Isle of Wight

[mydogsandme]

Has anyone here been to the Isle of Wight? What did you think to it? We're planning a holiday there later in the year- if we like it we may look into buying a second home there and maybe retire there. If we did, which parts would you recommend? House prices seem cheapest in Newport but is there a reason for that? Like to be near to the coast. We want to be a bit warmer than we are here so how's the temperature and are some areas warmer than others? Any imput please.

[flump1]

Hi, mydogsandme, I live on the Isle of Wight and although I was not born here I have been made very welcome. It is a wonderful place to live, the people are sincere and the pace of life a little slower than the mainland. Housing all over the Island varies depending on your choice, Newport may be cheaper as it is the 'main' town. It is not by the coast however. Where ever one choses to live over here the coast is never far away ! And yes it is slighty warmer all year round. The beaches have areas that are kept dog free in summer times, yet threre are lots of places for dogs to enjoy. Try www.rightmove.co.uk to view properties, Meanwhile I hope you do manage a holiday over here.Ventnor is the warmest part of the Island, also a hilly area! Come and have a look !!!

[shaneystar2]

Can't add much to what flump 1 says but we have been on holiday there several times and have always been made welcome.The people are friendly and it is a beautiful island.Lovely beaches,quaint little villages,Shanklin is particularly nice.Do visit Osborne House .The view from Tennyson Down is beautiful... Godshill Model Village is a must and if you are into gardens,Ventnor Botanical Gardens .

Have a nice holiday !

[libertie]

Just sticking my tuppenceworth in......we had a couple of wonderful family holidays there when my children were small. Beautiful island, lots to do, lovely friendly people and no language or food issues! Great weather too.....sure I read just recently that the Isle of Wight has the highest sunshine rate in the UK!

[mydogsandme]

thanks people! We're hoping to get there September time- it certainly seems as if it has all we want-coast and countryside. Certainly language helps- I was looking at France but my OH can't speak the language. Houses certainly seem fairly affordable- we'd be looking around the �126.000 mark but we'll come and have a look- might see you there!

[vehelpfulguy]

Over half the isle of Wight is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

See here

http://www.wightaonb.org.uk/

[maggie01]

It is a lovely place for a holiday. We lived there for 15yrs but have now moved back on to the mainland. It gets very quiet in the winter months and of course busy in the summer months. It can feel a bit isolated being cut off from the mainland. We lived just outside Ryde (Haylands). It was good while the children were growing up but not so good for work.

[smurfchops]

We have stayed at Ponins at Bembridge a few times, there is a wonderful pub a short walk away I think it is called The Lobster Pot, maybe other ABers will correct me if I am wrong? They do wonderful lunches and are always full at weekends. And you must go to Osborne House, as mentioned by shaneystar2 - it is like stepping back in time.

[smurfchops]

Sorry I mean Pontins