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cost of living in Jamaica

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goya
  2/28/2007 11:39 EST

I am thinking of moving to Jamaica to live in the near future. I would also like to comunicate with anybody who live´s there, penpal etc.
Could anyone tell me what is the cost of living in Jamaica, we are a family of 4.
Thanking you all in advance.
Diane
I am british but lived all my life in Spain and 8 years in Venezuela

NickA
  3/8/2007 08:47 EST

I too am a Brit living in Jamaica for 5 months, but my cost comparisons are with Canada where I lived for many years. I live here with my wife and 2 kids.

I find Jamaica quite costly. Housing is the biggest expense. I spend $2500(US) on rent for a month for a small town house and about $500 on electricity. I have resisted buying a car for my wife as both the purchase price and financing are high. However, I cannot give details as I drive a company vehicle.

Our grocery bill is about 50% higher than in Canada, although we could reduce if we chose local rather than imported brands.

The other major expense is school fees. My boys are educated privately costing me about $6,000 each per year . There are government schools, but for ages 12 and above far too few places for students who want to attend.

Income tax plus other deductions runs at about 30%.

I hope that this helps

Nick

The cheapest thing seems to be domestic help. A full-time housekeeper nanny will cost about $500 a month.

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NickA
  3/8/2007 08:51 EST

I too am a Brit living in Jamaica for 5 months, but my cost comparisons are with Canada where I lived for many years. I live here with my wife and 2 kids.

I find Jamaica quite costly. Housing is the biggest expense. I spend $2500(US) on rent for a month for a small town house and about $500 on electricity. I have resisted buying a car for my wife as both the purchase price and financing are high. However, I cannot give details as I drive a company vehicle.

Our grocery bill is about 50% higher than in Canada, although we could reduce if we chose local rather than imported brands.

The other major expense is school fees. My boys are educated privately costing me about $6,000 each per year . There are government schools, but for ages 12 and above far too few places for students who want to attend.

Income tax plus other deductions runs at about 30%.

I hope that this helps

Nick

The cheapest thing seems to be domestic help. A full-time housekeeper nanny will cost about $500 a month.

Antoiy
  3/31/2007 07:50 EST

I Goya i was born in jamaica and the weather is lovely and the people its not that expensive here to survive if you understand what i mean, but alittle costly feel free to ask any other questions or email me @ [email protected]

petalr
  4/5/2007 10:55 EST

Hello Goya,

I am Jamaican who has lived in North American for a few years and the cost of maintain the same lifestyle here (in Jamaica) to when you are in the U.S. or Canada can be higher.

In order to keep our living costs down while not reducing the standard of living, we have had to do a number of things:
1. buy local food and produce; imported items will send your grocery biil through the roof
2. Look for rental outside of the prime areas, but close enough to Kgn. It also helps if you can find someone you can trust to help you look
3. Good quality schools come at a high cost. That's an additional expense u may not be able to avoid. We have decided to home school our 4 year old
4. Transportation is something else to look at. The public transportation system is not good, so having a vehicle is a necessity.
These are the things that comes to my mind readily. However, If you have any further questions or concerns, I would be glad to help

blessedluv30
  4/17/2007 18:27 EST

I just moved to Jamaica last summer and find the cost of living about what you would find in Spain. I lvied in Spain for about 2 years.. I guess it depends where in Jamaica you plan to move. I live in Montego Bay and the rent is based on where you live. I live in Brandon Hill which is in walking distance to downtown and the beaches. My rent for a new 2bedroom apartment is 900us a month and the apartment comes with dishwasher, stove, fridge, microvave, ac all the standard stuff like the us apt. would have and it about 1200 sq ft. its pretty roomy. food is inexpensive if you cut out all the imported items. Motor vehicle is expensive because of the duty on it. housekeeper is less than a 100us a week. private school can range in price from school to school. My daughter's school is about 600us per term. Your biggest expense is where you live and what you drive... the rest is up to you.. anymore help you can e-mail me at [email protected]

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sheeraa10
  6/18/2007 17:29 EST

What about laundry, do any apartments there have washer/dryer in the units, or is there a facility in the building? What do you do?

elansing
  6/27/2007 05:09 EST

I noticed you were going to homeschool. I am looking for information on home schooling in Jamaica for Jamaican natives. Can you give me any contact info?

geyr7
  7/10/2007 10:14 EST

most of the housing for expats includes a washer and dryer. some apartments have communal facilities.

fwade
  8/14/2007 08:10 EST

See the following link on the cost of living in Jamaica -- which places it just above Cleveland Ohio.

http://francismove.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-expensive-is-kingston-jamaica.html

