Are you tired of the monotony of your day-to-day life? Maybe you’ve considered joining others who left it all behind to live the rest of their days on a peaceful island. You’d enjoy warm, sunny weather and become part of a tight-knit community.
The island life sounds like a wonderful break from everyday life. However, moving to an island can be expensive, isolating, and a difficult adjustment for newcomers. Although island living offers excellent weather and a slower-paced lifestyle, it comes with its own challenges. Here’s your beachside guide to the pros and cons of escaping landlock.
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Cons of island living
It’s not all Mai-Tais and sunbathing when you pack up and leave the mainland behind. Here are a few challenges you’ll encounter if you embrace the island lifestyle.
Moving will be difficult
Moving from the mainland to an island is expensive, especially when you choose an island far away from where you live now. You will need to pack up your belongings, supplies, and even your personal vehicles to transport them to your new island home. Because shipping to an island is so expensive, transporting your belongings may be challenging or even impossible.
Unlike a move on the mainland, you won’t be able to rely on trusted companies like Guardian Auto Transport to move your vehicles to your new island home. In some cases, you might even have to leave behind your possessions or cars when you move.
You’ll deal with hot and humid weather
Hot and humid weather on your new island can bring challenges for those unaccustomed to this climate. In addition to adjusting to extra heat and moisture levels, a new environment also brings unfamiliar insects and animals.
However, many islands have comfortably warm weather during much of the year. While it might be hot outside, islands have pleasant cool breezes to cool you down. If the breeze isn’t enough, jump right into the surrounding waters for a swim.
Island living is isolated
Your troubles aren’t the only thing you’ll leave behind when you move to a faraway island. You’ll also be leaving your family, friends, career, and networks of people you know and love.
An island’s remote location means it can be challenging to stay in touch with people back on the mainland. The postal mail and other delivery services are often delayed. Cell phone service can be spotty and unreliable.
Being separated by a body of water makes it impossible for people to simply jump in the car and drive to you for a visit. Be prepared to board a flight or boat for any excursions back to the mainland. You can expect to spend more nights watching Netflix than catching up with your old friends and family.
Suppose you are someone who finds solace in working relationships or your career. In that case, you should know that islands are not exactly known for their professional opportunities. You might be able to find work on the island itself or remote work opportunities based in other areas.
Lack of infrastructure and access
Islands, especially smaller islands in more remote locations, are known for their lack of infrastructure. This lack means fewer paved roads and transportation networks within the islands, making travel more challenging.
Most islands also have less reliable internet and cell phone service than the mainland. Many island WiFi networks are new or still developing. Technology can be outdated or not widespread enough to ensure coverage throughout the island.
There may also be less reliable electricity on some islands, especially in remote areas. Island-dwellers must be comfortable forgoing some of the comforts of reliable electricity in their new homes.
There is also less access to products and services. This diminished availability means you might not be able to obtain your favorite products you are used to having at your fingertips on the mainland. There might also be less access to hospitals or other medical supplies if you become sick or injured.
Islands can get boring
If you love the excitement of city living, an island might not be the best home for you. In general, islands can become tiresome. Being stuck in one place for a long time can make people stir-crazy, a feeling sometimes referred to as “Island Fever.”
Pros of island living
Even though it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, millions of people worldwide call islands their home, and it’s not for no good reason.
There’s natural, beautiful scenery all around
Islands are home to the most beautiful views in the world. It doesn’t get better than the natural beauty right in the backyards of most island homes. You will enjoy sunsets, cool, calm currents, and white sand beaches over the water.
A slow and relaxing lifestyle
Island life offers a slow and relaxing lifestyle perfect for people trying to escape the insanity of life on the mainland. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the shore, swim in the waters, and explore new parts of the island where you move.
On days when you want to stay in, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on your favorite TV series and relax in your new home’s cool indoors. Because you will not be rushing to work or obligatory events all the time, you have much time to relax.
You’ll get to know your neighbors
Islands are small spaces with solid communities. Residents often know one another well and come together in good and bad times. You can expect to be on first-name terms with those you interact with regularly and make new friends with your island neighbors.
You’ll experience a new culture
If you move to a faraway island, you can also experience a new culture by interacting with the locals. The islanders might speak different languages, follow other religions, or have different customs than you’re accustomed to at home.
Moving to a new place and immersing yourself in the culture is an excellent way to broaden your horizons and learn about a new way of life. If there is a particular island you want to move to, consider learning more about the local culture to decide if it will be a good fit before you pack up.
Wrap up
Island living can bring you new experiences, great weather, and a slower lifestyle in a beautiful location. However, it can also be expensive, isolating, and challenging to live without the mainland’s products and services. Do your research before you jump ship from the continent.
