A charming island situated just off the South Coast of England, the Isle of Wight is a place of contrasts, wide open spaces perfect for star gazing on clear nights and world-famous social events like the Isle of Wight Music Festival and the Royal Isle of Wight County Show.
It has long been a popular holiday destination, and in recent years it has become a sought-after location for people looking to move to South East England.
So, if you’ve been thinking about moving and the Isle of Wight is on the list of places you’ve been considering, here are five reasons why you might want to live there.
With stunning, sandy beaches and so many locations for incredible nature walks, it shouldn’t come as any surprise to you that more than half of the Isle of Wight is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you enjoy spending time rambling across the countryside, or spending time relaxing on the beach then it’s the place for you.
The journey from Ryde to Southsea takes just ten minutes by hovercraft (the only commercial hovercraft flight still running in the world). Linking the island to the mainland, giving access to the shops and businesses in Portsmouth and Southsea, as well as being less than two hours from London.
The Isle of Wight is an island of two halves, with great restaurants, cafes and shops surrounded by 70 miles of stunning coastline and many locations of great historical relevance.
Measuring only 147 square miles (smaller during high tide), the Isle of Wight is home to many small towns and villages, such as Ventnor, Shanklin and Newport with Ryde, the largest town on the island, housing a population of just over 24,000.
Having a smaller population than the mainland, the island has a community feel, something that many look for when moving in later years. There are volunteer organisations to get involved with, a community centre that hosts regular events such as country dancing, nature walks and several heritage societies to take advantage of the fact the island is steeped in history.
There are many ways to get involved and meet people in the community offered around the island, making it easier for someone new to the island to get involved.
Since 2021, the price of property on the Isle of Wight has risen by approximately 7%. The average property on the island is selling for £284,000*, on par with the average cost of property across the rest of the country (excluding London).
According to recent reports from the Office of National Statistics, prices show good signs of stabilising after months of uncertainty, and this is good news for people looking to move to the Isle of Wight where the number of properties available continues to grow.
If you like the sound of the Isle of Wight and would like to find out more about available properties, we work with trust estate agents across the country. Our partners, Pittis and Co, have been helping people find their ideal homes on the island for 200 years.
They are available to help you find your dream property anywhere across the Isle of Wight.
Property available in Newport
Property available in Ryde
Property available in Sandown
Property available in Freshwater
Property available in Yarmouth
If you’re aged over 60 and looking at your property options, the Home for Life Plan could help you to secure your next home for up to 59% less than the market value. You could have a home for life, mortgage and rent free.
To find out how your affordability could be increased with the Home for Life Plan, try our easy and quick online calculator now, and start looking for your dream property on the Isle of Wight today.