ken-6

Hello there
We have lived in Australia for 11 years and love it here but miss family and worry about aging parents. We have the opportunity to move back and live in the Isle of Man which looks lovely. Just wondered if anyone had moved to the Isle of Man and what they thought of it. We have 2 kids age 4 and 7, always said if we went back we'd want to be somewhere like the west country where the way of life is easier and the Isle of Man seems that way.

Nice to hear your thoughts.

Cheers

Ken

JAJ

Check the situation regarding getting a work permit on the Isle of Man. The local employment control regulations apply (or at least used to apply) to British citizens without specific Isle of Man connections.

ken-6

My wifes a nurse so she will be able to get a permit thanks

BritInParis

http://www.gov.im/categories/working.../work-permits/

http://www.gov.im/media/407511/guide...rk_permits.pdf

ken-6

thanks for the link. We're really just interested info about what its like to live on the island, especially for children

autawa

Hi there

Im from the Isle of Man, but live in NZ now with my husband, I love the place, but its my home!!
I would move back tomorrow, but all my family and friends are there. Very safe, low crime, good education, around 80,00 population, a lot of people complain there's not much to do but that depends on what you are into, has heaps of restaurants, pubs, indoor sports facilities, nice beaches, walks etc,. We have 2 young children and wouldn't hesitate bringing them up there, I had a great childhood....please feel to PM with any more questions, I could go on forever

robin1234

Are there no restrictions to buying property there? I'm thinking of Jersey, where anyone can buy property in the unrestricted category, but in practice that tends to be property in the multi million pound price range. Only qualified locals can buy property in the cheap and cheerful price range. Just wondering if there was some similar restriction on IoM.

It certainly does look like a nice place to at least visit. Maybe bleak in the winter?

brits1

Hi,

I have not been to the IOM for years, we lived in Aus for just over 12 years and I do think we could settle somewhere like the IOM more easily than if we just moved from a big City in the UK. We returned to the UK because we really wanted to, not really for family even though we did miss them we had made our own lives in Aus, I am not sure I would move from somewhere I love to be near family unless it was for an emergency etc. Good luck and hope all turns out for the best for you.

ken-6

but why did you really wanat to move back? and how have you found it

brits1

Hi,

After about 4 years we really started to miss different cultures, history, proper countryside, lots of things really although as I said we made a good life for us in Aus and did well but it was just not enough, we felt like we really had no heartfelt connection (its really hard to put in to words how we felt) we have no regrets about coming back our two sons are having a fantastic time here and would not consider a move back to Australia, my OH and myself are also enjoying being back and have certainly made the most of the UK by going off on short breaks and seeing Europe is so easy, things have changed in our time away like most things in life but we take things as they come along. Good luck with your decision, it must not be easy when you feel as you do.

Moses2013

Jersey cheap and cheerful:-). In Jersey you can buy any property you like, even the so called cheap properties (A-H, only that they aren't cheap), but you wouldn't be able to live in it yourself until you have 10 years residency. I'm sure Isle of Man isn't as bad when it comes to housing though.

lesleys

My parents retired to the IOM and loved it but I wouldn't want to live there.

It hardly ever snows or has frosts but is very windy. The ferries stop running in really bad weather. Overseas travel is expensive and time-consuming.

Medical facilities have limits. Seeing a specialist often means an early morning flight to Liverpool (expenses paid, but tiring).

Schools are good, but at 18 kids leave to study.

It's very conservative (small 'c').

TT weeks mean travel is restricted on the island. Lots of bikes everywhere and no speed limit.

Beautiful scenery.