Bermuda

[YesAnastasia]

It's a real possibility that we will move there & now I'm scared.

Anyone have any experience with the place? What are the schools like? Crime? The quality of life? Weather? Houses?

I'd love to do it but would I regret it? And would I be lonely?

[ggirl]

I lived there for a few yrs in the late 1980's
It's beautiful .
I worked as a nurse.
Weather is temperate , humid and hot in the summer coolish and damp in the winter.We had to have heaters in the wardrobes to stop clothes going green.
Houses are lovely and rent is high.
There is a strong expat community and when we were there there was a feeling of aminosity between the Bermudians and the expats. I have no idea if this is still the case though. It didn't affect life much though.Taxi drivers very polite cos they think you're a tourist until you pay in bermudian dollars then they scowl at you(nowt serious)
Life is good there ,but expensive and you'll need the high salary to enjoy it.
Personally I got island fever as it really is quite small.
What work will you be doing?

[YesAnastasia]

DH would be working in an office (computers) and for the first year I will be a SAHM with older DS in school.

Did you go with your family? Do you know anything about the schools?

Thanks for your reply :) Would you ever go back?

[ggirl]

Hi , My dh and I went when we were young and childless (bliss) so sorry no info on schools. We made expat friends there from Ireland who still live there , the educated their children there but sent them to UK for senior boarding school at age 13. Not sure why , cos we don't really keep in touch anymore.
I would go back ..but for a holiday. Dh enjoyed the work there, he was working as Chartered Acct in reinsurance which is big business over there.
Will you have a chance to visit before you commit ?
Will your dh be on a short or long term contract?
When we were there there was a policy of one car per household so lots of people ride mopeds. Worth thinking about that if you mind riding one.

[YesAnastasia]

Where did you live & how long did you stay? Is it really that small?

I expect we will only go on a long term contract, I certainly don't want to mess the children around too much.

We can't afford to visit before we go - is that insane?

I don't drive anyway so we walk all the time as it is. I have a bicycle so will get one there too I expect. Probably DC too if we can.

I have heard that the schools aren't brilliant but with primary school I don't care as long as the DC are happy.

[ggirl]

We lived in Warwick and we didn't visit before we went either.
Hmm don't remember many cyclists there, would recommend you live near Hamilton or wherever your dc will be at school if you aren't going to drive or ride a moped, it's not that small that you can cycle everywhere easily.

[ggirl]

We stayed for 18mos.
I loved the weather , the beaches, the social life, bomibing around on mopeds and the beauty of the place.

I didn't like the expense , everything is imported, the undercurrent of animosity towards expats (may not be the case now) , the cockroaches and the massive road toads and living on an island . I missed the rest of the world

[beachcello]

I lived and taught in BDA for 6 years. It's beautiful, friendly, safe and your quality of life/work:life balance will be brilliant.
But it is expensive, all food is imported - expect to pay $8 for a hovis loaf which is already passed its BBD!) American food is more reasonably priced.
Schools are expensive and so is housing so you'll want that to be covered by your H's salary. Saltus, Warwick Academy and BHS are all great schools
You won't cycle, it's too hilly, humid, hot and the roads are like little country lanes! With a family you will want a car, plus a moped for your H to commute with. Passing both tests is v easy. You are only allowed one car per property.
If the salary is suitable, Bermuda is one of the best places in the world to live and bring up kids, I really think. I don't know anyone who didn't enjoy their time there!

[MadIsTheNewNormal]

No experience of Bermuda but I have lived four times as an expat in the past. Can I just say in response to the thing about the Hovis loaf, yes it's true that you will pay silly money for imported, branded items if you are determined that you can't live without them, but it's not like there will be no other suitable cheaper bread on the island! We would treat ourselves to certain things like a Kingsmill loaf once in a while, but we learnt to embrace the local or more readily available brands, and with a bit of trial and error you can find much cheaper, perfectly acceptable alternatives for almost everything.

Just didn't want you to be scared of going on the basis of paying 8 quid for bread.

[WytebordMarker]

The problem is that there is no alternative. Everything is imported and the food import is controlled by a few families, oligopoly. $8 a loaf of bread is cheap. If you go to a local bakery, would cost you much more.

[WytebordMarker]

"There is a strong expat community and when we were there there was a feeling of aminosity between the Bermudians and the expats. I have no idea if this is still the case though."

Yes it is still there and getting worse. People can be openly xenophobic towards non-Black Bermudian. They think we are taking their jobs.

Have made friends with some nice and friendly Bermudian. Sadly they are not the majority.