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Original poster

Retiring to the Isle of Wight

109 replies

EzLife · 01/06/2025 15:16

Hi,

Semi-nearly retired and looking to move to the IoW.

Have visited and will do again next month.

Considerations:
Local shops, coast/beach walkable, ideally not too far from ferries, good GP and Dentist not far away - thinking should we be unable to drive in the future.

I appreciate there are downsides like fewer shops and ferries are £££ but the island has drawn me in...

What are your thoughts?

TIA 🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
EzLife · 08/07/2025 10:28

Goingawayistricky · 06/07/2025 16:09

My family come from the Island and many of them still live there,

They are MASSIVELY pissed of with the amount of house building going on. Whilst the Island may be nice now it’s going to look very different in a few years. The roads are small and can’t cope currently.

As everyone has said the hospital situation is terrible. My uncle has been over for treatment in S’hampton but his blood pressure has been too high every time - unsurprising given the journey - car, ferry, taxi first thing in the morning.

I’m looking at visiting. Ferry is £100 for a day return with the car ! Absolutely nuts.

Thanks, I’m interested to know where this house building is taking place as we’re on the island next week and that too could be a deal maker/breaker…

OP posts:
notatinydancer · 08/07/2025 18:09

Friends did this. They moved back. Too isolated. Ferry is £££ and poor availability in the Summer. I can see the attraction though , beautiful place.

Goingawayistricky · 08/07/2025 20:29

@EzLife It’s between Newport and Ryde. Although smaller pockets everywhere.
Literally ruining the USP of the odd quirky Island.
You only have to look at places that could be great because they have sea, decent weather and a a community to see how they become run down holes due to over development.

Original poster
EzLife · 08/07/2025 22:34

Goingawayistricky · 08/07/2025 20:29

@EzLife It’s between Newport and Ryde. Although smaller pockets everywhere.
Literally ruining the USP of the odd quirky Island.
You only have to look at places that could be great because they have sea, decent weather and a a community to see how they become run down holes due to over development.

Thanks for confirming, we’ll look out for it, and I can understand how you must feel, having seen similar situations elsewhere.

OP posts:
beachygirl · 08/07/2025 23:26

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

namechangeaaargh · 09/07/2025 08:59

We spend a lot of time there as we have family in West Wight. We're considering moving there when we retire too, people are very friendly there and happy to chat.

However the estate agent who sold MIL's house in Freshwater last year said that quite a few people who retire there only last one or two years before selling up, but that people who manage two generally stay for good. The driver being the difficulty/expense of the ferries. Obviously it's an estate agent so no idea whether that's true or not.

NotAnOverner · 10/07/2025 00:36

@BreezyEx All of my school friends apart from one one left the island and there was very much the don’t go for an island boy feel amongst us. Two have moved back to assist with elderly relatives. One is a little younger than you and not a sniff of man that is even remotely ok.

You need to go in the winter and not July and August.

Original poster
EzLife · 10/07/2025 16:50

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion which is really helpful and informative, much appreciated, and I can see helpful to others with similar questions.🙏

As luck would have it, today I have sciatica 😫and am pretty immobile so we’ve had to cancel next week’s research/holiday.

This has made BH’s mind up that perhaps IoW isn’t such a great idea after all…☹️

Thank you. 🙏

OP posts:
ungratefulcat · 10/07/2025 23:13

EzLife · 10/07/2025 16:50

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion which is really helpful and informative, much appreciated, and I can see helpful to others with similar questions.🙏

As luck would have it, today I have sciatica 😫and am pretty immobile so we’ve had to cancel next week’s research/holiday.

This has made BH’s mind up that perhaps IoW isn’t such a great idea after all…☹️

Thank you. 🙏

Oh that's the most rotten luck ever. I hope you get a new holiday once you are better.

But yes, I guess it helps make your decision

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