Has anyone retired to Guernsey?

[PoodlenotDoodle]

Any thoughts on Guernsey as a retirement option? I know there is very little housing stock available as you need to buy in the Open Market (only 1600 or so houses on the island) and it is expensive. I also know that while the income tax rate is a flat 20% that there is also Social Security to pay which adds to that. I know it is extremely safe with very little crime. What I am interested in is what is the lifestyle really like? Are there any wide open green spaces for dog walks or is the entire island very suburban? Do you get island fever? What are the pros and cons versus retiring in a costal location like say Norfolk or Dorset or Cornwall for example? We have a dog and love the idea of being near the coast when we retire but we also love country walks and wonder if this rules Guernsey out?

I agree with a PP. When ypu say retirement what your considering is as you age, become more unwell and eventually come to end of your life. You need to be in a suitable place to do this comfortably - I’m not sayingnit’s happening now but when it starts you won’t want or be able to move easily. Read up on the elderly parents board.

On this thread only because I’m interested in retirement plans, sorry.

I suppose the odd thing to me is - why would you even consider this? Why even think about a tiny island with the associated logistical challenges to retire to, unless it’s somewhere you already love and have family living there or at least some connections? Are you very unhappy where you currently live and desperate to leave?

You won't be able to get on or off in bad weather.

Fair question. We have concerns about the future of the UK (healthcare, crime, etc). We want to live near the coast. We love dog walking. We want a safe place with a strong sense of community. We enjoy boating. We want easy access to France. Guernsey on paper is an option to consider with this criteria (plus the tax benefits of living there). Our grown children live in London but are looking to work abroad so who knows where they will end up. We have moved a lot for my husband's work over the years (to a range of different countries) and I know it is not difficult to make friends if you join clubs and have a dog.

Would you even be allowed to buy a property in Guernsey, unless you were working/have connections there? It would be extremely difficult in Jersey.

Yes Brits can buy property in the "open market" without issue. The only "issue" is that there are only 1600 properties in the "open market" and with demand and supply, prices are very high. They have low property duty (equivalent to stamp duty) which helps but still you dont get a lot for your money (probably similar prices to a nice village in the Cotswolds if not more).

Just move to Devon or Dorset so you're close to Exeter or Bournemouth Airport and can get to France.

The main pros and cons to consider and a few you wouldn't even imagine exist:

Pros:
Beautiful place to live, beautiful beaches, stunning coastline
Lack of crime
Good variety of events and entertainment
Great restaurants and seafood is in abundance
Excellent GP and hospital facilities (but see cons)
Good sports facilities
Cheap alcohol
Low income taxes, no IHT etc.
Everything is fairly close together on the island so not much time is spent driving
Relatively easy access to London (Quick flight to Heathrow)
Easy access to France
Great base if you can afford to spend a lot of time off the island, regularly.

Cons:
Very Expensive: Almost everything is more expensive and the lack of VAT is more than made up for by the cost of transport
Often difficult to buy stuff if not stocked on the island (and see below about delays in transport, even mail gets delayed) and some UK suppliers just wont deliver
Nearly full employment means that getting staff is difficult and that has knock on effects for levels of service.
Extra time as well as cost of an additional flight to get anywhere often requiring an overnight stay to ensure connections.
Flights and ferries regularly cancelled due to weather
Small social circle and can be gossipy due to village like mentality.
Very small, easy to get bored
Lack of real countryside inland as there are houses dotted everywhere
Medical facilites whilst excellent (at a price) are very limited in scope with most serious conditions requiring a flight to UK. For example, imagine having to fly backwards and forwards regularly for cancer treatment.
Very high price of housing.
Weather is often windy
Lots of narrow winding roads barely wide enough for cars (expect to loose a few wing mirrors) and it is easy to get lost as SatNav is hopeless.
Main town gets gridlocked with traffic in summer - a 10 minute journey can take an hour.
If you have a good car, the low speed limit gets surprisingly frustrating as there is nowhere to put your foot down (legally).
and finally 'islanditis' is real! You will need to regularly leave the island.

