An Expat Talks about Moving to Falmouth, Jamaica

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

Falmouth

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

Wish I would have brought:

-Coffee Maker with extra coffee pods (Keurig)
-My art supplies
-Extra mosquito repellent

Wish I would have left at home:

-Several pair of shoes
-Electronic gadgets I don't use
-Jewelry

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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?

Keep in mind the location if you do not have a car. You will want to be close enough to public transportation. Route taxis (taxis that go along a specific route only) travel outside of many of the subdivisions/schemes and along main roads.

If I can be of help to anyone, just let me know.

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

We live in a single family rental house located in a subdivision, called a scheme, here in Jamaica.

We have not met a lot of expats yet, but the one couple that we did meet live in a house that they purchased.

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

We wanted to be close to the Montego Bay airport so we looked at a few parishes on the west half of the island. Falmouth is up and coming so we selected Falmouth.

My husband and I are real estate agents in the US, so we just felt comfortable contacting a real estate agent to find our current house.

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

Our housing costs are much lower than in the US.

My husband and I live in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath furnished home for 60,000 Jamaican dollars (about $480 US dollars a month). Yard maintenance and water is included in the rent. It is a newer house with an open floorplan. Electricity is about $4,000 JMD (about $31 USD). Cable (Westar) is $2,700JMD a month (about $21 USD) and we get tons of good channels.

Unfurnished houses here can be found for about $45,000JMD ($352 USD). Ofcourse, if you want to go really budget and talk to the right people, you can find a place for about $250 USD a month.