Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Sep 24th 2007, 12:07 am
#106
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hi bajangirl,
it all depends on your lifestyle, and if you are planning to rent a house/apartment or rather buy one. I and my family are now here and already had an overview of the property rental prices, if you need 3 bedrooms and want a nice house in a secure and quiet neighbourhood, maybe with a big garden around it, you should calculate BD$ 1.500 - 3.000,- - depending on the "luxury level" of the house. We just found a quite huge house in St. Philip for 2.000,- a month, but this was a bargain.......
Add BD$ 250,- - 350,- for energy, water and telephone per month, also depending on your spendings....
If your 2 kids will attend private school, plan around BD$ 800,- a month for both for tuiton fees if you are a national. For non-nationals it is more expensive....
We will pay around BD$ 700,- a month for St. Winifreds for our daughter.
Also living is not cheap, I personally would say that you will need around BD$ 500,- a week for 5 persons, if not more......
I am not a specialist in these things because we recently came over and are experiencing all this at the moment, but for our small family I calculated around BD$ 4.500,- per month for all (house, energy, water, phone, school, food, gas.....), but I suppose It will be little bit more once we really life here.....
I wish you the best for your plans, and hope that your husband will get a very good salary over here!
it all depends on your lifestyle, and if you are planning to rent a house/apartment or rather buy one. I and my family are now here and already had an overview of the property rental prices, if you need 3 bedrooms and want a nice house in a secure and quiet neighbourhood, maybe with a big garden around it, you should calculate BD$ 1.500 - 3.000,- - depending on the "luxury level" of the house. We just found a quite huge house in St. Philip for 2.000,- a month, but this was a bargain.......
Add BD$ 250,- - 350,- for energy, water and telephone per month, also depending on your spendings....
If your 2 kids will attend private school, plan around BD$ 800,- a month for both for tuiton fees if you are a national. For non-nationals it is more expensive....
We will pay around BD$ 700,- a month for St. Winifreds for our daughter.
Also living is not cheap, I personally would say that you will need around BD$ 500,- a week for 5 persons, if not more......
I am not a specialist in these things because we recently came over and are experiencing all this at the moment, but for our small family I calculated around BD$ 4.500,- per month for all (house, energy, water, phone, school, food, gas.....), but I suppose It will be little bit more once we really life here.....
I wish you the best for your plans, and hope that your husband will get a very good salary over here!
Sep 24th 2007, 8:35 am
#109
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 743
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hi bajangirl,
it all depends on your lifestyle, and if you are planning to rent a house/apartment or rather buy one. I and my family are now here and already had an overview of the property rental prices, if you need 3 bedrooms and want a nice house in a secure and quiet neighbourhood, maybe with a big garden around it, you should calculate BD$ 1.500 - 3.000,- - depending on the "luxury level" of the house. We just found a quite huge house in St. Philip for 2.000,- a month, but this was a bargain.......
Add BD$ 250,- - 350,- for energy, water and telephone per month, also depending on your spendings....
If your 2 kids will attend private school, plan around BD$ 800,- a month for both for tuiton fees if you are a national. For non-nationals it is more expensive....
We will pay around BD$ 700,- a month for St. Winifreds for our daughter.
Also living is not cheap, I personally would say that you will need around BD$ 500,- a week for 5 persons, if not more......
I am not a specialist in these things because we recently came over and are experiencing all this at the moment, but for our small family I calculated around BD$ 4.500,- per month for all (house, energy, water, phone, school, food, gas.....), but I suppose It will be little bit more once we really life here.....
I wish you the best for your plans, and hope that your husband will get a very good salary over here!
it all depends on your lifestyle, and if you are planning to rent a house/apartment or rather buy one. I and my family are now here and already had an overview of the property rental prices, if you need 3 bedrooms and want a nice house in a secure and quiet neighbourhood, maybe with a big garden around it, you should calculate BD$ 1.500 - 3.000,- - depending on the "luxury level" of the house. We just found a quite huge house in St. Philip for 2.000,- a month, but this was a bargain.......
Add BD$ 250,- - 350,- for energy, water and telephone per month, also depending on your spendings....
If your 2 kids will attend private school, plan around BD$ 800,- a month for both for tuiton fees if you are a national. For non-nationals it is more expensive....
We will pay around BD$ 700,- a month for St. Winifreds for our daughter.
Also living is not cheap, I personally would say that you will need around BD$ 500,- a week for 5 persons, if not more......
I am not a specialist in these things because we recently came over and are experiencing all this at the moment, but for our small family I calculated around BD$ 4.500,- per month for all (house, energy, water, phone, school, food, gas.....), but I suppose It will be little bit more once we really life here.....
I wish you the best for your plans, and hope that your husband will get a very good salary over here!
