A comprehensive guide to living in the Cayman Islands in association with Cayman-based recruitment agency SteppingStones.
Area
The Cayman Islands are located in the Western Caribbean 480 miles south of Miami, Florida and 180 miles west of Jamaica. The Cayman Islands are made up of three islands, Grand Cayman (75 square miles), Cayman Brac (15 square miles) and Little Cayman (11 square miles). The terrain is flat with the highest point, the Bluff in the Brac, just 140 feet.
Climate
The average temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with the warmest temperatures around 93 degrees and the coolest 58 degrees. It rains heavily in spells between May and November and the average total rainfall per year is approximately 65 inches. Some days are sunny with a few clouds; otherwise there is perpetual sunshine during daylight hours.
Standard of Living:
Currency
Cayman Islands currency is the Cayman Islands dollar (CI$), divided into 100 cents. The CI$ is pegged to the US$ at CI$1.00=US$1.20 by agreement through the international monetary fund. Both CI$ and US$ are accepted at local restaurants and stores but US$ maybe accepted at a less favourable rate of exchange.
Accommodation
There are numerous real estate agents that deal with rental properties but a generally helpful agent would be Amber at Century 21 www.century21cayman.com.
In addition extensive listings can be found in the local newspapers. The Caymanian Compass runs classified advertisements daily, with the Friday issue of the Compass usually having the best selection. The Cayman Net News also runs classifieds and can also be accessed online www.caymannetnews.com and the compass is also online www.caycompass.com
Activities
Water sports, in particular scuba diving and sailing are popular. As Cayman is encircled by reefs, scuba diving is highly developed and is known as one of the top dive destinations in the world. Scuba equipment is more costly here than in the US but comparable to the UK. There is a very active sailing club which organises many races, regattas and social events.
There are also cycling, soccer/football, tennis, squash, basketball, netball, cricket, rugby, running, badminton, softball and many other associations that welcome new members. There are two golf courses, an amateur dramatics society and a National Choir and many clubs and bars that have live bands and music till the early hours.
Full service fitness gyms include Gold Gym, World Gym and King’s Gym that offer monthly to annual membership.
There is a local cable TV station and satellite receivers are commonly used; “BBC World” is available 24 hours a day. Grand Cayman has a twin cinema and there are many video and DVD rental outlets. There are numerous radio stations, one of which is Government owned. The BBC World service is available through Radio Cayman relays at certain times of the day on short wave.
Schools
The Cayman Islands Government operates a number of primary and secondary schools; however because of limited space in the primary schools, non-Caymanian children have to be enrolled in private schools.
Cayman has a strong Christian heritage and many of the schools were started by churches in the formative years. A list of schools are as follows:
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Cayman Prep & High (United Church, formerly Presbyterian/Church of Scotland)
Walkers Road, George Town, British system 949 9115.
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St. Ignatius Prep & High (Catholic Church)
Walkers Road, George Town, British system, 949 9250, 949 1994.
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George Hicks (C I Govt) middle school ages
Off Walkers Road, George Town, British system, 949 9488.
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John Gray High School (C I Govt)
Walkers Road, George Town, British system, 949 9444
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Triple C School (Chapel Church of God), elementary to high school
Fairbanks Road, George Town, American system, 949 6022.
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Grace Christian Academy (primary and middle school ages)
Crescent Close, West Bay, American/International system, 945 0899.
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International School (elementary to high school)
Governor’s Harbour, West Bay Road, American system, 945 4664.
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First Baptist Christian School (First Baptist Church)
Crewe Road, George Town, American system, 945 7906.
Food
Most items are generally available. There are four large supermarkets plus several smaller ones and they are typical to British and US stores. Prices are in CI$. There are some food items that are produced on Island such as eggs, chicken and beef along with local specialities such as turtle, conch and fish.
The large supermarkets carry a large variety of international/specialty foods to satisfy most palates. The supermarkets are well stocked, comparable with any small Sainsbury’s in the UK for variety; even to the point that they buy name brand products to stock the ‘English Section’ but these do tend to be very pricey.
The island grows a limited amount of fruits and vegetables and local fresh fish, conch and turtle is available; however this supply cannot meet the demand that comes with tourism. Most food and beverage are therefore imported.
Supermarkets with in-house bakery, deli, and pharmacy sections include Foster’s Food Fair located in West Bay, The Strand on West Bay Road, and the Airport Road in George Town; Kirk’s on Eastern Avenue, George Town and Hurley’s at Grand Harbour in Red Bay.
The Farmers Market located on Thomas Russell Way, George Town, is the outlet for locally grown fruits & vegetable, fresh meats, and daily local hot lunches.
Household Goods
These are significantly cheaper if bought in North America rather than here. This applies to clothes, linens, house wares, small appliances, bicycles etc. Each returning resident is allowed CI$350.00 duty free exemption on household goods (not including bicycles).
Hurricane Preparedness
There are two seasons in the tropics: wet and dry. The hurricane/wet season spans the summer and fall months, running from 1 June to 30 November. The National Hurricane Preparedness Committee uses all media sources to disseminate information regarding tropical disturbances in the Caribbean. Current information is also available on the Internet from www.nhc.noaa.gov and www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical.
There are designated hurricane shelters e.g. district town halls, schools, and civic centres around the island, which are open to residents in flooding areas or who may require alternate shelter arrangements.
Visitors are evacuated by some airlines, and some non-Caymanians take the opportunity to leave the island as well.
