Hey
I wann move to Jamaica for few months.
How much money i need monthly to cover my expenses im talkin bout low cost.
Best would be rent room not the whole appartment coz i wann live with Jamaican family (do they do that?) how much would that cost me,
and basic cost of living.
Any ideas anybody
appreciate the help

Welcome to ETJ Tutala. As soon as some Jamaicans check in here today I'm sure they'll answer your questions.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Keep in mind, Jamaica is just like the rest of the world. Gas prices and food costs are skyrocketing. Cheap is a relative word everywhere now days.

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If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

I think we had other threads on this before that indicated you would need close to $1000 a month. You could live on less, but as stated above everything is skyrocketing.

Jeez $1000 a month sounds like a walk in the park. I wish that's all it took here!!

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Well I admit that I wouldn't want to live on that over there and don't. But if you really watched everything, walked a lot, used route taxis sparingly, got cheap accomodations, and didn't party much you could make it. Also it would help if you lived where veggies and fruit are growing on the land and you have access to them.

You are also talking about as a tourist, JC. It's not like living at home where you have regular monthly bills for freakin' everything.

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If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

Thx ppl for reply
Do Jamaican ppl rent rooms coz i would like to live with proper Jamaican family.
And dats wat im sayin low cost i just wann spend like 3 moths there just chillin, and i think rent takes d most of the money right. I dont need all dem fancy things i get dem here there i just wann relax.
How much is usual rent, for basic place.
And how bout transportation between cities?
thx all

Hello Tutala!

Well I rented from a lady (not a family as such) an old lady and her husband. I paid $19000 for two weeks (I am piss-ed) my sister rents from a guy in Negril who has since lowered his price to 13000 a MONTH!!! Cho. Aaah well.

The problem though for you is that they will see 'foreigner' on you so will most likely charge you much more. I was a bit miffed my boyfriend said I was coming. He should have kept his mouth shut and say he wanted to rent a place and haggle and get it cheaper but it WAS short notice still.

I'm sure some Jamaicans rent rooms (families) I've seen it online where ppl have stayed with them. You might have to do a bit more online research.

I have stayed with a family a few times but they are like family and knew me from I was small so that's different...

I spent 4 months there I think all my money finished in the first month!!! Haha no kidding! So you know what I had to do? Cut back. Cut back on e'rthang. No more take away food and trips to dunns river oh no. Packet noodle soup ah dweet and also lots of WALKING. I refused to pay all that taxi fare and we werent even going far. I walked and had at least one kid with me all the time. It was summer holidays and we went to the beach nearly every day just had to look about drinks and snack but when u live like that you'll save alot of money and only pay fare when really needed.

I would say the best thing for you would have a budget for each month try to live below it and at the END of each month do something special. (From me who cant manage money lol)

Also remember you will have to pay the family a certain amount for house keeping etc and you might feel uncomfortable if they ask for more once you get there (not being raw some of them do this...its happened to me) And you will feel bad if you're on a tight budget as you wont have it. They see foreigner as rich.

Lastly may I suggest you also consider renting a place and intergrating in the local community...nothing is wrong with your original plan it's great there are some really friendly families out there but just incase it doesn't pan out. I hope it does. Keep me posted or PM me. Chao!!

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In addition cost of living in Jamaica. I can only speak for my area and as it was last time I was there....last month. March.

Food-I ate out everyday lol. I had £400 (sorry not an American) I live in Hanover (where I used to live-brief about me grew up in JA from age 11-16 and visit whenever poss, at least once a yr nowadays...one long stay or two shorter long the 4mnths short 2-5weeks)

I had plenty of money to go to Mobay etc we went to the cinema (me my bf and the kids I mention) bought them food afterwards etc. But mostly jammed in Hanover so since my rent was paid I only really needed money for food. I had approximately $1000ja a day excluding the money I used for little trips ie Mobay. Bus fare to Mobay is $120 locals just pay $100 and done. Local taxis where $50-70 MAX. But I since heard they have gone up and the $50 one is now $80!!!! Hell no I'm walking!!

Lastly as I did not carry a suitcase only two holdalls I took a bus straight to Mobay and from Mobay to the Airport which in total cost me $150 instead of the minimum $3000 it would have cost for someone to drive me. Mi no pay dem price deh. I would have done this even if I had one relatively small suitcase but any more or a big one a drive would be needed.

Hope I helped you. Ask if you need to know more. See ya!!!

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Thx to all for your posts.
Appreciate all help.
I know dat before i move to Ja i got a lot of reserch to do, but i still got time i got few Ja friends in States or Europe so ill try to get some help form dem. Im movin to London next week so ill try too meet some more Ja ppl.
So i get myself sorted and might get sb to hook me up with some ppl dat r there.
Thx a lot for yr help

Natalia

ive been living here on 100 pounds a month ($14000) Ja - with a little hustling in between lol. Its possible but you have to be very careful. My rent is $9000 per month - the rest goes on noodle soups, bread, eggs and 1 litre bottle of vodka for less than $400 Ja, phone cards, hair dye lol.

i dont get taxis, I walk, I take a peanut butter sandwich and a bottle of water to the beach. i dont give to beggars. im nice to tourists. and it helps being a blonde white female. I've learnt well!

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You live in JA??? How come I never knew that?

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Yeh, why didn't you know that, JC? She's back and forth like JAMiss.

I LOVE the vodka part. Made me smile.

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If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

Money goes quick in Jamaica quicker than you realize when your at home. Seems like everything you do requires money. I learned to live basic and chill alot

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