AL1CE
12/28/2013 13:08 EST
Hi Everybody,
I always knew I will move one day from Germany. I checked out Brasil, Africa and other Caribbean Countries and finally now I find my destination: Jamaica.
I'm 44 but doesn't feel like one ;-), no kids no husband, a lots of energy and hope it's never too late for a new start. I wants to move alone, on my own. I am a graphic designer with good skills and work since longer in eCommerce businnes, having good experiences in the gastronomy as well. Currently having a good job in Germany. I guess and hope, it's not going to be too hard to find a job or start a business. Where there's a will there's a way.
I moved 20 years ago from a small poor European country to Germany and made up my life here from scratch. So i think i am having a good life experiance to do it well?
Now i'll start to put my money together, collect information, try to come over for longer then few weeks and collect more information, and lets hope, time is gonna be ready in few years :-)
Now it's about to decide which part of Jamaica should it be? Maybe anybody can tell me some pros and cons MoBay vs Kingston area?
Thanks for the useful postings here, and I will keep you posted.
PS. I also have to work on my english, sorry for that ;-)
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deevah
12/29/2013 17:40 EST
Aww I feel your excitement. You sound like me at the moment! Off to the high commission on Friday then onwards from there. Praying it will be smooth sailing... ochi is where I am planning to be would love to interact more! My daughter is 7 and I am looking for a good school, would also like to kno2 more about your apts you're renting. (miz_dee@hotmail.com)
All the best
Dee
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AL1CE
12/30/2013 07:47 EST
Thank you Dee!
Yes, I am excited like hell, having hundreds of questions, doubts and fears but so happy at the same moment though, I was waiting for "this feeling in my belly" since years. And now its saying I am doing the right thing.
It seems a lot of people like Ochi, next time I have to spend more time there. I am still looking for the optimal area to start through. I can go where I feel like, I am single. Most of the girls I read and heard of them are coming with their husband or family or having a Jamaican boyfriend. So I don't have to take anybody else into account yet, but I think (and hope) I will find Mr. Right in Jamaica ;-)
At the moment I think the best would be for me to stay near Mo Bay, and look for work...
I want to take time to find good friends on the Island (at the moment I have one I can talk with about my plans), it's a bit difficult because the most of Jamaican people seeing this "moving-thing" different...
So my first plan sounds:
1. save my money
2. collect information, read read read..
3. to fly across next year for longer and chek different areas and different ways to find a good homebase
4. don't rush even it's tempting
I hope I am doing it right ;-)
I wish you guys a happy New Year, may our dreams come true!
Alice
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LoriB
12/30/2013 12:22 EST
Hi Al1ce, I love your post!
I have been living in JA about 6 years now, had a boyfriend here but came with the idea that 'anything could happen' and I had to find out if I would choose to live on my own in JA and not just because of the guy. Yes I would! And I'm still with the guy.
Inbox me if you want, I prefer PMs and do not post a lot of personal info publicly.
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ladylondon
12/31/2013 17:57 EST
Hi LoriB your post gives me lots of hope and added courage and im sure other women also. Im coming to live in JA next year with my Jamaican man and although I don't plan for us to separate Im glad to hear that as a woman you feel you could make it on your own as an expat.
Ladylondon
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Gardis
1/3/2014 19:07 EST
I was an expat in Jamaica for 10 years during the NAFTA heyday. Managed a factory in the Free Zones for an American company. I don't want to rain on your parade, but you are not going to "find a job" in Jamaica. The unemployment rate is very high for local people, and there are many qualified and educated Jamaicans. First, you probably wouldn';t even get a work permit from Ministry of Labor unless they were convinced your labors were needed. The only way to make money would be to start your own business, but there is very little money in Jamaica, so I don't know how that would work. I still have friends, and believe me, it's a tough tough situation. Good luck. Just trying to give you a little reality here.
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kmiller
1/3/2014 21:03 EST
Can't emphasize enough on how important Reality is as it pertains to those individuals who are following their heart.Plz don't leave your brains behind but I know there's always that one individual..best of luck not to burst anyones bubble me n my girls always discuss how nice Jamaica is but better when you have money. As Jamaican living abroad that's truth. So much for living off the land kmt .
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Gardis
1/3/2014 22:50 EST
The climate and lush scenery is very intoxicating, no question about it. But when I had to leave, I didn't for a moment think about trying to stay on my own. If you own your own business in JA, and you are successful, you become a target. That's just a sad fact. As I said, I have friends whom I'm in touch with, and they are struggling, but making it.
