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Original poster

Moving to the Bahamas - need to make a decision!

32 replies

Emily202 · 21/07/2017 09:14

Hi all,

My husband has just been offered a transfer to the Bahamas for a 2 year period, with work. We need to make a decision pretty quickly as to whether we are definitely going, as they need someone there by October. We have two daughters - 4 & 8, and I want to make sure I do the right thing for them above all.

I'm feeling totally overwhelmed with it and go between feeling so excited at the opportunity, to thinking it's a crazily, scary big move and that we would be insane to do it! Whenever I dismiss the idea though, I feel like we would be saying no to such an amazing offer, and the potential for the girls to experience a different culture etc.

I guess I am interested to hear other people's experiences on taking such a big move, especially with young children, and how it went for you. Obviously I know that everyone's experiences are different, but any kind of advice on making such a big decision would be really appreciated.

And, if anyone happens to have made the move to the Bahamas - long shot I know ;) - I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks in advance,

Emily

OP posts:
Wholivesinashoe · 21/07/2017 09:17

GO! I would. Your children are young enough, no exams. You can't put a price on experience like this.

BatmansPrettierSidekick · 21/07/2017 09:39

Oh gosh go! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's only for two years so not forever and it will give your DC invaluable insight into other cultures.

At 4 & 8 kids haven't yet made forever friends and they're quite adaptable. It's not like they're in the middle of exams or anything. I think Bahamas is English speaking too? So the transition will be easier.

You'll forever regret it if you don't go. Have a wonderful time!

SnowiestMountain · 21/07/2017 09:40

Oh wow, go!! It'll be a brilliant experience and the kids are young enough to adapt

ShanghaiDiva · 21/07/2017 09:45

What's the package? No point in going if the package is not great and you can't afford to do anything when you are there.

For me the 2 key factors are healthcare and education.

Original poster
Emily202 · 21/07/2017 10:22

Thanks so much for the replies!

The package is good - you're totally right, without this we wouldn't have considered it at all. We'd be able to afford to send the girls to a good school and live in a nice area. Healthcare is also good, and my DH's company pays for 50% of this.

It all seems like such a no-brainer! Just feeling super apprehensive about it which sounds ridiculous I know, as it's such an amazing opportunity!

OP posts:
eurochick · 21/07/2017 11:21

Would you be on Nassau or GB? We've got friends who live on GB. It's very small (in a week visiting them we found ourselves bumping into locals we had already met) but the lifestyle is lovely - so relaxed. And it's easy to hop over to the US if you need a dose of city life.

hrfvenia · 21/07/2017 11:34

Yes yes yes!!! What a fantastic experience for the whole family, the children are old enough to remember it but young enough to be able to adapt effectively.

Oh what I'd give to be in your position! Good luck!

anotherdayanothernc · 21/07/2017 11:35

As long as you aren't planning or likely to have anymore children go!!

Graceflorrick · 21/07/2017 11:39

I didn't feel at all safe when I visited the Bahamas.

anotherdayanothernc · 21/07/2017 11:49

Safe? Why?

MrsFezziwig · 21/07/2017 12:09

I felt perfectly safe when I visited the Bahamas. It's like every other place in the world, there are dodgy areas and you just need to be sensible.

Original poster
Emily202 · 21/07/2017 13:34

Eurochick - Oh cool! We'd be in Nassau, so probably even a bit smaller that GB!! I've heard that trips to Florida are quite popular to break the 'island fever' with...which I could totally get on board with :)

Anotherdayanothernc - Definitely no more children for me :) so now would be the best time to do it for sure.

Re. feeling safe - the crime issue is definitely a concern for us. We've spoken to the HR manager in the Bahamas office about this, who says that it is mainly gang related, and like you say MrsFezziwig, you just have to be sensible and stay away from the areas where crime is most prevalent. I have no experience of being there though, so can't be 100% sure on how safe it is or feels. Interesting to hear other people's opinions on this.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 21/07/2017 13:47

I don't know the Bahamas, but it sounds a wonderful opportunity at a great time in their lives. It is normal to be nervous. Would the company give you advice support around letting out your own home here, etc?
dh was offered various contracts over a number of years in different parts of the world, but his field isn't well paid and we could only afford to live if I worked too and that started making it all complicated in terms of not really being able to 'slot into' jobs, but I often wonder 'what if'. If it is a good 'package' in terms of being able to live comfortably and your dc get a good education, it sounds wonderful.
Get a big house as I expect you'll have lots of visitors Smile

silentpool · 21/07/2017 13:58

I lived in Nassau for 2 years. You can have a nice life there. But it helps if you are ok with living on an island. Some people love that but others get island fever and need to get away regularly. Life is slow and you will need patience :)

