Jocky Lockie

$120k certainly above what I'm sure they will offer, I assume that your $120k is gross? (I would think around $100k is their max'.)

Car, house & flights are included.

The position is advertised as 'Tax Free'

username 34

well if its "tax free" or tax paid then you must ensure that the minimum you receive would be $8k USD per month. Personally thats the lowest I'd go and you can have a decent lifestyle on that and pay for the kids school. dont go lower - you'll only regret it otherwise. Stick out for that $8k NETT per month, and check out the house you'll be going to .... if they're serious they should fly you out for the interview and you can see the accomm then - if like us it wasnt right, we went round and found where we like and got them to rent another one for us.

Bajanboy

I think Islandmon is wrong on a couple of points.

There are only a few private schools here, and I do not know of any that charge US$7500 per child. If your kids can get into one of the better government schools, it will be cheaper and the quality of education will be better than the private schools. Private schools generally cater to white bajans whose kids cannot get into the better government schools.

Very few jobs pay US$120K plus expenses and you certainly do not need to earn that much to have a good life here. If you are going to be given a car and housing, you and your family could live quite comfortably for US$1000 per month.

One thing moving to Barbados can teach you is to enjoy the things in life which are free or cost very little and to realise that material goods are really not that important. A day at the beach with your family is a good example.

As for schools, you may wish to begin enquiries now. Call the ministry of education 246 430-2700 as a good starting point. They could probably let you know your options for government schools, and also give you the numbers of the private schools on the island.


Regards

John

Jocky Lockie

Many thanks for your considered responses I hope I could buy, all that responded , a 'wee' drink if I get the job as a thanks.

username 34

hate to argue with this BajanBoy but you're a bit far out!! living on $1000 US per month you can do (if you are alone and live like a monk!) - but I wouldnt want to! Of all the expats we know living there and here many are on the $120k wage scale. If you want to "enjoy" life, 1000 bucks aint gona get you many places .... the equivalent of £500 for your food, gas, living, tv, phones, car payments for 2nd car, kids stuff, school fees, socialising etc... sorry Bajanboy but you need WAY more than that! - think more like $5kUSD! and thats a fact if you add up monthly costs listed above.

oh ... and school fees, I said $7500 per child per year .... I was wrong .. its $12,000 per year per child!! thats for the Codrington secondary private school its $8000 bds per term ($4000 US), 3 terms a year

check the link ...
http://www.codrington.edu.bb/cs/Public/Fees.asp

please do take my advice ... 120k is a good figure, I know what I'm talking about!! and of note - I'd enroll my kids in private schools any day of the week. The teachers are very well qualified international teachers and have to justify their expat salary by performing well - check out the schools stats for Barbados and you'll see the private schools achieve the highest standards every year ..

Bajanboy

Ok, Islandmom, I'll conceed on Condrington. A few years ago they were on the point of closing down. I guess they have decided their niche is the higher end of the market. Other private schools such as St. Winifreds do not charge nearly as much. There is nothing wrong with the better government secondary schools, and many students from them go on to University in the UK, the US and Canada.

I know lots of expats working here as QSs, engineers, and in offshore companies. I am sure some of them might earn US$120K, but most do not. A package of US$120K plus housing, car and other benefits might work out of total compensation package of US$150K.

US$1000 would cover your basic living expenses if your utilities, rent and car are covered. If you need to buy another new car, add another US$500 per month. It did not include school fees. In other words, just food and basic entertaining. If you want to eat in West Coast restaurants three times a week, obviously US$1000 will not do.

When you come to Barbados, I will show you how to live for less. As a single person, I spend about Bds$250 per week on food, and that includes eating out a couple of times a week plus having a few beers a couple a times per week.

Obviously, the more you can earn, the better, but it is rubbish to suggest that you can not enjoy yourself and provide a good life for your family for less than US$120K. As a QS, I would imagine they would offer you US$75K plus your living expenses.

John

username 34

oh absoloutely - its all about what you want from your life - but with a wife at home and 2 teenage kids already they are quadrupling your spend of $250 a week as a single guy - therefore ballpark of $4k per month.

we could live much more cheaply here - but we spend every bit of the cash we get here but we also do send 50% of our monthly wage offshore and that money is what we spend on holidays, savngs, school fee trust etc etc.

if he gets $100k + the package they should have a good life. People very quickly forget that a package to a single guy can sound great but chuck in us wives and a couple of kids and thats 4 people to support on the 1 wage, 4 people to buy flights for, 4 people to feed and clothe etc etc.

hey - I'd rather live cheaply in the caribbean than the uk any day

Bajanboy

True, I have no kids or no wife so mayby I am out of touch as to what they truely cost.

OK, I am off to the quiz night and a few beers.

Jocky Lockie

Great debate guys and I'm sure this thread will help alot of others with similar questions.

G.

username 34

I rememeber those days ..... vaguely!!

wofbart

I think we have all forgotten one thing, if you want to life like a celeb then you need all the money you can get, i lived there took home $2000 bds pm, paid rent on an apt in sunset crest ate out most nites both local and posh ran a car had everything and more in my apt and still saved money, if your after a good life then its up to you how much u need to make you happy i have many family members and expat friends that don't make that much but you would never know, why becuse life is what you make it.

so if you need alot of material things then you will need to make $150k, if not $75k is good.

Bajanboy

Wofbart:

That is my point exactly. Barbados is as expensive as you make it. Most Saturdays I go to a rum shop in Lemon Arbour, St. John which has beautiful views over the St. John valley. A huge plate of pudding and souse (pickled pork dish) is US$6 and beers are US$1.25 each. No matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to spend more than US$15 for a great lunch (which sometimes runs into dinner).

username 34

to a point yes I agree - but having a family in tow makes it far more complicated. Bigger car, more expense there, bigger house, more utility bills there, school choice, more expense there, et etc.

as a single person its pretty easy and can be cheap - with kids its a WHOLE different ball game! its not just about food and drink, its about school books, uniforms, sports clubs, changing clothes every 6 months coz they're growing so fast, car seats. bigger cars, school fees, college fees, toys, computers, yadda yadda.

the list never stops. unfortunately!

17green

Following the threat I'll add my 2 pennies. As a recent arrival here from UK, my overall opinion about the cost is that, if you want to have the same life style like in UK you have spend more. example: if your family thinks broadband is essential for just 2Mbps you pay £100/month. excluding land line rental (cable&wireless).
To live on a the same (as you are now) budget your family would have to change its lifestyle.
At least what ever you do or experience here is under the warm sun or warm rain!
george

PS: and since I'm working in the uni, I can't avoid not making a note about the level of high school graduates.
1. What we get as 1st years is ..beyond belief! no surprise the massive drop out after the 1st year.
2. Universities in UK will take anybody! seems £10k per year tuition fees for an overseas student is too much to refuse.

Bajanboy

The government is pushing to get one graduate per household here in Barbados, but they are lowering standards to boost enrollment at the University and colleges.