Guam

Coastal Beaches

Cost of Living: High

Train Access: No

Bus Service: Yes (Guam Regional Transit Authority (GRTA), relatively safe)

Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands and has a unique cultural and historical heritage, with its indigenous Chamorro culture having a significant influence. As a strategic military hub, Guam plays a vital role in the U.S. military's presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The island's economy is primarily driven by tourism, U.S. military spending, and the export of tropical products. Guam's landscape is diverse, featuring rolling hills, cliffs, and flat coastal plains. The northern part of the island is a limestone plateau with steep coastal cliffs and a coral reef, while the southern part is volcanic, with mountainous terrain and a rugged coastline. Guam's climate is tropical marine, with generally warm and humid weather throughout the year, tempered by northeast trade winds. Typhoons can occur between June and December. The capital city, Hagåtña, is the second smallest village by land area but is the most densely populated and historically significant, having been the center of Spanish colonial activities in the past. Guam's culture is a melting pot of its native Chamorro, Spanish, Filipino, and American influences, which is reflected in its food, language, and traditions. The island is known for its vibrant festivals, such as the annual Liberation Day parade and the Guam Micronesia Island Fair. Despite its small size, Guam offers a variety of recreational activities, including snorkeling, diving in its clear blue waters, and hiking in its lush landscapes. The island's rich history is showcased in various historical sites, museums, and memorials, such as the War in the Pacific National Historical Park and the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center

Podcasts

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Best Places to Live in Guam

Discover the top-ranked towns in Guam. Click on the town's name for a full profile of each town.

Rankings are based on a combination of many factors including schools, recreation, family-friendliness, cost of living and crime.

Talk with other digital nomads and expats in Guam on our Guam forum - meet people, get advice and help others.

Visit the Guam Community

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Guam is considered high, primarily due to the costs of importing goods to the island and its reliance on tourism and military expenditures

Weather

Guam experiences a tropical rainforest climate with uniformly warm temperatures throughout the year. The island has a wet season from July to November and a dry season from December to June. Occasional typhoons can occur, bringing heavy rains and strong winds.

Educational System in Guam

The educational system in Guam is similar to that of the United States, as it is an unincorporated territory of the country. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16. The school year typically begins in August and ends in May or June, with a summer break in between. The system is divided into elementary school (kindergarten to 5th grade), middle school (6th to 8th grade), and high school (9th to 12th grade). Children usually start kindergarten at the age of 5 and graduate from high school at around 18. Public education is provided by the Guam Department of Education, and there are also private schools available, including those with religious affiliations. The curriculum in Guam's schools is based on U.S. standards, and students take standardized tests to assess their progress. English is the language of instruction, but Chamorro, the indigenous language of the island, is also taught to preserve the local culture. The quality of education can vary, with some schools facing challenges such as limited resources and high teacher turnover rates. However, there are also schools that perform well academically and offer various extracurricular activities to enhance student development. Parents moving to Guam from another country can expect a familiar U.S.-style education system with additional exposure to the unique Chamorro culture.