I am still years away from retirement but I will not deny that the thought has already crossed my mind. My recent return to the UK was a major wake-up call about where I want to live for the foreseeable future. As someone who has spent much of the last 3 years living in Jamaica, I do have experience and opinions about living here.
Pensions and Retirement Age
Thoughts of the huddled, hunched up figures moving around padded with clothes, their scrunched up ‘sea faring’ faces turned away from the cold air, that I had seen in London last month, crossed my mind. Brrrr! There are many pensioners in the UK suffering hardship and it is now becoming more common for this group to pool their resources and buy a property with their grown children and their families in order to live a more refined life in retirement. Plans for holidays in the sun become more and more enticing, but it is always back to the cold for the majority of the time.
Retiring in Jamaica
There really is ‘something about Jamaica’ that will tickle your taste buds. It will leave you wondering if there is a way that you can live long term or retire in Jamaica. ‘Jamaica’ conjures up the sun making everything twinkle and glisten in its warmth, the endless blue sky and sea and the light breeze that brings the sounds of birds singing. Scents of pineapple, mango, coconut and barbecued food tickle your nose, whilst the chink of ice in your favorite drink replenishes and cools you down.
Depending on where you rent you can find a one bedroom apartment for between JMD$30k(£164 US$264) to $50k(£273 US$456) a month in Ocho Rios or any big town on the north coast. Houses can cost JMD$80k(£437 US$730) a month or more if you are in a gated community or in the best areas in Kingston. You can purchase a house for around JMD$9,000,000(£49,242 US$82,186) and up. A gated community 2-3 bedroom house would cost $14,000,000(£76,600 US$127,846) and up.
There is 1/2 acre of land for sale in Ochi Rios for JMD$56,000,000(£306,400 US$511,383) but you can find the same size in Runaway Bay for $2,500,000(£13,678 US$22,830) and in the country for $600,000(£3,282 US$5,480) it really depends on where the land is situated. Depending on how big you build on your property you can expect to pay from $2,500,000(£13,678 US$22,830) for a one bedroom house.
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I just found your site I think it's great.
Hey Marcia
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I am pleased that you enjoy the site!
Bless Up
Sweet Jamaica Jules
Thank You for this post. It let me know more about retiring in Jamaica. Can you tell me if Falmouth Jamaica is a safe place to buy a place retire? Or where there is a safe place.
Thanks, Me and my soon to be husband plan to build on his land before i retire . I just love Jamaica ,Im from the US and it is very stressful here with all of the bills and high cost of living .I am currently working on a plan so when the time comes I can move there( need some information on how to get a part time job there)
Great post that I find very informative. I really look forward to retiring in Jamaica next year.
I am dreaming of retiring in JA in the next five years , do you know if americans can own land or work partime ?
THank you i Love Jamaica
Although still in my late 50s I am looking to retire somewhere away from the absurdly expensive United Kingdom. I have little capital and will have an unearned monthly income of approx $800. I am not looking for the high life, and would relish the opportunity to engage with the local community, perhaps as a volunteer of some sort - I am well educated, physically fit and I still play cricket to a reasonable standard in England. My search so far has led me to India and Jamaica as places where I could enjoy a reasonable standard of living. Both of these destinations attract me immensely. Are there any barriers to my settling in Jamaica? Any help would be much appreciated,
Tim
Hi everyone just want to join in on the conversation, I am 49 years of age from the US my husband is from JA we had been dating since 2002 recently gotten married 2013 we just purchased a condo in Montego Bay in a great location I always knew I wanted to retire in JA will be retiring from the federal government in less than four years exactly working on a few ideas to spend my time wisely I love JA before I met my husband I had been visiting JA since 1998. Please feel free to contact me would love to chat with anyone who's interested in hooking up in JA definitely would like to make friends
This is to Karen, hello I visit jamaica often at least twice a year. I plan on retiring to Jamaica too. I want to purchase land so I may have space for all my old friends. Karen you may email me direct@ jamaicanwife@msn.com
What would be a comfortable monthly income to retire in Jamaica?Not looking for a millionaire home but nice townhouse (safe)community or a small home.can you also give a reputable realtor/company.need help ,i would appreciat your feedback.