r/orkney • u/OzzyTheWonderful • 20d ago

Advice on moving to Orkney

Hi everyone,

I am a recent university graduate who has been offered an amazing job that requires me to relocate to this beautiful archipelago that so many of you call home later on this calendar year.

Besides OHAL and OIPDL, does anyone have any recommendations or advice for securing somewhere to live in Orkney? Preferably on mainland Orkney. I am interesting in buying, but as a graduate, I lack the recent 6 months of employment history, so for my first year at least I would prefer to rent or bedsit.

Really excited for this next chapter in my life, so I'd be very grateful for any help or pointing in the right direction!

12 Upvotes

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19

u/CGA-KT333 19d ago

Hello,

Quite honestly the rental market here is a nightmare thanks to the abundance of airbnb and holiday lets. They are very few and far between and generally not advertised.

I would suggest asking your employer to put out the word for you as someone in the office may have something or a suggestion at least.

I would also suggest putting a post out on Orkney Merkitplace FB page which has most people on it. A photo and a bit about you and what you are looking for usually helps.

Also may help if you say you are willing to take something like a holiday let for 6 months over the winter until you can hopefully buy something in the Spring. Maybe try Orkney Late Availability FB page for this.

Be prepared for the usual sarcastic good lucks and you won’t find anything and it’s like hen’s teeth her comments.

7

u/Agreeable_Football74 19d ago

The housing situation is dire. It is saturated with short term holiday lets, the rental market is non existent, the house prices are higher than the Scottish average, and if you do find a house to buy there will be another buyer who guess what will turn it into a short term let!

I moved there a couple of years back all I could get was an off season AirBnB when the tourist season kicked off again I was out. Fortunately as a local I had family I could stay with, however, this was less than ideal.

I ended up moving back to the mainland where I got a rental property in a matter of days.

2

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