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Bahamas: Bahamas visitior:
You can only come in as a visitor. You cannot apply for a work permit, as you need to be offered a job and your potential employer would apply for the work permit. In order for a potential employer to offer you a job, they will need to first post the job publicly, and there would need to be proof that no one qualified and eligible to work here applied. Then they would have to apply to the Labour Board for certification that no one eligible to work was interested. THEN, they can apply for the work permit. Check out many previous posts about this specific topic.
Bahamas: Cell service for call back to US.:
I second the vote for Magic Jack and the Magic Jack App.
Bahamas: Moving to Cable Beach:
Hi Juls,
Welcome! Sounds like you are in for an exciting change! The Cable Beach area is safer than many areas, but of course, you still need to remain vigilant. Lots of people are out and about walking along the BahaMar area, and there are options for groceries and other amenities within a short drive, if in fact you will be driving. If not, as Rahmank has said, the #10 buses travel up and down West Bay Street frequently. We have used the jitneys here whenever we need to take the boat downtown and still get home out west! It is safe, and each bus has it's only flavour and character. :-) They only travel during daylight hours.
Taxis - they are not easy to come by. However, if you are living along Cable Beach, get the phone number of the nearest hotel's taxi stand, and when you need one, call them until you find someone you trust.
If you are not purchasing a car, it might be an idea to get yourself a scooter to toot up and down West Bay. Of course, if you are not working while here, you will want to have access to social activities. What are you interested in?
As a spouse of someone on work permit, you can get one quite easily when you come down. Will your husband's employer be helping with this process, or will you need to do it yourself? I suggest that both you and your husband get your police reports and medical letters from Canada before you come down. I suspect that your husband has already had to provide these, but get yours to bring down if his employer has not already requested them. I actually encourage you to ask your husband to ask his employer to assist, as they can apply for your spousal permit when they apply for his work permit.
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you how long it will take, but once the application is made, you simply use your application receipt to travel back and forth without issue. If his employer is taking care of this, be sure to request at least a copy of the receipt.
Coming in, you are definitely best to simply come in as a visitor, as you will not have any "status" initially. When asked how long, you can tell the truth about your immigration status and just say that your spousal permit is in the works.
Please feel free to PM me with any more specific questions. We came from Canada for 3 years 11 years ago, so I have lots of ideas to offer. :-)
Cheers!
Bahamas: day care versus nanny:
Congrats on your jobs! It is not very often that both partners start with jobs!
What part of the island will you be living and working in? That might make a difference in the choice you make. Hopefully I can give you some ideas.
Bahamas: Cost of Living:
Working out by the airport, the Cable Beach area would be a good choice. There are a number of gated communities along Cable Beach. Sandyport would be the most expensive. There is Nautica, Hampton Ridge, as well as a number of others.
You will definitely be able to find something for $3000/month, furnished, along Cable Beach. There are actually quite a few between $1500 - $2500.
Check out some of the realty websites, such as hgchriste.com; sirbahamas.com. Check the rentals and advance search by Cable Beach.
As for wages, everyone needs to determine what they would be most comfortable with. Also, ask your potential employer whether there is any housing allowance included. If you don't ask, you may not get!
Good luck, and feel free to ask any other questions.
Bahamas: Health Care For Parents?:
Dear ProfX,
Congratulations! This is wonderful for you.
Unfortunately, the reality is that there are no proper resources for eldercare here. There are no proper nursing homes, and there are no properly licensed home care resources.
I do not want to deter you from moving forward, but the medical care and medical support resources here are extremely lacking.
Having said all this, you can definitely hire from abroad the nurses you may need for your parents. This would be the best alternative. You would need to vet them and obtain work permits for them, but this is very doable and likely the best for your parents.
As for insurance, you would need to purchase private insurance. Check on this site(expatexchange) for expat insurance offerings, and check within your home country to see what they offer to people who move to other countries.
Prof, feel free to PM me with any more detailed questions. Hope this helps.
Bahamas: Teachers moving:
Good day, and welcome to EE! As teachers, you will need to look to the private schools for employment, as the government schools do not hire expats (please correct me if I am wrong, fellow EE'rs). That said, Grand Bahama and New Providence (Nassau) are the only islands with private schools (again, correct me if I am wrong). You would need to start the process beforehand, as you are not supposed to be living here when the process is started. However, you can come visit to see what is available.
Crime is high, but if you remain aware of your surroundings, just as anywhere, you should be ok. Most violent crime is between people who are known to one another.
Many young families chose to live in a gated community initially so that they can feel safe while they get the lay of the land.
Feel free to PM me with more questions if you like.
Bahamas: Items Expats Miss Most?:
Bring with you what you know you most want/like/need. The rest, you can buy here or bring over time. I brought things like my sewing machine serger, and a ton of kitchen stuff. After 11 years, that is it! But, I am a sewer and a cook. So, think about what you most use and what you most like, and bring it with, or have it brought over over time.
Bahamas: Where does everyone buy groceries?:
What part of the island do you live? There is Fresh market in Old Fort and Harbour Bay. They have an extensive fresh meat and fresh seafood counter, carrying the only fresh fish (other than the dock) and lots of other fresh seafood. They also carry a lot of organic foods and gluten free brands.
Super Value is the other every day choice. You need to know your prices as some things are more expensive at Super Value, and some more at Fresh Market.
There is also Solomon's kitty corner to the Mall at Marathon, and Costrite at Town Center Mall at Bluehill Rd. And the highway. Costrite carries big box sizes.
Solomon's, Costrite, and Fresh market are all Solomon's so you will find the same brands at each. Super Value and Quality Supermarkets are the same.
If you have family with you, there are a lot of groups that get together to buy from Bahamas Food Services in large quantities on a weekly basis that they then split up amongst themselves.
Finally, ther is are a couple Saturday morning markets. Out west it is on Blake Rd at the New Providence Community Center. Out east there is one at Dungalik Studios on Village Rd.
I hope that helps!p
Bahamas: British Expat Looking for Summer Rental:
Budget? This is rather crucial to your responses.
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