1. Would you have any additional advice to offer regarding a few practical aspects of moving and living there? Everything on island is imported and as you can see from the prices, you paid for it too. Tipping: Most restaurants and hotels automatically add a 10 to 15 percent service charge to the bill, otherwise a gratuity of the same amount is expected. Interviews with various international schools in San Francisco at the ISS job fair in February of 2013 led us to finally accept an offer as Elementary Counselor and IB Spanish teacher at Cayman International School. Nevertheless, the natives are friendly - or at least courteous. Moving to the Cayman Islands | Cayman Resident With its central location in Camana Bay, it makes drop-offs and pick-ups a seamless part of life for those parents living and working in and around the George Town and Seven Mile Beach area. Living in the Cayman Islands as an expat The country encompasses three islands, made up of the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. A Bonnier LLC Company. From May to October the weather is warm but rainy, and from November to April, hot and dry. Although the cost is rather steep, the process for applying for a residence permit is quite easy if you meet the criteria. Below is a list of our top 10 most attractive Cayman Island cities for foreigners to reside in (in no particular order): Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Camana Bay, Grand Cayman South Sound, Grand Cayman Prospect & Red Bay, Grand Cayman George Town, Grand Cayman Savannah & Lower Valley, Grand Cayman Cayman Brac Little Cayman Cayman Islands Expat Tax Instead, youll have to play mix-and-match between the two Fosters Food Fair locations, plus Kirk Market and Bay Market when moving to Grand Cayman. Swim with the rays at Stingray City. Counting the cost of living in the Cayman Islands Dont limit yourself; let Nomad Capitalists unbiased approach help you find the best option. Here are a few things that you don't get de-briefed about before picking up your life and moving it to a caribbean island.You can send a financial thank-you . Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. How (And Why) to Retire in the Cayman Islands - Caribbean Journal Almond butter sets me back $20.. Currently we have a basketball team with one reserve on the bench. Their medical facilities are up to date and equipped to deal with most problems, however, some complicated medical matters may require local stabilisation and transport to facilities in Miami. Don Foster's Dive Cayman Islands, +1 345 945-5132, toll-free: +1-800-833-4837. Every job has to be advertised and offered to Caymanians first. Government, as of today, 1 May, has banned the importation of vehicles that are over seven years old. Whileforeign land ownership is easily accessible, immigration laws are strict on the islands. In the Cayman Islands, it's easy to live a tax-free lifestyle. Honestly, if this was the most challenging part of living in the Cayman Islands, thats not too bad. Is it difficult for expats to find a job in the Cayman Islands? These arent the good type of high beams from Dumb and Dumber, but the 1,000 watt, scorch your eyes to the retina high beams that leave you seeing blue ovals in your line of sight at night. Forget that massive Caribbean Sea just right over teeming with fish and fun waves, Ill take the water slide. Hey! Most individuals begin work from 8am in the morning and end at around 4 or 4 30 pm in the afternoon. The Cayman Islands are highly developed and offer world-class healthcare, education, and other services. Activities that you can do on the beaches include snorkeling, diving and kayaking. El Centro is rich in culture and history. To find the countries with the most American expats, HireAHelper used the International migrant stock 2019 statistics series produced by the U.N., only considering. American-style two-pin plugs are standard. Con: Expat "bubbles" There are so many opportunities to make friends with other expats but not nearly as many to make friends with locals. Living In the Cayman Islands In 2021 - that will be the topic of today's article. Locally known as El Centro, Puerto Vallarta downtown is probably one of the most popular areas for both tourists and locals. You could place their asses in Council Bluffs, Iowa of all places, and kids would still be happy. "But that's one of the beauties of living on an island you can still go to the supermarket without them.". South Asians, mainly Filipinos and Indians, as well as Caymanians of South Asian descent, make up 8.1%, and the remaining 2.6% belong to various ethnic groups.[12]. When you decide to relocate to Grand Cayman, or any other of the Cayman Islands, you can look forward to enjoying a tropical climate and laid-back lifestyle all year round. Things I wished I knew before moving to Cayman | Camana Bay Cayman Islands | Culture, History, & People | Britannica The biggest chunk of any family's budget goes to housing, and the statistics in Cayman make for pretty grim reading. At our apartment complex, we had mangos, coconuts, chickens and eggs within reach. So, the follow-up is to know what it takes to live in the Cayman Islands. Then youre met at the airport on Grand Cayman. The Central Valley. As a general rule, the pros of living in Cayman Islands are easy access to international cities, beautiful beaches and the Cayman Kind experience. Cayman Islands, island group and overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the Caribbean Sea, comprising the islands of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac, situated about 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Jamaica. Jobs for expats are most likely to be found in either tourism or the financial sector. For expats who can afford it, this tax-free haven may be the ideal destination. Domino mentioned his favorite spot being Public Beach, but every time we mentioned going, he always he resisted. Our three years came and went faster than any planned educational reform in New Mexico could possibly take place. Founder of Nomad Capitalist and the worlds most sought-after expert on global citizenship. The expense of living and raising four kids on a safe, beautiful island in the