New members of the Turks and Caicos Islands forum, introduce yourself here

Helllo everyone, I'm a new member and I'm looking to get more info/ advice on how to make a move to the Turks and Caicos..what's the cost of living like? are jobs available? any information would be great.

Hi Everyone!

I'm also a new member from Ajax, Ontario (Canada). My friend and myself are looking to relocate to an island, and after much research, all roads are leading to TCI. Not too sure if (how) that will work, given she is a nurse and I am a healthcare recruiter (upon research, there doesn't seem to be much work in these areas). Having said this, I am fully prepared to take on employment outside of my field, but of course, need to figure out where the opportunities are. Ultimately, I would like to start a business (I know, need to have partnership with a Belonger; does anyone know the % ratio? Is it like the Cayman Islands where a native owns 60% of business and non-status holder owns 40%?)

Really interested in learning about the journey of others in realising their dream in living on an island, namely TCI. Not unrealistic and looking for perfection; just aiming for a  different perspective and relative simplicity.

Can

Hey Guys, I am Andrew. Currently living in Vancouver and looking to move to TCI in the next 12-24 months. I have been fortunate to have made a couple of million $s from my business venture. I am currently exploring the permanent residency option based on business or real estate investments. What I have been told so far is:

Residences
A person must make either:

An investment of not less than US$1,000,000.00 in actual construction of a new home or renovation of a distressed property as a home for the applicant and his or her dependents on any island other than Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos or North Caicos, or

An investment of not less than US$300,000.00 in actual construction of a new home, or in renovation of a distressed property as a home for the applicant and his or her dependents, on the islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos or North Caicos.

Businesses and Enterprises

An investment of not less than US$1,500,000.00 in cash in a business or enterprise in any island other than Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos or North Caicos which business generates employment for persons in TCI of which not less than 60% are TCI nationals or permanent residents.

An investment of not less than US$750,000.00 in cash in a business or enterprise in Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos or North Caicos which business generates employment for persons in TCI of which not less than 60% are TCI nationals or permanent residents; or

Those PRCs issued in either category (i) or (ii) will not be issued with the right to work endorsed thereon. Those PRCs issued in either category (iii) or (iv) will be issued with the right to work in the business or enterprise concerned.


Any body have experience establishing permanent residency in TCI based on investment? How easy was it to establish Permanent Residency and did it come with right to work? Looking forward to hearing from you!

I know is it something close to the 60/40.  It may be 50/50 or it may depend on the business.

Be VERY careful.  There are may issues on the islands with employment for ex pats-even ones who have been living there for many years.  I own property there and have lots of friends there.  So I have learned a lot.

Hi I am still dreaming of the day T&C becomes the next Canadian Territory ! Many articles and history behind such a venture. Is there any local discussion on such a proposal ? If the USA has Peurto Rico why not Canada and Turks ?
Cheers
Glenn
Winnipeg

New member to the board. My family and I visit TCI twice a year and love the Islands and people. Looking to purchase a lot to build on in 2015 near Long Bay in Provo. Looking for a lot within 1 or 2 rows back from the beach.

From my research, it looks pretty easy to purchase land in TCI. Any surprises that I need to be aware of?  Thanks for your advice and help.

So our dream has become a reality and we are relocating from London to TCI on April 20th. I am VERY excited! I wanted to say hello, and I would welcome any advice or tips from TCI residents in advance of our move? Thanks in advance!

Hi we are moving in march from the uk. We are flying out jan 17th for a week to look at schools. Really excited but so much to do

Hello Everyone,

I just joined this forum. I'm interested in researching life in the Turks and Caicos to eventually move there with my hubby. Any info would help..ie cost of living, best place to reside. I'm a Fitness Professional and would love to open up a beautiful studio for Personal Training and Group Training.

Cheers from Canada
RichnLayla

Hello friend, I am new one also but I can give you some informations like that 2 bed rooms $500-$900 usd for monthly commendation living. Food will vary as per your living style from $400 USD to $15000 USD. But its safe Island of dreaming living I felt. I am just going there to study.
Have a bless day.
Take care my friend.

