Advice on living in Jersey

[Pinkandwhite]

We are considering a move to Jersey (DH's company has an office there and there is an opportunity for him) and I am wondering if anyone can tell me what it is like to live there with children? Is there much to do etc? Thank you in advance for any replies/help.

[Brankolium]

It's an amazing place, especially with kids. Lots of beautiful beaches, watersports, places to explore (you need a car though).

But you need to seriously do your research, especially where you would live. There are big restrictions in housing (both buying and renting) for non-locals that make it very very expensive.

Also, would you want to work? Because you will potentially come up against similar restrictions there (some exceptions for particular skilled positions).

[dinkystinky]

Beautiful beaches, expensive property - check out schools and nurseries in advance to ensure you can get your children in to the schools you want.

[Pinkandwhite]

Thanks for the replies. I'm finding it hard to figure out the housing market. I've been doing searches on primelocation etc. Are the prices there not accurate for a non-local person?

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

www.gov.je/Working/Contributions/RegistrationCards/Pages/ResidentialStatus.aspx

Looking at this unless your husband is classified as an Essential Employee I don't think you can buy at all in Jersey until you have 5 yrs+ residency?

We have friends who live there. It seems like a really nice lifestyle and it's a beautiful island but they get frustrated by a) parochial politics and b) cost and availability of everything.

Anecdotally secondary education is an issue with many people choosing to send their kids to boarding school on the mainland. It's either that or pay overseas student fees at 3rd level as normal UK fees don't apply.

[Pinkandwhite]

Thanks very much treadsoftly. My husband is a lawyer so I'm assuming he wouldn't get essential employee status. I'm guessing that is just for nurses/teachers. Is that right?

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

I don't know enough about it I'm afraid - I think if your company is prepared to sponsor you as "essential" then the nature of the job is irrelevant. They have to prove that they couldn't recruit a suitable candidate locally. I think you are tied to that company for a period of time though 5-10 yrs? If you leave your status goes with it.

I'd post in Chat for more traffic

[Tworingsandamicrowave]

Usually the HR department of a company will be able to advise you on the housing qualification requirements as they will probably have dealt with this kind of thing before.

Also, you need to consider which side of the Island you want to live in as the commute can be quite long, especially if you're coming in to St Helier from the West.

Good luck with the move and it really is a beautiful place to live.