To want to move to the Caribbean

[Thisisnotataste]

totally.
I dream of living in a wooden house by the beach, with DD playing on the beach after school, DH working from home, same job, me working from home PT. Is it possible? Obviously my work and his are totally doable remotely!
Doesn't have to be Caribbean just somewhere relaxed and warm. I miss the sea since we moved inland.
Talk me out of this dream please! Its probably lockdown fever...

@Allthetoast You can DM me any time. We've been out of quarantine for a few weeks now and the place is better than expected. I'm in the Cayman Islands btw. It's so safe, clean, the restaurants are fantastic and the supermarkets are so so well stocked and fresh! Everyone is friendly and everywhere is very child friendly. People with babies and small toddlers everywhere, even in very fancy restaurants and it's totally normal. The moving process has been easier than I anticipated (in part because Cayman is so developed, not sure how another Caribbean country would be), happy to answer any question on here about shipping etc. Rent is similar to London but you get a lot more for it - I'm paying £2200/month for 1700sq ft, massive patio, in a complex with an enormous gorgeous pool and a gym, 3 minute drive from work (5min with traffic).

Downsides

• it's pricey (but higher salary and no income tax means most people are better off than the UK anyway),
• it's hot (but that's why I wanted to come here)
• reliant on a car at all times (but it's so hot 10am-5pm that you'd rather be in the car anyway)
• far away...10 hours flight time means you won't be popping back to the UK very often. I'm going to miss my best friend's wedding in a month's time and I'm absolutely gutted but there's no way to make it work.
• job opportunities outside the legal and financial sector are extremely limited.

Hi again @IHateWinter88! Thank you for this very thorough and considered response and sorry again for lateness responding.

So great to hear it's better than you expected. Personally I am desperate to have some sun, fresh air and freedom! Excellent to hear about the well stocked supermarkets and the restaurants, particularly the child friendly aspect, it sounds ideal. I had heard to the contrary about the supermarkets but i suspect that is outdated. Your house sounds incredible, all in all sounds great. Sounds just what I am hoping for, more space, better quality of life, more opportunity for outdoor activities and beach time.

Thanks for downsides too. I'm hoping to find work when I arrive but husband hopefully has a job lined up. I also love the heat, so that's no problem for me, although not so keen on having to drive everywhere and on having to miss out on events due to the distance. As you say, must be gutting to have to miss your bfs wedding. How long are you planning on staying? Do you have kids and are they in the local or private system? I'll give you a DM if and when we do know more about our move, thank you for the offer Thank you so much again for your helpful response, I am so glad its working out for you! take care

The crime rate puts me off a lot of Caribbean islands

@DaisyDreaming not all islands are the same. In Cayman, people leave their purses in the car, on the beach, etc, no fear of being stolen. Crime is very very low and I feel safer than I ever did in the UK.

I wish I was in the Caribbean right now pfft

We’ve had lots of employees request similar and said no I’m afraid. It causes the company you work for massive tax and HR headaches.

Because of its position, the hurricanes usually miss Barbados.

Having said that, we were once there when there was a very-nearly-hurricane. Violent winds all night, heavy rain, lots of trees blown down, some roads impassable, and for about 24 hours the lovely turquoise Caribbean looked like the North Sea on a bad day, lots of debris, too.

The floor of the hotel restaurant was awash, but staff did their valiant best and we were all fed, albeit maybe with wet feet.
But after about 48 hours you’d hardly have known, except for the odd lovely old fallen tree. 😩

@Allthetoast no kids yet (everyone else does, I actually feel left out a bit as there's so many babies everywhere lol) but you would have to send them to private school anyway, only Caymanians can attend public schools. Re the car, you get used to it quickly and everything is a 5 min drive away anyway plus it's actually very convenient due to the heat and humidity.

Plan was to be here 2-3 years. I honestly now don't know how I could ever go back to London though. The pace of work and the lifestyle are just too attractive here.

@Allthetoast regarding jobs, what do you do if you don't mind me asking? Jobs are protected and employers have to hire Caymanians UNLESS the job requires a certain experience and you have it and locals don't. So something like HR or marketing is very difficult to get as an expat. But something as a lawyer or accountant or something more niche is easily obtained.

