I dont want to post any thread which deters anyone from departing of their dream for moving to Jamaica to live. But.In the first instance you can not always rely on websites because a lot of them are not updated regularly even the official ones.Secondly there is no point in listening to a Jamaican who has never been outside of Jamaica because they have no idea what the culture is like where you are coming from.Thirdly things often change here depending on the "official" that you are talking to at the time. You can for instance ask six different people at the same ministry on the same day and get at least six different answers.Jamaica is not cheap the cost of living is quite high and there are very few if any safety nets.Healthcare is at best spartan. The police can be very unhelpful and are often accused of being corrupt.It is very very difficult to get work and for a female particularly be a very dangerous thing to attempt.Jamaica nuh easy......trust me.There is a lot of corruption here and until that changes it can take big bucks to get thru.Having said that there are plus sides but you have to be careful and do your research properly and honestly.Jamaica No Problem tee shirts are no longer in vogue or fashion!!

haha "tee shirts are no longer in vogue or fashion" haha
I was just wondering if it was possible to move to ja? I mean, like permanently. Me and my brother plan on saving up some money to do so, but I have been looking into it now and according to some sites and what people say, its not even possible? hmm.. please help me out a little

Have you been there yet and spent time off a resort? Until you do, don't even consider it because you need to know that it's not paradise and as Metty said, it's not an easy place to live.

It's expensive and it's dangerous. It's got a murder rate 10 times that of the US. Do you speak patois? Cuz if you don't you will find yourself at a real disadvantage when dealing with the locals.

Read some of the online newspapers to get a feel for wha gwaan there

Jamaica Gleaner News Online - Wednesday | June 24, 2009

And do plenty of research here and elsewhere. Good luck

I used to think I'd like to live there. Now I know better.................

My boyfriend really wants me to move to Jamaica temp until he can get a visa. I don't plan on working when I go to Jamaica but at the same time I am a bit nervous after reading this post. I have visited Jamaica once Montego Bay and spend most of my time on the resort. My next visit will be a lot different because I will be stayin with him.

Before you even consider moving, you need to live in the reality of JA. I have never stayed in a resort, simply because the whole hotel n beach life was not for me. Although yes i was still on holiday, i stayed with people in their homes who went about their daily routine and im glad i do that. There is this fantasy about living in JA and in all honesty i personally believe only those with immense wealth will ever really have that if they live on the island permanently.

Think about the day to day living and how you will cope. One thing i thought about was my independence and living my own life there as everyone i know would be through my man. Are you willing to create a whole new life and make a MAJOR adjustment to your lifestyle and what you are used to?

My partner asked me to do the exact same thing, in fact i was there he wouldnt bother to look about any visa, but in reality i have a property and career here and my lifestyle isnt as easy to transfer as i would like to think.

My advice to you would be to go out there and spent ATLEAST one month living with your man and see how it is day to day rather than just as a visitor. Not trying to put you off, but REALISTIC is the key word here.

Look at the figures in the links inthis post

Take a look at data from the FBI on crime in America.

Look at some more US crime statistics.

America is a dangerous place. I don't think there is much credibility to the thought that Jamaica's murder rate is 10 times that of the US.

Life is getting tougher in the US. Jobs are being lost, cost of living is increasing. Many more join the homeless ranks everyday.

Some Jamaicans in the US are coming back home as a result.

Things are rough all over the world.

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"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." - Matthew 5 v11 KJV

Very waggish indeed.

I agree!

My first few visits to JA were tainted by the anxieties and worries that my friend i travelled with had about the dangers of certain places! She was scared to venture out.

Everywhere has crime, everywhere has an element of danger (esp if you're new to the area) and if we constantly dwell on these facts we would never go anywhere.

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Well I know I haven't said nothing to my family about comin to Jamaica the second time. My first trip there alone they just about terrified me into staying home. But I went anyway and it wasn't at all what they said and I had so much fun. I can only imagine their mouth dropping if I even thought about moving there. I do know one thing I will wait to the summer and try to spend a month there to see it for myself n take some time to make a decision what im gonna do thanks BlaqBritish for the advise.

have lived in jamaica for 5 years, alone and happy. It is quite an adjustment, things move slow, culture very different morally, you must learn to eat jamaican style, imported food is very expensive. but when you walk into the warm sea, or drive in the country and smell the lush green hills, or gaze on the beautiful people, colors and spirit, well it is all worth it. americans are spoiled, 90 per cent of the world lives on less than 2.00 a day, you must get your goals in order, then you will be happy here