Gallivanting the Greek Islands

So i am sitting in the communal area of my hostel during my last hours in Santorini. I will then be heading to the large island of Crete.
These smaller islands I have visited, Mykonos and Santorini, and just two of a number of islands that make up the Cyclades. They are certainly well known, especially as some of the other islands in the group are Ios and Paros.
My first thought about the two I visited was overrated. People love these islands, but as a traveller, I don't understand why.
Take Mykonos for example. It is known for paradise beach, a place for beach parties. The old town has a slight charm to it with its right alleyways, and all the buildings based on a similar shape and all the same colour. But ultimately it is about the parties. Culturally, there was nothing. Locals don't hang at these beaches or go to these parties, and why would they when the door charge is €40 a night, so the only ones you can talk to are those working, and often they weren't even from the island.
Although I am sure families go, it isn't a family place, and not really a place for solo travellers. The hostels don't tend to provide opportunities for people to mix and mingle. It is also full of your groups, like bus about.
The beaches are nice, but crawling with umbrellas and loungers that you have to pay for or go to the end of the beach. I did relax during the day which was nice, and swam, but if you didn't go out in the evening, the nights were disturbed by literally hundreds of drunks.
I did go to Martin solveig one night and that was great as decent djs are always good. But based on this experience, unless you are much more outgoing then I am, don't bother going to mykonos as a solo.
Santorini was a much quieter place. Yes there are lots of tourists around, but they are much easier to avoid. I walked from Fira to Oia and only encountered four people. The buildings and donkeys are pretty well known here, so those are the areas that are busy. Sunset is also one of the must famous attractions, but even then you can find a nice quiet spot.
I liked Santorini as although I was fluey throughout, I was able to relax and find nice quiet spots for contemplation. But of it is the beauty you are coming for, then I would recommend going elsewhere. It is a nice island, and if in the region, then yes, come, otherwise it is just a sun baked landscape set on volcanic rocks with lovely sunsets, tidy looking towns and interesting topography. But then again, I have been spoilt having been raised in the scenically must beautiful country in the world (based on where I have been) and currently live in the prettiest city in Europe in my opinion.
So as you can see, the islands haven't lived up to expectations, I my time in Mykonos made me realise that travelling to party only places really isn't my scene (so Ibiza, and Las Vegas are two places I probably won't bother with). Instead I prefer going out with friends or groups from smaller hostels to bars and clubs which have a more local feel in places that have some culture about it (like my Eastern European travels earlier on this trip), and as most friends know, places that are cheap are also great too since I usually wouldn't spend more the 30 pounds for a night out.
8 days left.
Joshua