Moving to Barbados??

[Zeeky]

DH is applying for a job in Barbados. It is a really good job - a big step up for him. We're excited at the prospect of a possible move to Barbados, but also a little scared! We have a 3.5yr old ds & a 10mth old ds. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of living in or relocating with a family to Barbados?

No unfotunately.
I am green with envy though!

Good luck!

Out of interest have you been to Barbados Zeeky?

Barbados is beautiful but also very poor. There is a fair bit of crime and although it is a stunning holiday destination unless I was super wealthy I would have reservations about living there.

That's my understanding too newpup. It is very cliquey amongst the expats and money is everything.

It is a developing country and it certainly feels like but then has this whole other dynamic of the uber weathly and their polo clubs!

Umm, newpup, there is actually relatively low crime, and it's not really poor!

Bad things - really hard to get decent groceries, things are very expensive. markets are the best place for fish etc. It takes FOREVER to get things like internet sorted - you have to be v laid back.

Bridgetown is quite scruffy, in fact lots of it is.

But, the people are really friendly, it's a lovely island, lots to do, it's not just a holiday destination.

No never been there Holly.

Thanks for the info ozziegirly - that was what I had heard about it - standard of living is high but so is cost of living as everything imported. DH's job would be with a telecoms company there so hopefully things like mobile/phone/Internet would be sorted for us quickly .

Jumping the gun a bit as he has only just applied - he needs to actually get an interview before we seriously start considering a relocation! Just wanted to get a feel for the place.

Ah well maybe your husband could get things working a bit more quickly!

It is a lovely place and to be honest, it would be a fun adventure, so why not! You're also close to lots of nice other islands as well as the USA.

I've a friend in Cayman and I'd guess it similar. Her kids were born there and are now 7 and 5. She says it's an incredible place to raise the kids but she is concerned for secondary education which may seem a long way off but she has found now she's use to the lifestyle she isn't sure about going home or to US so it is an issue to think about.
The other big thing is the islands can be very small in terms of community - everyone knows everyone and everything about each other! From the times I've been out I always knew that part would drive me insane but I'm a big city girl :)
Good luck in the decision!

Hi - coming to this a bit late so you might not read this but I have recently returned from living in St Lucia and have visited Barbados several times. Please let me know if you would like to know anything - one tip would defintiely be to buy lots of things like nappies, wipes etc in advance as they are VERY expensive in the Caribbean. Also flying in the region is very expensive so don't plan to do lots of island hopping! Barbados is beautiful and there is more to do there with children than in St Lucia (eg there is a chain of fast food restaurants with play areas, and a few other similar) but again it's very expensive to do the sort of things you would do on holiday.
There are good schools there, although I can't advise on which are the best. Oh and don't expect to be on the beach all day every day - it gets quite tedious! I would start planning your trips to Miami now, that was our escape!

Hi there; I was raised in Barbados from 4 to 17; went to school there and everything. It was a FABULOUS place to grow up! I was so lucky - what a childhood.

Pro's - Amazing education system turning out an extremely educated and skilled workforce. 98% literacy - all Bajans take education very very seriously.

There are private and government/(free) junior schools and the ultimate goal is to pass the 11+ to Harrisons College/Queens College (top tier) St Michael's/Lodge School/Combermere (Rihanna's old school) second tier. There are also a few private secondary schools, but everyone (expats and locals) tries for QC and Harrison's - these two school are over 100 years old and really traditional grammars. They are outstanding. I went to Queen's.

Barbados is known as Little England - it is strangely and adorably English in many ways - they were under English rule for 400 years. Their infrastructure works (not like Jamaica or Trinidad which by the way have terrible crime.

Life is at a slower pace and very outdoorsy - beach/sailing/water skiing/picnics/festivals all wonderful fun.

Barbados is very beautiful and although there is some crime it is a very safe place to live - safer than London!

The people are really friendly and helpful and just plain nice. Some expats choose not to interact and are cliquey, (as expats often can be) but it will be easy to make local friends.

The food is really good. The beer is really good. There is a fantastic carnival called Crop Over, and there are various other festivals - there is a Jazz festival too. Bajans like to dance, sing and party - and have a great attitude to life.

Barbados is very family friendly. At the private schools your children will make close local and expat friends.

Cons:- Food is expensive and the cost of living is high, due to having to import everything.

The summers are rainy, humid and hot (the winters are perfect).

The slower pace of life and smallness of the island gives it a bit of a 'villagey' feel in that everybody knows your business (even more so for the expat community). This can be a tad claustrophobic, (although it is nice to be part of a close knit community sometimes).

There is still a lot of colour consciousness - a hangover from the old days, which means that Bajan whites do not mix with the other races much.

And finally my pet peeve; the Government does not try to preserve the architectural heritage that makes Barbados beautiful and unique. Also they keep throwing up hotels that ruin the views and vistas I grew up with. Please join the National Trust! Lol!

Hope that helps!