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Hopetown in Elbow Cay, Bahamas

Living in Bahamas

By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on Mar 04, 2024

Summary: The approximate population of the Bahamas is 391,232 people. The largest cities in the Bahamas are Nassau, Freeport, and Lucaya. Expats love living in the Bahamas for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and laid-back lifestyle. People describe life in the Bahamas as relaxed and peaceful, with a strong sense of community. Popular foods in the Bahamas include conch, grouper, and johnnycakes. The cons of living in the Bahamas include the high cost of living, limited job opportunities, and the lack of public transportation. The average cost of living for an expat in the Bahamas is estimated to be around $2,500 to $3,500 per month in US dollars. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, and other expenses.

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What do I need to know about living in Bahamas?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Bahamas, they said:

"Expats considering retiring in the Bahamas should consider the cost of living as well as the local culture. Before deciding to retire in the Bahamas, expats should familiarize themselves with the different visa requirements and ensure they comply with them. Additionally, expats should be aware that property ownership is restricted in certain areas and that different taxes may apply. Lastly, expats should research the local infrastructure, such as hospital and medical care availability, as well as transportation and accessibility options," remarked one expat who made the move to Bahamas.

"Really take a close look at the cost of living before deciding. Everything is much more expensive here then it would be in most parts of the world. As an example a car here will cost about double the value in the USA. If you import it they add 75-80% duty on the value they determine (along with all the freight costs it quickly gets to 100% on top of the value) and if you purchase here the prices are already about double the price in the USA to begin with. Rent, Water and electricity are also very expensive here. This is not a location you would come to in order to lower your cost of living and "stretch" your salary but if you can afford the high cost of living the weather, beaches and people are quite inviting," explained one expat living in New Providence, Bahamas.

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

Hopetown in Elbow Cay, Bahamas

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