Moving to barbados- info needed please
 

Hi, this is my 1st post on here. My situation is similar to that of lgwbgi...other than that, it's my husband who is a British bajan. We are all packed to make the big move to sunny barbados next month with our two kids, age 3 and 6months.We already have a house out there but I haven't yet found a job. My husband has a remote job, where he works from home so he is fine. I have so many questions and would like to hear any suggestions or help or info anyone has to offer. 1st question is about schools - when would my 3yr old be able to start school? We have decided that we would like to get our son into a government school but unsure if that is possible as we haven't yet applied for any format of citizenship for him as yet, we were planning to do that once we get there.
We will be living in St. James, are there any good government schools in St.James?
2nd question is work for myself - I have read the previous posts and have realised that it's almost impossible to find work in barbados. However ; I have a degree and masters in tourism management and was really hoping to find details work within that area in barbados. Does anyone know where jobs at the Airport are advertised or jobs in any tourist sector in barbados is advertised?.
3rd is about making new friends and socialising- where could myself and my husband meet people? We currently have no friends there and all my husbands family lives in the UK.
I would really love to speak to any1 that has made the move to barbados to get their view on how it all turned out. I haven't yet and won't be giving up my jib here in the UK until I have found myself a job there and have settled properly to life in barbados. We are looking forward to a simpler lifestyle in barbados and we have prepared ourselves for the changes....can't wait till next month :

Re: Moving to barbados- info needed please
 

Just to make sure i'm reading correctly. Your Husband has Barbados Citizenship but you do not?? So it does mean that you would need to apply for either citizenship by marriage or residency, which (for citizenship) could take maybe 3 or 4 years. If I'm understanding correctly, you are able, once you have made this application, to get a "Reside and Work", which means you can live here and work here until your citizenship comes through.

(someone who has done this recently, please correct me if I'm wrong.. I didn't have to go through this).

I'm trying to not to discourage, considering you are all ready for this move, but things are not cheap here and live isn't as simple as you might think it is. Again, could be wrong. I have 3 children 17, 15 1/2, 11.. and it's not a walk in the park.

Regarding tourism work, I'm sure you can find a job, but I would suggest that you pound the pavement to do it. regarding the airport, you either have to apply directly with the airlines, or with an aircraft handling service. I would recommend taking your resume and start looking. (of course not until your reside and work comes through, or you may end up not being allowed to live her at all). This really applies to any job.. don't wait for it to appear in the newspaper...


As your husband is Bajan, I'd suggest having him check with the ministry of education regarding primary school for your 3 year old (children would need to be 4 years old by the end of August 2013, to start school in Sept 2013 - so the child would be 4 turning 5 their first year at primary school.) when you are able to work, you could hire a nanny/housekeeper to look after your 6mth old and home (it's not as expensive as it would be in the US or UK) and know that your child is at home and not in a day care.. there are pre-schools that start usually at age 2 or 2 1/2...

Good luck with the move.

Re: Moving to barbados- info needed please
 

Hi, thank u so much for your reply. Regarding right to live and work in barbados - I already have permission to live and work in barbados through caricom rules as I have dual nationality. I have a certificate of recognition as a caricom national through been a graduate.
My son wouldn't be 4 until September's, so does that mean, I would have to get him in a nursery first until he is 4?
We have visited for many years in the past and is aware that it isn't cheap to live in barbados. But what we have realised is that, if we live in barbados as if we're still in the UK then it can be really expensive. Eg. Buying all imported food items instead of local produce etc. We are planning to slowly get into the way of life in barbados and live like the locals. Of which we are really looking forward to this change.. :)

Re: Moving to barbados- info needed please
 

so what is your other nationality?? just asking...

Regarding a job, I'd still suggest that you decide where you might like to work, and go pound the pavement. you are probably better off trying to find something by going in and leaving a resume, than waiting for an advert to appear.

As your son is 4 in September, he technically will not be allowed into primary school till September 2014, which means he would go to a pre-school. However, you may also want to have a chat with the people at the ministry of education when you arrive to make sure. There are some private school that would allow, based on space available, a child to start at 3 (turning 4 soon after), but.. space can be an issue. AND we still have the 11plus, Barbados Secondary Schools Common Entrance Exam that all Children take (public and private educated) to then move on from Primary to Secondary. this is done in the year the child is 10 turning 11. There are only a handful of "10yr olds" that do this exam each year and the ministry has to approve this.. sooo.. what I'm saying is.. you kind of have to look down the road, 6 years plus, to determine what might be the best course of action for him.. he will be the youngest in a class and that's not always the best thing..

(just to clarify as well.. public is Government.. private is you pay for it..)