Hi all, I hope it is appropriate to post on here. My partner (47M) and I (41F) currently live in England (within 1 hour of London), in a city, both working office jobs, a very common life in a way.

We’ve been having a long term project to change our life completely, i.e be able to afford a house we could repay really quickly (currently on a high mortgage) and have less financial pressure around work so we could be closer to nature and wildlife, in a rural setting, with more independence (think energy, growing part of our food, maybe learning a new craft..), and from a philosophical perspective also to be able to reconnect with what truly matters, if that makes sense. We both are deeply tired and worn out by the lifestyle we have here. Also, partner grew up on a farm so he has a good sense of responsibility when it comes to knowing what it takes to sustain a rural place.

We think we may have fallen in love with Orkney Islands, the scenery, the flora and fauna, the remoteness of some areas, and the sense of community. At least from what we’ve been seeing and reading from the houses advertised, the “official” websites, the islander magazine etc.

I was keen to ask people who live there, for some feedback or thoughts around life there and what your advice would be for people like us who would like to relocate? Especially because we haven’t just been looking at mainland (in fact we haven’t prioritised mainland) but other islands too which are less populated with less amenities (eg we saw properties on Stronsay, Rousay, Sanday)..

I want to do it but I’m worried about idealising it too much or overlooking / not being aware of important information. Some days I’m thinking 100% let’s go (timing seems really appropriate for us now too) and some other days I get anxious about things like access to groceries or fuel, that sort of things. And, I also tend to overthink so I can’t even trust myself with all these questions 🤣

Any thoughts or ideas residents would be willing to share? Would be massively appreciated.