton and had two buses to get to us - in to Newport and out again.

Ventnor, St Lawrence, Knighton, Niton are all nice, also Brighstone you’d probably get something for that money. Stay clear of Bembridge, Seaview, St Helens, Yaverland as I think that would be too pricey.

The island can be quite divided between East and West, and the main roads to west wight, at least Military Road and Forest Road can be very busy - if you want to walk on Tennyson Down (for example) it might be worth living nearer to it than driving over there all the time.