Nassau, The Bahamas Report of what it's like to live there - 05/16/15
Personal Experiences from Nassau, The Bahamas
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Have also lived in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Doha, La Paz, Majuro, and N'Djamena.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
I take a direct flight from Atlanta. There are several every day. It takes a bit over two hours. Returning, you clear U.S. passport control and customs in Nassau, and the plane goes to a domestic gate back in the U.S.
3. How long have you lived here?
1 year
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Embassy employee
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
A mixture of one story houses, two story houses and two story townhouses all about 3 to 5 miles west of the Embassy. The majority but not all are in gated communities. Pools are available with most housing. Most people are happy with the size and quality of their housing. The two usual exceptions are people with dogs who wanted a yard and people whose taste in furniture doesn't match their landlord. Typical time to/from Embassy is 30-45 minutes but that can vary greatly depending on time of day/traffic.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is available; mostly U.S. brands and a good selection. The typical grocery cart is about twice the price as the U.S. although individual items will vary.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
More UPSes. They are expensive here and you can't ship them DPO or pouch. Electricity quality is worse than I expected.
One thing you can do is to make sure to save some weight from your HHE shipment and then do a supplemental shipment after you've been here about three months. Doing that allowed us to bring in a few items that we didn't realize we would be needing. Since the landlord supplies the furniture, what's in the house is less standard than most Foreign Service housing.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Most every fast food you see in the U.S. (McDonalds, Wendy's, Carl's, Dairy Queen, Quiznos, Burger King, Hard Rock, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Johnny Rocket's, Outback, Starbucks and probably others that I'm forgetting). Average of about twice the U.S. price.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
A few flies, roaches, lizards, etc. but not enough to give much thought to.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
The embassy has DPO. It takes an average of two weeks each direction.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Cost more than in Africa and less than in Europe. We don't use anybody but my understanding is that those who do, usually get someone for one or two days per week at about US$75/day.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
I think the Sandyport Gym is well equipped and is somewhere around US$75/month. There are also medically supervised gyms/programs for weight loss for US$200/month at Bahamas Medical. Jogging along the beach and in parks, especially around Baha Mar is common.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
We don't use ATMS - I cash a check at the Embassy about once per week. I've been using my SDFCU credit card a lot at restaurants and for medical/dental and never had any problems with it. Lots of places take credit cards.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Catholic is probably the largest group. There are lots of varieties of Christian groups. I've seen Baptist, Episcopalian, Seventh Day Adventist, Latter Day Saints and many evangelical churches.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is standard here although sometimes it can be a bit difficult to follow two locals speaking rapidly with each other.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, though not as bad as some places. There are handicapped parking spaces, ramps, elevators, etc. in some places; just not as many as there could be.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
My only experience with a taxi was a US$25 trip to the airport. It seemed safe and he did come at the prearranged time. I often take the #10 or #12a bus to/from the Embassy. It's US$1.25 each way and is generally regarded as safe.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Anything you like will be fine here. Roads are OK but not great. They drive on the left but since most cars come from the U.S. most of the drivers are sitting on the curb side. Things like the McDonald's drive-thru and the keypads for our gate are set up assuming the driver is sitting on the left. Many parts are available here or can be quickly obtained from Miami. Be prepared to pay twice the U.S. price for any parts or repair. Gas is currently about US$4/gallon and I buy US$50 every two weeks for my commute and occasional church/shopping trips in my Ford Explorer. From the time I shipped my vehicle from Alabama - it was 4 weeks and I was driving it here.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We pay about US$100/month for basic cable plus some sports channels plus 20 mbps Internet from CableBahamas. I understand that BTC also offers an internet package with phone service.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
The embassy supplies Blackberries (changing to iPhones) for many employees. Check with your supervisor or sponsor if you'll be getting one. If not - bring or order an unlocked GSM phone and get a SIM from BTC. Bring your own phone and you can be up and running for about US$15. You'll be asked if you'd like to "top-up" your prepaid minutes whenever you check out at the grocery store. My wife makes minimal use of her phone and buys about US$5 worth of minutes every month. Monthly plans with data similar to the U.S. are also available. BTC will be getting a competitor soon but details are not available yet.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
