Fiji
Moving to Fiji
Last updated on Nov 27, 2021
Summary: Moving to Fiji: Expats, retirees and digital nomads talk about everything you need to know before moving to Fiji.
What do I need to know before moving to Fiji?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Fiji, they said:
"Like everywhere be careful with giving away too much information. We could have easily been taken advantage of many times. Once in Fiji there seems to be a "Coconut grapevine" and if you want something or to rent somewhere somebody always knows how to get it or to arrange it for you. Anything we wanted there was a person for it. Again be careful about prices charged. Unfortunately where we were living was very disadvantaged and while we were not wealthy we did do a lot for the village and hence everyone thought we were rich," remarked another expat in Sigatoka Valley, Fiji.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
How do I find a place to live in Fiji?
We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:
"Luckily through a friend we got onto a Fijian couple and we rented their kit home on 2 acres - we could not find anything on the internet for the area we wanted to live which was around the Sigatoka area," explained one expat living in Sigatoka Valley, Fiji.
What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Fiji?
"It was a kit home brought over from Australia. No expats in the area at all, we actually lived in a fijian village and were the only white people in the valley," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Sigatoka Valley.
What is the average cost of housing in Fiji?
If you are thinking about moving to Fiji, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:
"Costs were lower. Our rent was good, markets provided our fruit and vegies. The real cost was buying red meat and getting good quality meat. Got to know our butcher who informed me Thursday was good meat day ! Laws dont allow us to buy housing in Fiji," explained one expat living in Sigatoka Valley, Fiji.
Expat Health Insurance in FijiWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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What should I pack when moving to Fiji?
We asked people living in Fiji to list three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They responded:
"3 things I wish I had brought: more Coffee, Stronger insect repellent & quality chocolate (4th thing would be my hairdresser !) 3 things I could have left at home were half my suitcase, shoes and makeup - no need," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Sigatoka Valley.
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What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Fiji?
We asked people in Fiji if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!:
"We have become infamous, the majority of people who live here know our story. We can only hope that by telling our story, that we can save others from being cheated by these two crooks also," said another expat in Savusavu.
"I asked questions in regards to the job and it seems as if people do not like that but orientation did not provide answers," added another expat who made the move to Suva.
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How are healthcare services Fiji?
When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Fiji, they replied:
"It is better to go to a private hospital or private clinic rather than waiting in along queue waiting to be addressed by a few rude nurses," remarked another expat in Suva.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
