IOW: contemplating living there: any advice on areas please

[splishsplosh]

Have 2 dc: 1 and 4
no car
will be renting

so, ideally want somewhere relatively inexpensive, reasonable schools, beaches and prob easier to be close to mainland crossing points.

anyone got any info on areas that are good or areas to avoid?

thanks

[kittycat68]

you will need to be a bit more specific england is a big place!

[uggmum]

My sister lives in Cowes, she doesn't have a car and finds everything on her doorstep. Really good community feel. Plenty of good letting opportunities as well and easy to nip to the mainland.
My sister has 4 dcs and 2 of them go to Cowes Primary which has an outstanding Ofsted.

We holiday there twice a year and we love it.

[biscuitsandbandages]

Cowes, Ryde or yarmouth if you want car free connections to the mainland. Yarmouth more rural, bus service pretty good now but no easy access to supermarket etc. Ryde and cowes both better for that. East Cowes is less expensive and can cross to cowes easily on floating bridge. Ryde better for beaches.

Lived their for all my schooling and parents still there. Could you learn to drive? is an easy place to drive around and would open up many many more options for you.

[biscuitsandbandages]

ps. IW not IOW if you want to endear yourself to the locals

[mermaidspurse]

Cowes for me too - Solent Middle from 9yrs is a great school.

You sort of have a beach front but not sandy really. All the best sandy beaches are on the southern coast. The prom goes right along from Cowes towards Gurnard though great for young kids, strolling, lounging on the grass etc.

Yarmouth you may feel a bit marooned without a car.
Ryde always felt an extension of Portsmouth and a bit down at heel.
I would love to go back too, fabulous childhood, good luck.

[splishsplosh]

Thanks for your comments - I've had a couple of people say East Cowes is a good place to consider, so might pop over for a wander tomorrow.

Will remember IW

Don't mind so much about beach, as can always travel to one - am used to having a pebbly harbour's edge as the only sea within walking distance.

Do have drivers licence though think i've forgotten how! just don't want expense of a car.

[uggmum]

I like East Cowes myself. It a bit cheaper for rental. Alot of money is being invested in East Cowes, they are building a new waitrose store. But you will find the schools are better in West Cowes and East Cowes is not considered as nice. There is a bit of a divide between the 2 places.

[mermaidspurse]

waitrose in East Cowes? Queen Victoria would be impressed!