Guernsey is one of those places that’s very easy to get to, but almost impossible to leave. As anyone who has moved here from elsehwere will tell you, the island has a magnetic charm that is impossible to ignore. Antonia Thomas, Local Market negotiator at Swoffers, came to Guernsey for a couple of months, a decade ago. The rest, as they say, is history.
“It was only meant to be for three months…”
As the saying going goes, if I had a pound.
Day-to-day, I so often hear this explanation as to why someone is living in Guernsey, and it always makes me smile knowingly. Just over 10 years ago, I left London for “the rock”, trundling down Brixton Hill with my huge, borrowed suitcase, having just told my flatmate that I would see her in a couple of months. However, the months flew by and before I knew it, I had permanently swapped SW2 for GY1.
I now proudly possess a Guernsey passport, but more importantly, an undoubtedly better quality of life. In 2020, the States of Guernsey produced a ‘Better Life Indicators’ report which gave an overall impression of quality of life in Guernsey compared to other jurisdictions, via a set of internationally comparable indicators. The island did incredibly well across the board, but frankly, nothing beats the feeling of successfully escaping the office at 4pm to make it to the beach fifteen minutes later. How’s that for a stat.
Let’s start with safety. Guernsey and its Bailiwick neighbours have some of the darkest night skies in the world – Sark was designated an International Dark Sky Community – but no need to be afraid of the dark, as our island is incredibly safe with one of the lowest levels of burglary, and other crimes in general. Amateur astrologists can venture out exploring without the need to lock, well, anything.
From bumps in the night to bumps requiring medical attention, our healthcare is quick to access. You can very often secure a primary care appointment within 24 hours. Our hospital, colloquially known as the PEH, is clean and safe, and whilst often at capacity, never ‘full’. No corridor wards, free parking, and an enviably available A&E.
Much like our famous Guernsey milk, our island politics has its own distinctive flavour, quite different to what is currently being consumed in the UK. Writing this on UK election day, whatever colour milk top the UK decides (did you know that whole milk here is red versus the mainland blue), change – and potential instability – is certainly on the menu. Guernsey is globally renowned for being politically stable; a favourable business environment that operates under its own, well-established jurisdiction.
I’m penning this whilst flying home. We’re coming into land, and I’m struck by the island’s beautiful coastline, the numerous bays and beaches. The distinctive shapes of the Bailiwick islands evoke such a sense of pride, each with their own traits and communities. There is a palpable sense of community serviced by numerous charities and organisations coordinating the efforts of an army of volunteers. The sporting opportunities here are endless; sea-swimming, cycling, running, football, boules and pétanque – sports clubs at all levels. Last year’s highly successful NatWest International Island Games were a showcase for local sporting achievement, exceptional considering the relatively small size of the island’s population.
I feel incredibly proud, and lucky, to call Guernsey my home. It’s not inconceivable that you could too. Place your trust in Swoffers to find your perfect home. See you on the beach!
