Thanks for the responses, ill get in touch with a couple of those places on Unst and in Lerwick. Since enquiring about life in the far north ive heard a mixed bag. im a 26 year old aircraft engineer, with qualifications in carbon fibre, health and safety, shipbuilding, management, computing and more having completed TWO apprenticeships. For about 6 years ive loved the idea of life up there, and its not just rose tinted dreaming. I live on the North Wales coast, its grey, windy and where I live has long past its heyday as the A55 made the North Wales coast road completely redundant, one by one all the caravan villages are getting slowly abandoned, lots of work at the ports is also closing as there is no passing trade, th only reason people come into my home town is to see a dry-docked cruise ship that's been rusting since 1979, Duke of Lancaster. Work here is all based in Chester, Wrexham, Bangor and other big towns and cities. My village is mainly farming, some employment at the last docks on the river dee (Mostyn) is available, I wouldn't change it for the world, anywhere I go where I can't see the sea, and hear the wind is not home to me. I worked on a rural runway in south france for a year in 2013 and loved the sense of isolation, I was free to do what I want when I want, although the heat and sun got me down as I can't be dealing with it. So in short for years ive been thinking of a move to the highlands or Islands and will be sending my CV to hial and others in the hope of securing a job in my sector, ive looked at Inverness, and then moved North East from here along the coast and then naturally on to your island and Orkney. While im not fully decided ive booked my second visit up this summer, and was wondering how best to spend my weeks. Im a sociable person, and happy with my own space. I can be differentiated from other young people with a dream n the fact, I have a trip planned, lots of skills to offer, comfortable financial situation and drive. Having done work on a farm as a youngster, and then working on the remote Raynes Jetty off the Colwyn Bay coast, I don't mind a bit of work with foul weather giving me its worst. Ive read other topics, and some of the Residents paint a very bleak picture of life up there. Long, dark, wet winters will undoubtedly get me low at times im only human but it isn't the full shock that some may experience when moving from a southern city. Can I ask a few questions please? Are young males with drive welcome up there? I hear of trouble from workers off barges etc in Lerwick, will I be tarred with the same brush? While im more than happy with my own company, and that of my PlayStation, Dog and birds it would be nice to make a friend or two in the villages, is there still a strong sense of community to be found there? This is another reason of my move, my home town is often full of Eastern European workers, who work long hours in the quarries, Theyre all great guys, but just not my community I had while growing up. I remember changing car tyres for old dears, building walls (dads a brickie) and generally being a bit of a dogsbody for people, it made my day pass and me feel good in and otherwise quiet community. While ive no desire for children at present I may do in the future, how is it for finding a partner? Same as everywhere else? My girlfriend is in her late 30's and doesn't want to up sticks, so i'd be making the move alone. Are house prices due to fall after the works at Sullum are done? Ive heard health care is hit and miss, but is it really that bad? Is there many from North Wales on Shetland? While I cant and wont pretend ive experienced a Shetland winter, I've had a taster as an ex girlfriends Family lives on Lewis. The weather doesn't bother me as im not heading up there dreaming of sun and ponies, im just after an honest comment having took me into consideration on what you think ill think of it up there. I'll be visiting in the summer either way. It's not a case of just losing the rat race like I read on here so often, its a life I love, I just want it more extreme, and scenic and your island more than fits the bill, if not i'm looking for suggestions of places between Inverness, North east coast or the islands, also looking for advice on how to best utilise my time there, Foula, Fair Isle or the Skerries definitely need a visit. Sorry for the boring long post, I just thought i'd share a bit about me first as im sure you get lots of people on here with nothing but a postcard and a dream. Thanks in advanced