Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

Keep us updated on what happens, Flea:wub:

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

As a means to an end 9 months on IoW sounds a good option, but if you find Sydney insular you will go stir crazy there. Regular trips to the mainland will help.

I agree with RugbyMatt that Cowes is full of boaty snobs. If you aren't into sailing and oneupmanship don't even think about living there. Also remember that Cowes week and the round the island race attracts thousands of competitors and tourists and also the island puts on loads of events during the summer like the jazz festival and can get horribly crowded and claustrophobic.

Having said that the island is very pretty if you venture further afield.

Is this job a live-in job? Is it 9-5?. I wondered whether you had considered your OH commuting from Portsmouth. :)

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

I agree the comute to IOW from Portsmouth is very easy definatly worth considering I think the other prisons are Camphill and Albany prison this one houses your sex offenders.

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

Fingers crossed...fingers crossed....fingers crossed...leg's....nah!!!!;):rofl:

Hope everything goes to plan Flea :thumbsup:

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

I have been to the IOW for a day and it was stunning. House prices are very reasonable too... Of course, seeing as it is an island it will probably be slightly different to the mainland. But if you fancy going to the mainland it only takes ten minutes on the hovercraft which is a great way to travel!!

I think you could do a lot worse than IOW. One last good thing is that it is one of the sunniest places in the UK. Go for it!

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

I lived in Gosport, just across from the island. It's a beautiful place and you will like it there. I have friends who live on the island and love it but it wouldn't do for me, too cut off particularly in the winter when it is very quiet.

Good luck with the job, hope it happens for you :)

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

Thanks everyone for the info and good wishes.

Still no more info as yet

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

I'm originally from Portsmouth just across from the Isle of Wight and love it.
Its pretty much as people described. Peaceful, safe still got that nice community feel about it. No nothing about the prison though

All the best!

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

My Cousin has worked as a Prison Officer at Parkhurst for years and I think he's been very happy living on the IOW (my Aunt isn't too crazy about it, because she lives in Derby). I think the only drawback, as I seem to recall, is that the fees to get to the mainland are pretty high.

Sounds like a very timely opportunity and an interesting job. I really hope it all comes together for you.

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

any news yet flea?

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

I like IOW. A bit of a step into the past that some expats leaving the North for Oz might like! I am not so keen on Ryde, a bit too old Victorian and steep hills for me, but places like Ventnor, Freshwater and Sandown on the coast are quite pleasant and Shanklin is very nice too if a bit touristy at times. Nothing wong with the many villages or Newport either.

Not a rich area because of the lack of jobs, and not vast amounts in terms of the arts which tend to be local but otherwise a great choice to live I would say. There is also the railway direct to London from Portsmouth Harbour. I like Cowes and the quality of the services like restaurants and shops but then we all like different things I guess.

good luck

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

It's many years since I visited the IoW but I remember it as being a very nice and pretty place. Fingers crossed for you that something works out there for you Flea. Remember that nowhere is far from anywhere in UK - not even the IoW!

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

Go for it, a beautiful place for 9mths, and a good job to get started with which i would imagine would make good reading on a C.V. You can circum navigate the island in around an hour. crossings to portsmouth and southampton or 10 mins by hovercraft t pompey for shopping at gunwharf or entertainment. Grockles eh lol. my mum born in cowes, islanders known as woodentops :eek:

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

Isn't it funny- everyone who has posted loves the place! Lets hope its the place to live and not just visit too.

Re: Isle Of Wight?
 

Thanks for all the positive replies. Its good to know if it comes off it isnt a hell hole.
Still waiting for news though.