Quote Originally Posted by Accompong View Post
Consider trying to split between your home now and staying in Jamaica as you will have to leave at least once a year for one day anyways to satisfy immigration rules. Six months in each place will let you know in a couple of years just where you really want to live. Jamaica is nice but noh easy.
Accompong...There is no leaving for one day during the year to satisfy immigration rules! You can only stay six months in a calendar year without having Permanent Residency, a Work Permit, Citizenship or having marriage/family connections. The six month visitor stay has always been in the immigration rules but didn't became regularly enforced until around 2009 or 2010.


As far as living in Jamaica...well I could go on for days about that...but living here full time or part time, working or retiring here, visiting a short time or visiting for months at a time...these are all very, very different perspectives of being in Jamaica. All valid and wonderful in their own ways...but completely different.

When I decided to live here full time, I realized to get a respectful understanding of the community and different lifestyle from my own, that I would have to stay without leaving for a long period of time. I found going back and forth and the differences in the two lifestyles adding to my frustration of "living somewhere new". I didn't leave Jamaica at one point for over four years and this helped me adjust to seeing Jamaica for what it truly offers.

I've also seen scores of people come and go in the time I've been here (never mind what Rob has seen in 25 years) and I've got to say it gets really easy to tell if someone is going to last here or not...usually right from the first meeting/introduction of that person. This is not meant as an arrogant comment, but rather a comment to remind everyone to do your homework if you're wanting to live anywhere that offers a permanent change in lifestyle. This may seem like a simple concept but too often it's completely ignored, and those that leave tend to blame Jamaica for their frustrations.
After living here I have found a great circle of friends who have helped make my transition successful.
My advice...only get advice from those that have moved here successfully and heed their advice...they know how to succeed in Jamaica and why others fail.

Jamaica can be an incredibly rewarding experience!