Living in the Isle of Wight – The Island’s Best Towns

Are you considering living in the Isle of Wight?

If you are thinking of making the move to the island, this is the article for you!

The Isle of Wight is renowned for its stunning beaches and is the second most populated island in England.

It is safe to say that living in the Isle of Wight is an excellent choice for a range of different buyers!

Living in the Isle of Wight provides residents with an array of tremendous amenities, offering a particularly unique lifestyle.

Moving to a new area is never an easy task, this is certainly no different for those thinking of living in the Isle of Wight.

There are various considerations to take notice of before you begin your move.

If you are moving to an entirely new region there may be various factors things you would like to know!

Before you move, it is advisable to gather as much information about an area as you can.

This article offers some great facts about living in the Isle of Wight, as well as highlighting some of the island’s best towns!

We aim to provide a comprehensive guide to the island, helping those thinking of living in the Isle of Wight select the best town for them.

We will discuss everything from the cost of living in the Isle of Wight, to the best schools on the island.

Keep reading if you are thinking of living in the Isle of Wight!

House Prices

For those living in the Isle of Wight, whilst geographically removed from mainland England, applies the same buying process as any other location in England.

House prices on the Island have historically been far less than properties in mainland UK.

Living in the Isle of Wight has slowly become a more popular choice, with the closing of the price gap gradually indicating this trend.

The current average cost of a home on the Isle of Wight is £279,965, compared to the island’s nearest county Hampshire, which has an average house price of £373,912.

Clearly, there is still a notable difference when living in the Isle of Wight.

Buyers can find a plethora of Victorian homes for sale throughout the whole Island.

Such properties are extremely popular, offering owner lots of room.

If you are considering living in the Isle of Wight, a house boasting a stunning sea view can sell for as little as £220,000!

Living in the Isle of Wight means you are located in one of the sunniest spots in the UK!

Subsequently, there are ample holiday homes, chalets, and portable homes to choose from.

Zoopla is advertising 595 homes for sale and prices vary enormously.

Living in the Isle of Wight is achievable for all, regardless of your budget!

For those looking at the lower end of the market, a one-bedroom flat in Newport will set you back as little as £59,950!

If you require a few more rooms, the cheapest three bedroomed houses can be found in Cowes, currently sitting at £132,000.

Those with a bigger budget are also given plenty of choices.

Bembridge is an especially popular area.

Properties in the area often exceed the £1 million mark!

Cost of Living

If you are considering living in the Isle of Wight, cost of living will be a big consideration.

The cost of living on the Island is very similar to the south coast of England.

However, it is important to consider that some items may be somewhat more expensive.

This is due to items having to be shipped to the island by ferry.

Goods such as groceries are subsequently on a par with the costs you will see in London.

Another important consideration is transport.

Travelling between the island and the mainland is pricey!

Car owners will feel these costs the most, luckily there are several alternate options.

Locals have access to discounted tickets for the ferry.

For the best savings, be sure to check the ferry schedule prior to booking.

This way you can make the most of the cheapest rates during the off-peak hours.

Money can be saved by shopping at Morrisons, Iceland, Lidl and Asda or one of the many local farm shops found across the region.

If you are living in the Isle of Wight, be sure to get out and explore the beautiful scenery.

This is surely the most cost effective way to spend your time!

Living in the Isle of Wight ensures you are never far from a beach.

There are some stunning seaside locations to explore, so get out there!

Schools

Schooling will certainly be a big consideration if you are thinking of living in the Isle of Wight and are relocating with a family.

Many of the larger towns on the Island have their own primary schools.

The main benefit for schools on the Island is that classes usually far smaller than those found throughout the rest of the UK.

There are currently 69 local schools on the Isle of Wight as well as two independent schools.

Both independent schools are situated in Ryde, with both offering students day, weekly or full board schooling.

Students aged between 11-18 are filtered into one of five secondary schools which serve the island’s whole population.

For further education, The Isle of Wight College is the only option.

The college sits on the outskirts of Newport.

The nearest Universities can be found in either Southampton or Portsmouth.

