What it's like to live on the IOW

Just 10 minutes from mainland England, the Isle of Wight Council has very ambitious and achievable plans for the Island’s future growth and sustainability.  This unique and proud community is reinvigorating itself, not only as the fabulous holiday destination that it’s been for centuries, but also as a viable lifestyle choice to live, work and invest.

Relocating to the Isle of Wight might seem like moving into a picture postcard, but there’s much more adventure than that to be had.  There is a sense of escaping from the rat-race that starts on your tranquil commute across the Solent; as you come home to the holiday Isle.

The Isle of Wight boasts a welcoming sense of community; a quieter pace of life that comes from living in the countryside and by the sea, while being just 10 minutes away from the big cities of the south coast.  But aside from the chocolate box thatched cottages, undulating areas of outstanding natural beauty, 70+ miles of uninterrupted coastline, internationally recognised landmarks, heritage sites and events, dinosaurs and bustling urban centres (the Isle of Wight really does have something for everyone!), it also boasts a determination and desire to move with the times and prosper, on a global scale.

This is reflected in the energy and dynamism that the international businesses based on the Island, including, GKN, BAE Systems, Gurit, Vestas and Liz Earle Cosmetics, provide to working life.  Allied with 99 per cent coverage of superfast broadband and identified development opportunities for the marine and maritime sector, the Isle of Wight is a prime location for business growth and investment.

The Isle of Wight is not without its challenges; the council has faced and continues to face financial challenges which have seen it cut further and deeper than many other parts of the country.  However, undaunted by these challenges, the council is renewing its ambitions to secure growth, increase job opportunities and create wealth.

It is developing strategies to transform how it does business, improve funding opportunities and attract new investment and aims to be self-sustaining as a community, and through its planned innovations, it will be.

The cornerstone of this plan is the creation of a new regeneration team.  This team will lead the way towards our sustainable future.  It will reinvigorate the local economy , inspire communities and attract greater interest and investment to our shores.