Expat Life In Jamaica

A Blog about my journey

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Buying Property in Jamaica; What to Expect

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 property in Jamaica was one of the most frustrating and, yet, most fulfilling things my husband, Rob, and I have…

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4 Superfoods in Jamaica That Just Might Improve Your Health

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…

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Expat Life: Starting Over in Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Expat Life: Starting Over in Treasure Beach, Jamaica

I fell in love with Jamaica at first sight. The laidback 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 my days of starting over began.

At the time of my first trip to Jamaica, I…

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Do All Jamaicans Smoke Marijuana?

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…

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Be the change that you wish to see in the world.

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Bright Day with Coffee Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur laoreet cursus volutpat. Aliquam sit amet ligula et justo tincidunt laoreet non vitae lorem.

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Be the change that you wish to see in the world.

Duis nulla purus, scelerisque a augue ut, tempus rhoncus erat. Nam massa mauris, accumsan eget fringilla sed, placerat nec mauris. Mauris blandit odio sit amet mattis ultrices. Fusce luctus porta mauris malesuada posuere. Proin sagittis pellentesque augue quis congue. Proin feugiat quam eget eleifend imperdiet. Maecenas commodo nulla et ipsum bibendum, id lacinia dolor varius. Pellentesque id orci laoreet, sollicitudin ante vitae, aliquam mauris. Praesent in turpis tortor. Integer ac lacus orci. Nulla vitae felis urna. Donec at nunc semper, efficitur felis tincidunt, finibus tortor. Pellentesque nec est eu risus suscipit vestibulum. Nulla convallis non tortor at fringilla. Maecenas at elit justo.

Explore the Northwest Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur laoreet cursus volutpat. Aliquam sit amet ligula et justo tincidunt laoreet non vitae lorem.

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Jamaica Vacation: 10 Things to Pack

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 and it can often cost you a pretty penny, to boot. Let’s make certain that doesn’t happen on your trip to Jamaica and make sure…

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5 Expat Re-entry Tips

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…

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6 Ways Life In Jamaica Has Changed Me

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 weeks here 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…

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Common Ground: My Jamaican Father, Angus

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…

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Jamaican Patois: Language, Dialect, Slang?

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…

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3 Favorite Jamaican Destinations

3 Favorite Jamaican Destinations

Although I shy away from tourist traps, I do have a lot of visitors who enjoy seeing “what there is to see” when in Jamaica. I hire a driver or rent a car and we hit the road. My favorite restaurants, views and shops around the world are usually found when I’m wandering around lost. That’s how I tripped across a few of these Jamaican destinations that I don’t want you to miss!

Coming from Negril…

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Misfits, Oddballs and Freaks

Misfits, Oddballs and Freaks

I’m frequently questioned about my choice to eventually live in Jamaica with my husband, Robin, when we retire in a few years. Getting to know me tends to help folks see why Jamaica is such a nice fit. I thought it might be nice to fill in my backstory. Perhaps it will resonate with you or maybe it will make you realize just how different we are. Either way, it’s all part of my journey.  So, here…

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Transportation: 6 Ways to Get Around Jamaica

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 6 basic ways to get around in Jamaica and see if we can sort it out for you.

First, let me say that transportation runs a bit differently in the bigger cities…

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YS Falls, The Garden of Eden

YS Falls, The Garden of Eden

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk through the Garden of Eden?  Complete tranquility, pristine beauty and a sense of wonder had to inhabit such a place, right? Well, I think the closest I’ve ever come to having that experience was my first visit to YS Falls in St Elizabeth, Jamaica. But it was more than that, too.

Driving along the road to YS Falls, blood pressures start to…

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How Slow Can You Go?

How Slow Can You Go?

I think it’s safe to say that most countries run with a definitive sense of “time.” Offices and businesses run on a schedule. Life is hectic and often stress filled. Meanwhile, life in Jamaica is generally slower and simply moves at a different pace. It can take some getting used to, but I’ve come to realize that losing the constraints of “time” is can actually improve life. Do you think you…

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10 Tips for a Better Flight

10 Tips for a Better Flight

I’ve traveled all around the world. I love airports with people going off to unknown destinations. Every flight I’ve taken has had it’s own rhythm and vibe. Each country has its own methods and rules. It seems I’m always learning something new when my flight goes into Montego Bay, Jamaica so I thought I’d share a few of these tips with you.

My typical trip starts having spent days at home doing…

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