Hi everyone,

My name's Paul. I've been offered a job on a new newspaper in the Caymans and I'm heading over there next week - can't wait!

I've had a search through all the various forums and found some great information.

I'm looking to rent an apartment, just the one bedroom - and as cheap as possible to begin with. Any suggestions about cool areas of Georgetown that aren't too expensive?

Also looking for nice places to hang out - ideally any bars that show English Premier League matches?

Also looking at getting involved in football teams, five-a-side, that sort of thing?

Plus is their any everyday household items that are so expensive over there I should be bringing them along?

And while I'm here if anyone has any stories for the newspaper, then i'm your man!

Many thanks for your time and I look forward to getting out there next week. Cheers,

Paul

Hi Paul,

Congrats on your new job.. What is the newspaper?

Would you consider sharing as there are loads of people looking for house mates and does make it easier to meet friends. One beds are quite hard to find and tend to be more expensive. I paid $1500 USD for a one bed on Sound Sound Road. Apt are fully furnished usually - just bring bedding and towels. There are places to buy cheap housie things so there is nothing that you have to bring.
Where is your office? Anywhere up Smith Road would be handy for town - Garden Retreat, Sunshine Retreat etc..

Fidels and Triple Crown show the footie - just bars nothing special.
http://www.ecayonline.com/ is a great resource.

There is lots of organised sport - Kings Gym springs to mind or you may get involved in flag football - very popular here.

Have fun

Cheers, thanks for the advice. Paper's called iNews Cayman, launching next month. The office is Dorcy Drive - i've no idea where that is tbh.

Sharing's fine with me, and you're right, better way to meet people. I've seen a couple of places for around 500/600 but just studios, which doesn't really bother me. I've a month sorted for somewhere to stay when i first get there. Also gonna be needing a cheap (ish) car.

really not too sure about flag footy!! kinda more of a soccer guy!

Good luck and congratulations on landing job.

Dont bother with the studios for $600 they will be in an area that you would prefer not to be in and they will be miserable! You dont go to the Caribbean to live in a sh*t hole. Dorcy is in the Industrial Area near the airport so no decent housing round there but as you say you have a month so plenty of time to find something. You should be looking to be paying about $700-$800CI (about a $1000USD) to share a place.
Cars of all shapes and sizes available. Really get them checked out and get friendly with a Jamaican mechanic - red stripe is the currency.. I left in Nov and sold my RAV4 for $4500 which was pretty decent looking car.
When you get to Fidels - look for Sam, she's the friendliest girl in the world and a wonderful friend and she knows everyone.. .

Great advice. Sam @ Fidels it is! And I'm gonna be sharing for sure. Like you say, don't want to be miserable at all!

Cheers guys....

Paul

Hi again,

I've a had a bit of a nose but can't really finding any house/flat share sites for the caymans. Is this something I just need to sort when I get there you think? Or is there any sites that specifically look for people to share with. I've spotted one or two on the general rental sites. Cheers, Paul/.

www.ecayonline is about the best place and it is free - have a look then I can tell you the general location of places that you are interested in. Also your rival - Cayman Compass but I dont think their classifieds are online yet or perhaps Cayman Net News but I dont think they have that many rentals. You could ask someone to scan the Friday classified pages and send it to you as there are lots of house rentals in the Friday paper. Most people use ecayonline for everything...

Good stuff - thanks for all your help. It's not quite mega urgent just yet cos I've somewhere for the first month. I'll have a nose and come back to you. Kinda like somewhere a bit cool, oldish, that sort of thing.