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

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hello

I have no clue about Barbados, but in all caribbean islands there is some kind of expat community.

Anguilla is beautiful but it is very small and it is quite difficult to get a work permit, depending on what job you do. I think most of them are financial related, but there isn't a huge need for expats (unlike in other caribbean islands). Having said that, it is growing though.

Hurrican season is now til end of October, although the majority are between August and September. Yes it is something to worry about if one is about to hit! You should have seen Cayman after Ivan, a lot of people lost their homes.

Depending on waht you do, wether you want to work, you may also like to consider Cayman, Bermuda or here.

Good luck!

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi Mary,
Many thanks for your reply. I wonder if you need a work permit if you are - as we are - just writers who sell our work in the UK? It is rather difficult to find out.

I have also read on this site a lot of tales about anti-white feeling on the islands - this does worry me a lot. Is it a reality, do you think? I'd hate to put my kids through that.

Many thanks again,

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hello,

I can't comment on Barbados, but here (and I think Anguilla, they closely follow the labour requirements here) you would not need a work permit, however you will need some kind of resident pass. I think if you buy a house then they will give you yearly residency (but not PERMANENT residency, that is very very difficult to get).

I can honestly say that parents who live here think it is the best thing that they have done for their children, and I think it is. We have private schools where the expat children go to and most parents know each other. Anti-white? ah ah ah, if you can cope with some attitude then all will be fine. I have never had any problems. What is more frustrating is how SLLOOOOWW everything is..

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

That is interesting. I wonder how big the ex-pat school is on your island? Are there enough English speaking children to enable each age group to have their own class? I know in the Highlands of Scotland kids have to share with 3 other age groups because numbers are so small.

So there is attitude. I wonder how this manifests? Are you blamed just for being there - even if you are not supposedly taking the islander's jobs? Or just treated like an idiot/ or just hassled a lot on the street?

Barbados was bad in this, I found, and St. Lucia less so but there was still some problem there. The smaller islands I've visited were better - particularly St. Barths - but mainly because most people are white - and to a lesser extent, Saba - again because the numbers were more level between white and black. Sad,though isn't it? How do you cope with it and does it get you down? I'd be able to ignore it but I wonder if my husband would?

Which island are you on? Do you find you need to get off the island a lot? Are you from the UK? And if you have kids - have you worried about tropical diseases? As a mother of small children, one does tend to think of these things!

Best wishes

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

I think it is difficult to compare other caribbean islands to Tortola (where I live) and say, Cayman and Bermuda. The locals here are rich. It is not like St Lucia where they wash their clothes in the river. Here they drive big expensive cars and own a lot of property. They all have good jobs. Half the population is ex pat. Mostly from other caribbean islands but a lot from the UK/US/Canada etc. I don't think the issue you had in Barbados is here. Yes, occasionaly you may get some sarky comment, or you may get attitude at the store, or you may experience some very rude people (of the type where they just cannot even bear to look at you rather than anything being said), but it is not a problem. It really isn't. I experienced just as bad in the UK, but for some reason everyone is so quick to blame the race card. If you go to any island you have to respect that it is THEIR island and not yours. In fact it will never be yours, as they don't grant citizenship. A lot of people come here, throw their weight about, and then complain about being discriminated. Anyway, I could go on but I won't. Let me finish that I prefer to be with even the rudest person here than with all the yobs that live in the UK.

Well, a lot of the schools here are private, although only 2 are worth mentioning. One is a Montessori school. The other school has a class for each age group (in fact they have to turn kids away every year), and I think there is a limit of about 15/20 per class, I am not sure. Apparently both are very good schools.

Yes, I need to try and get off the island a lot, although it is very easy to fly to Puerto Rico/the States/Other islands. The problem here is that time flies, we don't have seasons, so sometimes I don't know which month we are in.

Ah ah tropical diseases.. Like what???? Never heard of any, the hospital is OK and can deal with most things, if not they fly you over to Puerto Rico. We even have a plastic surgery clinic! I am not sure about other islands though, there was a case of dengue fever not so long ago in St Thomas (US Vigin Islands) but that is about it...

Mary

Re: Moving to Barbados - advice needed!
 

Hi Mary,

I'm so grateful for your advice. I have been doing a lot of thinking and have now switched my focus from Barbados to Tortola!

I have looked up the Montessori school (you don't happen to know the name of the other school, do you?) and it looks divine. I have emailed them for info about admissions. I think the BVi's may well be what we are looking for.

I would be most interested to hear your story, Mary, of how you came to live there and why. Did you rent first and then buy? What were your experiences of buying? It sounds rather complicated and the transfer tax and insurance are very high, it seems to me. I think we would rent first - you couldn't recommend a good estate agents, could you. I have tried online but there is little for rent on there. Maybe the best thing to do is just get a holiday let to start off with and then look around long term rents when we are there?

Do you need to get off the island for work? Or just need to for sanity?! Do you have kids, Mary and if so, do they enjoy tthe lifestyle? Is there a particular place I should be looking to live in Tortola - what are the favoured areas?

