From amazing facilities for kids to play to jobs galore for teachers and nurses this Isle of Man could be the next relocation hot spot …
If you thought you thought that the Isle of Man was simply a place to ride fast motorbikes and cats that don’t have tails, it’s time to reconsider.
The area is brimming with amazing beaches, stunning scenery, fantastic schools and with a lot of jobs to be had There’s no better place to think about shifting to if you’re looking for a new experience in your life with family.
Here are 10 good reasons to think about moving for The Isle of Man – and be honest, it was hard to choose only the top 10 …
1 If your children are competitive, there’s a better spot than here for them.
The facilities for sports on the island are, frankly incredible. In Douglas, the National Sports Centre in Douglas is home to a world-class athletics track, and has a fab gym, swimming pool and an array of activities to keep young Mark Cavendishs or Zoe Gillings busy.
Every year it is the Manx Youth Games encourages kids to compete in various sportsthat help develop their abilities and skills. From fitness classes for the little ones as well as archery and snorkeling, and tag rugby. Kids will be able to play around!
2. If they’re interested in technology, that’s also cool.
The majority of the island’s economy is based around tech companies who are encouraged to set up their headquarters there by the government. So, with that in mind there are many places for little ones to start learning coding and developing VR (virtual reality) capabilities early!
Code Club has volunteers working with children to teach them coding and tech knowledge – and encourage them to explore their own tech projects and is an excellent place for your little geeks to play with their Javascript.
3 There’s an insufficiency of nurses and teachers
Jobs in the Isle of Man are up by 10% in the last year, and there’s a shortage of nurses and teachers in the islands.
The government provides a fantastic relocation program for those with the right skills who want to move across to further their careers . Head over the Isle of Man government site for more information and check if you’re eligible for this. This could be a great opportunity to return to your previous occupation!
Get in touch when searching for jobs in Douglas.
4. The scenery is breathtaking.
And schools all over the island encourage pupils to be in the outdoors as often as is possible.
‘Green classrooms’ are an integral part of the school curriculum in which children are exposed to the outdoors and encouraged think for themselves and understand what is happening that surrounds them. And there are plenty of sailing, mountain biking and diving clubs guaranteed to help them appreciate the beauty of their environment.
5 And there’s a real sense of belonging
Everyone we talked to on the island discussed how much they appreciate their friendship and the support they have with their neighbours. People on the island take care of each other and their community-based activities are second to none.
There are numerous clubs and groups that the government actively supports them to grow. One of the most enjoyable can be that of the Community Farm where children can explore the world of animals, farming, and enjoy a trip to a real hobbit-themed house that is set into the side of the hill!
6 . House prices are less than in the mainland
The median price of a property in the island is approximately PS300,000 – compared to London at PS636,000, and the south east, which is around PS400,000.
If you’re looking for an ideal home that can accommodate your expanding family but you’ve been removed from the real estate market England then the Isle of Man could be an enjoyable surprise. And , unlike other islands, there’s no restriction on buying homes here.
7 But you can get there to Liverpool and London within less than two hours
Easyjet and BA both offer flights into the Isle of Man, and it is possible to travel to Liverpool in less than an hour and London in less than two hours. There are 50 flights that fly to and from the island daily, and daily ferry services to England and Ireland. If you’re looking for a big-city fix, you can get there and return within a day!
8 There’s a lot of money invested in education
The Isle of Man government is investing more than PS380m into the infrastructure of the island, with the opening of a brand new high school constructed, and there are over 30 schools on the island.
It is believed that the Isle of Man follows the similar educational system to England with GCSEs as well as A Levels – but also puts an emphasis on the “6 Rs'” the readiness of students; relationships that are positive; resourcefulness; retention skills; resilience and reflection, which is an approach that is more holistic to learning.
And there’s no OFSTED on the island. Instead, schools assess themselves prior to an independent validater confirming their findings. This is quite a different approach!
9 Crime rates are low
It is believed that the Isle of Man is the safest place to live in the British Isles, according to crime performance statistics, and also has one of the lowest rates of crime in Europe.
Experts believe it’s due to the pride of the residents in their communities and their heritage – everyone we spoke to said that they never locked their doors, and were all happy with their children playing out. Everyone keeps an eye out for everyone else around the islands, which makes an extremely homely feeling.
10 And you can learn another language!
Yes, it’s Gaelic Manx! Bunscoill Ghaelgagh school teaches children in Manx and Gaelic, which means that they’re bilingual. The islanders themselves are proud of their tradition of culture, which gives another dimension to the island’s rich history and sense of community.