does anyone live in the shetland isles?

Question

what is it like?

Answer 1

No, but have visited a few times. (Lerwick)

Think small coastal towns with normal people living there, just a little isolated from the mainland. Nearly all food & supplies are shipped in by boat, including mail. There is a small air service, but ferry (Aberdeen) is easiest way to get there.

Weather varies from beautiful sunshine to horrendous storms. Being so exposed there are basically no trees over 3 or 4 feet high!! Being quite far north, the summer days last for ages, with the sun barely dipping below the horizon. During the winter - this is obviously reversed, and daylight hours are pretty short - think 9AM (ish) sunrise....3PM sunset.

Fairly friendly locals and loads of rugged landscape. Fantastic for photographers.

I've always gone in the spring (April/May) and been blessed with amazing weather.

Found this review: "Strong sense of community. Easy to make friends. The air is good, the spaces wide, and you will live longer. In Lerwick, the capital, you’ll have everything on your doorstep. Even in the sticks, there are vans that come with meat, fish, and library books. The climate is equable, if prone to hurricanes. It’s mostly bearable, except in dark January. January is awful and you will probably try to kill yourself.

House prices are relatively cheap but starting to go bonkers. I bought my two-bedroom with garden deep in the country 17 months ago for £64,000. I could easily sell it now for £85,000 or £90,000.

Health. Well, homes for the elderly are excellent, but you won’t be ready for that yet. GP services are good. At 10:05 one morning last week, I phoned for an appointment and was seen at 10:45.

Shetland is an adventure. It’s excitingly "foreign" for a part of the UK. Shetland is its own little country."

Answer 2

Wet and windy usually.

Answer 3

It's more windy and wet.

Answer 4

not me