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Advice needed urgently

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ScottyBee
  7/11/2012 07:07 EST

Hi guys. New member here. I've read through a LOT of the posts on this site and you guys seem really nice and helpful, so I thought I'd ask a question. I really quite worried about this.

I've been offered a permanent job in the Bahamas, in Nassau. It's with the same company that I am currently with, just in a different division. The role itself is exactly what I was looking for - it would also be a perfect fit for my career and would set me up for the type of roles I want in the future - but I have my doubts about the location.

I've always wanted to work abroad so this seems great, but I've never been to the Caribbean, and I don't know anyone who's ever visited The Bahamas. To compound the issue, I've been told there's no "assistance" for relocation. This means that they won't set me up with a place to stay or pay my flights. They'll sort out my work permit, but that's it.

This leaves it all up to me, which is a little daunting as I know nothing about the place. I've also got a wife and baby who'd be coming with me which means that my first instinct of "just take the job and figure out everything else when you get there" won't work this time.

I need to find a (safe) place to rent an apartment, I need to find a reputable & safe crèche for my kid.

What would constitute a "good" salary over there? I know that it's a good bit more expensive than where I'm from (scotland). Would 90 - 100k (dollars) be a "good salary"? Enough to live in a gated community?

Where would be best to live? I know the west side of the island is nicer and quieter, but how long would it take to get to the centre of Nassau each morning? Is there reliable public transport?

Would I be better (and safer) renting an apartment somewhere in the centre of Nassau? (I won't have a car immediately).

I'm not a nervous guy by nature, but when you're responsible for a baby it changes your perspective, as I am sure you all understand!

Any help or advice you could give would be really most appreciated. I need to give an answer by Friday / Monday next!!

Thanks again

DanCavanaugh
  7/11/2012 09:15 EST

Good morning!! There are some good places to live in Nassau, the rents are a little high. Best to get a good agent to help with this. You can find them on line. With no car a taxi will cost you about $20.00 each way. Food cost are also a little high,meat and produce are almost all imported. Milk is just short of $5.00 a gal, gas $5.70 a gal. But the weather is great! Work permits, are about $ 150.00 per week. Hope this helps and does"t Bust you'r bubble. Dan

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ScottyBee
  7/11/2012 09:20 EST

Cheers Dan. I have my work permit sorted out so that's not an issue.

I'm really just wondering about the best places to live, (downtown? suburbs? gated community?) and how to get around without a car - are there any buses / trains?

DanCavanaugh
  7/11/2012 10:57 EST

No trains it is a small island! There are a few gated coms, depends on how much you want to spend. I lived on Andros Is 26 miles west. I spent 31/2 years there. I worked for Walkers Cay for 5 yrs. I also spent much time on Great Guana Cay off Marsh Harbor. but not much time in Nassau.I like the outislands best.

ScottyBee
  7/11/2012 12:02 EST

Thanks Dan. Yeah I should have guessed about the trains!

The gated community thing is really because of what i've heard about the violence there. Coming from scotland there is (virtually) no armed robbery - the lads who do that knock over post-offices / banks, they don't come into your house with a gun.

So it was really the threat of gun-violence that had me thinking of gated communities. I was looking at the Nassau Guardian today and they were saying that there's been 72 murders so far this year on the island. That's a LOT.

Anyway, as I said most of my concerns are around security for my family. Thanks for all the advise - i'll keep reading around!

DanCavanaugh
  7/11/2012 13:29 EST

Most of the problems are drug related,even in the U.S. there are places you don't go. So you ask when you get there where the problems are. Where I live in the states we don't have problems ,most of us own guns. The island I am moving to only has about 700 or so people on it and it is 90 miles long.

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ScottyBee
  7/12/2012 10:08 EST

One other question that you might be able to answer is - it is possible (in a practical sense) to live on one of the closer out islands and commute via ferry / boat to New Providence on a daily basis.

Does anyone do this? I really prefer the idea of living outside New providence from what I've heard - not least the fact that the Bahamas has the highest reported rate of rape in the world.

DanCavanaugh
  7/12/2012 10:50 EST

The best way to answer that is for you to go on Google earth and take a close look at the Bahamas. It is also a great way to explore the Island without being there. The closest Island is 26 miles away.The only travel between islands other than air is by mail boat,they run on a weekly basis.

ScottyBee
  7/12/2012 11:11 EST

Ah - okay. Sorry. I read somewhere that water taxis run between the islands so I thought that this might be on a daily basis.

DanCavanaugh
  7/12/2012 14:35 EST

The only water taxi that I know of runs between Acklins Is and Crooked Is. There are water taxi's that run every day from Marsh Harbor and the out lying islands. None that I know of in Nassau.

shealao
  7/12/2012 14:46 EST

Hello. I thought I might be a little help to you. I don't live in the Bahamas quite yet, but I'm in the middle of moving out there. My husband too got a job, however no Paradise Island. We have a 4 year old and newborn, so the move in itself is overwhelming. Fortunately my husband's job has been a great help in terms of introducing him to a realtor. Check out Bahamasrealty.bs. A realtor from there was able to show my husband around, some great rental spots, as well as schools. The people out there are a great help.

I too have been quite overwhelmed by the acts of violence, home break-ins, and the amount of rapes that happen in the Bahamas, but like any other place it's all about knowing your surroundings. I've heard that you don't want to live in Central Bahamas. But of course once again, it all depends on the area you choose. Read my post - Moving to the Bahamas with 2 young kids. I had a great response from someone listing good gated communities all in Nassau. You def want to make sure you and your family are in a safe area, if not gated, with a good security system and shutters on all windows.

Another one of my concerns is what to bring out with the move. I'm sure you've done your homework on customs and paying duty on everything you bring in? We plan on only moving with our clothes, toys, and baby items needed. I found a link throughout one of these blogs that supplied a list of the cost on duty for each item. If you PM me and supply me with your email address, I can send you the form that shows how much you pay on all your items you bring in.

It's a BIG move, and quite overwhelming, however I keep reminding myself that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wish you the best of luck! And if I find out more helpful information during our move, I will PM you.

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clcizme
  7/12/2012 23:31 EST

Perhaps they read about the Water Taxi from Paradise Island to Nassau. It can be confusing when looking at things on the internet to determine where everything is in relation to everything else.

breija
  7/13/2012 20:50 EST

Hi Scotty,

I have sent you a PM with a lot of info to hopefully help you with your decision making. Also do read through my public post to shealao from last month. There is also a lot of info there.

Hope the info helps!

debib
  7/25/2012 22:53 EST

I know some realtors who can help you with all you need. If you can afford to come down ahead of your wife and baby, I woudl recommend. It can take soem time to set up everything for your apartment and why put them thru the stress if you don't have to. PM me if you want more info.

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