I'm Manx, live on the Isle of Man, but my family is English, I married Manx and we lived in the UK for a long while, only returning for DH's job. Given the chance I would much rather live in the UK.
I do wonder if some of the replies on here are from people living here now! Yes, you do need to lock your doors in town! Things do get stolen, though on the whole you can leave your bike unlocked.
The countryside is beautiful, gorgeous beaches, often deserted, lots of safe places to swim. Great hiking. The weather however isn't great, it rains a lot or is misty for days, it's often windy. If you hate summer you'll love it. Today and yesterday have been the first two hot summery days so far, it was 21 degrees yesterday. Generally it is milder, but there are less of the frosty sunny crisp days that make winter bearable.
Not sure who mentioned it (might have been the other thread). But you are still entitled to NHS care across (on the mainland), but only the care you need to get you back on your feet and only for a certain length of time. But don't worry you won't be billed for A&E etc whilst across. Insurance is recommended, especially for repatriation (I'd hazard that most Manxies don't bother).
Healthcare is patchy, there are ridiculous waits for some things. Other things are better. We have sat in A&E for hours. Complex things are done across.
Education is a big, big issue. Primary schools are good, no sats, in fact the island as a whole is great for younger children. But if you intend to stay longer then there are issues. Teachers have been working to rule on and off for ages, this won't really be a problem for your toddler and hopefully will be resolved before you need high school.
High schools are where the problems are. Manxies are prone to raving about the quality of the education, but when you've experienced decent education in the UK, then you realise it is poor, choices are limited. Our school was shocking during lockdown. Catchment areas are strict these days, so research where you want to live.
Also be aware of the issues that being a Manx resident can cause, even if you move back to the UK. If your child is university age then you will be unable to access student loans in either the Isle of Man or the UK for a certain amount of time. Funding for uni is different on the island. Although as your child is so young that could all change.
My kids were very proficient at two sports, unfortunately neither of which they can now do on island.
Kids can drive at 16 here, most seem to have cars.
If you have family across, then the travelling can get very expensive and restrictive. My parents are elderly and having to make sudden ferry trips with the car at £250 - £500 each time is crippling. Plus every holiday has to include a visit to them, which eats into leave time. Whereas before we could just hop onto the motorway. Flights can be hit and miss, fine if you can book ahead. But at shorter notice plus car hire it works out expensive. Plus flight operators come and go and banking on a certain route is risky.
Getting bigger things things delivered can be pricey. Ikea don't deliver, you can use onwards shipping companies, but it adds hugely to the cost.
Shopping is limited. Food is expensive, no Lidl, no Aldi. I stock up the car when I go across and am always amazed how much further my money goes.
There is still a bit of a "comeover" attitude, I've had it as I have non Manx parents and I've lived a lot of my life away. But it's subtle and not like it used to be, thank God. People are generally lovely. Fifty percent of the population is not Manx, but people are transient and a lot don't stick it out or there's the banking population who seem to flit between different banking jurisdictions.
Yes, FB is evil over here 😅 But I think it is wherever you live.
Tax is generally less, but really on an average wage cost of living will eat that away. Couples can be jointly taxed, which has been helpful for us when I've not worked. No ss benefits for 5yrs, with the exception of child benefit. There are work permits, not sure how that pans out if you are working remotely.
Feel free to PM me.