I think Virgin Gorda looks so pretty but I guess all the facilities particularly for children are on Tortola, am I right?

I am so graetful to you for your advise. I have so much to organise, it is fantastic to have a source of help who has been through it all already!I'm sorry to ask so many questions - it is suprisingly difficult to find these things out on the internet which is usually such a good source of information. Hence the fabulousness of this site!

Sending very best wishes

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advice needed!
 

Hello Linda
I have sent you a personal message
Mary

Re: Moving to Barbados - advice needed!
 

Mary,
I'm not sure if you got my private message but anyay, I just thought I'd say that I have rung the BVI immigration department who assured me that there was no way 'that anyone can just come and live in the BVI' - as the man said! - I can't see there is any way forward as the immigration office is the first point of call. Only if you have a work permit, he said, can you apply for residency. We are not working. Or rather we earn our money sporadically (but fruitfully!) by writing. But that wouldn't make any difference over there as we sell over here. And anyway, not sure I would necessarily be writing all the time over there. Otherwise, he said, 'we sometimes grant 6 months residency at a time' for outsiders who own property over here so they can winter in the BVI. That's it. Oh, I said, well that was a short bit of research then; are you sure there are no other ways to live in the BVI - ie, retire there? No, No way.

Any thoughts?

Best wishes

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advice needed!
 

Ah ah ah, I will definitely send you a personal message on this.
Give me 1 hour...

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Switch your focus back to Barbados, it's an infinitely better island than Tortola. The people are nicer, the education is better and it's easier to get to from the UK and easier to get to other islands.

I went to school in Barbados and the standard of education there is better than in the UK. Instead of doing GCSEs the children do the equivalent of O-levels, because of that when I came back Blighty to do my A-levels, it was so much easier and I walked into university.

I went to St. Winifred's School, which is an international fee paying school but cheap in comparison to Public schools in the UK. It takes children from the preps 3/4 to 16. If you send your children to St. Winifred's or the Convent (both on the outskirts of Bridgetown, close to Christ Church) you will meet loads of international parents and there is a strong sense of community so you won't struggle to meet people.

Re: Hurricanes, Barbados is the most easterly of all the islands and doesn't get affected by hurricanes as dramatically as other islands do. The last terrible, devastating hurricane was in the early 50s.

I'm biased, I know, but having been to the majority of the windward and leeward islands I would recommend only Barbados to live as the others pretty backwards and not as developed.

I hope this helps.

Joanna

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hey Linda,

I just happen to be surfing by and saw your post online.

-- In terms of school in Barbados (if you're still wondering). School in Barbados are scattered through-out the Country. There are both government owned schools as well as private. And all of these schools ranger in type some are all boys schools. some are all girls. The overall majority are co-ed. There are also either 1-2 Montessori schools I believe in Barbados. The government is also working on making most schools better for students with special needs.

They range in all different types. I also believe the Americans and Canadians each? have an International School located in Barbados for children that get brought with parents needing to work in the Barbados offshore sector but not wanting to get confused switching from a US/Canadian education system to a Barbados school system etc. Also Barbados has a British High Commission so if you do visit they'd be the spot to ask about International Schools and if Britain has one too. I think the Princess Margaret School in Barbados is an "International" school but I don't recall of which country.

Many of the schools in Barbados were online. Courtesy of Cable and Wireless (The local telecom provider) however in recent years competition has been taking a toll on them and I think their directory service is the first thing to suffer. I'm affraid they (C&W) appear asleep at the helm interms of Barbados school websites: http://www.schools.org.bb/

Also the Barbados Ministry of Education's website is:
http://www.mes.gov.bb/

-- Interms of property Barbados is *said* to have some of the most relaxed property laws in the Caribbean. (Except when it comes to Beaches -- you only own up to the high-tide mark if you're property is on the Beach.) You would probably want to become an Perm. Resident of Barbados first for a little while and then file for citizenship. I'm in the US and even with the mailing back and forth, after filing for my citizenship in Barbados in November, 2001 I was granted it by June, 2002. So it tends to move along pretty fast. From forms to actually getting you're card stating you're a citizen of Barbados under (whatever section of the Barbados constitution.) Since you're self employed you shouldn't have much problem. But If you become a citizen down the road, you're entitled to any job in Barbados.

There's also quite a few famous people you may see around Barbados. Because it is soo easy to get land many famous people can sneek by for quite some time unknown in Barbados. Usually you'll only know they have a house there if you're seeing that prominent person often.

In terms of Brits around. There are quite a bit in Barbados still...

The past two summers Tony Blair even has been hiding out in Barbados. I'm wondering if he's going to do it again this august. He usually comes to the island right when Carnival kicks into high gear, then you'll usually see his wife and kids hanging out at the stadium.

--
No 10 confirms Blair in Barbados
Last Updated: Monday, 22 August 2005, 11:44 GMT 12:44 UK

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4173170.stm

-or-
http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=A3638_0_1_0_M
--

-- In terms of making friends. You'd actually have to try pretty hard not-- to make friends in Barbados. Everyone in Barbados is really friendly. Think old 1800's London, England and that is pretty much the morals/values and over all mood that you'll find in Barbados. It almost seems stuck in time.

