Hey everyone! Today’s topic is about my experiences here in the Cayman Islands. I’ve been a residing here since 2018 and throughout my stay I’ve summarised the top things that I think are the upsides and downsides of living here. Without further ado, let’s start!
Pros:
1. Less pollution.
I was born and raised in Manila, and that already speaks of how much environmental issues I can endure. Here in Cayman, I do not notice any type of pollution, may it be air, water, land, or even noise. Since the island thrives on tourism, the people and the government are strict with cleanliness so you won’t see people littering around. And if you do, they get cleaned up so fast! Air is also not a problem since the whole island is surrounded by trees and there are no jeepneys or any factories that emit a lot of carbon dioxide. In the night, you can also not make so much noise because anyone can report you to the police. Unlike in the Philippines where you can go karaoke all night long, here unfortunately, you can only do that in restobars or in your room, quietly.
2. Health Services.
Public service in general is what really awed me when started living here. The hospital cannot dismiss you if you want to get treated for a medical issue. Regardless of your financial standing, the hospital will always accept you, even if you cannot pay. You will just have to sign a promissory note to the government that you will pay your bill some time in the future. How I wish Philippines is like that.
3. The Government in general.
The Government here is no joke. Locals are valued so much that they get a lot of benefits by just being a Caymanian. They get preference in all aspects, especially with employment. All companies are required to first exhaust all possible local candidates in any open position before offering it to expats. Due to this, it is almost impossible for a Caymanian to not have a job unless it’s their own choice. The Government will always find opportunities for them. If you are a single mother, or unemployed, or a senior citizen, you can apply for a monthly allowance not lower than CI$ 700 per month. In buying properties, you can also get a “First Caymanian Buyer” benefit where all other fees and taxes are waived for your first property. How cool is that?
4. Labour hours.
Overtime is almost non-existent here. If your job is not finished by 5pm (or 6pm in my case) drop everything down, go home, and just continue it tomorrow. Nobody applauds overtimers here unlike the Philippines. Everybody is expected to be as productive as they can within their shift. It’s kind of disrespectful to not utilise the time you are being paid for.
5. Nature and beaches.
One of the best beaches in the world is here The waters are insanely crystal clear with fine white sands. All districts have their own beaches and that’s the most common recreational activity for locals. There’s also The Crystal Caves and The Turtle Centre that I both made features about. This island could pass as the eight wonder of the world.
Cons:
1. Transportation.
Almost everyone here has their own car because it is difficult to navigate the island without your own mode of transportation. Unlike the Philippines where we have trains, buses, and jeepneys for the main roads, and tricycles and pedicabs for the smaller roads, here there is only buses or ridiculously priced taxis. If you live in the outskirts or deep in the countryside, good luck going home without hitching a ride. That’s also why hitching a ride here is so common and not as suspicious as in the Philippines. Cars are also surprisingly cheap, especially if you buy them from Japan.
2. The Entertainment Industry.
There are no local TV dramas here. There’s a few theatre actors and local singers, but none on the television. There’s even no news channel. You can get your news over the internet, the radio, or the newspaper. Most people just watch US shows on their TVs.
3. Small island mentality.
If you think locals are being too friendly towards you, don’t be too complacent. They probably talk about you when you’re not around. In relation to point #2, since there are very few modes of entertainment here, the pastime of locals include talking about their neighbours and other people’s businesses. This has been proven and tested by me.
4. The standard of living.
Everything is so damn expensive here that going to the USA is like going to Divisoria. Yes, you heard that right! Almost everybody does their shopping in the USA because it’s a lot cheaper there. There is no local production. Almost everything is imported thus more expensive. I can’t fathom how to survive in this island without a job to sustain my cost of living. It’s also fairly difficult to find a variety of products here. Like my passport holder for example, I had to order that from the USA because I don’t know any place that sells that here.