Warmly,
Jamil 

Hi  Everyone ! Ian new to the site and am looking for info in regards to making a permanent move to Turks & Caicos. What are the steps; do we apply for residency, we are planning on purchasing a home and starting a business. Do we ship our stuff or ditch everything and start new? Looking for areas with new or potential growth. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Food cost Per person grocery  wise is about 100$/ week comfortably no splashing on gourmet products, not that u find to many :-), , going out is a different story minimum spend per head 25-30$minimum, usually 50-100$/ head in restaurants. Renting long term depends of the area, and type of accommodation , usually a 1 bedroom in a good area is around 1000-12000$/month plus bills (water, electricity- expensive), cable(40$ monthly, basic package), Internet 54$/month 1meg download  WivCable. 1case of beer in IGA supermarket I've seen on offer 48$ min Stella, 45$ own Turks Head local  beer, usually goes around 60-70$ per case of beer.Petrol 5.60-6.40$/gallon, car insurance depends on broker (jeep comprehensive insurance in my case 450$/year).

My case: 3 bedroom 3 baths on marina 1700$/month, 80-100$ month water, between 125$ -324 $ max I paid for electricity using aircon 4-5 h/day in hot months, grocery 2person 180$ per week average but my wife loves cooking and I eat rarely home.
I fill up the tank petrol 88$ every 18days average.

Hope it helps

richnlayla wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I just joined this forum. I'm interested in researching life in the Turks and Caicos to eventually move there with my hubby. Any info would help..ie cost of living, best place to reside. I'm a Fitness Professional and would love to open up a beautiful studio for Personal Training and Group Training.

Cheers from Canada
RichnLayla

I am new as well. Just bought a condo and looking forward to spending a few months at a time over the next few years. From Alberta and may offer writing and creativity retreats so looking forward to looking into how to do that while complying with various rules. However, just as happy to go and have extended vacations as well. I am trying to find out if you own property, can you go without a return ticket and can you stay longer than 30 days. thanks for any advice. Kim

Hi Everybody!

I'm Claudia, happily married and during that time we made 3 beautiful children, and thankfully still crazy about the man  ...or who still drives me crazy, one or the other, but both I view as good..lol

I'm just starting research now on caribbean Islands that would be safe with great educational systems. We have 3 children, 10, 7 and 2. They are excited about the fact that mom is seriously going to put all my talk into action and educate the family with options on living on a caribbean Island. Turks and Caicos and St. John's Island is going to be my focus of research.

The plan with the blog; talk to people who live there now, whom moved from Canada and also people who hope to and what there plan is. Make friends, learn as much as I can including the day to day living on the island, costs, life with kids on the island.

Our long term plan; All within 36 months. Once we decided on an Island, likely Provo Turks, buy a cafe or small restaurant, buy a house, live there from January to end of May. Once older kids start high school, live there from end of January to June. Depending on exams..etc. Thats it in a nut-shell! My husband would likely continue something in his expertise, but we aren't going to focus on that until we get down there.

Any info on all or one of the above would be great!

Claudia

Hi Friends,

I am happy to be here in TCI...I have seen the beauty by nature here.

I am here seeking for a job for any position may qualify my experiences.

I am a Civil engineer in profession. I can do estimating jobs and drawing works.

For more information, just send me email.

Thank you.
Nancy

Hi All,

I am Jeanne and also interested in employment in financial services in TCI. I am currently working in Cayman Islands, but would love to reside in TCI. I have visited on a cruise to Grand Turk and absolutely love it.
I really am an 'Island girl', as I am orginally from Bermuda, so Ilsnd life comes naturally to me.

Let's network and help each other to achieve our destination TCI!!!

Not sure about how I would even start to go about seeking employment there, but willing to give it a try.

Jeanne

Ownership of property does not automatically give you longer than 30 days.  The thirty days may be extended each month up to 90 days.  At the 90 day mark you will need to leave for a day or so then return.  You may apply for residency with little difficulty but it does not carry with it the right to work.  For that you need a work permit.  In your case, for periodic retreats you might explore a temporary work permit.  They are not usually that difficult to get and run around 750.00.

@lobomago > to whom are you addressing your message?

This topic is specially for new members to introduce themselves.

I was answering CoachKims question about having to have a return ticket if you own property in post number 15.  I can see how closely all these posts are adhering to your introduction theme.

