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Same sex couple moving to Trinidad

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lookingaround12345
  4/28/2017 08:34 EST

Hello,

My husband (same sex marriage) has an offer for a contract in Trinidad for one year. The company he works for will get him set up with visas etc.

My question is how hard will it be for me to stay there if I do not have a work visa. I do not have to work so wouldn't be working illegally.

Can I just get back to back tourist visas or is there any other route for me to stay there for that period of time that isn't too much of a hassle?

Kai868
  5/7/2017 07:48 EST

There are several factors to consider, in order to answer your question. You are right, Trinidad does not recognise same-sex marriage and same-sex relations are illegal on the island, although they are seldom prosecuted. Therefore, you will not be able to benefit from the "spousal/family of an expat" visa privileges.

On your other question. It depends on your nationality. If you're from North America, the European Union or the Commonwealth of Nations, you won't require a visa for a stay that is "no longer than 90 days." Before this period expires, you may choose to apply to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of National Security to extend your stay, or leave the country for a period no shorter than 48 hours and return thereafter. In either case, you'd need to do this every 90 days.

Let me know your nationality and what you intend to do while you're here (sightsee, volunteer etc) and I'll be able to provide you with more specific information.

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lookingaround12345
  5/7/2017 12:14 EST

I am American. I would just be there with my husband while he is on contract. I would do the usual stuff and go to the beach, look around the islands etc.

It seems i could fly back to the USA every 90 days and spend a bit of time there. Just making sure it wasn't like Schengen where I have to stay away 90 days before returning.

Mexico might be an option but not sure how many flights go where. If there are flights to Cancun that are reasonable I would likely go to Playa Del Carmen now and then to get away.

It would just be for a year before returning to the USA. We are in Thailand now and wanted to go home but a lucrative contract came up.

My husband is British if that matters.

I don't think we would be there longer there a year we just want to make some good money and go home when the contract is done.

Here in Thailand we pay around $1,500 USD for rent and it is a very nice condo. Looking at Trinidad I am thinking similar there would be maybe around $2,000 for the same quality.

We go out to nice restaurants for cocktails and dinners around twice a week. We spend maybe total of $4,000 a month here all in including rent.

So would $5,000 a month get a nice enough place and allow maybe a weekend a month at a resort (reasonably priced not 5 star) and that sort of lifestyle?

I know it is possible to do less but that is sort of our comfort level over here. I think Trinidad will be a bit more expensive.

I know imported goods and food is expensive but this is one area I don't compromise on because of money,

I like bicycling and walking around and of course swimming in the sea. Here in Bangkok I feel a bit shut in because the city is so hot and the traffic is unbearable.

Is Trinidad maybe a bit more conducive to a little bit healthier lifestyle? A car is in the package but do we really need one?

Is it possible to live in an area close to work in the city and also access nature just using private drivers occasionally?

Do you think I have to adjust my budget upwards?

Thanks in advance

Kai868
  5/7/2017 16:29 EST

That was a long post, and I guess so is this!

Tomorrow, I'll double-check the stipulations with the Immigration Department, but I do believe you may be able to do as you've said. Aruba, Curacao, Bahamas or Barbados may be more cost effective choices.

Regarding rent, it depends on the area. The northwest is the safest, offers the best of everything and is the most diverse. As such, it is also the most expensive.

St. Clair is considered the most affluent region and is home to Trinidad and Tobago's equivalent of the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and Hearsts. Other affluent communities include Goodwood Park, Fairways, Westmoorings, Champs Elysees, Moka, Haleland Park and Ellerslie Park. St. Ann's and Cascade are decent middle-class areas.

Fairways and Westmoorings are popular with expats. The former is strongly upper-middle-class (80%), while the latter is a mix of upper middle class (60%) and middle-class (40%) family homes. Due to the affluence of these communities, the demographics are much different to those of the island as a whole. The 2015 demos break 20% white-Trinidadian; 30% Chinese-Trinidadian; 20%, Arab-Trinidadian (20%); and 10% expats of any race, though the majority are white-American. (The 10% expat population decreases to 2% in the other areas mentioned above).

The median rental for a one-bedroom flat in Fairways and Westmoorings is US $1,500 pcm. The median rental for a two-bedroom townhouse is US $3,000. A four-bedroom detached in these areas is about US $6,000 pcm. You can check out Terra Caribbean and Galt Real Estate. They're the best agencies, IMHO.

You can find a great deal of American name-brand foods at Massy Stores, Westmoorings and Maraval, as well as TruValu, Maraval.

For the organic, gluten free, biodynamic and fair-trade American/Canadian brands, try:
Be Free Foods, Woodbrook (my favourite)
Adam's Bagels, Maraval
Artie's Meats, Maraval; and
Brooksfoods, Diego Martin

But do try the local artisanal, slow food, organic (and if you wish, gluten free) produce from:
Malabar Farms, Maraval
Adam's Bagels, Maraval;
Santa Cruz Green Market, Santa Cruz; and
UpMarket, various locations.

Because tourism accounts for only 8% of the island's GDP, resorts aren't cheap. According to Booking, a double room costs: @Hyatt from US $169; @Courtyard Marriott from US $149; @Kapok (local brand, but awesome) from US $149; and @Normandie (local brand, also awesome) from US $108.

Best spas:
La Mer Day Spa, MovieTowne (BHP Billiton Building)
Serrao's Salon and Spa, Woodbrook

There are hundreds of restaurants from which to choose.
You should know that local dishes are a mixture of the various groups that immigrated to Trinidad from the 1400s; the Spanish, French, British, Portuguese, German, Chinese, African and Indian. Aside from the fine dining restaurants, there are also several American restaurant/cafe chains from Denny's to Little Cesar's. Of them, Starbucks is the only one that I frequent, though Pizza Hut and TGI Friday's are also good options for casual meals.

I'd say the best fine-dining restaurants are:
The Verandah, St Clair (for local cuisine)
Aoili, Ellerslie Plaza/Maraval (for international cuisine)
Samurai, One Woodbrook Plaza/Woodbrook (for Japanese)
Joseph's, Maraval (for Arabic)
Prime, MovieTowne/BHP Billiton (for American/steak)
Angelo's, Woodbrook (for Italian)
More Vino/More Sushi (for wine and sushi)

Also, there's...
Dianne's, Maraval (for afternoon tea)
Adam's Bagels, Maraval (for local breakfast)
Cocobel, Woodbrook (for local chocolate)

Other activities:
Yoga at Akasha Yoga, Maraval
Weekend in the woods/pine forest and horseback riding (visit The Pines/Knullebu, owned by an American), St Ann's
Bicycling, walking, hiking, kayaking in Chaguaramas
Surfing/kitesurfing in Toco (3hr drive from POS), or Tobago (3hr ferry ride).

The temperature fluctuates between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius, with the cooler temperatures coinciding with North American winter months.

Due to the weather, and unfortunately, the fact that affluent communities are located in close proximity to working class communities, it's advisable that you travel by private vehicle. Uber's the next best thing. Traffic is an issue; with peak hours between 6-9am and 2-5pm.

Hope I've answered all your questions. If not just shoot me a message.

lookingaround12345
  5/8/2017 08:16 EST

Thanks for taking the time to write such an informative post.

Based upon your post it looks like $7,000 USD a month is a more realistic monthly budget for the lifestyle we are comfortable with. Which is a bit more than we would have liked but still doable.

It is helpful to know how much to ask for in the compensation package. Will be adding a car and driver on call to the list.

Thanks again for your time,

Kai868
  5/9/2017 19:48 EST

Sorry for the delay. I called and they asked me to email. I'm awaiting their reply.

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