Best links/FAQ about Moving/Living as an Ex-Pat?

[SweetSue]

Sweetness - good words of advice. People come to JA on vacation and think how cool it would be to live there but all they really know is the "tourist" experience. It is hard to get away from that because no matter how many good Jamaican friends you may make, they still view you as "farrin" and will treat you (and your money) differently than they would one of their own. Plus, you are still going back home in a few weeks or months. It just isn't the same as trying to live there, keep within some kind of budget, deal with the rules, bureaucracy and challenges of a JA life. I have spent a good amount of time staying with a friend in the countryside, living very simply in a board house with minimal amenities. It was an adjustment to be sure, but with each trip it becomes easier to slip into the mode. Of course it gives me some idea of what I can or cannot envision for a long term lifestyle. I keep my expenses fairly low and try to live realistically when I there.

I have some experience of trying to get things done - like working on a birth certificate for someone who's mother is dead, father never registered them, and most of the supporting paperwork was destroyed by Ivan. Now that will give you a taste of the bureaucracy! I come down a few times a year, so when I weigh it out, skipping the AI experience so that I can be among people I have come to love and be in a place that feels so good to be in is worth it to me. I am looking ahead now to what I hope to do in 5 to 8 years - retire. I am not wealthy but I may be willing to forgo having a little more money so as to enjoy the lifestyle I think will make me happy. If I make the transition from full time to travel nursing, I will be able to do more sooner.

Brasi - The part about putting it down on paper - that's an important step. I have been weighing the options myself and as much as I would love to do it "sooner", it probably will be "later." Much of that is based on the financial and family issues. If I were to try to go too soon, making a living would be an issue. Like Sweetness, I would not want to even try to take on a form of employment that would deprive someone else of a chance to support their family. Not when I currently have so many more options than they do. So I am working on a plan that will allow me to fund that future lifestyle. But if you are a creative, entrepreneurial type you may be able to come up with something that could help yourself and others.

I hope to meet Rob and Lisa someday. Rob's postings on a number of issues have been spot on. He sounds like someone who would really be able to give a good idea of what it takes to make it work. I'll be checking this thread as I too could benefit from the advice of others more experienced.


Peace





Good luck to you.