Hi all-

I'm a newbie to the island of sorts. I came in from nyc about six months ago and starting to branch out to explore all the island has to offer! I'd love to learn much more from fellow ex pats to see where to go and what to do!

Look forward to hearing from you!

Michael

Hi  All

Yes  i  would  consider  myself as a  Newbie   but  not for  long  since  Grand  Turk  is  very  beautiful  but  relatively  small   I  cover it in  one  day  .  There are  beautiful  pristine   beaches   and  a   state of the   art  cruise  centre,  the  culture  is  laid  back   and   not what i am  accustomed    however  ,   I  am  adaptable  and  flexible  ,  I  am  here   for  networking  and   to  make  new  friends   and  I am   available   

Hi, my name is Joyce, I currently live in Montréal, Québec, Canada and am looking to relocate to Turks & Caicos. I have legal work experience, i currently work for a national law firm here in Montréal as a Document Specialist. I am perfectly bilingual (French-English) and have extensive administrative assistant experience also. I am seeking employment in Turks & Caicos. Any tips and advice are welcome. Thank you!

Hello friends,
I am about six years away from retiring and moving down to the TCI (at least for the winters). My wife and I have been planning this for about 10 years since we first built our home on Provo in 2005. I have made many friends on the islands but they are mostly TCI Belongers, Jamaicans, Haitians and Dominicans. I joined this website in hopes of connecting with other Americans & Canadians who have already made their move down to Paradise.
Cheers!!!

Hi, my name is Dave McCombe and I'm planning on retiring next June and an looking to check out Turks and Caicos as a possible place to retire too.  My other possibilities are the Virgin Islands. But I'm looking to get down there and visit and hope to connect with the expat community. Hope to hear from you and see you all down there. Can't wait!

Hi we are moving to TCI on 22 January any tips on buying a car mobile phone contracts or any other tips would be most welcome.

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

Did anyone provide you any information?

If not, for mobiles i would get a pay as you go sim card for now (i prefer digicel because of their app) and see what works best before going with flow or digicel (i originally went with flow but ended up swapping to digicel)

For cars they are quite expensive even for second hand ones so depends on budget, but there are groups on facebook that are buying and selling cars and also some garages and rental places.

let me know if you need any other assistance and welcome!

I'm so glad I found this place! I really hope to meet other expats living in Provo. I just moved in August 2016 for a job offer. I am single, no kids, so I just moved by myself and my little dog.  Does anyone have advice for how to meet expats here?  I don't like the bar scene, and I work full time with Turks Islanders so I don't get much interaction with expats. 

I also wouldn't mind meeting Mr. Right

thanks

eveningmoods - just to let you know there is usually very little traffic on this site for the TCI section !

Advice on meeting expats here would be to get involved with local businesses, i.e. potcake place has regular volunteers that are generally expat wives.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Skip   will do!

Hi All, new to this, expat originally from germany, having lived in Ireland for 12 years and now the UK for just over 2 years. Possibly have the opportunity to move to TCI later in the year (currently in the recruitment process) and looking for current info. A lot of the posts seem to be older so I am sure things would have changed by now?
Looking for info on Rent, Cars & costs associated, expat communities, social activities and so on? Also where is good to live? I am looking to move ahead with my partner moving over about 6 month later hopefully. Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Dennis

Hi Dennis, please see my post on costs which should help.

Many thanks

Skip

Thanks skip, is that the above or might there be a second one that you are referring too, separate to this topic?
Thanks Dennis

its under cost of living in turks and caicos - let me know if you need anymore info as this board isnt very active

Cheers skip, found it and replied with loads more questions
Cheers
Dennis

Hi there!
Our family recently moved to Provo from Calgary, Alberta. My husband is a Chef and we have 3 kids ages 9,7 and 2 that I am currently homeschooling. So, far we are loving the Island and all it has to offer. Finally getting settled in our new home and hoping to find some families out there with kids close in age to ours.
Also, if there are any other homeschooling families out there let me know! It would be great to connect.

Looking forward to meeting new people and continuing to explore all that this wonderful Island has to offer!

Nazareth05: glad to hear you are enjoying it!

Hi, good to hear you are loving it so far.
Hopefully once I get to that stage I will too :-)
Dennis