I'm so happy for you and your family it all seems to work out
And I know you haven't got anything against Brits
But isn't it nice to live in a country among all these lovely Bajans!?I experienced life in Barbados is definitely NOT cheap and with a family you need a damn good salary! Us Europians like our familiair brands and foods but you pay for it. Altough rice, some flying fish plus a cucumber salade will get you far
You were mentioning gas...I used to have these big gasbottles, 100 dollars and they lasted me, with a family of 6,three months. So, that's certainly very cheap!
I would like to ask you a favour tho....Next time you're in Holetown going into the mall could you say hello to the woman (white) who sells the jewelery, her stall is the second one when you get into the front entrance. Would you tell her I hopefully see her soon.And mention I'm Naomi's and Liam's mum!
If you could that for me I would be very thankfull
Well Belinda, enjoy your life and I hope it all gets better and better!!!
Sep 24th 2007, 10:49 am
#110
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Berkshire England
Posts: 4
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Before these petty replies go any further, let me say this:
1. My partner has bajan citizenship by decent.
2. My referal was relating to a previous reply asking of racism on the island
3. I'm not nor have racist views, my partner is of mixed race.
4. Anyone would be a fool or niave to think no country is racism free, it's the society we live in.
5. I replied to this site for constructive imput not to get caught up in petty accusations.
1. My partner has bajan citizenship by decent.
2. My referal was relating to a previous reply asking of racism on the island
3. I'm not nor have racist views, my partner is of mixed race.
4. Anyone would be a fool or niave to think no country is racism free, it's the society we live in.
5. I replied to this site for constructive imput not to get caught up in petty accusations.
Sep 24th 2007, 11:18 am
#111
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 743
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Before these petty replies go any further, let me say this:
1. My partner has bajan citizenship by decent.
2. My referal was relating to a previous reply asking of racism on the island
3. I'm not nor have racist views, my partner is of mixed race.
4. Anyone would be a fool or niave to think no country is racism free, it's the society we live in.
5. I replied to this site for constructive imput not to get caught up in petty accusations.
1. My partner has bajan citizenship by decent.
2. My referal was relating to a previous reply asking of racism on the island
3. I'm not nor have racist views, my partner is of mixed race.
4. Anyone would be a fool or niave to think no country is racism free, it's the society we live in.
5. I replied to this site for constructive imput not to get caught up in petty accusations.
Not your problem ofcourse,therefor I apologize!
Sep 24th 2007, 8:40 pm
#112
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Grenada
Posts: 218
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hope you will move over here and you will love it!!!!! Wish you all the best!
Belinda
Sep 24th 2007, 8:43 pm
#113
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Grenada
Posts: 218
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hi Belinda,
I'm so happy for you and your family it all seems to work out And I know you haven't got anything against Brits But isn't it nice to live in a country among all these lovely Bajans!?
I experienced life in Barbados is definitely NOT cheap and with a family you need a damn good salary! Us Europians like our familiair brands and foods but you pay for it. Altough rice, some flying fish plus a cucumber salade will get you far
You were mentioning gas...I used to have these big gasbottles, 100 dollars and they lasted me, with a family of 6,three months. So, that's certainly very cheap!
I would like to ask you a favour tho....Next time you're in Holetown going into the mall could you say hello to the woman (white) who sells the jewelery, her stall is the second one when you get into the front entrance. Would you tell her I hopefully see her soon.And mention I'm Naomi's and Liam's mum!
If you could that for me I would be very thankfull
Well Belinda, enjoy your life and I hope it all gets better and better!!!
I'm so happy for you and your family it all seems to work out
And I know you haven't got anything against Brits But isn't it nice to live in a country among all these lovely Bajans!?I experienced life in Barbados is definitely NOT cheap and with a family you need a damn good salary! Us Europians like our familiair brands and foods but you pay for it. Altough rice, some flying fish plus a cucumber salade will get you far
You were mentioning gas...I used to have these big gasbottles, 100 dollars and they lasted me, with a family of 6,three months. So, that's certainly very cheap!
I would like to ask you a favour tho....Next time you're in Holetown going into the mall could you say hello to the woman (white) who sells the jewelery, her stall is the second one when you get into the front entrance. Would you tell her I hopefully see her soon.And mention I'm Naomi's and Liam's mum!
If you could that for me I would be very thankfull
Well Belinda, enjoy your life and I hope it all gets better and better!!!
Hi Cathy,
Nice to hear from you, and of course I will tell your greetings to this lady you mentioned, I will look for her when we go there next time!
Hopefully you make it over here soon.........keep me updated of your schedules ok???
Sunny greetings from our island
Belinda
Sep 24th 2007, 9:20 pm
#114
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 32
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
I and my young son are thinking of moving to Barbados sometime this fall. The question is where. I want an area that is family friendly yet clean and safe.
