Hello & Welcome. Westgate Hills or Ironshore are 2 areas to consider. Depending on the amenities you want $700 USD may be a little low or could be just about right.

We live in Westgate Hills now and are moving to a bigger apartment. 2 bedroom, 2 bath for J$60,000 / month (about $480 USD). I also telecommute. Is your employer authorizing you to telecommute from outside the U.S.? (we may want to discuss via pm)

Cable with Internet: J$7000 - J$8000
Elec: J$3000

Hope this helps...

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00abuse

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Wow, that is cheaper than I expected. We currently pay $70 per month for Internet only and $150-$200 per month for electricity. I haven't talked to my employer yet but I still have time. Do you have power outages often? I heard that is an issue in Jamaica. How is it buying groceries and personal items? Is it expensive. Is the a grocery "chain" in Jamaica?

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00abuse

I hear what you're saying!! I lived in south Florida as well (and in other parts of the country). My cable & internet (Comcast or U-Verse) was always well over $150 a month and electric was $100 - $150 a month depending on how much a/c or heat I used. Internet with FLOW is J$4,199.00 (about $35 USD). Cable is with Cornwall and that is J$2000 a month.

There are occasional power and Internet/Cable outages however I can't say it's any worse than south Florida or the north when there are ice & snow storms. For Internet I have 4G backup and have only had to use it a couple times. The power outages have only lasted an hour or so (knock wood).

What I see as more of a nuisance is the water outages or low pressure at times although most homes/buildings have water tanks. Our current home has no hot water however our new apartment does have hot water. Something you may need to get accustomed to. LOL, cold showers aren't all that bad!!

There are several grocery chains here... Mega-Mart, Progressive and Shoppers Fair (owned by Progressive). Progressive is generally the higher end / most expensive, Mega-Mart is in the middle and Shoppers Fair is best priced overall. Our typical food bill is J$10,000 - J$15,000 a week (for 2 people) although I must say we aren't typical. Usually that includes a couple bottles of wine and other things a lot of Jamaicans don't usually buy. Although when I convert the amount to US dollars it's $80 - $120 and not that far off of what I would spend a week in the states for myself. (We do eat fairly well here.)

Mega-Mart is good for a lot of staple items although the same at Shoppers Fair is always a few dollars less. We have found going to the open air "Farmers Market" in Mobay on weekends for fruits & vegetables is cheaper than all the stores. We also found a garden center that has fresh fruits & vegetables and they are a little higher than the "farmers Market" but almost half the price of the stores.

Personal items can be more expensive. I always bring back toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, hair care and other items when I go to the states. LOL, I also bring back coffee (I live on coffee) because I feel it's way too expensive here and NOT as good as a good French or Italian Roast. (just my opinion).

Small appliances can be expensive. I bought and brought down a Magic Bullet. $40 anywhere in the states. Here it sells for J$12,000!!! On the other hand I priced a 60 inch LG television. While I could buy it for far less in the states by the time I paid shipping (or extra baggage charge) and Tax & Duty it was almost the same price as I could buy it here.

I have been able to bring a lot in with me when I travel and return and Customs hasn't given me any trouble.

If you read my other posts about car buying that will take a lot of patiences!!! As will anything when dealing with the government.

I use a mail forwarding company in south Florida and order stuff online, have it shipped there and then pick it all up when I go to the states. I have been going back about once a month but that will change to about once a quarter. Funny, I go back with 2 almost empty suit cases and come back packed!!

We just did our long term monthly budget (Rent, car, elec, cable, food, etc) and it comes in at J$162,000 (about $1300 a month) for the 2 of us. I don't know anywhere in the states that you could live (very well) for $1300 a month!!

Major purchases such as furniture, appliances, etc are a little more expensive here however it's not something that you'll buy often. You just grin and bare it.

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Thank you for all the info. It's very helpful. Do you have dual residency? Can I just come down there and rent a place for as long as I want or do I have to leave Jamaica for certain periods of time? Do I have to get a visa? I just don't want to get in trouble for staying in the country too long.

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00abuse

My fiancee is Jamaican and after the wedding next month I'll be applying for residency.

If neither you or your husband are Jamaican Nationals you'll be able to enter the country on a tourist VISA. Usually they will give you 90 days (rare cases up to 6 months) however they could use the date of your return ticket. YES, you will need a return ticket as most of the airlines will not allow you to check-in without a return ticket.

If your husband (or yourself) is a National the other spouse can apply for residency which will allow you to remain in the country. Also if either you or your spouse's parents were/are Jamaican citizens and you (or he) were born outside of Jamaica you can still apply/qualify.

If you stay beyond the 90 days (or the date stamped in your passport) you could apply for an extension, I believe the fee is J$50,000.