I've had no experience but I don't believe a quarantine is required and others seem happy enough with the vet care.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Yes but be prepared to jump through the usual work permit hoops.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Many. Church related activities seem to be the most popular.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Fairly casual but people who meet the public generally at least wear a tie. Meetings with government officials are suit/tie events.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Robbery and murder are bad and getting worse. This is a matter of critical concern for the citizens, government and expat community. We live in a gated community, have an alarm systems and the embassy supplies roving guards. We are beginning to question if this is enough. Ask for current info before bidding on this post and make sure to get RSO briefing and follow instructions.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No special health concerns and medical care is fairly good although probably not quite up to U.S. standards. I've had basic dental work done here and was pleased with both the quality and price - a filling for US$95 and cleaning and x-rays for US$120. I've seen a sports medicine specialist for back issues and the lab, x-ray equipment and MRI equipment appeared to be clean, well maintained and typical of what I would expect in the U.S. There are at least two large hospitals and a fairly busy ambulance service. The embassy has a local hire nurse and a health unit that is good for basic issues and vaccinations. We seem to do a lot a medevacs but that is probably due more to caution than necessity.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Mostly good. Not much industry and the steady sea breeze blows away what few problems there are. However, there have been some fire problems at the dump which has caused a nearby school to close for a few days and residents in that area are protesting.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Nothing that I've noticed.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Stereotypical Caribbean island. In the winter it sometimes gets down in the 50's F and only the Canadians swim. But most of the year it gets up in the 80's or 90's F. We get some rain most weeks, more in the summer. The only place I've worn a jacket is in my office.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
We have no experience with the schools but understand that there are several available and their reputations are generally good.
2. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
They exist because I read about them in the newspaper but don't know anything about them.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Very large. Several million visitors from the U.S. every year and many who live here. The overall morale is fairly high but the embassy morale is probably lower than one would expect given that we live in a tropical island paradise. The Embassy building is old and overcrowded and there is no parking. Many of the people attached to this embassy have little experience living outside the U.S. and don't grasp how unusually good the living situation is here for expats. Their unrealistic expectations lead to complaints that simply can't be addressed.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Shopping, boating, fishing, scuba diving, concerts & festivals. We frequently have U.S. related sporting events such a college basketball tournaments. This year saw the first U.S. college football bowl game played here. It's expected to be an annual event. If you can't find what you need here - Miami is a 45 minute flight away.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Except for crime, it's a good, easy life for anybody.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Their historical and cultural background is to be negative to the LGBT community but they are a major tourist destination and are making an effort to be more open and accepting to everyone.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Racial and religious - no problems. For gender - same as above - they're making progress.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Having good internet for a change and the great view as I drive along the beach to/from work. I also love watching the big cruise ships doing a 180 turn in their own length as they enter/exit port (a sight you can watch 3 or 4 times per day if you're so inclined).
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Any "secret or hidden gems" were published in the tour books or made part of the cruise ship shore packages years ago. You can learn to scuba dive, swim with some dolphins, gamble at Atlantis, fish or rent a sailboat. After you finish all that you can return to the perfectly normal American life of going home after work and sitting on the couch and watching TV (we get lots of U.S. cable TV including movie channels and ESPN - Netflix also streams here).
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
The "unique local items" are more activities than goods. Mostly water related events such as diving, sailing, dolphin swims, etc.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
This is "overseas light". Anyone who isn't comfortable getting very far from the U.S. or needs a culturally easy tour to recover after a difficult assignment would be OK here. Driving, shopping, groceries/brands, TV/radio/internet, electricity, church, currency and language are all lesser challenges here than at most other post.
10. Can you save money?
Yes but not lot. The COLA is appropriate for the high cost of food and other goods but without any hardship or danger pay, don't expect to save a lot.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Nothing really. There is so much info available about this place, anyone who arrives here and is surprised simply hasn't bothered to do any research.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, it's being a good "recovery tour" for me. We're enjoying it and glad we came but we're not likely to extend or come back for another tour later.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Belief that you're an expat. This is so much like life in the U.S. you can easily convince yourself that you're in southern Florida.
4. But don't forget your:
Sunscreen and patience. Events and people move at tropical island casual speed.
5. Do you have any other comments?
This is the easiest overseas tour that I've ever done. Hardly any different from living in Florida. I almost didn't do a report since so little has changed from the 2011 report. You can read it and know that everything there is still relevant in 2015.