-- In terms of hurricanes. Barbados gets more tropical storms than hurricanes. Mainly due to the fact it's soon near the equator (only 10 degrees north). The tradewinds which keep the island so cool(especially at night.) also mean that tropical storms/tropical depressions which just form off Africa rarely have enough time to turn into hurricanes when passing over Barbados. Tropical storms tend to either pass just north of Barbados and strengthen into hurricanes after passing Barbados or else passing just to the south of Barbados (as hurricane Ivan did.) and those are the hurricanes you have to watch for because those sometimes blow back from the west towards Barbados as hurricanes. Barbados tends to just get brushed as the jet stream pushes stronger storms towards the other islands further north.

But if you're wanting to buy a home and very nervous about hurricane here's what to ask when buying a home. Ask if the home/property has "hurricane belts" or "hurricane straps" or if it will be easy to have them retrofitted on the property. That's the technology being put into most Caribbean houses now to deal with this new generation of stronger storms. Basically it's a system that fastens down your roof (via the inside of the walls down to the home's foundation. Usually if you suffer hurricane damage, a roof is the first to go. And then the walls inside the house second. The hurricane straps make it so that you can ride out the very strongest of storms safely. Most buildings in the Caymans should be installing those now I think.

Barbados doesn't get hit often only brushed by any sort of significant wind once every ~3 years or so on average. I wouldn't be too worried about it. Barbados plays it very safe. As the airport hub for the Eastern Caribbean, in addition- to being the headquarters of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) ( http://www.cdera.org ) and the Eastern Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) the island stays well updated on approaching bad weather. In addition to those agencies, Barbados also has it's own are the high level ones there's also the Central Emergency Relief Organization ( http://www.cero.gov.bb/ ).

Interms of health care in Barbados. Barbados has nationalised healthcare via the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and also a private health care system if you're used to way more perks.

If you're still wanting to check out Barbados more I would recommend the following sites:

http://www.accessbarbados.com/
http://www.allinfoaboutbarbados.com/
http://www.visitbarbados.org/
http://www.funbarbados.com/

~Tropical 11th

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi there Topical-11th,

That was so kind of you to go to so much trouble. I found all your information fascinating. I feel quite daunted by the prospect of moving to a foreign country. My main problem now is that my husband is convinced that Barbados has bad crime. I find this a bit silly as we live in a far more crime-ridden area in Scotland but when we were last in Barbados we had a bad experience with some young men who tried to mug us....and he won't forget that. I wonder if Barbados is getting worse for crime or if there are any areas to avoid? We want to be on the west cost - I felt pretty safe there, I must say. Okay, I can't imagine it is as safe as tiny islands like Saba or Anguilla or probably the UK Virgin Islands but it must be pretty safe. I wonder if you ever feel resentment from locals because as a foreigner you are perceived to be/are much more wealthy than they are? I feel you get this anywhere though I guess my husband has a point that as a foreigner you stand out more and therefore are more of a focus for resentment.

I have written to the immigration office to enquire about long-term residency - though I don't think I will need citizenship - or will I? I know the British Virgin Islands - as I have recently inquired - only allow you to reside for 6 months at a time and maybe will allow you informally to stay on the islands on a 6 month renewal basis - but that seems a rather risky proposition on which to purchase a property. I was interested to hear you say that it is so different on Barbados. Do they really allow you to live there without any special license?

Do you know any good attorneys who could handle all the paperwrk for me for getting residency or do you think that it is not that difficult to do oneself?

Once again, many thanks for your generosity in sending me all this information. When I have a moment, I shall look at all the websites you recommended.

Very best wishes

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi there Tropical_11th,

I've just re read your message and wonder if I could pick your brains a bit more?! Are you living full-time in Barbados? It's just that you mentioned that you were in the US. You mentioned getting permanent residence. Can you tell me what that involved exactly? Did you do the paperwork - I don't know if you needed a work permit - but if not, what forms did you have to fill in and what supporting evidence did you have to provide to immigration? Do you think there are many youngish people who are 'retired' or work for themselves in an artistic way or do most ex-pats have jobs?

I'd love to know also, which are the good areas to buy in Barbados. One can only really tell from the inside. I don't know what you bought but did you look at lots of different properties or did you know from the outset what you wanted? I've been looking at inland properties (inland from the west coast) like Royal Westmoreland. When I was in Barbados for a couple of months on holiday I didn't really like the idea of being inland at all - apart from in one of those amazing plantation houses -(rather out of my price range!) but for actually living, I wouldn't want to be on the coast. Do you think these kind of complexes are good value or a rip off? There is a lot of development going on, it seems, certainly since I was last there. What do you think of any of these? I would be most interested to hear your views. It might help narrow my focus when I'm looking at property.