These are just some of the many pros and cons of living here base don my experience. How about you? Share some of the cultural differences you noticed from where you visited a different country!
i love reading posts about people's experiences living in different parts of the world! in china, the pros you've mentioned are cons in a way haha! the pollution is not the best here, but i do love that there are loads of tv shows, music etc to choose from 🙂 every country has its own pros and cons and it's always good to focus on the positives where we can 🙂
ellie x // elliekblog.blogspot.co.uk
Hi Ellie, yup I agree with you, it's always good to focus on the positive as much as possible. That's ironic that the pros here are cons in China somehow, hmm interesting!
Anyway thanks for dropping by!^^
I wish the U.S. was like that with their health services – one ambulance ride cost thousands and if your insurance can't pay, you have to pay from your pocket! But the Cayman Islands sounds so beautiful 🙂 I would love to visit one day, it's not a long flight from Florida!
nicole | http://www.wallflowerings.com
Oh my . It do sounds like it's wonderful to live here in Cayman Islands. Sorry if I'm ignorant to ask this. Is Cayman Island a country? I've been checking it in the web but it's still not clear. Great post by the way.
This is so interesting, Ann! I have to be honest, that it was my first time hearing about the Cayman islands when I found your blog. I thought it was located somewhere in the middle of Pacific Ocean :))
It sounds like a really beautiful place, and I love your Pro points #1 and 4; it really is very polluted here in Manila, and rendering OT hours is a sad reality. Living there now must be a great relief from these :") yet with just like any other place in the world, there will be cons, as you mentioned. We just strive to get the best out of what we have. Thanks for sharing with us your experiences <3
Anna Jo | http://helloannajo.blogspot.com
Yes it's not a long flight from Florida! I think only an hour or two depending on which part. Locals usually go to Miami or Orlando to shop. I wish I could go back there next year^^
Heyyyy how has it been! Cayman is under British rule, but I would categorise it as a country per se. I guess the closest comparison would be like how Puerto Rico is a territory of the USA. A lot of Caribbean Islands are like that, e.g. US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. Immigration is quite complex, if you are naturalised you can apply for either a Cayman Islands passport or a British passport. If we are talking about representation on the other hand, in Miss Universe alone, Cayman competes separately from Great Britain and have their own flag. I hope I answered your question! I plan on putting up more content about Cayman in the future ;)Thank you so much for dropping by!
Thanks Anna! It feels great to write about where I reside and make people aware the life here in this side of the world. I myself love reading about personal/lifestyle blogs from different countries because I get to see local practices and ways of life in their part of the world. Cayman is a beautiful place, but of course at some point I miss my home country too. Everywhere has pros and cons but it's always better to focus on the good ones. Anyway, thank you so much for sticking around 🙂
I love how honest you are about your experience and your writing is so specific, I can really picture what it would be like to live there! ♡
Thank you so much! I want to write about my life here on island as much as I can because this part of the world can be secluding. Not a lot of people are aware where this is. Anyway, I love your blog too, immediately followed you the moment I saw it. Thanks for dropping by! It's always nice to meet new people here in the blogging community.
Wow this is super interesting, I would love to live somewhere like this it looks stunning!
Amber | The Unpredicted Page
Yes it is a very nice place to live. Thanks Amber!
I wonder what's your nationality (passport)? Hi Ann! I read your blog again ^^ i wanted to move someday in Cayman Islands but after I read here that everything is expensive because it's imported, ugh, especially when I buy something in the convenience store, I imagine myself converting US$ to PHP! Do you always swim too since there are lots of white sand beaches?
Kai | The Dainty Cat http://www.thedaintypusa.blogspot.com
Hi Kai! Nice to speak with you again! I remember we talked briefly over twitter DM some time ago thanks for keeping in touch 🙂 When I'm in Cayman, I'm a Caymanian. When I'm in the Philippines, I'm a Filipino! I haven't figured it out yet how to apply for dual citizenship but that will definitely be the first on my to do list when I get home. Regarding the cost of living, it is overwhelming at first especially if you keep converting everything to peso, but trust me it's not that bad because the minimum wage here is way more than in the Philippines (around CI$ 1,080 per month atleast). Unfortunately I can't swim so I just chill by the shore most of the time. Beach is definitely a go-to when you're bored because there's nothing else going on in here lol.
Have a great day and let's keep in touch 🙂