Family of 6 moving to Jamaica, how much monthly income to live comfortably?

Question

My husband and I are moving to Jamaica with 4 of our children. We have a steady income that will continue anywhere we go. What would it take in Jamaica to live comfortably for a family this size?

Answer 1

It wouldn't be too much.  Jamaica has a very bad distribution of wealth.  (very rich and very poor)  But there is a middle class consisting of teachers, etc.

Answer 2

It depends on where you are coming from and what kind of culture you are accustomed to and what lifestyle you intend to maintain in Jamaica. A lot of us survive on less than US$1 per day but since you are a tourist I would like to assume that your expenses will far outweigh those of the average person in Jamaica.

If you want a 4 bedroom house in Negril, it will be at least $300 per week. Many normal Jamaicans pay that for a monthly rent. See this link for house prices. http://caribbean.craigslist.org/search/h...

You are six people and I trust your diet is very americanized and you will want to eat out a lot and have some of your usual food which is imported here so costs more. Your meal bill will be around $1500 per month plus takeout stuff.

There is free health care in Jamaica for residents here, I am not sure that you will be formally moving here or just basking in the sun for a bit. So if you need to see a doctor it will be around $30 per person plus the cost of medications.

Travel will vary depending on whether you pay fare or drive your own vehicle and how much getting around you plan to do. If you have one car and travel 20 miles per day, not much since you will be living near a town, that will cost around $700 for gas a month but I anticipate you may want to be explorers and see the rest of the island too so expect a bigger gas bill.

At least $3,000 will get you somewhere, but the warmth of the people and the sun in Jamaica are worth way more than that!

Answer 3

it depends on job, cars, house, and how your getting there!!

Answer 4

it depeneds. How old are you kids. Also what kind of house are you getting. It also matters what your jobs are but a good income.

Answer 5

If you want to live 'decent' lives within the jamaican context, you should have a combined income of AT LEAST US$5000 per month.

Without a doubt, this will put you way above the income of most Jamaicans, but it will ensure that you and your kids don't have to give up TOO much in making the move.

The figure above assumes 35% per cent of that might end up being a mortgage payment.  You might also give up another 15-20% on car payments.

If you go below about $3000 per month, expect that you will be struggling. The expenses associated with keeping your kids in school will be stressful enough.

After all is said and done, there are people in Jamaica who don't earn this much and they don't die of starvation. The reality will depend on the lifestyle that you choose to live.

eg. If you bought a large farm in Rural Jamaica and got into farming, you could live quite healthily and lavishly for VERY LITTLE. It really helps when your farm gets rid of half of your grocery bill!

Its all about the lifestyle you choose.

Answer 6

shouldn't you know this BEFORE you start moving?

Answer 7

Firstly if your talking about rent in a decent community you'd have to figure about $3000 to $3500 USD per month,it would be better in the long run if you bought a house and paid the mortage (if you have the money to do that).One thing about real estate in Jamaica it basically just goes up especially if you live in a good neighbourhood.Then you'd have to figure utilities mainly electricity and water.Then food which is constantly going up almost everyday.I think for your family to live comfortably you'll need about $6000 USD upwards.

Answer 8

that soo cool jamaica wow!