Most important I want a place with lots of other families, an easy community where my son can go outside and walk or ride a bike(right now he is too young for that but that wouldn't last long) to visit his friends without having to deal with traffic or a street right outside the door with cars parked all over. I would love a truly car free community, but that is perhaps asking for too much. Still an estate that restricts cars so kids can run around more or less safely would be very desirable. Or even an apartment complex that keeps the cars underground and has some green space around it. And a place with good schools and activities for the kids and and good parent connections in the area. Cost is not a big problem. I would be willing to pay up to 1500 euro or even a little more for a 2 or 3 bedroom house or apartment though I would prefer to pay less.
Any suggestions?
Dale
Most important I want a place with lots of other families, an easy community where my son can go outside and walk or ride a bike(right now he is too young for that but that wouldn't last long) to visit his friends without having to deal with traffic or a street right outside the door with cars parked all over. I would love a truly car free community, but that is perhaps asking for too much. Still an estate that restricts cars so kids can run around more or less safely would be very desirable. Or even an apartment complex that keeps the cars underground and has some green space around it. And a place with good schools and activities for the kids and and good parent connections in the area. Cost is not a big problem. I would be willing to pay up to 1500 euro or even a little more for a 2 or 3 bedroom house or apartment though I would prefer to pay less.
Any suggestions?
Dale
Sep 24th 2007, 9:42 pm
#115
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Grenada
Posts: 218
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
I and my young son are thinking of moving to Barbados sometime this fall. The question is where. I want an area that is family friendly yet clean and safe.
Most important I want a place with lots of other families, an easy community where my son can go outside and walk or ride a bike(right now he is too young for that but that wouldn't last long) to visit his friends without having to deal with traffic or a street right outside the door with cars parked all over. I would love a truly car free community, but that is perhaps asking for too much. Still an estate that restricts cars so kids can run around more or less safely would be very desirable. Or even an apartment complex that keeps the cars underground and has some green space around it. And a place with good schools and activities for the kids and and good parent connections in the area. Cost is not a big problem. I would be willing to pay up to 1500 euro or even a little more for a 2 or 3 bedroom house or apartment though I would prefer to pay less.
Any suggestions?
Dale
Most important I want a place with lots of other families, an easy community where my son can go outside and walk or ride a bike(right now he is too young for that but that wouldn't last long) to visit his friends without having to deal with traffic or a street right outside the door with cars parked all over. I would love a truly car free community, but that is perhaps asking for too much. Still an estate that restricts cars so kids can run around more or less safely would be very desirable. Or even an apartment complex that keeps the cars underground and has some green space around it. And a place with good schools and activities for the kids and and good parent connections in the area. Cost is not a big problem. I would be willing to pay up to 1500 euro or even a little more for a 2 or 3 bedroom house or apartment though I would prefer to pay less.
Any suggestions?
Dale
I didn´t see residential communities because we were looking for a separate house to rent, and now we found a very beautiful and big house for BD$ 2.000,- in Long Bay Development in St. Philip (near Crane Beach). The neighbourhood is very very quiet, biking would be no problem, also there are not many cars because it is a residential area. Houses around look very expensive (most of them) so we think it will be nice to live there.
I would suggest that you drive around for a few days so that you see which region you like best. There are many many nice areas to live, so maybe you will find it quite difficult to choose
Wish you the best!!!
Belinda
Sep 25th 2007, 4:30 am
#116
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hi! I`ll be moving to Barbados next January, and I will like to know some facts, can somebody help me?
1. Is it a safe place to live?
2. Which is the best neighborhood to live in?
3. I have a 1 year old daughter, that I would like to get into a nursery or a daycare, so that she can learn to make friends. Do you know whic one is the best preschool to get her in?
Thanks for your help!
1. Is it a safe place to live?
2. Which is the best neighborhood to live in?
3. I have a 1 year old daughter, that I would like to get into a nursery or a daycare, so that she can learn to make friends. Do you know whic one is the best preschool to get her in?
Thanks for your help!
Jul 30th 2008, 12:36 pm
#117
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hi there,
We're thinking of moving to Barbados. Can you help us with some advice?
First: schools. We have a baby and a nearly 4 year old. Can you recomend any schools - and how to find out about them from the UK? Are they all in Bridgetown and are there any international schools?
Second: can anyone settle in Barbados? Just buy a property and that's it? We are self-financing - self-employed - any restrictions?
Third - how easy is it to make friends - particularly with other mothers with small kids? Are there a lot of expats and are they welcoming to new faces?
Fourth - what about the hurrican season, anything to worry about?
Also, which is the nicest place to live? I know it is a personal thing but any recommendations? We have stayed on holiday on the west coast but is there a lively community there or is it just too touristy?
I have also, considered my other favourite island of Anguilla but I think it may be too small and I don't know if there are any good schools. Does anyone have any experience of that or any other island they can recommend? We need to put the kids first so schooling and health/hospitals are a priority.