Many thanks again

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Dear Joanna,

Many thanks for your advice - sorry to have taken so long to reply but I've been away. I was interested to read about your experiences at school in Barbados. My main concern is any negative attitude towards my children in terms of racism. I don't know if you are white but do you think in the playground - at an international school - there might be taunts against someone who was white? You know what kids can be like...

Why is Barbados better than Tortola - I've never been to the latter though I have been to a lot of smaller islands. I would be very interested to hear your views in terms of the people especially.

Are you still living in Barbados? If so, I would very much appreciate your views about which is a nice area to live in? I know it is subjective but I favour inland from the west cost - but are the developments for example, bad or good value? My concern about buying a villa on its own with not much land is one has no control over who or what is built next to you.

Many thanks for helping me out and look forward to hearing from you,

Best wishes

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi Linda,
Just a quick reply as I'm at work and it's bit hectic day.
I'm black and my school, St. Winifred's was predominantly white, I had no experiences of racism, but that's probably because the majority of my friends at school were the children of diplomats and had lived all over the world.
I lived in St. Philip at first which is very rural and completely off the beaton track I think, you could say a Norfolk or Devon of the island. I then lived in St. James, which is infinitely nicer but very pricey now because it's where the platinum coast is.
I haven't been to Tortola since I was a teenager (15 years ago) but I remember finding it very rundown and the people weren't as friendly as Bajans.
I hope to be working in the Caribbean next year for the Cricket World Cup and want to visit some of the islands that I visited in my youth and had negative experiences of. I did this recently with TnT and found that nothing had changed in the last 15 years but hopefully that won't be case of the smaller islands.
Take care
Joanna

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Dear Joanna,

Many thanks for your reply. That was interesting. I shall definitely try to find out more about schools. Will you stay in Barbados do you think or are you just working there for a while before you return to the UK? I found people to be more or less the same whichever island we visited (so far, Saba, Anguilla, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Martin, St. Barths, St. Lucia and Dominica) but St. Barths was the most European in feel - a bit like the Cote d'Azur in the Caribbean - and in Dominica people were very friendly - although again, some of the men did hassle one a bit - but I guess you get that anywhere!

My husband has this feeling from visiting Barbados and being hassled a bit on the beach that he is going to be bothered because he is a foreigner - which is not a great attitutude to have if you want to live in someone else's country for a few years. But I think the experience you get when you are on a beach resort is very different to one you get when you are living in a community in which you are fully involved, don't you think? I woud still be interested to hear the negatives about living in the Caribbean - and what your experiences were that you talk about - not to want to dwell on bad things but I like to be prepared...

Many thanks again,

Best wishes

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi Linda,

I live in the Grenadines just by Barbados and spend some time there as have to go to Bbds for dentist, doc and usual stuff. I have lots of friends there too and although the island isnt for me (I'm a Trini by birth and find Bbds too english and too touristy by far) it has many many good points. The schooling (private) is excellent, loads of expat and local mums who are very friendly but VERY competitive (how much money you earn, what clothes you wear, what house you have etc..) hurricane season isnt normally a big issue down these south islands although we've had a rough couple of years with Ivan and Emily. As long as your house isnt a shack you'll be fine - just incovenience for a couple of days. Tropical diseases isnt really something I've evr come across myself and I eat everything local and walk through the grass.

In terms of where to live try and get as near as possible to the west or south coast. Both are busy but have most of the schools, shops and all amenities. East coast is very quiet and although the island looks small due to the crappy roads in many areas and the AMAZING volume of traffic it can take well over an hour from one coast to tthe other and if you live inland or east coast you'll spend your life in the car!

If you like a busy life with lots of Brit expats you'll love Barbados. If you like more of a local feel and less tourists and hotels maybe it isnt for you - I am an Anguilla lover myself but find us moving to St Lucia next year for our boys to go to school and SL definately is far far less built up and touristy than Bbds.

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi there,

Many thanks for your imput - I'm sure I have read messages from you to others on this site when I was researching going to Barbados a while back. Which island do you live in and would you recommend the Grenadines? I love the small islands - though I haven't been to the Grenadines - but I hate the idea of always having to go off the island to do anything like shop, dentist etc...I loved Anguilla too but I think I would get bored there. Barbados is not the prettiest of islands that is true - far too overdeveloped and I see a lot more development has gone on since I was there 5 years ago - St. Lucia is much more stunning. But in its favour, Barbados has a few nice things to do like the National Trust, fab beaches of course, but also a nice parks and restaurants and shops and cafes - I like that sort of thing as I'm used to city life so I need these things occasionally.

I'm interested in the competitiveness that you mention amongst mums. I don't like the sound of that too much - though I can cope with it. Are the expats mainly from the UK do you think or the US? I wonder if most expats live in villas or complexes - I'm still trying to work out which kind of place is best to live in on the island - within my budget. Will you miss the Grenadines or are you looking forward to a bit more happening on your new island of St. Lucia?

