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 buying property in Jamaica, here are the basics to consider. Buying our house in Jamaica was one of the most frustrating and, yet, most fulfilling things my husband, Rob, and I have ever done as a couple. It has been…
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 here on pensions when compared to life “back home.” Among the “old timers,” both older Jamaicans and foreigners who made the transition many years ago, the cost of living seems to get mixed reviews. I am often asked, “Is life…
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 may just be what the doctor ordered…or should order, if he wasn’t so intent on peddling drugs. What qualifies them as superfoods? This is what my research has unearthed. Before we get going, let’s define what makes a food a…
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 does a woman from Shawnee, Oklahoma end up as an expat, living in Treasure Beach, Jamaica? This is how starting over began for me. At the time of my first trip to Jamaica, I owned a goat farm and was…
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 “all” Jamaicans smoke marijuana, potential visitors are either turned off or even more intrigued. It begs the question, “Do all Jamaicans smoke marijuana?” Lets look into that… Granted, marijuana use, also called “weed,” “smoke,” “ganja” and a myriad of other…
Jamaica Vacation: 10 Things to Pack
What do you need to pack for your vacation in Jamaica? Anyone who travels knows that you have to pack differently for each location. What can be useful in one country, for example, is a waste in another. Time spent searching for necessities is vacation time that is lost. It can often cost you a pretty penny to boot. Let’s make certain that doesn’t happen on your trip to Jamaica and help you put the true necessities on your packing…
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, a totally different mindset for some period of time. As happy as we may be to be back on familiar soil, it can be hard to switch gears. Let’s look at a few ways that make re-entry a little easier. Maybe your…
6 Ways Life In Jamaica Has Changed Me
I sat on the beach the other evening, watching a gorgeous sunset and evaluating my life. I thought back to my early days in Jamaica and realized that I’ve changed in so many ways since then. The way I think, act and even live has evolved since I stopped thrashing against the flow. I’ve joined the rhythm of life in Jamaica and it feels good. One of the biggest changes is that I feel healthy! Coming here to escape our…
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 drawing on aspects of life that we all share…common ground. At times, the similarities are obvious but sometimes we have to dig really deep to find them. Of all of the places I’ve been and all of the people I’ve…
Jamaican Patois: Language, Dialect, Slang?
Fearful of not being understood, many Americans seek out vacation and retirement options where English is the official language.This leaves many at a loss when they vacation in Jamaica and encounter Patois, the “unofficial” language. Misunderstanding Patois can easily send them off in a taxi to the wrong city or cause any number of mishaps. Let’s look at a few key facts about this interesting tongue and avoid disaster. Visitors arrive in Jamaica with the understanding that it’s an “English…