You will be limited in terms of shopping and dining-many people do their clothes shopping in Florida when they get off the island. We also found it expensive TBH. Accomodation is not cheap, the vast majority of food is imported from the US and a lot of things like dining and activities are geared towards tourists. There isn't a lot of variety in terms of things to do and not much in the way of cultural pursuits. There is no income tax but you will pay through more expensive goods and customs duties if you buy something on Amazon etc

We didn't love it there as we aren't particularly beach/island people. But to be fair, I know plenty of people who love it. So it will depend on you and what you like to do.

In terms of crime, the Bahamas does have some issues. It has its shiny tourist face and then a few streets back, you will find genuine poverty. We had an outdoor guard dog for security (at our house)but never actually ran into any trouble myself. I would recommend renting in a townhouse/apartment complex if you are worried. My advice isn't particularly current though because its a few years now :)

ShanghaiDiva · 21/07/2017 14:36

Will your dh's company pay for a 'look see visit' before you need to make a decision?
I've been an expat for over 20 years and would recommend you consider the following:
Does the company pay for:
Dental
Health
Evacuation for medical emergency
Trips to UK. - how many each year?
Accommodation
Utilities
Tax advice
Schooling
Car
Pension arrangements - does this continue as before?
Removal costs - how much? Air freight? Sea freight?
Relocation allowance?
Not all of the above will be applicable to your situation, but may help you put together your own list.
Agree with previous posters, the ages of your children makes this an ideal time to move.

anotherdayanothernc · 21/07/2017 19:31

I was meaning zika also.

Original poster
Emily202 · 22/07/2017 11:45

Backforgood - I think we would let our house out yes, good plan asking the company for advice. They've been really helpful so far with lots of things.

Silentpool - Thanks so much for your reply. Really good to hear your experience of Nassau. Did you find it easy to meet people when you were over there? Other Mum's etc.

Shanghaidiva - Thanks for that list, so helpful!

OP posts:
chocolateavocado99 · 22/07/2017 20:01

Have you posted in Living Overseas? You might get more replies from others with experience of the local area.

Sounds like an amazing opportunity - good luck.

Windycityblues · 22/07/2017 21:38

We did a move to a Latin American country with four year olds for a couple of years. We are planning another move next month and they will be nine. I would recommend it but it isn't always easy. I under estimated how hard settling in would be for the kids and moving back to the UK was even harder for them, they have different education systems and DC ended up missing a year. This time around I am expecting 6months to a year settling time and we are on a longer placement.

Windycityblues · 22/07/2017 21:43

In addition to Shang's list it is worth knowing if a cost of living adjustment is made, if it is then the cost of goods is less important if it isn't then you need to know cost of living and adjust salary to take account of this.

seasonschooner · 27/07/2017 18:33

I agree with pp I felt unsafe in Nassau locals walk aroung with machetes. Confused I was also completely bored after a couple of weeks and cut my trip short. It is also hot and very humid.

busyboysmum · 27/07/2017 18:37

I have family who live in the Bahamas and there is no way that I could live there. There is very little to do there is no shopping there is no culture it's basically all based around the beach. However if you could put up with that for two years then go for it. My aunt went out there with my uncle in the 60s and had children and they are now really stuck there because the children have married Bahamians and their grandchildren are bahamian so if they came back to England there would be nothing for them here.

busyboysmum · 27/07/2017 18:38

Also to be honest there is no way I would be taking an 8 year old from her friends and school if she was settled there.

Original poster
Emily202 · 27/07/2017 18:46

Yes, I've found another thread that has a lot about how unsafe it is so we are not too sure no to be honest. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Busyboysmum - thanks for that. I guess it's a very personal decision and dependent on the individual child. There are pros and cons to moving children at any point in their lives. I moved around loads as a child and am fine Wink each to their own.

OP posts:
busyboysmum · 27/07/2017 18:50

I do know my cousins are big into drugs. It seems to be rife in the islands tbh in the way that it always is when there's not a lot else for the youth to do. Also a lot of Aids. Not that either of those issues would affect you with young girls but I would be wary.of moving there with teenagers. They were telling me some awful stories of girls who had come over on spring break from America, slept with local guys and ended up with Aids.

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