FYI... last weekend we were stopped twice for a "Safety Check". Once on the way to Negril and the other on the way to Mother's Day dinner (the same road but different times & places). The office wanted to see my driver's license and of course I had a copy of my passport with the entry stamp. He just let us go after checking all the paper work (car registration, fitness certificate, insurance and license.)

Renting an apartment or house here shouldn't be much of an issue. Most of the landlords are pretty laid back & easy going. Some will require a lease but most won't bother, they'll take you at your word and as long as you pay the rent "it's good." Legally they can't ask for a security deposit however the court has determined if the money paid is for a security deposit and fully refundable when a tenant vacates it is acceptable. Get it in writing. Some landlords will just apply the security to the last month rent.

Have you and/or your husband spent any time here for an extended period? and I don't mean at a resort. Living here and vacationing here are 3 different things.

I saw that you are an accountant and looking for work here. (although you mentioned tele-commuting) What is your husband going to do for work? He retired? pension or SSI?

I might suggest that you find a place for short-term (airbnb.com is good for that) and rent a place for a month or two and try it out. If you like it than make plans to stay here, if not than you can always return to the U.S.

Passport & Immigration Information: http://www.pica.gov.jm/

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00abuse

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Neither I nor my husband are of Jamaica descent. I have checked into a few websites but I can't seem to find real info on citizenship or visas. I am hoping to telecommute but if this isn't an option, I would like to know about accounting work in Jamaica. My husband doesn't currently work. I have found that I can stay in Jamaica up to 180 per year but what happens after that? What happens if I am in the country longer? How can I legally stay in Jamaica if there is no Jamaican heritage and I have to work? We are not wealthy and live paycheck to paycheck but I need a major change. I understand that staying at a resort is completely different than living there but this is what we need and want. Again, thank you for all your help. You seem very knowledgeable and are giving me a lot of insight into a world I am unfamiliar with.

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Seemore,
I never cease to be amazed at the "dreamers" who think they're going to retreat to a Caribbean paradise and live happily ever after. First of all, do you have any idea how many Jamaicans would migrate to the USA and partake of the lifestyle that you are dying to leave? Trust me, they are legion. Second, you are not going to "find a job" in Jamaica. The Ministry of Labor almost certainly will not grant you a work permit, as well they shouldn't what with the unemployment rate of qualified Jamaican citizens looking for work, including accounting work. If you want some good advice, stay right where you are and try to figure out why you think you need this change, and work on it. But this is not the solution, unless you have a retirement income that doesn't include "finding a job" in jamaica - because you aren't going to. Good Luck.

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I think your last line says it all...you are unfamiliar with the environment and that tells me that you really need to think seriously about what a move to Jamaica would entail. As a previous poster suggests, I would also recommend that you come and spend some extended period of time before committing to move here. Jamaica is a beautiful place, and many USA, UK, Canadian and other ex-pats manage to make a good and happy life for themselves here. But the quality of your life won't be determined just by the economics...this isn't always an easy place to be, Moving here will require you to make a lot of socio-psychological adjustments, for instance, if you are someone who values ordered processes and systems - and I can only assume thatt as an account, this might be important to you, then you will need to adjust very quickly to the less agreeable aspects of Jamaica..there is a lot of bureaucracy but it doesn't always work in quite the way that westerners expect or at the pace that westerners might be used to. I'm from the UK, of African-Caribbean heritage, though not Jamaican, and I have been here for 18 months now, I truly love living here, but it requires, as I say, some degree of mental adjustments. Please do as much research as you're able to, do come for extended periods of time, get to know people, the neighbourhood you want to live in, etc before you commit to such a huge life changing decision.

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I think your last line says it all...you are unfamiliar with the environment and that tells me that you really need to think seriously about what a move to Jamaica would entail. As a previous poster suggests, I would also recommend that you come and spend some extended period of time before committing to move here. Jamaica is a beautiful place, and many USA, UK, Canadian and other ex-pats manage to make a good and happy life for themselves here. But the quality of your life won't be determined just by the economics...this isn't always an easy place to be, Moving here will require you to make a lot of socio-psychological adjustments, for instance, if you are someone who values ordered processes and systems - and I can only assume thatt as an account, this might be important to you, then you will need to adjust very quickly to the less agreeable aspects of Jamaica..there is a lot of bureaucracy but it doesn't always work in quite the way that westerners expect or at the pace that westerners might be used to. I'm from the UK, of African-Caribbean heritage, though not Jamaican, and I have been here for 18 months now, I truly love living here, but it requires, as I say, some degree of mental adjustments. Please do as much research as you're able to, do come for extended periods of time, get to know people, the neighbourhood you want to live in, etc before you commit to such a huge life changing decision.