Hiya, omg it sounds incredible @IHateWinter88. I really hope it works out for us too! Also hailing from London, so sick of it! We are actually likely to end up in Barbados although Cayman is a possibility. Work wise, for me it would hopefully be something Government-ish, but if not possible I would also consider a change of career or maybe do something remote in the UK. Interesting that those jobs are protected, I imagine it would be the same in BBD. I'm going to be totally gutted if it doesnt happen now, sounds amazing!

I have a kid about to start primary. Havent done any research on schools yet, so thank you for the info!

You can't just up and move there while continuing to work remotely at jobs in the UK. There are tax implications for your employer, potentially massive ones that would leave them liable for tax in two countries. They would have to agree to the move and get their international mobility people on it.

@Allthetoast I see, Barbados is very different to Cayman FYI. I know 2 people that have just moved here from Barbados. They said Barbados is prettier (mountains, more green) but it is MUCH smaller and less developed, it really does have an island feel I.e. you won't have as much choice of hairdressers, shops, food, restaurants etc but it's more relaxed and prettier so it depends on what you're looking for.

@Allthetoast apologies, I was actually thinking of Bermuda not Barbados above! So you can ignore my comments!

@Helpimfalling
Coarse but not blasphemous at all...

Haha no worries @IHateWinter88 - Bermuda sounds really nice! From what I understand Barbados is one of the most developed islands, but less expat than Cayman so possibly less imported stuff. Cayman sounds very fun, party atmosphere! Am sure you will enjoy. 2-3 years is also what we are thinking due to not wanting ro be away from family for long, but who knows.

@bunglebee thanks, yes might not be that easy... we could survive at least for a while off husbands salary, we hope, whilst I look for work. From what I understand they are offering a tax free remote working Visa to attract remote workers so may be possible. @GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER have also heard that hurricanes usually miss Barbados, but that sounds... exciting!

Yes, it was exciting in a way, @Allthetoast but I was initially disappointed since it started on our first night, the first indication being the beach bar being closed early because of expected ‘weather’ - before we’d made it down for a rum punch!

The main bar was open but it’s not the same as on the beach, with the sunset and the tree frogs chirping.

@Allthetoast - it’s not the employee’s tax that’s relevant it’s the employer’s.

[quote CarlottaValdez]@Allthetoast - it’s not the employee’s tax that’s relevant it’s the employer’s.[/quote]
This. The tax and legal implications of having an employee who is employed in one country and legally resident in another can be mindbending and take specialists to unpick. Most companies are not going to tolerate it unless you are some rare talent or have a bloody good reason for being where you are working from.

I would love to do this and for a years family adventure it would be fab and a great experience all round.

Rent would be fairly expensive but you are doing it for the experience. Would suggest private health care for the family. But go for it. Rent your house out for 1 year and go for it. You just need an apartment or small house. What a great adventure.

My fav islands in order are:-
Bonaire - fabulous island, Dutch but no direct flights. AMS to Aruba to Bonaire.
Antigua
Barbados
St Lucia

Never been to Jamaica nor Bermuda so can't comment.

Most companies are not going to tolerate it unless you are some rare talent or have a bloody good reason for being where you are working from.

Exactly - we’ve done it once for someone considered completely irreplaceable and even then it was such a nightmare that we’ve agreed never again. We’re a big company by the way with whole departments of accountants and lawyers.

I get your wanting to live somewhere without cold weather. Do your research properly first though.

I would be surprised if both of your employers would be happy though. Wfh now does not mean for ever, even if it ends up being one or two days per month visiting an office.

I work in HR and have had my ear bent on this very topic by our International Mobility team lately. Its been a fucking nightmare for them with people disappearing off to countries other than the ones they're hired in and then expecting it to be regularised and they're rapidly reaching the end of their tether.

Now you have got me thinking! Dp works from home, only needs an internet connection and precovid an international airport as her travels a lot. Brexit nightmare means might need to relocate anyway though suspect will need to be Europe alas, wonder if the French Caribbean islands count as eu?

I've visited the Caribbean a lot over the years doing various cruises. Grand Cayman is by far my favourite place in the Caribbean closely followed by St Lucia. However I wouldn't feel safe living over there in either place. Didn't enjoy Barbados at all, spent the entire time getting hassled constantly. Don't get me wrong most people we met over there were lovely but I was constantly on edge the whole time and no way would I feel safe during the night.