An Expat Talks about Moving to Negril, Jamaica

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

Negril

Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.

1) More solar things, like lights and phone charger.

2) More good, big beach towels (ones here cheap, flimsy, but easier to wash by hand!)

3) Rechargeable batteries of all sizes and the batteries (don't skimp)

1) Less clothes

2) Less shoes

3) LESS..period

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What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

it's important to be where you feel safe and where you are close to what is important, be it the beach and the nightlife, or the friends you've made, or other ex-pats..i would rent on the beach, and meet people, before deciding where you want to live...even if you've been a vacationer, it's not the same one you live there...get used to everything being at a much slower pace, and going without electricity and water, sometimes...but there is never a lack of something go on, where there is music and laughter and people...

What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?

I lived in several places, and it's really a matter of personal choice..i love to swim early, in the morning, and so living close to beach or cliffs, if you're not going to have a car, is important to me..i also lived in someone else's yard, where it was very beautiful and in a garden paradise, but then i had a car, and could drive to the beach every morning...finding that the west end was more interesting for me, after a time..there are plenty of people to talk to, who will give you advice and tell you who has what, for rent..

How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?

I found my first place, through friends, and then found second place, which was perfect, thru a referral of someone i spoke to on email, for a while, who had lived in the same apt...it really is best to check out a place for a while, before you decide where you want to live...you will more than likely change your mind..at least once...

Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?

i would say at the time, that where i lived there, was cheaper or about the same..i dont' look for too much, when there, you spend alot of time outside, and for me, the space and the a/c and things like that were not as important..never had a/c. I did want to be able to cook, of course, and make coffee and a good place to hang my laundry, as i washed by hand, most of the time, and a place to park my car, access to taxis, safe yard (important)