Friends in the Hood

[Bnewb]

How long can one stay in Jamaica at a time? We're planning an Aug/Sept trip for 2 week to see the place and housing; depending on findings, will like to return permanently.

Accompong is correct...you'll have to go to Montego Bay (the closest to Negril) or Kingston to extend your stay another 90 days.
If you are planning on living here and you've no connection to Jamaica via marriage or family, you will need to apply for Permanent Residency, a Work Permit if you're planning on working in Jamaica or you could eventually apply for citizenship.

You haven't said if you've been to Jamaica before or if you're a regular visitor here but either way, you are going to need to spend more than a couple of weeks to "see the place". There's a lot to learn and understand and you won't be able to do that in a such a short time. Jamaica can be a fabulous place to relocate but even people that have lived here full time for years, have had issues with adjusting to the differences in lifestyle.

[Accompong]

You haven't said if you've been to Jamaica before or if you're a regular visitor here but either way, you are going to need to spend more than a couple of weeks to "see the place". There's a lot to learn and understand and you won't be able to do that in a such a short time. Jamaica can be a fabulous place to relocate but even people that have lived here full time for years, have had issues with adjusting to the differences in lifestyle.

Bnewb. I think this can't be stressed enough. There have been scores and scores of people that I have either personally known or that I have met through forums like here who thought they were prepared to move to Jamaica permanently and have since left disillusioned by the experience. It is not like moving from say Omaha Ne. to NYC although a shock to the senses that would be. Everyday life in Jamaica can wear you down. Things that are common place and easy where you live can be laborious and frustrating in Jamaica.

Although I now live in rural Jamaica, if I didn't go back and forth once or twice a year I would pull out the little bit of hair I still have. We have a saying in my hometown that "there are 25 hours in a day and 8 days in a week" to describe how slow time seems to go there and planning things around "likkle more" and "soon come" can be nearly impossible. I have stayed for multiple months in five different locations (Kingston, Port Maria, Treasure Beach, Accompong Town and Negril) and each presented me with different challenges to overcome.

My advice to someone wanting to move to Jamaica might include:
1) Be sure you have more than enough steady income (Being retired helps because finding a job and getting a Work Permit is very hard) Everything will cost more than you plan for.
2) Use some money to go to Jamaica at least 3 times in one year. (Tourist Season, middle of Summer and Fall) Each season has different challenges.
3) Stay for at least a month each time (being the "fresh face" and being a "veteran traveler" can be quite different)
4) Explore different areas. (Your dream might be the beach in Negril but your wallet might not be fat enough to keep you there)
5) Choose your friends VERY carefully. (Man to man is so unjust, children: Ya don't know who to trust.Your worst enemy could be your best friend,And your best friend your worse enemy.Some will eat and drink with you,Then behind them su-su 'pon you.Only your friend know your secrets,So only he could reveal it. - Bob Marley was SO right about that).
6) Keep your financial situation to yourself (No need for anyone to know how much you have, how much you can get or where your money comes from)

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.

Peace and Guidance

[Bnewb]

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!