Did you automatically get the right to stay long term in the Grenadines because you are from the Caribbean already or did you have to apply like an 'outsider'? I've written to immigration but haven't heard from them. I had a terrible response when I rang the immigration dept in Tortola - I was considering the BVI's at the time. They basically said - no way, you can't come and live here! I really need to find somewhere that isn't too difficult to get long-term residency.

Would love to hear more....

Best wishes,

Linda



I live in the Grenadines just by Barbados and spend some time there as have to go to Bbds for dentist, doc and usual stuff. I have lots of friends there too and although the island isnt for me (I'm a Trini by birth and find Bbds too english and too touristy by far) it has many many good points. The schooling (private) is excellent, loads of expat and local mums who are very friendly but VERY competitive (how much money you earn, what clothes you wear, what house you have etc..) hurricane season isnt normally a big issue down these south islands although we've had a rough couple of years with Ivan and Emily. As long as your house isnt a shack you'll be fine - just incovenience for a couple of days. Tropical diseases isnt really something I've evr come across myself and I eat everything local and walk through the grass.

In terms of where to live try and get as near as possible to the west or south coast. Both are busy but have most of the schools, shops and all amenities. East coast is very quiet and although the island looks small due to the crappy roads in many areas and the AMAZING volume of traffic it can take well over an hour from one coast to tthe other and if you live inland or east coast you'll spend your life in the car!

If you like a busy life with lots of Brit expats you'll love Barbados. If you like more of a local feel and less tourists and hotels maybe it isnt for you - I am an Anguilla lover myself but find us moving to St Lucia next year for our boys to go to school and SL definately is far far less built up and touristy than Bbds.[/QUOTE]

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi there Linda,

I fully understand about moving... I certainly could see that bringing about some levels of anxiety. :o

Sorry to hear about that hassel by those guys. I myself had been able to actually walk all around Barbados both day and night and I never really have been hassled. I must say I was quite obvious too, with my big huge camera around my neck and everything. :D

Barbados is (I think) 6 months as well before needing either a visa, or perm. residency. I think that is pretty standard in almost all country's in the Caribbean??? (That is-- if you're from a developed country.) If you come from somewhere you weren't likely to go back to then you usually need a visa just to enter a well off Caribbean country. No island wants to be seen as the one who will takever everyone elses unemployed. :p

If you purchase property and can prove you wont become a tax on nation (as Barbados puts it.) Then you don't have much problem with getting prem. resident status. That's the way I should've stated myself.

The UNDP ranking of Barbados puts it globally as a upper-middle income country- so the immigration laws in Barbados might be similar to Tortola, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands etc. It's the property laws in Barbados which are rather relaxed.

About attorney, sorry I don't know any. I actually had gone by the information on the Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia actually. ( http://www.barbados.org/relocate.htm ) If I failed then I was going to try an attorney. I just tried to be as thorough as possible knowing at any time I could muck-this all up...

So first I called that telephone number to get the name of a contact (any contact) and took down the email address for the Immigration dept. I explained just what I wanted to- do e.g. file for citizenship. I stated where I was and that I would be needing forms to gain citizenship in Barbados. I asked what if any supporting documentation I would need to send/ what if any would be allowed as my proof of things. And also, what should I include to make this move as smoothly as possible? I wrote my address in the email and my telephone with
ATTN: that contacts name' in the subject field. And I made sure to tell them when they should look for my email: (so it doesn't get lossed or some other agent take it etc.) I then called back the next day to make sure they got my email etc. and to follow up any other questions I had.... I also left my number again and asked when sending back should I put their ATTN or someone elses.... Also I made sure I told them all my circumstance so I don't end up filling out the wrong form and to find out exactly the kind of form they needed to send out to me. And I told them to send a few spares-- or blanks --- just incase I make a mess up I can start over. They then fedex'd the forms to me. I made yet more copies to practice on first. When done I used the originals they send me. I put the cheque for US$13 as they told-me, plus my passport photos, I got a certified copy of my birth cert. from my town hall and sent that (not my original) then I called one last time to tell them what I was going to put in the fed-ex evelope back and asked if there's anything else they might think would help if I add. And told them when they should expect my parcel.... I rounded up a few other things put them in the envel. Mailed it all to my contact again told them I was counting on them etc. and by the summer the following year I was done. I was trying to do this on the cheap because I knew a lawyer would have charged me a little bundle just to type those same forms up.

I hope this helps if even a little,

Cheers,
~Tropical_11th

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi Linda,

yes I have to say I love the Grenadines but you have to be prepared to rough it a bit! Definately not like Barbados which is why it appeals to me I think. I get residency through being a Caricom citizen and also my husbands job - the company pay for our residency visas.

The mothers competition is fierce it has to be said - the cars, clothes, houses and schools are the hot topics as well as what clubs you join and sports your kids do. Because the expats are generally wealthy - lots of UK and Canadian from the banking sector - this will occurr as it does in Dubai.

