Digital Nomad Life in Bahamas

"There is a large expat community in New Providence so it is easy to find others with the same interests as you. We have met most of our friends through the school which our children attend but there are also women's clubs, a Foodie group, running clubs, rugby leagues, a ball hockey league, sailing groups a kiwi club, a humane society that you can volunteer at and all other kinds of clubs and organizations. In addition you can find groups on Facebook of people living here on the island. There are also club houses on the island that you can purchase memberships at and meet people through as well, these tend to be more expensive then the cost of a similar club in North America," said one expat who made the move to New Providence.

"Expats living in the Bahamas often join a variety of clubs and activities, such as sailing, diving, golfing, fishing, and tennis. There are also many popular expat hangouts, such as restaurants, bars, and cafes. Expats can also meet people by attending expat get-togethers and events, volunteering, attending sports leagues, or joining a church or other religious organization. Additionally, many neighborhoods in the Bahamas have their own ways of bringing locals and expats together, such as block parties, festivals, and other celebrations," explained one foreigner living in Bahamas.

"Life in The Bahamas is a mix of stunning natural beauty, warm hospitality, and a laidback, relaxed atmosphere. Expats and digital nomads find it easy to settle in and make friends in the welcoming, diverse communities. The beaches offer a host of recreational activities, such as swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sailing, while the cafes and restaurants make it easy to find a bite or drinks. Shopping and nightlife are available in many of the local towns, with the bonus of low prices. The main international airport makes it easy to take off to other islands or countries for short trips. What’s more, there’s the bonus of dependable sunshine and the warmth of the Caribbean," remarked one member in Bahamas.

"It is a vast range of differences. The range is from very hardworking individuals that are employed by the banks, hotels etc which get very little time off to enjoy the island to the ultra rich with family money that spend most of their time living up the easy life and everything in between. We are considered a medium class family back home in Canada and so we are somewhere in the middle and spend most of our free time with our three children visiting and attending youth sports and clubs. Their is a vibrant night life scene but it can become fairly expensive quickly. The beach is a big draw in the warm months but locals do not swim in the winter months and so they are normally fairly empty at that time of the season," explained one expat living in New Providence, Bahamas.

"The best way to find a place to live in the Bahamas is to use an online real estate listing site such as Propertyskipper or Bahamas Realty. You can peruse both of these websites to find places that match your budget, desired location and size. Additionally, it is possible to come to the Bahamas and look at locations in person. There are frequently notice boards in grocery stores and other places around the islands that advertise available properties. It is also advisable to seek out any information regarding rentals on social media platforms such as Facebook, where locals post details of their homes and apartments that they would like to rent out," explained one person living in Bahamas.

"Saw a variety of places in the West on a prior visit and gave realtor an idea of what I liked. Recommendation from local contacts was to look out West as traffic from East into town was terrible and job was in town," said one expat in Nassau.

"Expats considering retiring in the Bahamas should consider the cost of living as well as the local culture. Before deciding to retire in the Bahamas, expats should familiarize themselves with the different visa requirements and ensure they comply with them. Additionally, expats should be aware that property ownership is restricted in certain areas and that different taxes may apply. Lastly, expats should research the local infrastructure, such as hospital and medical care availability, as well as transportation and accessibility options," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Bahamas.

"Really take a close look at the cost of living before deciding. Everything is much more expensive here then it would be in most parts of the world. As an example a car here will cost about double the value in the USA. If you import it they add 75-80% duty on the value they determine (along with all the freight costs it quickly gets to 100% on top of the value) and if you purchase here the prices are already about double the price in the USA to begin with. Rent, Water and electricity are also very expensive here. This is not a location you would come to in order to lower your cost of living and "stretch" your salary but if you can afford the high cost of living the weather, beaches and people are quite inviting," explained one person living in New Providence, Bahamas.

