International
10/4/2016 04:06 EST
Hi there
I am considering a move to Trinidad with my family (currently based in Europe) and I wondered if I could reach out to the forum for some help?
I apologise, I have a lot of questions!
- What sort of rent should I be budgeting for in the Westmoorings area? Will (up to) 18,000 TTD per month get us something in a gated compound with 2/3 bedrooms, a garden and access to a pool..?
- What would be a sensible monthly budget for utilities (inc. a mobile phone, internet, air con use, etc.)?
- And what about food / petrol / car insurance budgets?
- I'd also be interested to hear how much health insurance costs?
- And then there's the matter of nursery, any thoughts on the cost of say 3 days per week (x 2 kids, aged 4 and 2)?
Many thanks for your help.
Cheers!!
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Msturge
10/4/2016 13:16 EST
We just moved from there after 4 years and I think the rental rices have gone down since a large percentage of expats have recently left, but you may want to expand your areas to Victoria Gardens (a lot of expats there too) and Fairways which I love the location of, especially the more southern section of Fairways which is much more central (less traffic getting into central POS). And the the schools, at that age, the school I would recommend is the Montessori Academy, and for the 4 year old either Montessori or Arbor which is across the street, or the International school, ISPS. You can email them directly for costs, etc. If you guys do decide to move there send me a PM and I will connect you with the expat moms group on Facebook called Busybees.
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International
10/5/2016 11:27 EST
Thanks Msturge, your advice is much appreciated.
I will certainly broaden the scope of my search re: rental properties to the areas that you suggest.
On schools, I must admit, I have been very surprised at how expensive the fees are for all of these places (especially with the "foreigner" tax)...
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larrybatey
10/5/2016 12:28 EST
I am American citizen. Don't come to Trinidad. I rob at gun point of money and gold chain. They tried to kidnap my wife by criminals masquerading as police. My wife is trini. They robbed us at our home. I don't trust the police. I don't no shoes who. Don't come
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larrybatey
10/5/2016 12:30 EST
I am American citizen. Don't come to Trinidad. I rob at gun point of money and gold chain. They tried to kidnap my wife by criminals masquerading as police. My wife is trini. They robbed us at our home. I don't trust the police. I don't no shoes who. Don't come
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TechRep
10/5/2016 12:47 EST
You might be a US citizen, but your wife isn't the only one that is Trini.
Your statement is just like a Trini talks, barely understandable.
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International
10/6/2016 03:02 EST
Well this thread has taken a turn for the bizarre... I just wanted to know how much electricity costs ;)
(I'm aware of the crime situation - if we decide to come then we will have to get ourselves comfortable with that.)
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gingerbaby
10/6/2016 04:15 EST
"I don't no shoes who." What on earth does this mean? For an American citizen with a Trinidadian wife, I would expect you to write English properly. I have yet to hear a phrase like that in Trinidad. Everyone and everyone who lives in Trinidad knows that Trinidad has become a little Chicago or New York when it comes to crime and you have to be just as cautious as you would be in America especially if you live in a big city. It is unfortunate that they nearly kidnapped your wife. I wonder how come they did not pull it off. That part I don't believe. It sounds very fabricated to me.
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gingerbaby
10/6/2016 04:19 EST
Correction: "I am yet". I can't find an edit button.
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larrybatey
10/6/2016 19:11 EST
I meant I don't trust the police here because the criminals that robbed me and tried to kidnap my wore the same uniforms as the police.
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kenwyn
10/10/2016 06:02 EST
lol...........anyway an average size house costs around 100 USD every 40 days (weird billing cycle) so that works out to about $2.50 usd daily or 75 per month. Might be slightly higher based on usage. Good Luck.
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kenwyn
10/10/2016 06:02 EST
lol...........anyway an average size house costs around 100 USD every 40 days (weird billing cycle) so that works out to about $2.50 usd daily or 75 per month. Might be slightly higher based on usage. Good Luck.
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International
10/19/2016 06:59 EST
Hi everyone, just reposting my questions (as the thread seemed to get derailed, slightly)... Any thoughts on the below?
Many thanks
- What sort of rent should I be budgeting for in the Westmoorings area? Will (up to) 18,000 TTD per month get us something in a gated compound with 2/3 bedrooms, a garden and access to a pool..?
- What would be a sensible monthly budget for utilities (inc. a mobile phone, internet, air con use, etc.)?
- And what about food / petrol / car insurance budgets?
- I'd also be interested to hear how much health insurance costs?
- And then there's the matter of nursery, any thoughts on the cost of say 3 days per week (x 2 kids, aged 4 and 2)?
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International
10/19/2016 07:00 EST
And, thanks for your response Kenwyn!
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kenwyn
10/20/2016 05:19 EST
Hey............just to correct my previous post, the billing cycle is every 60 days......so average would be 50USD per month.
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kenwyn
10/20/2016 05:19 EST
Hey............just to correct my previous post, the billing cycle is every 60 days......so average would be 50USD per month.
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Imulligan
11/20/2016 08:27 EST
I moved to Trinidad 6 months ago.. it's very challenging after living in the US for 42years. Taking care of my elderly mother and looking to connect with other expats.
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Imulligan
11/20/2016 08:31 EST
It is extremely dangerous, but there are many people who are wonderful. Lots of noise and dust pollution, reckless drivers and chaos. It is very challenging living here and lonely because in poor villages people are fearful and mostly uneducated. Lots of foreign islanders who take advantage of many locals... no rules are enforced and bribes are endemic. .
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OhChuts
11/20/2016 10:11 EST
lmulligan, what was your reason for moving to Trinidad, if I may ask? Did you visit for a short while before making the move?
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