What Else Might Put Me Off From Upping Sticks To Live On An Island?

The weather. At turns it can be milder than many parts of the mainland UK. Then, again, in winter it can be much worse. Or, at least, have a bigger impact on everyday life.

The key to a successful move is to do your homework first. The worst case scenario is to sell up on a whim with romantic notions of what it's going to be like. Do not, whatever you do, base your decision on the strength of a two week summer holiday. Perception and reality could well be miles apart.

Before burning any bridges, visit the island in the depths of winter to get a more accurate picture of what it might be like to live there all year round. And what it might be like to be storm-bound and unable to leave until the weather abates.

Whatever the weather does, though, it seems to be much more present and powerful due to the lack of sheltered and exposed nature of many islands.