"Expatriates in the Bahamas appreciate the laid-back attitude and the friendliness of the locals. They also value the cultural diversity of the islands and the stunning natural beauty. The diverse range of leisure activities and resorts, from hiking and island hopping to swimming with pigs and stingrays, keeps expats entertained and enchanted. The Bahamian cuisine, with its fusion of rice, seafood, tropical fruits and fresh flavors, is something many expats find attractive. The vibrant music, ranging from Junkanoo, Rake n’ Scrape, and Calypso, to Reggae, Boom, and Soca, adds to the charm. Finally, the relaxed housing market and warm, sunny weather make the Bahamas an attractive place to move and settle in," remarked one member in Bahamas.

"Many expats in the Bahamas find it challenging to get used to the more relaxed attitude towards punctuality and timeliness, as well as the frequently more laid-back approach to life that is seen in the local culture. Expats also need to be aware of the different customs and cultures that exist between Bahamians and expats, so as to avoid potential misunderstandings. Expats can also find it difficult to adjust to the more informal manner of communication which is common amongst locals. Finally, the Bahamas has its own particular type of etiquette and it can sometimes be tricky to learn the ins and outs of its most important cultural norms," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Bahamas.

"Work ethic is lacking. Ability to understand their responsibility for their own betterment. Tendency to take a laid-back approach to everything," explained one person living in Nassau, Bahamas.

"You can get a permit to reside that basically allows you to live in Bahamas without working. This is fairly easy to get and you can renew it each time it comes due. A little more difficult to get is permanent residence which allows you to stay here permanently but requires an investment into the country normally in the form of a purchase of a home of at least $500,000 (the amount has gone up and will probably again in the coming years)," said one expat in New Providence.

"If you intend to stay in the Bahamas for a while, you will need to obtain a valid passport and either a work permit or a long-term visa. The specific type of visa will depend on the reasons for your stay and the length of time you intend to remain. Additionally, depending on your country of origin and other factors, you may also need to obtain additional documents or permits from the Bahamas government," remarked one member in Bahamas.

"Yes, too many to name but the one that stands out is refusing to pay 15% gratuity on service/no service and complaining on a regular basis to managers," said one person in Nassau.

"I had to ask people to repeat themselves numerous times because I didn't understand what they were telling me with the local dialect. Sometimes I realized after it should have been obvious but I just was not getting it at the time," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Nassau.

"Not so much blunders as incidents that might be interesting. Eg A businessman we have to have several meetings with who would constantly ask me (as the woman) to get him another drink etc. Friendly guy but it was just automatic that the woman was expected to do this. My partner finally just told me stay seated and he made a point of getting it instead. Being on the receiving end of a misogynist joke at my expense in a shop, and me responding with a witty put down. He was somewhat taken aback," explained one person living in Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas.

"Regardless of coverage, ensure you have the ability to travel to US for any major care needs. There are many private practitioners but only two hospitals. One is for people without insurance (Princess Margaret) and the other is for people with insurance (Doctors Hospital). Ask around in your community for reliable local providers, especially for kids. We found some incredible providers this way for our children," said one foreigner in Paradise Island.

"The healthcare services in the Bahamas are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is available to all citizens and permanent residents. The quality of public healthcare is generally good, with a wide range of services available, including primary care, emergency care, and specialist care. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system, although they may be required to pay a fee. Expats in the Bahamas can use the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay a fee for certain services. In addition, many expats opt to purchase private health insurance to cover any additional costs," remarked one member in Bahamas.

"The people are amazing. There is a large influx of young locals who are transforming spaces, thinking, culture and experiences. Older locals are gracious and wonderful. Certain areas have seen better days but there is a move to bring them back to former glory. The place has real beauty, despite the need for urban regeneration. There are lots of nearby quiet places a boat ride away in neighbouring islands. Overarchingly I feel grateful to be able to call this home," said one foreigner in Nassau.

"Expats and digital nomads living in the Bahamas enjoy the warm climate, beautiful beaches, and laid-back lifestyle. They also appreciate the low cost of living and the fact that English is the official language. On the downside, expats and digital nomads may find the lack of infrastructure and public transportation inconvenient, and the limited job opportunities can be a challenge. Additionally, the high cost of imported goods can be a burden," remarked one member in Bahamas.