St Lucia is definately more of a balance for us but Bbds will keep you busy! its absoloutely so much better than the UK and your kids will be so healthy and happy. My boys have been here since they were 18 months and 8 weeks and this is their life. We wont return to the UK and I feel very very happy my boys will grow up being West Indian rather than British - I just think theyr whole attitude to life will be so much better and less cynical and the education we can now provide here we cant get in the state system in the UK either.

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi there,

Gosh, that was interesting. I see you had to be very conscientious in getting everything done. Did you wait until you got perm residency until you bought a property? I think surely this must be the wise way of doing things. One wouldn't want to risk one's money just in case for some reason you weren't allowed to stay. I wonder what they need to be reassured that you are not going to be a tax on the island? Details of your monthly income? What did you provide them with - if you don't mind me asking.

Many thanks again for your help. Without contacting a lawyer, it really is quite difficult to find these things out. However, I will look up the site you used.

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

That's very interesting. Of course, rich people are always obsessed with how much money they have. I doubt - though not being exactly poor myself - that I'd be able to compete!

I think the situation for us will be quite different as neither of us are, or have any connection to the, Caribbean. We just want a different kind of life for a few years before we return to the UK for (private) secondary schools. My husband's concern, which is a valid one I think - is that it might be difficult for our boys a) to fit in to West Indian culture and b) if they do fit in and are happy, to revert to UK culture when they're older. I feel it can only broaden their horizons and that when they are very young and have this great urge to run around a lot (as boys do!!) the outdoor life has got to be better than being cooped up most months in Scotland....

What do you think?

Best wishes,

Linda

OTE=islandmom]Hi Linda,

yes I have to say I love the Grenadines but you have to be prepared to rough it a bit! Definately not like Barbados which is why it appeals to me I think. I get residency through being a Caricom citizen and also my husbands job - the company pay for our residency visas.

The mothers competition is fierce it has to be said - the cars, clothes, houses and schools are the hot topics as well as what clubs you join and sports your kids do. Because the expats are generally wealthy - lots of UK and Canadian from the banking sector - this will occurr as it does in Dubai.

St Lucia is definately more of a balance for us but Bbds will keep you busy! its absoloutely so much better than the UK and your kids will be so healthy and happy. My boys have been here since they were 18 months and 8 weeks and this is their life. We wont return to the UK and I feel very very happy my boys will grow up being West Indian rather than British - I just think theyr whole attitude to life will be so much better and less cynical and the education we can now provide here we cant get in the state system in the UK either.[/QUOTE]

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

[/QUOTE]


I think you're absoloutly right to give it a go - the whole culture is fantastic, very outdoors, very sport orientated and you mix with an amazing amount of cultures and nationalities. One thing I would strongly recommend is that you apply for residency and citizenship as soon as you're allowed and get them passports for Barbados - it just means they have flexibility and options when they're older after graduating.

I for one hope my boys see the entire world as their country and dont feel pegged into staying where they dont want to live as we did for a while in the UK.

Beleive me - they will thank you for ever for giving them this opportunity.

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Believe it or not I actually purchased first. Come to think of it, I didn't even really think I waited for my perm. residency to come back before I filed for citizenship. I was actually prepared to appeal, if I got turned down and I knew in the very worst-case situation if I got turned down. I would rent my place out.

I was also fairly relaxed because I knew I could still stay for upto 6 months a year. I also know the price of land in Barbados is reaching astronomical prices and is going to get higher. Currently it is the 2nd? most densely populated place in all of the americas after Bermuda and now within 1-2 generations it even appears most Bar-bajans will not even really be able to get land in Barbados- for a very affordable price. So I knew any land in Barbados will pay for itself without much effort. In addition, to the house I also purchased a tiny plot of land that I could sell off if I was in a pinch... I am a bit more in the island's interior so the prices weren't as steep. I'm close to the Sheraton shopping mall in the Christ Church area (Sargents Village/Vauxhall area) but if I was to do it all over again I would probably purchase a house in Saint Philip out near the ABC highway.

I took the sunday tour bus a few years back which leaves from the Fairchild Street Bus Terminal in Bridgetown it takes you out into Bathsheba and other areas in the north/east of the island and they pass all the nice new flats being built out in re-paved parts of Saint Philip. It looked--- more like a neighbourhood you would see in Miami, Florida. Some really nice large houses are being built now in Saint Philip. Mostly the 'new-money' young families to Barbados.

Overall, from what I gathered it seemed like the immigration dept. just wanted proof I could provide for myself for about 7-8 months into the future. I ordered a fairly recent copy of my US credit report as well and kept that at arms reach just incase, it lists just some-- of the assets I have in the bank etc. And I also put a few hundred in the Bank down there as a US$ denominated bank account to show perhaps good faith that I was intending to pay my own way. Barbados has unemployment and welfare insurance etc. so that's why they make you prove your intention isn't just to move there and collect welfare.

As another step I also contacted my local police department here in the USA explaining a tiny bit about my trying gain intrests overseas and asked if I could get any type of 'writ of good character' basically stating I have no criminal records etc. I was told some Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Tobago ask for such evidence sometimes before they grant citizenship to anyone so I was prepared to get that as well.

