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Will I really save money if i move to Mandeville?

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expat43
  3/14/2015 11:31 EST

Hi folks. I have been doing a lot of research on our impending move to Jamaica. Moving costs are known, we found a beautiful home in Mandeville. I basically understand utility costs for the area, and having a vehicle.

My wife is Jamaican, I am a US citizen. I work from home but need to travel to my clients so as long as I can get to the airport and fly to the US should be no problem. And work in my home office reliably.

On paper it looks like we can save a ton of money moving to this location in Jamaica. What practical things might I not be considering that will bite me?

Conveniences? Consistent Internet Access? Reliable utilities? Other hidden costs? Legalities?

Thank you!

viviangrayjr
  3/17/2015 07:24 EST

Dear expat43

Mandeville is a "retirement" community. Central Mandeville is best known as the place where returning residents live. it has all the modern amenities but not much by way of night life and entertainment. If most of your business is in Kingston, ensure that you have a reliable motor vehicle, or if you prefer you can take the chartered Knutsford Express bus service (see their website). Apart from those things, you should have no difficulties in Mandeville. Your main problem will be the cost of housing, school 9if you have school-age kids) and food which are all on the high-end in Mandeville.

Cheers.

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expat43
  3/17/2015 14:05 EST

@VivianGrayjr

Valuable information, especially about the bus transportation. Thank you!

lala718
  3/17/2015 15:16 EST

There are a lot of expats in Mandeville, especially from the UK. Internet services should be on par, so that's something I doubt you will have to worry about. There are good high schools and preparatory schools if you have kids. The airport in Kingston will be the closer of the 2 and with the new highways constructed, it's pretty fast getting there. They have a night clubs, but not as large or upscale as some in Kingston or the North Coast. Badminton Sports Club is a good way to socialize. Electricity bill can be quite high overall ( I got a bill for over $20,000 on 1 vacation). Enjoy the cool hills of Manchester and best of luck to you.

expat43
  3/17/2015 16:30 EST

@ lala718

Thank you as well for that. My current utility bill exceeds that 20K mark, so if that's on the high side, I'm in pretty good shape.

We are really excited (and stressed), we just have to get past the move itself and get settled in.

Again, thank you.

lala718
  3/26/2015 15:58 EST

Expat43, $20,000 worth of utility is high having used it for only 2 weeks. We were there for only 2 weeks.

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MDMoore
  4/7/2015 12:36 EST

Hi all and expat34 all the best with the move. Yes Mandeville is very much returnee land I put down to the cooler climate. In the last few years it's developed nicely by means of amenities and transport links though it recently had the Odeon cinema close down. You should settle in well no doubt. I migrated there a couple years ago and recently created a show and blog about transitioning, living and working etc. If you want to hear some personal stories you can visit www.homeandawayjamaica.com. I hope it's useful. Enjoy Jamaica!

JamLiving
  5/9/2015 15:52 EST

Yes, lala718 that is pretty high. I am wondering if it was a quote given by the person you rented from, or from a legal meter. Hmm.
Re: MDMoore, Mandeville is a parish in which you should settle in nicely. There is excellent internet access as long as you're not in the 'Boondocks', houses around town center and the upscale Ingleside area and surroundings should have utility costs that are on par with any developed side of the country esp since there are a large number of expats in Mandeville.
Hidden costs sometimes is gas rate especially if you are driving a lot around town as well as touring other areas frequently. However, with your office being at home, that hidden cost (which surprises a lot of visitors who are up and down every where) should not be a huge issue for you.
Hope this helped.
Dainty

expat43
  5/27/2015 20:21 EST

Great information thank you. We ar now here in mandeville so far so good. Now we need a vehicle and this is posing to be a task. Without established work history locally the banks are not too interested regardless of my income. Any ideas? I will also query the site on this topic. After moving cash is low to put out in full on a car.

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