You need to go just for a holiday anyway as it is a stunning place.

Thank you - the sort of response I was looking for when I did my post! Really good feedback. 👏

Visit in January or February and see what you think. The previous poster has explained a lot, nothing I'd add.

Lots of people do!

Come and look at West Wight, lots of country walks, good beaches, sailing, cheaper housing than places like Dorset andeven a Waitrose.. Yes there's the ferries which can get expensive , especially in peak summer, but you can get reduced tickets if you live here for all year round. We've lived here over 20years and love it. IOW gets a bad rap on MN and yes it has it's disadvantages but so far we've found the health services fine but there is a lack of NHS dentists .
The west of the island is lovely and far less built up than the east side, but in fact that makes it faster to get around because most commuting into the main town comes from the east or south.

We have all the supermarkets btw - not just a Waitrose!

Thanks - I will definitely add it to my list to research!

Maybe you would get the island feel if you lived in a peninsula region like the Lizard, Gower or Whitehaven.

My concern with these sort of locations is lack of community (second homes etc) and remoteness/access to hospitals and public transport. Guernsey doesn't seem to lack community and things to do and people to meet. It has other issues...

I live on the Isle of Man, we are much bigger. The weather is better than IOM, but definitely visit in winter. I think there’s less to do there in winter than there is here, and that’s saying something. Island life is different though. It can be hard when everyone knows your business, and they do.

My main concern would be - how inviting established communities are with newcomers. There can be an indifference and inertia associated with a lack of inclusivity when a community has not had to make accommodations for new people.

I haven't but we have relatives that have. I think they were hoping we might join them out there, but its not for me I'm afraid. On the plus side its very beautiful, and the people are very friendly. But there's a few things that put me off: there's no NHS there, and unfortunately the health care our relatives have received has been definitely patchy, even though they have the resources to pay. It might be a concern as you get older and need health care more.

Getting off the island is expensive, and can be tricky in bad weather. If you ever wanted to go on holiday somewhere long haul in all likelihood that would mean flying to the mainland then flying onward from there. The Guernsey/London flight is so often grounded in bad weather that my relatives will fly in at least a day or two before, even in the summer, then either stay with relatives or book a hotel. It adds complication, time, and expense.

Yes, there's an appealing tax regime, but if you ever want to buy a particular sofa for example, or a particular dining table it'll probably be shipped from the mainland, adding time and expense. This turns it into quite an expensive place to live, all that extra shipping applies to virtually everything, and the house prices are expensive too.

Finally, its just really, really small! It would actually make me quite claustrophobic. Not to mention its quite windy and bleak in the winter. It wouldn't have those wide open spaces you mention, its more winding cliff top paths. There are things going on, but it can feel a bit 'holiday camp entertainment', if you ever want proper shopping, art galleries, theatre, or gigs you'll spend a lot of time coming back to the mainland. In your shoes I'd pick one of your other options in a heartbeat.

I live in Guernsey, and in my view, it is a wonderful place to live.

There are lovely beaches and cliff walks and plenty of lovely places to explore. It is safe and a more gentle place of life.

Whilst people claim that there is nothing to do in the winter, there is a thriving music and amateur dramatic scene, with lots of shows and activities. People sea swim all year, and there are lots of social groups for different interests an activities.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend living here, for me the only major downside is the cost of living and the cost of getting off the island.

I don’t think that’s such a concern in CI or IOM, as there’s been a long term finance industry that has brought new people in regularly.

We have family there who love it, but as they are getting older are thinking more and more about a move back to the mainland due to problems with getting off the island (not just in winter, but especially then) and because any major health issues have to be dealt with on the mainland.

They have a lovely life, but missed out on a family event at Christmas because their flight was delyed by several hours. This wasn't a one off - their last three flighrs have all been significantly delayed. Ferries are ghastly in winter - even if you have a strong stomach!