I overall looked at this as someone was going to give an up-or-down vote on why or why I shouldn't be allowed to live there and I tried to make sure I had anything I could need for the immigration agents at an arms length to prove my case. And I was prepared to ask a lot-- of questions too. If something wasn't right. I would have asked what else would I need to change for the whole situation to look differently? If at that time it looked over my head I would have gotten an attorney. But I really didn't want to go that route.

I was just sold on Barbados so I really wasn't thinking other islands.

Cheers,

~Tropical 11th

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi there,

That's very very interesting. This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for because it is impossible to find out the nitty gritty of what you actually have to do to get to live in a place. I have two young kids, so I have to be cautious. Though I would maintain a house in the UK, I would still need to know I was able to live in Barbados full-time before I invested because I'd need to send the kids to (private) school. Otherwise, of course, living 6 months of the year in one place and the other 6 months somewhere else would be ideal!

I visited the East Coast when we stayed last time but I can't remember now how long it took to get into Bridgetown from there. I would need to be fairly near to Btown as I think that's where all the good schools are. I'm going to speak to Bajan Services tomorrow - we rented a flat from them years ago and they have a very good and updated property site online, so seem pretty together. I had no luck at all finding out any online info about private schools - you're right, they're not very good at keeping a website maintained or having one at all. I shall have to ring around.

Many thanks again for the fascinating insight. It makes it seem a lot more possible when you see the step by step process that someone else has undertaken.

Best wishes,

Linda

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Few articles concerning education in Barbados:

1) http://www.cp-pc.ca/english/barbados/learning.html


2)
Article: Good report card - by TONY BEST
Date: Friday, February 18th, 2005
Source: www.NationNews.com - Barbados Nation News

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Tro...a/message/1513

--[SNIP] Problem students in Barbados may worry
adults, but the island has just received top marks for
discipline and commitment to education from an
unexpected source.--

--
3)
http://bararchive.bits.baseview.com/...on%0A%09%09%09

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Flaxhigh I think I might have stumbled across somemore education information that you may be interested in. On the Barbados government webpage. It's a broad overview of the education system of Barbados.

http://www.barbados.gov.bb/education.htm

~Tropical_11th

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Mary where in St Lucia have you seen anyone washing their clothes in the river ? We have washing machines like anyone else, and the island is one of the fastest developing in eastern Caribbean, the Beautiful Pitons has now been awarded a world Heritage site status. Have you seen the beautiful developments in marigot Bay, Rodney Bay, Cap estate etc ?

What are you talking about.
And yes my mother is a St Lucian born and bred, I was born and still live in England, and one thing I can quite categorily state is that St Lucians do not discriminate or give white people attitude, in factthey embrace them and even love them more than their own, only God knows why.
St Lucians including myself love other cultures, it's in our blood and generally we are some of the friendliest Caribbean people out there once you take the time to get to know us.

A few facts about the island, We are building a new modern hospital, which will even incorporate a cancer unit, we are building a state of the art eye clinic, that will serve all of the Eastern Caribbean, we have a good standard of education and a couple of good private schools.
We have just opened a new international school in Rodney Bay, for older children 11+, even German is being taught.
We have two nobel laureattes Sir Derek Walcott, for Poetry and Sir Arthur Lewis for Economics, which is not bad for an island of 160,000 people.

We have secured millions in international investment, roads are being improved, we have a world class cricket ground, and will be hosting the English team in 2007 world cup as well as an athletics stadium in Vieux Fort.

Like anywhere else in the world St Lucia has its fair share of crime, but that is the world we live in now, including right here in England, there is not a day which goes by when there is not news of some murder or horrific crime in England. We got to open our eyes to this and take necessary precautions.
Just because you are in the Caribbean does not mean you lose all common sense and start going off with strangers or accepting lifts from strangers.
You would not do it in UK, so don't do it there, just as you would lock up your house properley at night before you go to sleep.

The most beautiful and scenic part of St Lucia is in the South of the island, around the Pitons, but the majority of work is in the North in Castries.

The Returnee (That is islanders who left 30 or 40 years ago for England, US, Canada) generally tend to retire in the North of the island, in Rodney Bay, or Cap Estate if they have done pretty well for themselves.

The Expats tend to live in or around Cap Estate, some in Marigot Bay.

Personally I would say stick to Cap Estate, Rodney Bay, because this is where you will have access to the best beach (Reduit), schooling for Kids,
Facilities (swimming club in Rodney Heights Aquatic centre), Kids also love Pizza parlour across road at Le sportif (Islands Largest Gym to keep you fit).
There is also an array of watersport you can do on island. There is also a Jack NIcholas designed golf couse in Cap estate. There is also the beautiful fully fitted out Rodney Bay Marina, so you can sip cocktails till your heart is content on your yatch, and on a clear day you will even see Martinique in the distance.

I know Architechs, Optitions, Doctors, Lawyers, Retirees, expats who all live happily on island, and if you are creative and willing to blend in with other cultures this may be a beautiful island destination for you, though personally I can tell you the North of the island is becoming quite expensive for property and land, but much cheaper than say Barbados.

