Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

First of all Hello and thank you to the little forum workers for approving my registration to this site!

I've recently been offered a job out in the Cayman Islands and have a few questions for any who have lived and worked out there.

• I've been offered between 90k and 95k USD (75k CI to 79k CI). Would you consider this to be a good / above average wage for someone working within the legal sector out there. Also is it a decent enough amount to live off?
• Me and my partner currently arent married. Im aware that visitor permits last no longer than 3 months. How often can a visitor visit the country within a calendar year?
• Is a move to this country still worth it (for both the overall experience and financially)?
• I would like to live in or around the George Town area. A one bedroom place would be fine... Two bed a bonus. What areas would you recommend? Considering I'd like to save as much as reasonably possible.
• Is it possible to transfer money earned there to my UK bank about. If so what (if any) are the transfer fees like?
• What piece of advice would you give to anyone making the move?

I'm sure I'll no doubt have more questions.

Thanks in advance

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Londoner. Check out (i.e. read from cover to cover) the online "New Resident" magazine, and come back with questions about anything they've missed.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

You can save about 2K CI a month based on what you say as long as you,are frugal, don't mind not eating out with friends more than once every two months, can cook, don't drink more than a reasonable amount especially in bars, or have other equally expensive hobbies (SCUBA/seeing the surrounding Caribbean/a love of AC at home etc). Sending money home usually costs 42-60CI for amounts up to 50k, you just need to watch the rates. Defo worth it for the experience and can be financially worth it depending on your earning potential in the UK, if you can earn 50-60K in the UK then no. Either get married or hope you can make a long distance relationship work or say tatty ta, if you go for the first an unskilled spouse won't find it easy to get meaningful work dependent on their experience, qualifications and expectations. Best piece of advice is to ensure when you are due to meet your maker you never ask yourself 'What if?'.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Do it! My wife and I came out last Feb and she got work quite quickly but she is in a very specialised line of work. We have a combined income of $76k a year. We live in a one bed in South Sound just of out main George Town (South Sound is lovely) and drive a 20 year old Honda CRV. We send money home to cover bills at home but still have a pretty good standard of living. On your wage, you'll cope NO PROBLEM. You could even do brunch at Luca on that wage! Our permits run out in March 2021 and we'll likely be going home. We came for the experience and don't regret it one bit. The whole short and flip-flop lifestyle really is hard to beat. It can be VERY frustrating sometimes when you are used to the pace of UK living especially when dealing with the banks, but on the whole I'd recommend it. It is a lovely island and the opportunity to visit other parts of the Caribbean and the states is made much easier. One thing I will say is that TandD is spot on regarding your partner. Finding work is very difficult unless they have specific skills or qualifications.

You're a long time dead!

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

A couple ought to be able to live on $50K easily. Easily. There are many people here who earn less than that, and $75K is a damn good wage. Travel to the US or other Caribbean islands would be extra, of course. Reports differ on whether the cost of living is higher or lower than in England; it's too long since I've visited England for my opinion to be relevant. Note that our currency-unit is worth a bit less than the pound, these days.

The main problem might be finding a job for your girlfriend. As Jamesy says, she'd need to have some kind of skill, but there are temp agencies to help with that sort of thing.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Hi All

Thanks for the responses. I've gone ahead and accepted the job almost a month ago now. Both my medical and police backgrounds checks were completed earlier this week.

Im hoping to move out there towards the end of June / early July. Now on the lookout for decent real estate agents to help me find a place!

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Keep an eye on https://ecaytrade.com/cayman/real-estate too. People leave the island all the time. Occasionally you'll find a good un' at the right price.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Thanks Jamesy

I've been told it should take around 10 working days to get a decision from the Immigration Office. So Im hoping to hear something by Friday or next Monday!

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

This is the Caribbean - If it should be done in 10 days work on it being 20 at least - The only thing done fast here is drunk driving!

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

True dat...

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

That made me smile, remembering when I was a young lad in an Australian town. We always made a point of driving home from a party at three or four miles an hour above the legal speed-limit, on the grounds that the Police automatically suspected anybody driving under the limit, after midnight. (Well, it made sense to us!)

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

lol My application must have been fast tracked. I received an email last night (from the new employer). Informing me that they've just received my work permit!

Things just got real!

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

I take it back then!!!!!

Well done and good luck -I am heading the other way, back to the UK in 3 weeks but I have loved my time here - enjoy it

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

How long have you been there for and what were your thoughts on the overall experience?

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

A great experience. I have only done 2 years. Many stay longer but for me it has made the heart grow fonder of the UK for all it's failings. There is good and bad points but that is the same everywhere, it's all about what you make of it. You will enjoy the experience I am sure.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

You got lucky, Londoner! Maybe your employer has a good connection...
\
As for whether you will enjoy it or not. We came here for three years in our late 30s (40 years ago), and stayed because it suited us down to the ground. We had a two-year-old son at the beginning, and we reckoned it was a perfect place for him. He, now mid-40s and single, still loves the place, although he isn't living here just now. You'll be fine.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Leaving for good? After how long here?

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Apologies TandD. I didn't read your earlier post!

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Thanks people!

Really looking forward to the move now. Just need to set a date to head out. And figure out how best to get the other half (we're not married) out there with me.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Best of luck. One tip. Buy your toiletries before you get here. $6+ for a deodorant. And get some mossie repellant. They are on the warpath just now.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Two years. Time for home now - need to be closer to family.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

That's some heavy deodorant, Jamesy! Far be it for me to tell you what strength you need (insert appropriate emoji here...), but I buy Avon roll-on for about $1.25 at Fosters***. Nobody's complained yet!
*** No, I tell a lie. It's $1.39 on special this week - 60 cents off, according to the flyer below. (The exchange rate is roughly 1:1 to the pound, Londoner.)
https://fosters-iga.com/specials/weekly/

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Didn't know that Gordon! Maybe my wife is trying to tell me something! Just back from UK and emptied the local bargain store of deodorant, razor blades, shaving foam and sun cream.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

And Suave de-od for $1.69 this week. PLUS...Marmite (125 g) for $2.99 - yes! Specially imported for homesick Brits. Hurry on down!

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

It's MacSween's haggis I'm looking for! Some nonsense about no offal allowed. Heathens!

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Hi All

So finally touched down a few days ago, with the other half. And so far the whole expierence has been pretty interesting. The poeple we've met have been great. The food..... Amazing and the views, Incredible.

I dont start working until next week. So just using this time to explore, take in the sun and viewing potential places to rent. The new employer has given me a place to rent for 4 weeks.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Ah, it must be your first time in the Caribbean! Cayman is a lovely place to live (we came for three years and have stayed for forty-one so far), but it's not the prettiest of islands by a long way. Incredible views are only a few short flights away, though.
Good luck.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

Just thought I'd provide a small update.

Slowly starting to settle into island life. Work is both challenging and somewhat enjoyable. The collegues seem decent too!

Any rugby or american footballer players here? I'd like to give the Touch versions of these sports a try.

Re: Ticket to the Cayman Islands (from the UK)
 

The rugby pitch is down in the same complex as the Squash and Tennis Clubs, off South Sound Road halfway between Walkers Road and Hurley's. There is quite a good rugby side, which plays other regional teams, and a flag-version of American Football at the same place. Saturdays there's usually a game, and practices most evenings I think. Soccer-football is the main sport here. There's also a cricket league, and ping-pong, volleyball and badminton too. Something for everybody, man!