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AMA
Original poster

I live in the Channel Islands (yes we pay tax) AMA!

50 replies

GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:00

So I'm a boring soul and the only thing I can think that may possibly be of interest is that I live in the Channel Islands (Guernsey) although I have a lot of knowledge about Sark, Herm and Alderney too as I've spent extended periods on those islands.

There seems to be so much misinformation in the press about life here (usually related to tax because we don't pay tax to the UK just like you over there don't pay tax to us Wink although we don't mention it as often as you Grin)

But seriously, if anyone has any questions about life, education, health, or just general way of life then please.... AMA!

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user1471530109 · 13/08/2018 10:02

Do you have medical insurance? Someone said the NHS isn't available in the channel islands?

(I also have been told you are not technically part of UK or Europe?)

FiveGoMadInDorset · 13/08/2018 10:03

Just been to Sark, now on Guernsey and about to hit the pool at La Valletta, having a lovely time

JuniperBeer · 13/08/2018 10:04

Is it right that your children if you have any will be treated as foreign students so have to pay v expensive fees for uni in the U.K.? Does this make families move to England prior to their children being old enough to go to unis o they are treated as ‘home’ students?

redcarbluecar · 13/08/2018 10:05

Love Guernsey. What’s your favourite beach?

Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:09

*Do you have medical insurance? Someone said the NHS isn't available in the channel islands?

(I also have been told you are not technically part of UK or Europe?)*

I don't personally have medical insurance. The NHS is not available for us as we are not part of the UK (or the EU you're right). So we have our own healthcare system here.

We pay about £50 to see a GP (but if you're on benefits then it's covered for you) but for any hospital needs (ie pregnancy/cancer/ie anything done in a hospital not a GP surgery) there is no charge. The healthcare is all provided by private doctors but the bill is paid by the states (that's our goverment). The only thing the states don't cover is GP and A&E (A&E is about £150 to visit). So some people have insurance for those things but I don't bother.

If you need medical treatment beyond what our hospital can provide (ie a micro preemie baby) then the states cover the cost for you of being treated privately in the UK.

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Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:12

Is it right that your children if you have any will be treated as foreign students so have to pay v expensive fees for uni in the U.K.? Does this make families move to England prior to their children being old enough to go to unis o they are treated as ‘home’ students?

Yes we are classed as foreign students as not in the UK. (mine are only little so haven't looked into it really but I believe that's the case) However the States (government) pay (means tested) the university fees on a sliding scale for the children from Guernsey that study in the UK so no, people don't move to england before hand.

I think everyone gets the fees paid by the States but then the means tested bit is for a grant for living costs at uni

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Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:13

Love Guernsey. What’s your favourite beach?

Oooh probably Pembroke. So easy with the kids as lovely gentle slope, toilets, beach cafe all handy. Beautiful.

Just been to Sark, now on Guernsey and about to hit the pool at La Valletta, having a lovely time Oh fab, shame about the rain the last few days but hopefully it'll be a little drier this week.

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Pissedoffneigh · 13/08/2018 10:18

How accepted are incomers to the Island? We have friends who have been loving somewhere similar for the last 60 years and are still not accepted as incomers.

I love the CI. We regularly visit Jersey and love Sark.

user1471530109 · 13/08/2018 10:18

That's interesting, OP. So, as a type 1 diabetic, my healthcare would be covered?

just come back of hols and youngest DD made it v clear she wants to live there Wink

Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:22

How accepted are incomers to the Island?

On the smaller islands (Alderney and Sark) then you are never local even after about 60 years probably. They're pretty closed and not hugely accepting unless you never ever grumble or have any problems. Any little grumble would get "well why did you move here then"

However Guernsey is big enough, and has enough "immigrants" that I've found it to be very welcoming. Of course it's known that you're not local, but there are so many in the same boat that it usually wouldn't be held against you, except jokingly!

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Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:25

That's interesting, OP. So, as a type 1 diabetic, my healthcare would be covered?

