Nassau, The Bahamas Report of what it's like to live there - 12/22/08
Personal Experiences from Nassau, The Bahamas
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Cordoba, Spain and Caracas, Venezuela.
2. How long have you lived here?
5 months.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Government.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
Non-stop flights from most cities on the East Coast. DC to Nassau is about 3.5 hours.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Wide array of architectural styles and sizes. Bright colors are common outside and inside.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
EXPENSIVE! Finding meats and produce that are not spoiled in the store can sometimes be challenging. Household supplies like paper towels, toilet paper, laundry soap, shampoo, etc are 2 or 3 times their U.S. cost. Milk is currently US$9.50 PER GALLON.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Paper products, liquid laundry detergent, liquid fabric softener, special rice blends, Liptons Green Tea to Go (individual packets).
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
McDonald's, KFC, Wendy's, Sbarros, Subway, Burger King, Dominos, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, and Dunkin Donuts. There are hundred of restaurants all over the island with everything and anything you could ever want to eat from snacks to 5-star gourmet dining.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch. Their is local mail service but it is slow and not always reliable.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
US$50-70/day part time or US$200-$350/week full time. This is for nannies, housekeepers, and gardeners.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Can be used almost everywhere for purchases though some shops will still only accept cash.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There are over 200 churches on this island which is 21 X 7 miles big. You can find just about every denomination here but the majority or Christian-based faiths.
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Yes, comparable cost to the States.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is the national language.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
None of the buses (jitneys) are handicap accessible and the sidewalks are narrow (and sometimes non-existent) so they could be treacherous for someone is a wheelchair.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
Left side of the road (British).
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No trains on the island. Buses (called jitneys) are US$1.25 one way and are safe and a fun experience. Taxis are considerably more expensive but also don't stop every 50 yards or so.
3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
The roads here are fairly well maintained but during the storm season (June-November) the island is prone to flash flood that can leave 2+ feet of standing water on some stretches of road. As a result of the rains, there are sometimes sinkholes in the road of 8-12 inches that bring whole new meaning to the term "pothole". I brought a mid-size SUV and have been very happy. Honda, Suzuki, Chevrolet, and Mercedes most common here. Service and parts are very expensive (Oil change is average of US$80.00).The saltwater and sea air is brutal to cars here so take whatever steps you can to prep your car.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, at a rate of US$35.00-$100.00/month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Bring a cell phone with an unlocked SIM card or get one locally, the prices are only slightly higher then the cost of phones in the U.S. I would not recommend using your U.S. cell phone here, the roaming charges are very high.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
Vonage, Packet 8 or Skype.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Vets yes. Kennels are few and far between. Most people leave theire pets in the care of their maids or friends.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
With the economy suffering here, jobs are hard to come by.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business dress and Sunday dress.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Good, though car exhaust during rush hour can sometimes feel toxic.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Home robbery/invasion and armed street robbery are the most common. Vigilance is key to your safety.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is adequate but medivac to Florida for serious conditions.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
High 70's (F) in winter and high 90's (F) in the summer. It rains a lot here from August through November and hurricanes are a real concern - come prepared.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Dependent on the side of island that you live on, their are two international schools here; St. Andrews (East side) and Lyford Cay (West side).It is wise to pick the school on the same side of the island as what you live for the commute can be 1+ hours each way. I enrolled my 3 year old in a wonderful Montesorri program at Tambearly School (West side).They have small student-to-teacher ratios and classes all the way up to Year 9 (British system is island wide).
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
There are no less than a hundred preschool/daycare facilities on this island but 95% do not come close to the programs in the States. The majority of people with children under the age of 3 have nannies. The cost range of a nanny here in Nassau is US$200-$350 PER WEEK live-in or live-out.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Mostly Brits with Americans, Germans and Canadians are the next biggest groups.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
In-home and at pubs, clubs all over town.
3. Morale among expats:
Mixed bag - you either love it or you hate it here.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes on all accounts. There is something for everyone but it is also fairly isolating. This is a tourist town and everthing here is geared towards that market. If you always have to have something to do/going on, you will not be happy here.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
For the most part society here is fairly tolerant, there are several religious organizations here that are not and sometimes publicly protest.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
None.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Boating, snorkeling, diving, jet-ski, resort activities (check Atlantis website), island day-trips, the Daq Shaq, etc.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Straw handbags (not the beach kind) that are considered high-end collectibles and really beautiful!
9. Can you save money?
Yes if you don't participate in local activities or eat out much.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely!
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Sense of urgency to get anything done, expectations of customer service, and belief that pedestrians have the right of way.
3. But don't forget your:
Sense of humor and love of the ocean and beach.