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AL1CE
1/4/2014 12:07 EST
I've just started to think about and plan HOW I could make it up in JA... thank you ladies for your opinion! Yes, it's important to keep the balance and stay realistic...
For me it`s crucial to know that I am doing it for myself and not because of a man - although I hope for The One and I guess sooner or later he will come ;-) I hope if it comes to this it will be a help and it's not going to confuse me :-)
Otherwise, I am of course aware of the situation, that getting a job (will say, to find the way how to make money for living) could be a problem. I have to picture my possibilities whether a job or own business. I am uncommitted and I keep my ears open, I coud do both which means having a plan B is mandatory before taking the plunge.
I think the differences in our point of view could be defined with one question "How we wants to live, do we wants to change, and if we can take a pass on our standards of living and in which way?" I would love to hear some experiences about this point of change of lifestyle, I think we all wants to change something? I am willing to break off my career for something with less fame and I am willing to give up my highheels for slippers :-)
Have a nice weekend everybody!
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labellalife
1/11/2014 13:32 EST
Alice, I love your post, your will to adventure and following your dreams, I can relate to the feeling. My boyfriend is Jamaican and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost two years. I"m going to Jamaica in May, and giving it a try for 3 about months, hopefully I'll decide to stay. Jamaica is beautiful and vibrant country, but I feel I can't make a decision to move permanently based on short visits. Like you, I've lived in a few countries in the past and feel I am able to adapt to my surroundings easily, give up on some luxuries to take the beauty and gratification of simple island living, but Jamaica will no doubt be a challenge! That's why I'm trying to keep my feet grounded while keeping an open mind. After researching and researching for over a year now, I'm convinced it will be near impossible to find a job there. I've asked and asked, people that have moved there and people that are Jamaicans, they all say the same "you have to open your own business" So before investing money in opening a business I decided I have to live there and make sure that Jamaica is the place I want to be and settle down, like LoriB says I want to make sure I would live there by myself if I had to. So that's what i'm planning on doing. I haven't really thought about what kind of business to start, I want to base my decision taking one step at a time. For now, my first step is checking the country out and making sure I can live there, once I've been there for a few months and if I decide to stay I'm hoping Jamaica will give me an answer on what business I need to get myself into and go from there. I know it paperwork to start a legitimate business is about $2,500, and this includes a work permit for about a year. Good luck and lets stay in touch, one of the girls in this forum has started a FAcebook page for us all, check it out,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/660905247273282/
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AL1CE
1/13/2014 16:40 EST
Hi labellalife,
thx for your post! Everything you write makes sense to me, i love your mindset and strategy i really can feel with you. From my point of wiev you doing it right. I wish the best for you! I am trying to do likewise and planing to come to JA for 3 or 4 months, few weeks holidays are just to short. I think in 3 months you can have a reasonable "answer from Jamaica" (i love the way you saying it :-)). The feeling have to grow and we have to walk with all our senses wide open!
I think (for now) that Jamaica is the right place for me, but it is just a feeling - a strong one though - for now, it is a wish. It is important to me how the jamaicans will take me up. Social integration is important to me. So my next step is to visit again (July this year for 3 weeks) and then to make it possible to get over for few months soon. I envy you so much (but in a good way ;-) going for 3 months in May, i keep my finger crossed, best of luck lets stay in touch!
I joined the FB Page already but with my real name. I will send you a link in a PM. I hope to meet some of you there in July?
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lala718
1/14/2014 15:56 EST
Hey Deevah, Marjam Prep, St. John's Prep are two good schools in Ocho Rios. If you want to venture outside Ocho Rios, then Mt. Alvernia Prep in Montego Bay is another option. I'm looking into all 3 for my kids.
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AL1CE
1/14/2014 17:26 EST
Hi lala,
great, I am looking forward seeing you in Jamaica, let's stay in touch.
Thank you ladies for posting, you are really great!
BTW... just asking... are in this group only women...? lol.... it seems Jamaica appeal to girls :-)
Have a good time everybody!
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nuovi
1/20/2014 16:34 EST
labellalife...I think you may have over priced your work permit and registration for a business. I have just spoken with someone who owns a business in Jamaica who has indicated the cost being about $300 CAD or less and about $100- $1000 CAD for a work permit.
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labellalife
1/22/2014 11:14 EST
100 to 1000?? that doesn't sound right, but if the person who gave you the info already has a business then they must have a better idea than me. All the information that I've gathered is from the internet, from Jamaica government websites and expats blogs with information. Here are some of the links I used to come up with an approximate of $2,500, in the last link is a fee table, work permits for marriage exemptions along are at around $500.
http://www.orcjamaica.com/services/bus_registration.asp
http://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.php?artid=42
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