JamesPriester
  9/26/2007 09:06 EST

I have a home in Black RIver/Parottee Beach and find the cost very/very cheap. Confused as to the fellow paying 2500 US for rent when you can build using indigenous materials for $40 US a foot versus 80 in US. If you wish to live in Negril/Port Antonio, it will be VERY expensive - - - why live among Americano's, stay in Flroida. Price of land is still cheap - - - on South Coast at anywhere from 25K per half acre on beach to 120K on the beach. Try Florida, where it is millions. Buying local foods at the open market, about 20% less. I just had my wholle house painted on outisde (sandsplashed afterwards) for about $800 US for a 1400 sq ft house with much detaling. How much would you pay in the US? The problem is many American's DO NOT want to adjust their life styles accordingly and are missing the boat. That is like going to Venice and complaining "there are not automobiles" - - - drop the ethnocentric behaviors and ideals and adjust accordingly. One must also be creative in locating land, as I did 15 years ago. ON FOOT - - - NOT by locating a blasted real estate developer - - -a major rip off and a possible legal nightmare. Other ways of doing it. Anyway, drop a line if you need information. I can write back to you and answer emails about X1 a week - - - Not sure if I am to put my emails on this site as i fear being spammed, etc. HOpe this helps.

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JamesPriester
  9/26/2007 09:07 EST

I have a home in Black RIver/Parottee Beach and find the cost very/very cheap. Confused as to the fellow paying 2500 US for rent when you can build using indigenous materials for $40 US a foot versus 80 in US. If you wish to live in Negril/Port Antonio, it will be VERY expensive - - - why live among Americano's, stay in Flroida. Price of land is still cheap - - - on South Coast at anywhere from 25K per half acre on beach to 120K on the beach. Try Florida, where it is millions. Buying local foods at the open market, about 20% less. I just had my wholle house painted on outisde (sandsplashed afterwards) for about $800 US for a 1400 sq ft house with much detaling. How much would you pay in the US? The problem is many American's DO NOT want to adjust their life styles accordingly and are missing the boat. That is like going to Venice and complaining "there are not automobiles" - - - drop the ethnocentric behaviors and ideals and adjust accordingly. One must also be creative in locating land, as I did 15 years ago. ON FOOT - - - NOT by locating a blasted real estate developer - - -a major rip off and a possible legal nightmare. Other ways of doing it. Anyway, drop a line if you need information. I can write back to you and answer emails about X1 a week - - - Not sure if I am to put my emails on this site as i fear being spammed, etc. HOpe this helps.

sugarbee
  10/5/2007 07:40 EST

i agree fully you do have to adjust your live stlye accordingly.
i am moving from the uk with my 3 children in the new year to the north coast, and need info on finding schools setting up a small business ie sourcing stock and finding land. if you can help me on any of these things please email me at
[email protected]

affordableweb
  11/1/2007 13:17 EST

I laugh when I hear people say it's expensive to live in Jamaica when I know Jamaicans who do it on less than $100US per week in earnings for a family of three.

It is expensive to live in Jamaica as an American. You absolutely must change your lifestyle if you plan on making it here.

I live in Negril and it is more expensive but we like it here. With the right information I do belive a family can live here for less than what they would in America and with a far better quality of life.

You can read all bout our move to Jamaica at http://www.jamaicamax.com

Atrida
  1/17/2008 22:48 EST

Hi Goya!!
I am venezuelan and I live in Jamaica since 2001. Did you finally move to Montego Bay??
Please let me know, so we can get in touch

Cazwin
  4/23/2008 10:43 EST

Hi,My name is Caz &
I am a new member & I notice that you live in Mo Bay, can you tell me about the private school that your daughter attends- I will shortly be moving to Mo Bay from the UK. I have 2 girls, age 10 & 13yrs old. We are currently building our house in Mo Bay.

Thanks

Trini
  5/5/2008 21:48 EST

Caz,

Check with the British high Commission in Kingston, about schools in Mobay, as Montego Bay is called.This cannot hurt you.
Also make certain you do a pre-arrival trip before finally moving. On this trip check out grocery stores, and household stores, so you will be aware of what to pack for the move.

Good luck
TriniJA

kenniebenck
  1/27/2012 17:20 EST

Ha NickA what do you do for a liveing and is there some were we i can get info i have 15,782 $ us bus i dont have a shampan diat i i have slep in a iron bed without a mat also if you wount i would love to tlake to you on a phone sometime soon

ejack
  12/20/2013 14:58 EST

Hi. Did you end up moving to Jamaica? If yes, can you please give some feedback on your experience. I am in the position you were 6 years ago wondering if it will be worthwhile to move to Jamaica.

isme888
  4/3/2015 15:04 EST

Wow Are you living in a palace? Your paying way to much!!! Your landlord must be a Very Happy man! You should take a look around, compare prices.
We rent out our home $400 mth in May Pen ( quiet street fenced 3 bedroom 1/2 acre) hydro is aprox $40 mth ( canadian) now I could get $650 but life is hard for alot of people so we price down. Friend in Ochi pays $1000 gated community.

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