Buying Property in Jamaica; What to Expect
For many years, our dream has been to own a home in Jamaica. I have to admit that we were woefully unprepared for the process. After three years and numerous rough days, we’ve finally done it. If you’ve ever considered…
Is Life in Jamaica an Affordable Retirement Option for Expats?
Ever since I began my journey down the rabbit trail into “real Jamaica,” I’ve had Jamaicans telling me that it’s SOOOO expensive to live here. Then I run into expats who tell me that they can easily afford to live…
4 Superfoods in Jamaica That Just Might Improve Your Health
When it comes to our health, we all want to do our best. Could that dictate time in Jamaica, indulging in delicious fresh fruits that qualify as “superfoods?” Maybe it should. These fruits are vitamin and mineral loaded gems. They…
Expat Life: Starting Over in Treasure Beach, Jamaica
I fell in love with Jamaica at first sight. The laid back people, the bright flowers (in the middle of my own dark winter season), and the sudden relief of my joint pain captured my attention and imagination. But how…
Do All Jamaicans Smoke Marijuana?
Visions of sunny beaches, the blue-green sea, palm trees and gorgeous sunsets come to mind for many of us when we think of Jamaica. For some, the first images are those of pot-smoking men on the street corners. Believing that…
5 Expat Re-entry Tips
I think we can all admit that coming “home,” whether from a great travel vacation or a long-term expat assignment in another country has its pros and cons, right? We’ve invested ourselves in a fresh place, new people and, often,…
Common Ground: My Jamaican Father, Angus
I spent most of my childhood moving around. We lived 12 places by the time I was 13 years old. Starting in a new school every year, I learned to size people up and make friends quickly. Making friends requires…
Transportation: 6 Ways to Get Around Jamaica
In the beginning, the most stressful aspects of living in Jamaica for me was mastering the transportation system. It all seemed so confusing. What is the local transportation scene like? How do the locals move about? Let’s talk about the…
Retirement: 6 Steps Closer to Kissing Snow Goodbye
Ready to ditch those mukluks and throw away your snow shovel as you reach retirement? When we think about our golden years, we picture them as being relatively carefree. Many people reading this may envision living out their retirement years…
The Caribbean and Beyond: A Few Points to Ponder
There are many tradeoffs when choosing a Caribbean lifestyle. At times, living in Jamaica makes me feel I’m navigating a ship in the dark. I’ve made some mistakes that have set me back dearly but I’ve also gotten a few things…