Isle of Wight.

[Moonflower12]

I know this shouldn't be really in this topic but posting for traffic- I'd posted in Local and only had a reply saying that no-one would reply!

There is a high chance we are moving to the Isle of Wight. We would like recommendations of where is nice to live, primary schools etc. Our daughter will be year 1.

We would like a family orientated area if possible but willing to look anywhere. We plan to rent for 12 months or so to get to know the island before buying but just wondering if there's any parts that are nicer than others.
My DP is on the island today so having a good look round for a couple of days.

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Loads of hints and tips on schools, places to live, moving companies, getting work and everything else to do with relocating

We live near Cowes and are very happy here. Compared to the New Forest where we used to live we get a lot for our money and have a lot of friends and family here.

Work wise, we are limited. Dh works on the mainland a few days a week to access better roles, we get cheap ferries through his business which is lucky. Education is mixed, the only primary school in our cluster I would go for is Northwood, it is small and inclusive and follows the international primary curriculum. Surrounding area is quieter and cheaper than Cowes/Gurnard too.

I would happily live in Bembridge, Ventnor/St.Lawrence, Freshwater, Yarmouth. I like Ryde, it has a lot of funky shops and a beautiful beach. Newport is a bit scruffy but has best bus links and a butchers/bakers/greengrocer etc. There are a couple of nice areas, Carisbrooke etc.

No, 3 tier system went a while back.

Hi Moonflower, sorry I missed your post on the local board today, I think I got a bit fed up with some of the replies about moving here but I did reply to CruCru's post. I moved here over 20 years ago, I live in Ryde. My 3 DCs have had so much freedom growing up here the eldest has now left and graduated but I think that is quite the right thing to do. Schools have been in a state of flux over the last 10 years but things are beginning to settle down. I completely agree the PP about Cowes Enterprise College but I may be a little biased. Please feel free to PM me.

I'm jealous OP! We went on holiday this year and loved it. The people we rented a cottage from moved there a few years ago from the mainland and were saying how much they loved it. The kids have a real outdoors lifestyle, sailing, etc.

It is expensive to get to and from the island, even with a residents discount, but there's not a huge reason to come and go really. There's everything there that you'll need.

We stayed in Yarmouth which was lovely but we seemed to be travelling all the time. Not that it was far though really in the scheme of things.

The IoW County Press is legendary. Headlines this week include Our Floatie is Pretty Reliable and Wurzels Go Garlic Crazy.

Technically the schools have a poor reputation with the exception of Christ to Cost/King for secondary, but nobody I know has any issues, so visit the local primaries when you're house hunting and then decide.

You must stop for coffee at Bluebelle at Briddlesford on research trips and you will never want to leave.

If you pre load an account with Red Funnel with £1000, you get 20% off car ferries and 10%(?) off the red jet, which helps with travel costs.

I'm an island local and love it OP. Let me know if you want to know anything specific. I love Cowes for vibe but getting a decent sized garden can be tricky. I live in ventnor now and could not love it more, although it's a pain for visiting the mainland easily.

Wightlink do something similar, I think you buy a book of car ferry tickets in advance, about £400 worth IRC.

Thank you all for all the new information. I'm slowly digesting it all and relaying it to my DP.

He really liked Cowes and Ventnor- the pool that opens up for the sun(?)

Random question from our 5 year old. Does it ever snow on the island?

@SubtitlesOn
Thank you. I've sent a request to join.

How easy is it to get insurance in Vento Marm. DH always starts muttering darkly in we go anywhere near that end of the Military Road about subsidence.

@elephantoverthehill
Thank you too. I will pm you in the next few weeks.

It snowed this year quite a bit. Before that about 5 years ago?

There's a nice outside paddling pool in East Cowes just the other side of the floating bridge 😊

I don't know what your budget is like op, but if it isn't massive, I'd definitely look at East Cowes- it's probably the best in terms of being an up-and-coming area... and I think v pretty and easy from Newport

Marmaladegin and Moonflower I tried to do a link to Mark Steel's in town (Ventnor episode) but R4 are saying that the content is not available at the moment. My DB is coming to visit me tomorrow from Jersey a very small island and has insisted that we drive 'all the way to Ventnor' an IW phrase, if you live in Cowes, Newport or Ryde as he listened to this programme and wants to experience the microclimate. Dimbola and Ventnor Botanic Gardens here we come.

@Yoyooo
Brilliant! That's been her worry- no snow! Oh to be 5....

@Marmaladegin
Ooooh I'll have a look at East Cowes.

@elephantoverthehill- I'll have a hunt around on the internet for it.
Have a lovely time and enjoy the microclimate!

The "floating" bridge is having some problems with the movement part of floating

So perhaps bear that in mind when house hunting and schools in Cowes etc

We've just got off the red funnel this evening and are missing the island already. DH and I would move in a heartbeat but my dds (both primary) don't want to move schools. We're based in Ventnor over there and that's where we'd head to if we moved permanently.

I'm on the West who'd also love to live in Ventnor (although the kids complain as you can only get Radio 1 there and I'd soon get fed up with the hills!). DH has just mentioned going to VBG tomorrow so our paths may cross, Elephant. The Free School is very very popular nowadays - they must have their first set of results coming out soon. Has anybody mentioned Compton yet? Or Woodside Bay? Or The Duver? And the ghost walks - we always do at least one ghost walk in the holidays!

ILoveToLaugh I will wear my MN scarf then . Sorry if I am hijacking the thread Op but where would you recommend to eat in Ventnor ILove for a late lunch? I like la Cantina, Db is a bit of a foodie so I don't think The Primrose will do, or the Metrosomething on the front but I cannot go back in there or the fish place by the paddling pool?

I don't know the name of it but there's a really nice cafe sort of opposite the car park. I didn't actually eat there but I seriously wished I did. Of course, you could just fill your boots with ice cream at Crave! If you're over at Dimbola though you simply must go to The Piano! It's brilliant. I will be scarf spotting...

Thanks. I will Google The Piano. Just off to iron my scarf.........