Expat Advice: Relationships in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Port of Spain

What is your current status? Are you single, dating, in a long-term relationship, married or divorced?

Longt term relationship. My partner is from Austria and she has been in T&T for 14mths now.

What is it like in your country of residence for someone with your relationship status (married/divorced/dating)? If you're single, how do you meet other people? Do English-speaking people tend to gravitate to certain parts of your city?

The language here is English. We are not married. It is easy for anyone to come here, no strict visa requirements; of course there are exemptions. One can stay over the initial 30day period by applying for extensions. This too has a limit but this limit depends on your individual circumstances. You can also work if an employer applies for and receives an approved work permit. Taxes are not heavy. Usually expats gravitate toward each other but the people are warm and friendly so it is easy to make friends with the locals and have your own, new life.

If you have children, what advice would you give to others making a similar transition to your country of residence?

Education - sufficient private schools at all levels that are very good to international standards. Health care - Adequate private health institutions that offer good service. Social - This is up to the individual. Limited public transport. You need to have your own car. Sports - major sports activities available. Arts & Library facilities - good.

If you do not have children, do you generally spend your social time with other expat couples? If not, what else do you like to do as a couple?

We visit friends, go to the beach, theatre, parties, clubs, dinner, visit family,cinema, sporting events, carnival, steelband shows...lots to do and see.

If you are married or in a relationship with a person of another nationality, how has this experience enriched you as a person. What kind of challenges do you face?

for me, it opens your mind to new experiences, new ways of viewing the same topics, greater appreciation for your own country, takes one out of their comfort zone and encourages you to understand life in the world. The biggest challenge is that of communication - both verbally and non-verbally. The cues are different and you will need to learn them all over again. Familiar words may be spoken but the final meaning will not be as both would have understood if it were in their native country.

If you are a single parent, what advice would you give to others considering moving abroad?

It depends on the age of the child. Having said that however, the work ethic here is not as strict as in other countries so you may be allowed to attend to your child if say she is in a nursery or has a problem at school or whatever activity that you need to be be there. Of course, it depends on the job as well. The social climate is very accommodating so that these issues will be easy to sort out.

What would be the best advice you could give someone with your relationship status that lives in your country of residence? Any other thoughts?

It is to have a change of heart because there are lots of nice people here. It is easy to fit in and get acclimatized. It is easy to get caught up in island life and not realize it. Visitors are accustomed to a detached view of life from a social perspective i.e. that they only answer to themselves but that is not the case here. Each individual must consider how their actions will affect other people. Failure to do so can cause some alienation. However, once you have gotten over that hurdle, it is paradise on Earth.