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Moving our Family

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haljac
  11/3/2004 13:51 EST

Due to a job transfer for my husband we will be moving to Kingston for two years. I am both excited and aprehensive. I know it will be a big change. We have two children and the oldest is only 4, the young one is just a year old. I am hoping to get some input on the safety and things available for a family to do in Kingston. We may have the option of also residing in Mandeville, and although this is a smaller town, would it be a better choice for a young family. I am hoping to be able to get out with the kids and be involved in our new community...whichever one it might be. Anyone who has lived there with a family, or has any input, please drop a line! I would appreciate your thoughts!!

OMAR
  12/15/2004 00:30 EST

JAMAICA HAS A THRIVING COSMOPOLITAN SOCIAL SCENE MAINY IN KINGSTON WHICH YOU COULD GET INVOLVED IN. MANDEVILLE BEING A SMALLER TOWN HAS ITS OWN SOCIAL SCENE AND YOU WILL FIND THE PEOPLE THERE VERY WARM AND FRIENDLY AND USED TO DEALING WITH EXPATS WHO MAINLY CAME FROM THE MINING COMPANIES. I WOULDNDT BE OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR YOUR FAMILY AS 90% OF THE CRIME TAKES PLACE IN CERTAIN INNNER CITY NEIGHBOURHOOODS AND THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTRY HAS RELATIVELY LOW LEVELS OF CRIME. AND THE AREAS WHERE YOU WOULD BE RESIDING AS AN EXPATRIATE ARE PRETTY MUCH CRIME FREE. FOR YOUR KIDS THERE ARE EXCELLENT PRE K PRIVATE SCHOOLS. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHUR QUESTIONS LET ME KNOW YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT [email protected]

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Cher
  12/16/2004 17:38 EST

Hi Omar,
I have recently purchased property on the N. coast of Ja.(Duncan's Bay area)and am looking forward to making the "BIG" move in July of next year. I've been visiting Ja. since the '80's and fell in love with the island on my first trip there. I have many questions about many things and feel you may be the person who can answer most or at least some of them. I know how important it is to have a support group in anyplace new, so I'm hoping you will be able to be a part of mine. I'm also planning to share an apartment in Dania with a friend, so that I have a place to stay when I go back and forth. Please forward any info. to me that you think would be helpful.....Thanks, Cher

RDavid
  12/27/2004 14:15 EST

Hello Omar,
I am seriously thinking about relocating to JA. However I have not been able to locate any potential employment opportunities and wanted to know of any you had any search suggestions. I hold a Bacheolrs in Social Work form the University of Maryland and have about a year and a half from completion of a Masters in Social Work.

Please advise if you can

Thanks
RDavid

neoshyne
  12/29/2004 23:24 EST

your move will definately be a big life change. Jamaica is a beautiful country, but remember...there ARE reasons for calling it a Third World country. You'll find many things that may agitate, but overall you'll find the atmosphere, people, and culture make up for any flaws. As far as security... I personally would choose Mandeville over Kingston. Kingston has become one of the most violent cities in the world, and although the violence usually (note the "usually") centers in certain slums in the inner city, for peace of mind... the distance is worth it to be in Mandeville. As far as activities, if you have a car, there are so many things to do and see and being the size of JA you'll be within a quarter day's drive of most great spots. Soak up the sun, talk with some locals (most of whom you'll find to be a very friendly people)...you'll soon get advice and the do's and do not's of Jamaica.

RichardGail
  1/19/2005 17:03 EST

My Family and i are considering a job opportunity in Jamaica, moving from the UK, my son who is 18 years old is severely disabled, has anyone any experience of what services or activities that exist for the disabled in Jamaica. also my wife has a horse that she would want to transport out to Jamaica, does anyone have any useful information regarding stables and horse riding in Jamaica.
I also would like some reassurance regarding the safety of my wife and son as Jamaica does have a poor reputation.
A quick response would be appreciated as I have to make my decision quite soon
Kind Regards
Richard and Gail

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Nicky72
  1/29/2005 18:25 EST

Hi,

Jamaica is a wondeful country. I have just returned to UK after a 3 month stay as my boyfriend is currently working there. From what I have seen, disability could be a bit of a disadvantage in terms of mobility. For example, pavements are non existant or in a poor state. I never felt in danager in terms of crime, however like anywhere you should be on your guard. We live in a great housing development with 24 hr security, and I feel very safe. Most people drive with the car windows up, and doors looked. It is always nice to escape Kingston & head to the north coast (2 hr drive) where there are some wonderful hotels and breathtaking scenery.
As far as horse riding goes, there is the Caymanas Park which is 30 mins drive from Kingston. Horse racing takes place regularly here. I know of many of the hotels on the north coast that offer horseback riding, and you may want to contact: www.hoovesjamaica.com to see if they can assist you any further. Jamaica is a fantastic place, and I can't wait to get back there, if only they had an M&S food hall.....
I hope this has been of some help, and if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
Nichola

OMAR
  3/5/2005 23:01 EST

REGRETABLY THERE ISNT MUCH INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT MOVING TO JAMAICA. SOME THINGS I WOULD RECCOMEND YOU DO NOW BEFORE YOUR MOVE ARE:
(1) GET COPY OF YOUR DRIVING RECORD FROM YOUR STATE DMV OR INSURANCE COMPANY. IF YOU PLAN TO OWN A CAR AND DRIVE IN JAMAICA INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL NEED THIS TO VERIFY HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN DRIVING TO DETERMINE YOUR RATES.
(2) OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO THIS FROM THE STATES. SEVERAL BANKS SUCH AS SCOTIABANK AND NCB ALLOW YOU TO OPEN ACCOUNTS FROM OVERSEAS. YOU CAN DO A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR THEIR WEBSITES AND GET MORE INFORMATION.
(3) GET AN ACCOUNT SET UP WITH VONAGE OFFERS TELEPHONE SERVICE VIA THE INTERNET (VOIP) FOR AROUND $45 A MONTH WILL SAVE YOU A BUNDLE IN LONG DISTANCE CHARGES TO HOME.

IF YOU NEED INFORMATION ON ANY SPECIFIC TOPIC PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [email protected].

OMAR
  3/5/2005 23:12 EST

WORKING IN JAMAICA ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF SOCIAL WORK WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU ARE USED TO. AS RESOUCES ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. IN TERMS OF FINDING A JOB IT MAY BE BEST THAT YOU GO TO JAMAICA FOR A MONTH OR TWO AND OFFER YOUR SERVICES FOR FREE OR FOR A SMALL STIPEND TO ONE OF THE CHARITIES BASED. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS SOME GOOD PROGRAMS GOING. IF YOU ARE NOT A CITIZEN YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO WORK UNLESS YOU HAVE A SKILL THAT IS NOT READLY AVAILABLE IN JAMAICA. AND IN THE AREA OF SOCIAL WORK THERE ARE A LOT OF LOCAL GRADUATES WITH BACHELORS AND MASTERS DEGREES. HOWEVER IF YOU OFFER YOUR SERVICETO A LOCAL ORGANIZATION AND THEY LIKE WHAT THEY SEE AND YOU MARKET YOURSELF PROPERLY YOU CAN HAVE THEM GET YOU A WORK PERMIT BASED ON YOUR PARTICULAR SKILL SET AND YOUR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE. FINDING WORK IN JAMAICA IS A VERY MUCH ABOUT MARKETING YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER THAT A LOCAL GRATUATE DOESNT HAVE.

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