It would apart from GP visits. So blood tests and monitoring at the GP you'd have to pay for. Can get costly for prescriptions if you have to go every few months to get a repeat prescription. But plenty of people have healthcare insurance for the GP.

If you needed anything done at the hospital it would be covered.

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user1471530109 · 13/08/2018 10:31

Eeeek. Prescriptions would be a bit a deal breaker considering how much I need.

I had a quick look at property prices in the paper in Jersey. They seem expensive! Would you say that's your experience? Or does it depend on island?
missing my holiday!

Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:37

I had a quick look at property prices in the paper in Jersey. They seem expensive! Would you say that's your experience? Or does it depend on island?

I think Jersey is the most expensive but Guernsey isn't cheap. Probably comparable with the south of England.

In Guernsey there are "open market" properties which are more expensive and "local market" which are cheaper. To live in a local market property you either need to be a local (born here or lived here for 15 out of 18 years of your childhood I think) or you can get a "local license" with your job. If it's a job that they can't fill by someone who lives on island then they'll advertise off island and the person who gets the job will also be allowed to live on the local market.

If you're just wanting to move but aren't working, or are retired then you need to buy Open Market which is a little more expensive.

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FiveGoMadInDorset · 13/08/2018 10:40

Funnily enough that topic about incomers and being accepted came up when staying with friends on Sark as one family is about to leave after 3 years, my Aunt still lives on Alderney, my grandfather moved there when he left the navy

DreamingofSunshine · 13/08/2018 10:43

user the prescription charge is just under £4 from memory.

DreamingofSunshine · 13/08/2018 10:44

Are you local Guernsey?

Who do CI support in the world cup/Olympics? I worked with someone from Jersey who refused to support England because she wasn't English.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 13/08/2018 10:47

Although to be fair to Sark and Alderney, we have people who move into our village and then moan the whole time

pieceofpurplesky · 13/08/2018 10:50

Pembroke is my favourite beach too OP.

Most companies provide medical cover that covers GP appointments and prescriptions are cheaper. I no longer live in Guernsey sadly, but go back at least twice a year to stay with friends

Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:56

Are you local Guernsey?

No we have been here about 10 years. Bloody incomers ;)

Who do CI support in the world cup/Olympics? A lot of people support England because a lot of people have family there or moved from England. But we do have a significant amount of Eastern European workers too so I guess they'd support their home country.

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Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 10:57

Most companies provide medical cover that covers GP appointments oh yes I forgot about that @user1471530109 because I'm self employed but it is a pretty standard perk to get with a job here, healthcare insurance.

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user1471530109 · 13/08/2018 11:57

Really interesting.

Out of interest, how many secondary schools are there? (I'm a teacher).

Id love to consider this properly. But realistically the fact the DC's dad and I aren't together anymore would mean this couldn't happen. Plus I've just relocated! bastard has followed me

angelican · 13/08/2018 12:01

I found myself on Guernsey for 2 hours this summer between ferries.....looked for a park for the kids to stretch their legs and ended up in one with a v odd tea room, there were page 3 posters in the men's toilets according to DH and felt like stepping back to a working men's club 50 years ago.....so guernsey didn't make a good first impression but maybe we just went to the wrong bit!!

We did have a few days in jersey and liked it, loved the zoo, but felt v small.

NameChanger22 · 13/08/2018 12:05

I've been to Guernsey. Is it all sweetness and light there, or is there an undercurrent? I got the impression there was something nasty in the woodshed.

Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 12:20

Out of interest, how many secondary schools are there?

There are 3 private secondary schools and I think 3 state secondary schools although there is a big change up at the moment and they're moving to 2 state schools. My children are all in one of the private schools.

30% of children are educated privately compared to 7.5% in the UK (interesting fact!)

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Original poster
GuernseyLife · 13/08/2018 12:23

@angelican I have no idea where you ended up. The only park within walking distance is probably Candie Gardens

museums.gov.gg/candiegardens

which is part of the museum and has statues and things. Was it that one?

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