Caribbean is what finally forced us to have to leave and return to the States. Like the residency program for Persons of Independent Means, the Certificate of Direct Investment is a temporary permit that is good for 25 years, and you may include spouses and dependents on your application. I loaded a wooden container with boxes. Free range green iguanas and chickens roam the island uninhibited without a care in the world. As I mentioned in my article on tax-friendly second passports, one of the most important parts of your tax, business, and personal strategies is choosing where you want to actually live. [19] In the 2008 census, the number of Hindus increased to 510 (1% of the total population). Monthly rent in a normal area: CI$1,358/1,183/US$1,629. And if you are interested in information on the pros and cons of living in Grenada, feel free to click on the link below to read another article on this blog. Im being offered a position in George Town (not well paid) and would like to know if youre still in the Caymans Island to give me some insight. APPLICATION FOR A JOB OF RECEPTIONIST IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS. It is easy to hire a car, but drivers must be over 21 to hire a rental car and must provide a valid international licence and passport, as well as purchase a driving permit from island authorities. Cost of Living in Grand Cayman. Updated Prices May 2023. $9 for a small carton of strawberries. In Cayman, everyone is made to feel like a part of the culture and it is amazing that despite differences everyone lives together in harmony. A list that simply highlights our unique experiences that many can relate to if youve visited the Cayman Islands, lived abroad, or imagined what it would be like to the safe confines of your hometown. Many citizens are deeply religious, regularly going to church, however, the number of Caymanians who identify as non-religious has skyrocketed since the 2010 census, with around 25% professing no religion or a denomination not widespread. However, you will not be allowed to work on the island. Fast food meal: CI$9/8/US$11. My favorite critters on island were not really long snakes or green iguanas, but not the banana bird (half the size of an actual banana but much quicker at flying) and the curly tail lizard (curled right up anytime you walked by them). Let's stay updated! World Traveller, Father, Husband, Coach, Spanish & French Teacher, Polyglot, Funny as all get out, [] Read the full story by Tulsatrot [], [] call them about sexy topics as shopping and diapers. I am applying to a job there to teach Spanish (CIS) and I was wondering if you could share some insights in terms of school culture and community. Unlike more remote islands like Vanuatu, its relatively easy to travel to and from the Cayman Islands. Life of an "Expat" "I can't find my shoes," says Mike Minichiello, fumbling around on the phone at home on Grand Cayman as the wind whistles. There is also a pre clearance service that is offered by Cayman Airways that allows US citizens to be pre-screened at Miami before boarding the flight. The islands are located South of Cuba and are a British Overseas Territory. 4. The census found that Caymanians make up 52.9% of the population, while non-Caymanians are 45.9%. Your email address will not be published. First, youll need a work permit: Start employment under a three-month allowance, followed by one renewed annually. 6. Just a short 15 minutes drive away from the centre, this area is very popular among expats and is growing quickly. Cayman Airways provides air transfer between islands, and the only interisland boat charter is through private hire. The islands are a British Overseas Territory. It is also quite commonplace to hear some residents converse in Spanish as many citizens have relocated from Latin America to work and live on Grand Cayman. Mostly Mexico, it turns out. The non-institutional population has grown by 26% since the 2010 Census, which counted an estimated population of 55,036. With its laid-back lifestyle, sundry outdoor activitiesand beautiful scenery, the Cayman Islands offer one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. This is the same for citizens. Grand Cayman is known for its beach resorts, and scuba diving and snorkelling sites. Thanks! Upon arrival, the post office opens packages, hunting for receipts to know how much import duty to collect. Stingray City refers to a sandbank in the island's North Sound that has become a gathering point for dozens of stingrays over the years. There are a number of popular restaurants such as Veranda, Bacaro and Anchor & Den on the island. The most common way in which wealthy individuals obtain Cayman Islands residency is by applying as a person with independent means. Mate, I have no idea who this bloody John White is! However, the variety is still limited and the lifestyle can become very monotonous. The islands are tax havens, and more than 90,000 businesses are registered here. For example, a standard hotel room in a three-star hotel in Grand Cayman (the largest of the Cayman Islands) goes for between $120 and $250 per night. In fact, taking a look at some examples of the most basic living costs, average prices are: Basic lunchtime menu: CI$18/16/$21. Though there is a large expat community, everyone gets to know everyone overtime and this can result in a loss of privacy. However, if youre in search of citizenship, then you may be better served by obtaining another Caribbean citizenship by investment, such as St. Kitts and Nevis, for substantially cheaper. If you want to live near the beach or in the city, you need to be prepared to pay a premium. The islands population is a bit over 60,000, which is dwarfed by Miamis 463,000 residents. A very small section of settlers consists of Spanish citizens and members of the Jamaican Patwa community. The only problem: You just cant find it all at the same store. This is truly the nature and essence of Cayman Kind. As a general rule, the pros of living in Cayman Islands are easy access to international cities, beautiful beaches and the Cayman Kind experience. Cayman Island is one of those places where you can leave the world behind and relax after a hard work week.