Thing to do

Living in the Isle of Wight offers residents a range of things to do!

The island has historically been a popular tourist destination, meaning there is a plethora of great, entertaining activities to enjoy.

Cowes is a particularly busy spot in the summer months!

Cowes Week is highly considered by avid sailors and is one of the most notable events on the yachting timetable.

Living in the Isle of Wight also provides locals with a great selection of outdoors activities.

Boasting over 500 miles of footpaths, and 60 miles of coastline, living in the Isle of Wight is ideal for lovers of the great outdoors.

Some of the island’s best beaches include Ryde’s Appley Beach, Seaview’s Seagrove and St Helen’s.

History lovers are also in for a treat when living in the Isle of Wight.

There are numerous museums, galleries, and historic sites to explore.

Carisbrooke Castle, which was first built in the Norman times, ignites the island’s history to the many thousands of visitors that arrive every year!

Perhaps the Island’s most identifiable landmarks is the Needles Rocks and lighthouse.

This is a great attraction packed with all sorts to entertain the family.

Regardless of your age, interest, or budget there is certainly something to enjoy when living in the Isle of Wight!

Cowes

There are numerous routes to get to the island, and Cowes is just one of several docking points for the Red Funnel car ferry and the high-speed Red Jet, getting here could not be easier.

Cowes is a mecca for all things nautical and has been for many years and home to the oldest and biggest annual sailing regatta in the world which culminates with an impressive firework display.

The town is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina, facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east bank

One of the few places on the Island where people generally do not come for a beach holiday, although some do. What Cowes does offer however, is plenty of historical sites and a swathe of festivals held throughout the year.

Osborne house is the most notable attraction and once the holiday home of Queen Victoria. Plus, the Round the Island Boat Race, Northwood House, the Max Aitken Museum, and numerous art galleries mean there is always something interesting to do and see.

To cater for the thousands of holiday makers Cowes is a fantastic place to eat out. Cafes, restaurants, and wine bars offer food from around the globe as well as locally grown, caught and produced fish, meat, vegetables.

The fourth largest town on the island, around 11,000 also call it home.

Amenities are very good, with a large Waitrose store and a little further out there is an ALDI. Local shops suffice for day-to-day necessities.

With 2-bedroom flats starting at just £75,000- and three-bedroom properties selling for £125,000 you will find the local housing market is very favourable compared to mainland equivalents.

Easy to get to, lots to do and plenty of facilities makes Cowes a winner all round.

Freshwater

Considered a large village covering roughly five-and-a-half square miles, Freshwater is located to the far west of the island.

Coined the Back of the Wight or the West Wight.

It was the birthplace of physicist Robert Hooke and was the home of Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Freshwater beach one of the islands most picturesque, is very popular with tourists and locals.

Mostly sandy, but it is also covered in chalk from the nearby cliffs, which is frequently gathered by tourists as souvenirs.

The village makes for an idyllic lifestyle. Relatively quiet, with water sports of all kinds available in the calm waters of its sandy arched bay.

Freshwater village is the main shopping area that services the West of the Isle of Wight with a number of established stores and a supermarket.

Freshwater attracts all types, both local islanders on day trips and those visiting from the mainland.

Among its many attributes and a particular favourite for photographers are its easily recognisable chalk cliffs.

The imposing “Stag” and “Mermaid” rocks sit at the edge of the coast.

On the opposite side of Freshwater is Afton Down.

This provided the location of the famous 1970 Isle of Wight Music Festival.

At the south end of the downs is a golf course.

Provides players with fantastic views in all directions across the Isle of Wight.

Freshwater is a far cry from the craziness that life in a large city presents.

A part rural part waterside idyll which is so very appealing.

Bembridge

The village of Bembridge recently won the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019 “Village of the Year” and it is easy to see why.

Bembridge stretches around most of the Eastern tip of the Isle of Wight.

This includes its harbour and three beaches and has its very own airport.

Of course, as the village runs along the coast many of the things to do in Bembridge are related to the sea.

Three local beaches provide contrasting coastlines, rock pools and stunning panoramic views out to sea.