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I'm 100% in agreement with you, especially with regards to your thoughts on 'farriners' coming here and expecting to get jobs when qualified Jamaicans themselves can't find work.I put my hands up and will declare that I'm an ex-pat (from the UK, but of Caribbean origins) . I moved here after being offered a job but my employer - a local organisation - had first to satisfy Immigration that the post could not be filled by a Jamaican.My work brings me into daily contact with young people who are desperate to leave Jamaica and who are putting themselves heavily into debt in the hope that acquiring educational qualifications will provide a route out of here. This is a beautiful country but riddled with all kinds of socioeconomic and political issues, Anyone thinking of moving here really has to do their research thoroughly and the worse thing they can do is just to move here without spending real time living here...a holiday spent hanging out on the beaches of Negril or MoBay or Ochi is one thing, but actually living here is quite another matter. Jobs are very scarce and hard to come by. That said, the OP is an accountant, and it is entirely possible as a friend of mine does, to secure work from clients in the USA market that s/he can do from their home in Jamaica.

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I'm 100% in agreement with you, especially with regards to your thoughts on 'farriners' coming here and expecting to get jobs when qualified Jamaicans themselves can't find work.I put my hands up and will declare that I'm an ex-pat (from the UK, but of Caribbean origins) . I moved here after being offered a job but my employer - a local organisation - had first to satisfy Immigration that the post could not be filled by a Jamaican.My work brings me into daily contact with young people who are desperate to leave Jamaica and who are putting themselves heavily into debt in the hope that acquiring educational qualifications will provide a route out of here. This is a beautiful country but riddled with all kinds of socioeconomic and political issues, Anyone thinking of moving here really has to do their research thoroughly and the worse thing they can do is just to move here without spending real time living here...a holiday spent hanging out on the beaches of Negril or MoBay or Ochi is one thing, but actually living here is quite another matter. Jobs are very scarce and hard to come by. That said, the OP is an accountant, and it is entirely possible as a friend of mine does, to secure work from clients in the USA market that s/he can do from their home in Jamaica.

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What are so damn negative? I have read some of your other posts and you do nothing but spout negativity. So what if I am a "dreamer"? Yes I have dreams and I make them come true. I may fall on my ass and regret moving to Jamaica but if I don't try, I will also regret it. Maybe I'm an optimist but I believe if you think positively and are a good person, good things will happen. Smile, negativity darkens your soul.

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10abuse

My negativity post was for you, Gardis.

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00abuse

Hi, I think you have the wrong poster when you say that I do nothing but spout negativity. I'm simply being realistic and laying things out as there are, and trust me (that's a good local expression) I have deliberately not mentioned much of the less attractive aspects of Jamaica. As I say, this is an incredibly beautiful island...I have lived on many other Caribbean islands but in terms of the sheer beauty of the environment,, and the cultural vibes, JA is way out in front. But anyone who gives advice without also flagging up less attractive issues will be less than honest (I didn't mention the epidemic violence,did I..the fact that everyone lives behind prison like grills, that in this week alone, on this small island of 3M souls, there have been more than 5 murders...figure that for the rest of the year and the end total might give you pause..bear in mind that we have already had more murders than the days in the year). But people don't want to hear about that, do they,.as for employment, come on, every respondent will tell you the same thing...it's actually pretty dispiriting to me talking to my young people and all I'm hearing is how much they can't wait to leave JA...by all means, live your dream, as I did...despite everything, despite knowing all that I know, I don't for a moment regret moving here - except for the job which has been the biggest disappointment. If, as you say, it doesn't work out, you can always go back to Florida knowing that you at least gave it a try...who knows, you may well live out your days here. But I'm not going to apologise for saying things as there are - if you don't like my advice, you're free to ignore it and keep walking right on by, but don't take cheap shots at me because you're not open to hearing about some of the less desirable aspects of living here....internet is relatively cheaper but it can be very intermittent, which is really going to impact if your work is largely internet based, for instance... if I was contemplating moving to somewhere of which I had limited experience, I'd want to know the good and the bad, that way I can be reasonably prepared for whatever difficulties come my way - of course I can't be fully prepared and even after 18 months here, I realise that I have so much to learn,. despite all the research that I did before moving here. A final word of advice: don't ask for advice and then diss when you don't like the advice you get. Appreciate that people who respond take time out of their busy lives to try to help you make your dreams a reality.

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10abuse

Cessi,
My comment was not at all towards you. It was directed at Gardis. You have given me both the good and the bad and I appreciate that. Sincerely sorry for the confusion. Yours and Ricks comments have given me great insight.

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SeeMore;

I do have to (somewhat) agree with the other posters. Living in a tropical paradise seems like the perfect solution to the ills of the world however the harsh reality sets in unless you're extremely wealthy.

Jamaica may or may not be the answer to your issues living in the states. In fact it may be exchanging one set of problems for another.

I have lived in several countries besides Jamaica however I had the financial stability to support myself... without work. I relocated to Costa Rica and ended up buying a bar/restaurant, one of my life dreams. It proved to be a lot of work and a lot of money!!! It almost financially ruined me and I had to go back to the states and go to work again.