Properties in North generally start from about £100K -£1 million price bracket depending on location, and view etc, but boy do you get a lot for your money.

As to the lady who initiated the thread wherever you end up in the Caribbean good luck to you and I hope it all works out.

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

bloody good post! Dont quite know how I missed Marys post that you quoted above but I would have written the same reply!

St Lucia is not only gorgeous, prosperous and one of the most appealing islands to live on - it balances expat life with the real caribbean - something Tortolla, Virgin Islands, Barbados can no longer do as they are now mass commericialised and have been turned into mini USA or UK's!

St Lucia has a lovely balance, good hospitals (with more being built), lovely houses, sports facilities, schools etc etc... and as for cars - I drive a 12 year old Toyota truck and would drive that any day of the week compared to some poncy executive car they all drive where Mary lives! We fit in with the local community and embrace the culture we choose to live in.

Karma to you PGTIPS!

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hello,
I recently got a job in the university of the west Indies in Barbados and I'm moving in the end of January. I'd like to ask if anybody has a rough idea what might cost to transport a medium size car to Barbados from UK. Suggestions of companies etc. would be very appreciated.
cheers
george

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

well you'd be mad to import a car into Barbados because of their import fees and rules.

car must be 4 years old or newer, and the tax comes to 310% (which makes a car worth £5k cost £15k to bring in!)

cost of shipping would be another £2k approx.

cars are expensive there but still cheaper than this import option - best thing is to get on HP which is what everyone else does!

hope that helps

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Thank you very much! I didn't know that cars for personal use are taxed up to that level. I will certainly reconsider my plans! thank you again!
george

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hey, I have just read your message, me and my family arrived back in England on Thursday form our 4th visit to Barbados! I am soooo jealous you are going to be living there! Believe me as soon as I can I want to move there. How did you manage to get a job and what is it doing? Did it take a while? Was it as difficult as people say? Good luck out there - I am sure its going to be tough, days off at the beach, friday nights at Oistins! :( Lifes a bitch eh? lol Me and my family have briefly looked into immigration but we have some commitments here - 2 dogs and 2 horses which, we could sell the horses but the dogs? We co uldnt leave them here and they might not be able to withstand the heat. I would be grateful of any information you could give me. Thanks

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi, sounds like Barbados is THE place to be! glad to hear that. I was not looking to go particularly to Barbados. Just happend to find this job there. Last august i saw an advert on jobs.ac.uk for a lecturer in the university and sent an application.
It's nice to hear that the people in Barbados are nice and friendly. It's not a commodity to be taken for granted in many places these day.
I hope you manage to make it to Barbados for good! I'm sure the dogs would love it! some splashing into water will do with the heat!
george

Wanna teach there!
 

Hey, anyone with any advice for two primary/middle school teacher's who wanna live in Barbados????:)

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Yeah taxes are kinda high.... Which is probably why the island has 3 main bus transport systems instead of just one. There's perhaps plenty to be made transporting around all those people.

There are:
1) The Government owned buses.
(The Big-blue Mercedes ones) -- http://www.transportboard.com/

2) The independently owned buses. (The half-sized yellow ones.)

3) The independently owned mini-vans known as "ZR's" (Zed-R's). The ZR's are the white mini vans with a maroon stripe around the exterior and black-dot on the front with the route numbers inside the dot.

~Tropical_11th

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

You can *perhaps* bring both. I must say I don't know how much it would cost though. My reason is the Canadian fellow Eugene Melnyk (The one which owns the pharmaceutical company "Biovail" and the Canadian Hockey Team the Ottawa Senators) he's got tons of horses which as far as I know, he has them going to races all over the world. He's got horses in Barbados and a separate horse farm in Florida. Plus horses of his from Barbados are constantly going on tour to race up in Canada or the United States so I know the Government can handle the shipment of horses.

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...ient=firefox-a

As far as dogs, an import permit (and 6 month quarantine) must be obtained before the entry into Barbados of all pets. Dogs and cats **can** be imported by permit (without quarantine) directly from the following countries: the UK, The Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, St. Kitts/Nevis, Antigua, St.Lucia and St. Vincent. Cats and Dogs originating from any other countries must undergo six month quarantine in Great Britain after which time an import permit can be secured.

~Tropical_11th

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hello, I'm looking for 1 or 2 bedroom house/apartment between BD$800-1300. Preferably near the university campus at cave hill. I would apreaciate if anybody knows any property availiable. cheers. george

Re: Moving to Barbados - advise needed!
 

Hi Linda,
we have lived in Barbados for 3 years and are in the UK for the last year now.
I miss Barbados every single day!!! We are trying to get back asap.
The Island is absolutely lovely! The people are very very nice and kids well behaved! The lifestyle is beyond imagination! Crime is petty.The only problem you could have is that you need a workpermit for minimum 1 year to get your kids in school.Schools are very good.Lots of homework though....
Don't hasitate, go tomorrow if you have the chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!