Traffic jams… Grey sky… snow… the rat race…  All these bring us down at some time or other, and moving to the Caribbean is often seen as the ultimate escape. If you’re seriously considering a move like this – kudos! But before you start packing, it’s worth considering all aspects of your possible future life on the Islands. Here are some things you’ll discover for yourself if you move to the Caribbean…

#1. Life really is laid back

Whether it’s the Caribbean sun or just the way of life, you will soon learn that ‘Island time’ really does exist. If you have ever spent time in the Mediterranean, you’ll have an understanding of this—there just isn’t the same urgency in daily life.

This is a great thing if you’re hoping to reduce your stress levels. Nevertheless, be aware that this laid-back attitude follows through into time-keeping. It takes a little while to get used to nothing beginning at the planned time and having to wait, and this can be a particular challenge if you’re reporting back in your professional capacity to the mainland (London, say, or New York) where deadlines absolutely cannot be missed. You’ll need to learn to coax and encourage things to happen to get the result you need on time.

#2. Weekends really are weekends

From Friday afternoon till Monday morning, there’s no sign of work. The party atmosphere begins and everyone feels like they are on holiday. Days on the beach turn into parties, BBQs are organized with friends and you get to do what most people should do on the weekends—live! (This doesn’t mean that from Monday to Friday you won’t be working hard, it just means you can enjoy a healthier work-life balance.)

#3. Prepare for happy hour

Obviously, happy hour is nothing that’s forced on you. It’s more of a custom that’s surprisingly easy to slip into. Alcohol is cheap and rum, cocktails and ice-cold beer are sold everywhere. Plus there’s an all-year-round holiday atmosphere, meaning any time seems like cocktail time! That said, as you settle into a fun new way of living, you’ll learn how to pace yourself better. Just don’t be surprised when those back home start looking at you like an alcoholic.

#4. Food shopping won’t be the same

It’s a fact of life on the Islands that supermarkets don’t always get re-stocked, at least not with the same frequency you are probably used to back home. Sometimes boats don’t make it in on time or flights with deliveries can get held up.

On the majority of the Islands, the government controls the price of basic food but, for those goods that aren’t controlled, you can expect to pay higher prices (due to shipping costs and import duties) or get used to shopping around to get better bargains.

#5. For heavy shopping, head to New York, Toronto or Miami

This will depend on the size of the Island, of course. That being said, the smaller Islands don’t have the same range of shops that you might be used to. Online shopping won’t be the same as you may have longer shipping times plus import duties. For this reason, it’s not unheard of for people to hop on a flight for a day-trip to Miami or a weekend trip to NY to take advantage of outlet shopping malls.

#6. Your wardrobe becomes a lot simpler

Because of the warm temperature and beach lifestyle, most people are accustomed to shorts, T-shirts and summer dresses. You don’t have to worry about what is fashionable as comfort rules. Say goodbye to all those heavy winter sweaters!

#7. If you don’t hate mosquitoes, you soon will

Aside from the fact they can be disease spreaders, mosquito bites can make your skin itchy and the noise can interrupt your sleep. Take care not to let puddles of water remain in outdoor areas and use insect repellent sprays (such as Off!). In time, you’ll learn where to avoid and they’ll leave you in peace.

#8. Every day is summer

Average year-round temperatures are between 28ºC and 30ºC, dropping to around 25ºC at night. It’s not surprising that most people will assume you’re on the beach all day every day when the water remains at about 28ºC!

#9. Get used to jumping on planes

It can be surprisingly expensive to jump on a flight, even if it is just to the next-door Island. On top of this, there are often delays. So what you thought might take a couple of hours can take much longer—so be prepared to wait some more. (Don’t forget, you’re on ‘Island time’.) As direct flights between the different Islands aren’t always available, you may need to use connecting flights. You’ll get used to jumping on planes in the same way as you currently get on trains.

#10. Sunsets are breathtaking—every single time

Moving to the Caribbean certainly has its challenges. You might have moments when you feel homesick and saying goodbye to loved ones is never easy. The bonus is that loved ones will definitely come to visit, and together you will share the most amazing time of your lives. And the sunsets you’ll show them are unforgettable.

If you want a job abroad, visit our jobs portal to see the latest vacancies. Our site includes a downloadable All You Need to Know guide which will tell you all you need to know about living and working offshore.