I'm fortunate that my current job allows me to work 100% remote so I have a good income (by any standard) and can support my fiancee and myself very well. I'm getting closer to retirement age and will be able to collect my full SSI in a couple years. This will still still give us a good income to live here.

My fiancee has a decent job (by Jamaican standards). She is educated and works in a call center. However her gross is about $800 per month! Hardly enough for 1 person to live on let alone 2.

Your biggest challenge will be finding work/income. I have to agree that getting a work permit here will be next to impossible.

My suggestion(s) to you would be work with your employer to see if you can tele-commute. If you're a valued employee and they want to keep you they just may allow you to do it. However remember Florida is an employers marketplace.

Another alternative is to relocate outside Florida. I was looking at North Carolina as the cost of living there is about 18% less than Florida and salaries are pretty decent. It's not the islands but is far better than Florida (in my opinion).

The other alternative is to start an accounting or bookkeeping practice in the states. Not knowing what area you specialize in it's hard to say what might or might not work for you. Start picking up clients (that you can do all the work remotely). Once you have a stable client list and a good source of income than start making plans to relocate here.

I'd also like to address the crime statements about Jamaica. I agree the crime and murder rate here is high but so is the rate in the states and else where. I lived in Chicago for 15 years. Chicago has almost the same population as the entire island of Jamaica and there were almost 500 murders in Chicago in 2015. While it is higher in Jamaica it's not just isolated to the islands. It's every where!!

Jamaica is a beautiful place with a lot of beautiful people but is' not the "PERFECT" place... no where on earth is.

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That was excellent advice, Rick Blaine. Bravo. Sometimes I feel like I'm too harsh with these dreamers, but they need a wake up call. I have too many friends in Jamaica, lived there too long, to listen to that fantasy drivel. I know better, and so do you it sounds like.

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Seemore,
Negative?? No, I am not negative. I am a brute realist. I lived in jamaica for 10 years, lived in a house in a nice neighborhood with other locals, worked in a factory setting, and know local people. One of them was killed last year - found in a ditch, and the cops couldn't care less. Another one was walking on HWT Road and was accosted and stabbed by some guy looking for money. Fortunately, he lived to tell about it. He's desperate to get off the island. You don't know what you are talking about. You have been advised now by about 3 people on this forum, think very carefully about what you are about to do. Call it negative all you want. I opened your eyes to the reality.

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00abuse

Check your inbox Seemore613, sent you a PM.

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00abuse

How did you choose Jamaica as your destination? Why Hanover/Mobay? What are your expectations?

Try it for a month, or 3 months before you make a commitment. If you 'can't afford' that, you can't afford to move there. Newbies are highly at risk of spending through their money faster than their time.

Also, on what basis would you apply for Permanent Residency? Their qualifications to apply are married to Jamaican, Jamaican business/employee or retired and no longer working in your home country.

Being in Jamaica will be very distracting and not conducive to full-time attention to your current employer. As Rick(?) suggested, perhaps you can develop your own clientele and become a business owner instead of employee (but same problem/residency unless you start a business for Jamaican clients).

Regarding a previous comment: you should not 'stay longer' than your passport stamp. If you want to EXTEND your stay, you must go to PICA in Mobay BEFORE your stamp expires and APPLY for an extension. It costs 10,000jmd. They now make you write WHY you want to stay longer. They could deny your request.

Perhaps you know Jamaicans in Florida... However, Jamaica is nothing like Florida.

Jamaicans are a lovely people and the culture is appealingly old-fashioned and charming.

But when you hear of murders in your neighborhood/town/anywhere in JA and no civil resolution to them, it will be difficult to accept...unless/until you make an effort to understand how Jamaicans think, what matters to them and how they communicate.

It took me 4 years to stop putting american perspectives on Jamaican situations and begin accepting and thinking in Jamaican ways. Now I value their wisdom but to an american it can be shocking.

I love it. But its not for everyone.

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10abuse

CessJ, your advice to Seemore was absolutely spot on and honest. Whether she takes your advice or not, remains to be seen. She was referring to me (Gardis) as the negative one, not you. I lived there over 10 years (Kingston) and I know it well, and I am intimately familiar with the social/political angle as you described so well. I ran an apparel factory and met with Ministers themselves, including Omar Davies. I know it better than I care to admit. I can envision renting a nice condo in MoBay overlooking the Caribbean - when I'm retired and living on a fixed income. Take care, God Bless. Gardis, USA

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RickBlaine, thanks for your true description of the lifestyle on the island in general. I spent some time on the island 3 weeks ago and found things just about the way you described them.
My only issue is that I was not able to locate any information pertaining to jobs. Are you familiar with private education. This is the area of work I have been in for the past 12 years. (None teaching).

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00abuse