2004 proved to be the worst Hurricane season ever experienced in the Cayman Islands. Hurricane Ivan devastated the island and left the majority of building and dwellings damaged. However, the Island has learnt a huge amount from the national disaster and will be even better prepared should such an event threaten the Cayman Islands again.
lear up work and reconstruction is well under way… Banking business was up and running within a couple of days and the cruise ships were back visiting 1st Nov!!
Health Care
The Cayman Islands Government has been the primary provider of health care in the Cayman Islands over the years with the George Town Hospital being supported by district health centres. However in the last few years, other inpatient facilities have come online, such as Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital. The two current providers of in-patient care are:
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C I Health Services Authority
Hospital Road, George Town, 949 8600
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Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
Walkers Road, George Town, 949 6066
In addition, there are numerous private physicians and clinics offering a range of medical services. This includes a number of visiting specialists who regularly travel to the island to provide consulting services.
Dental and optical services are available through a number of private practices providing high quality services based upon North American services.
Cars
A healthy buy and sell market exists for used vehicles and there are a number of car dealers on the island from whom new and used cars can be purchased, located in the Yellow Pages under Automobile Dealer. The daily newspapers also carry a listing of vehicles for sale.
Vehicles are imported from the USA, Japan, and Europe.
Both right-hand and left-hand drive cars are allowed although we drive on the left. The annual fee to license a car is $160 plus $25 inspection fee and is done at the Vehicle Licensing Department.
The main roads through the island are all tarmac and speed limits here are much stricter than elsewhere. The town speed is 25mph and outside limited to 40mph and 50mph.
Public buses are available but are offered on limited routes and schedules. It is common and recommended to arrive with or purchase your own bicycle to initially assist with transport.
Cars and trucks are the most common means of transportation but many new arrivals choose to utilise a bike or scooter. Approximate costs are as follows;
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New $11,000 – 35,000
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Used $2000 and upwards
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Bicycles $150 and up
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Used Scooters $800 – $1200 and up
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New scooter $2000
Driver’s License
A Cayman Islands Driver’s License is required to drive on Cayman roads. Many international drivers’ licenses can be exchanged at the Vehicle & Driver Licensing Department for a C I Driver’s License, without having to do a written and road test.
Drivers from countries that are party to the Geneva Convention (includes most Commonwealth countries and the USA) are approved for exchange.
The driver’s license fee is $85, which is good for 3 years. The VLD Dept is located downtown next to the Central Police Station on Elgin Ave, telephone 945 8355.
Bank Accounts
There are several banks and they will require a bank reference, copy of your employment contract and work permit plus one personal reference to open an account. We recommend bringing the references with you to avoid delays.
Depending upon the bank you choose, it may be up to two weeks before the account can be used. It is a good idea to open an account with travellers’ cheques or a bank draft and keep some travellers cheques for deposits and expenses etc.
Customs Duties/Formalities
The personal effects of a person entering the Islands to take up employment or residence in Cayman for a minimum period of twelve months are admitted free. This concession applies to effects imported within six months of arrival but does not apply to articles used outside the home such as motor vehicles or boats etc.
Please note that the customs department may require some evidence that these items were pre-owned.Domestic Animals
There are restrictions on bringing domestic animals into the Islands. To receive the latest information we suggest you write to:
Chief Agricultural and Veterinary Officer
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 459
Grand Cayman
Cost of Living
The cost of living in the Cayman Islands is high but much of this is offset by the TAX FREE salaries. If you choose to live inland or out off town accommodation prices can be significantly less.
As a rough guideline the following are approximate monthly rental costs for accommodation:
One bed roomed apartment US$800 – US$1800.00
Two bed roomed apartment US$1800.00 – US$3500.00
The following monthly approximate allowances should be allowed for setting up and running an apartment:
Electricity Deposit $200.00 Monthly bill $50 – 100.00
Water: Deposit $200.00 Monthly bill $25 – 60.00
Telephone Deposit $350.00 Monthly bill $?????
Food $50 – $100 per week
Medical Insurance $75.00 – $150.00 per month
Below are a few useful websites for people relocating to the Cayman Islands
www.autoterminal.com Japan imported vehicles
www.tonystoys.net On island importer of Japanese vehicles
www.cwinternet.ky Cable & Wireless telephone & internet provider
www.weststartv.com Cable television & internet provider
www.century21cayman.com – Real Estate (Contact: Amber)
www.caymannetnews.com – Cayman Net News local newspaper
www.caycompas.com – Cayman compass local newspaper
www.gotocayman.com – Welcome to the Cayman Islands
www.caymanislands.ky – CI Dept of Tourism and Cayman Airways
www.cayman27.com.ky – CITN – Television News
www.fosters-iga.com – Foster’s Food Fair Supermarket
www.kirk.ky – Kirk Office Equipment
www.edenrockdive.com – Eden Rock
IMMIGRATION / WORK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
All non-Caymanians may work in the Cayman Islands once their employer has applied for and obtained a work permit from the Immigration Department. These work permits can range from one to six month temporaries, to work permit grants which can be annually renewed.
It is necessary for the expatriate worker to provide the employer with certain documentation to attach to the work permit application but it is the financial obligation of the employer to pay for all work permit and immigration related expenses.
The application process includes various forms that need to be completed. A medical examination and a police clearance certificate are just two parts of the process. It is essential that ALL questions be answered to avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
Once an employment offer has been secured SteppingStones Recruitment can forward via email, fax or postal service all the required work permit forms and detailed check lists.
Information on Life in the Cayman Islands Courtesy of
SteppingStones Recruitment
Further Information