Thanks so much!
Linda
We're thinking of moving to Barbados. Can you help us with some advice?
First: schools. We have a baby and a nearly 4 year old. Can you recomend any schools - and how to find out about them from the UK? Are they all in Bridgetown and are there any international schools?
Second: can anyone settle in Barbados? Just buy a property and that's it? We are self-financing - self-employed - any restrictions?
Third - how easy is it to make friends - particularly with other mothers with small kids? Are there a lot of expats and are they welcoming to new faces?
Fourth - what about the hurrican season, anything to worry about?
Also, which is the nicest place to live? I know it is a personal thing but any recommendations? We have stayed on holiday on the west coast but is there a lively community there or is it just too touristy?
I have also, considered my other favourite island of Anguilla but I think it may be too small and I don't know if there are any good schools. Does anyone have any experience of that or any other island they can recommend? We need to put the kids first so schooling and health/hospitals are a priority.
Thanks so much!
Linda
I was just reading your posts from a couple of years ago. I too make a living from writing and left the UK 3 years ago. Somehow I've managed to drag my wife & 2 children round the world because of the wonder of email.
I just wanted to ask you if you finally made the move abroad and how it went.
Kind Regards
Craig
Jul 30th 2008, 5:30 pm
#118
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 27
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hi Craig
Funnily enough we are just making the arrangements to get over there. We were delayed due to circumstance but did a reconnaissance trip for several weeks earlier this year and went for interviews to both Codrington School and Providence as well as looking at accommodation possibilities (we looked at St Gabriels also). I don't know how old your children are (mine are boys 3 and 6) but I found out that it is essential to get student visas so that the children can go to school. For this you need a work permit. Obviously as a writer one is not going to get one so you need perhaps to set up a business and invest into the island before you can get permits. We have spoken in great depth to a lawyer over there and now just have to give him the go ahead - once our house here sells and we have the cash!
Anything else you'd like to know, just ask. The only other issues we felt we learned when we were over there again with kids (lthe time before was pre- kids) is that people are particularly friendly if you have children and that one woud have to make sure you are living fairly near to the school so you don't get caught up in the highway traffic at rush hour.
Where are you at the moment?
Linda
Funnily enough we are just making the arrangements to get over there. We were delayed due to circumstance but did a reconnaissance trip for several weeks earlier this year and went for interviews to both Codrington School and Providence as well as looking at accommodation possibilities (we looked at St Gabriels also). I don't know how old your children are (mine are boys 3 and 6) but I found out that it is essential to get student visas so that the children can go to school. For this you need a work permit. Obviously as a writer one is not going to get one so you need perhaps to set up a business and invest into the island before you can get permits. We have spoken in great depth to a lawyer over there and now just have to give him the go ahead - once our house here sells and we have the cash!
Anything else you'd like to know, just ask. The only other issues we felt we learned when we were over there again with kids (lthe time before was pre- kids) is that people are particularly friendly if you have children and that one woud have to make sure you are living fairly near to the school so you don't get caught up in the highway traffic at rush hour.
Where are you at the moment?
Linda
Jul 30th 2008, 6:28 pm
#119
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 385
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hi Linda,
What school are your children going to go to? My daughter is 3 and will be going to Codrington in September...
What area will you be living in?
Also you don't necessarily need a work permit to get a student visa, friends of mine live here but work offshore so don't have a work permit for Barbados and their children got visa's. I think it depends on the circumstances... and your lawyer too.
S
What school are your children going to go to? My daughter is 3 and will be going to Codrington in September...
What area will you be living in?
Also you don't necessarily need a work permit to get a student visa, friends of mine live here but work offshore so don't have a work permit for Barbados and their children got visa's. I think it depends on the circumstances... and your lawyer too.
S
Jul 30th 2008, 7:12 pm
#120
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 27
Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
Hi Shines,
We haven't quite decided but we liked both Codrington and Providence. What made you choose Codrington above the others?
I was very interested to hear about your friends. Could you tell me more about that? How are they able to stay on the island without a work permit - or are they just renewing every six months? We were definitely advised that the only route for student visas which would also allow us to live on the island for 3 years was a work permit.
Do you have the name of their lawyer? I feel now I should perhaps speak to someone else in case there is a different route - though our lawyer sounds very kosher.
Any advice would be most gratefully received.
Best regards,
Linda
We haven't quite decided but we liked both Codrington and Providence. What made you choose Codrington above the others?
I was very interested to hear about your friends. Could you tell me more about that? How are they able to stay on the island without a work permit - or are they just renewing every six months? We were definitely advised that the only route for student visas which would also allow us to live on the island for 3 years was a work permit.
Do you have the name of their lawyer? I feel now I should perhaps speak to someone else in case there is a different route - though our lawyer sounds very kosher.
Any advice would be most gratefully received.
Best regards,
Linda