Second only to Cowes, Bembridge is a very popular destination for sailing.

It also houses one of the islands lifeboat stations. The station is relatively new and is a popular visitor attraction in its own right.

A short distance from Bembridge is Culver Down.

The white cliffs of which can be seen from Sandown Bay all the way through to Shanklin.

The area is part of the 68-mile-long coastal path which sees thousands of walkers who flock to navigate the circumference of the island on foot.

As a holiday destination you have plenty of options for accommodation including camping, caravanning, hotels, and B&B’s.

Sadly, as a permanent home, Bembridge is a little more elusive. Not only is stock limited to just 14 homes for sale, but the average price is well above average for the island at £409,000.

Ventnor

Established during the Victorian era, Ventnor sits on the southernmost side of the island with a microclimate all of its own.

Consequently it is sometimes described as the English Mediterranean.

Once it was one of Britain’s most famous Victorian health resorts, particularly for those suffering with TB as the clean fresh sea air assisedt in recovery.

Situated in a sheltered position at the foot of St Boniface Down.

Ventnor is built on steep slopes leading down to the sea.

The higher part of town is referred to as Upper Ventnor (officially Lowtherville); the lower part, where most amenities are located, is known as Ventnor.

Ventnor’s tiny Harbour and the bandstand development are very prominent on the seafront and offer a great viewing platform to look out to sea, and the Ventnor Haven Fishery sells the best in local crab and lobster.

As for cuisine, all bases are covered in this respect.

If fine dining is your thing, The Hambrough offers 5 AA Gold Star luxury boutique accommodation and food to match.

Alternatively, pop into the Spy Glass for more traditional pub grub.

Both venues offer superb views of the bay whilst you dine.

On colder days, visitors make the most of the local entertainment offerings.

These include the Botanical Gardens, the Victorian Ventnor Park and some of the best coastal walks and views on the island.

Ventnor might not be quite as well connected as some towns but it is well worth the extra effort to get here.

For a laid-back relaxed location with enough to do to keep the whole family happy, Ventnor is very hard to compete with.

Ryde

Being the largest by population of all the islands towns, Ryde is considered busy.

But in reality, nowhere on the Island is as busy as London or some of the larger cities of the UK.

The East side of the island offers a great mix of town life, pretty quaint villages, quiet beaches and a host of little marinas.

Another very easy place to get to!

Whitelink Car Ferries have hourly sailings arriving and departing from Ryde’s long pier head ferrying passengers to and from the city of Portsmouth in 22 minutes.

Alternatively, the iconic Hover Craft operates a service which only takes 9 minutes from Portsmouth.

Plus, there is a catamaran service which connects with both Island Line trains and mainland trains and onwards to London Waterloo.

Ryde has several star attractions to keep everyone entertained.

However, its beautifully scenic coastal paths and sandy beaches, great for sailing enthusiasts and families looking for a staycation, are among its best.

Ryde is home to several parks and green spaces.

The busy town centre is on a hill, packed with local shops and chain retailers.

Good-value property awaits those interested in moving to Ryde and the town boasts rows of handsome Georgian houses set on wide, leafy streets that slope down to the sea.

With the average price paid for a home over the past 12 months being just £239,000, moving to Ryde need not break the bank either.

Ready to Start Living in the Isle of Wight?

Have you decided to start living in the Isle of Wight?

Hopefully, our facts about the Isle of Wight and the best towns have helped you to start planning your move.

This famous island has lots to offer its residents, meaning that living in the Isle of Wight will certainly appeal to a range of buyers.

The Isle of Wight offers locals a wide range of outstanding property types, top schools and some excellent towns.

If you are thinking of living in the Isle of Wight and have found your perfect home, we are here to help you get moving.

You can start planning your move with the assistance of our Isle of Wight Removals service from White & Company today.

White & Company are also happy to offer our new video survey service.

During these unprecedented times, we can safely conduct remote removals surveys.

We can gather all the relevant information for your move from the comfort of your own home.

So, fill out a quick quote form to see how we can get your dream move to the Isle of Wight in the works.

Max Peterson

Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.