wondering if there are any members who have lived there or are otherwise familiar?

There hasn’t been an offer but I have a employment opportunity that seems to be rather serious. From my research I know it is horribly expensive, socialized medicine (Canadian ran), and essentially tax free but would love to hear from someone with actual experience.

This wouldn’t be something that we planned to be permanent but seems like it may be a good experience (personally and professionally) for 1-2 years. And, I would visit before accepting an offer but I really can’t afford to vacation right now due to vivid and I don’t want to make the trip unless I think it is something I am very serious about (prospective employer will reimburse for trip if accept employment but they will not front the costs to prevent people coming to such a desired location just to get a free trip).

I went there for a port call when I was in the Coast guard, got drunk, danced all night, ate good food, had a good time.

But I grew up in Tampa and I know every year there are ten or so hurricanes that roll thru the islands...no way would I live there with a family.

No experience living there.

Island hopped on a 50’ Beneteau

Beer and wine were the most affordable things

Beautiful area

Hope it works out for you. Expect 2 days travel time each way to fly down (at least that’s what it took me MT to St Lucia)

great diving! lots of sharks and people selling weed.

I've stopped there many times. Mostly for just a night or two. The beaches are beautiful, restaurants, grocieries, and housing is expensive. The rest of the island isn't so beautiful, lots of old vehicles and such abandoned and laying around. The island gets very small with not a lot to do besides water related activities. There is no tax persay, but EVERYTHING imported has a lot of duty on it, so you're basically paying the tax when you purchase anything. I visit tons of islands, so a bit jaded. You may love it if you're not used to island life.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
I've stopped there many times. Mostly for just a night or two. The beaches are beautiful, restaurants, grocieries, and housing is expensive. The rest of the island isn't so beautiful, lots of old vehicles and such abandoned and laying around. The island gets very small with not a lot to do besides water related activities. There is no tax persay, but EVERYTHING imported has a lot of duty on it, so you're basically paying the tax when you purchase anything. I visit tons of islands, so a bit jaded. You may love it if you're not used to island life.

I have spent my whole life in small midwestern towns. Even though I am in Illinois now and they certainly rape ya, I have never lived anywhere that is expensive... I am not used to islands, salt water, nor expensive. Pretty much everything about the place would be new to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Garret Blaine:

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
I've stopped there many times. Mostly for just a night or two. The beaches are beautiful, restaurants, grocieries, and housing is expensive. The rest of the island isn't so beautiful, lots of old vehicles and such abandoned and laying around. The island gets very small with not a lot to do besides water related activities. There is no tax persay, but EVERYTHING imported has a lot of duty on it, so you're basically paying the tax when you purchase anything. I visit tons of islands, so a bit jaded. You may love it if you're not used to island life.

I have spent my whole life in small midwestern towns. Even though I am in Illinois now and they certainly rape ya, I have never lived anywhere that is expensive... I am not used to islands, salt water, nor expensive. Pretty much everything about the place would be new to me.

I guess it depends on your employment offer. See if they'll fly you down there for an interview. Fly there when you can and check it out. Gas is expensive as well. Take a look at the local grocery store (which is pretty good actually) for prices and the random things you normally buy. Keep your eyes open at prices when you look around. Aside from the beach, to do anything else on the water you pretty much need a boat or access to one. Not much in normal entertainment that we take for granted here, such as a movie theathre.

I rented a villa on Middle Caicos years ago. It is very remote and beautiful. Almost no tourists. Some of the best diving and bone-fishing I have ever done. You can go out in a skiff and pick up conch and lobster with ease.

We have been to a private island there (pine key) several times.
Beautiful beaches and the people seem very friendly. As mentioned there is a duty tax(30 percent.

There are direct flights to Provo from CLT that will get you there in two and a half hours.

I was just in Grand Turk in Feb. I remember hearing that medicine ran by the Canadians is cheap like $150 a month per household. If you buy property you automatically become a citizen. The police are super bored since there’s no crime. Also donkeys are like squirrels.

I'm afraid I'm going to be the contrarian here.

Went there with wife, daughter & son-in-law. This was about five years ago. We rented a house on the beach on Providenciales. Neighborhood was beautiful, house was beautiful, weather was beautiful.

We were there in the off season, so about half the restaurants were closed. No big deal, but something to be aware of. People were very friendly.

At the first restaurant we went to, someone on the staff stole my credit card info.

Our rental house was about a quarter mile away from an ice cream shop. The shop had enormous bars on all windows and you had to push a doorbell to be buzzed into the place. I asked why and the guy running the shop said "crime". Then I started to notice the other places with barred windows.

So I would respectfully disagree with the 'no crime' comment. Maybe Providencials is different? I don't know. HOWEVER, my data is all five years old, so take it with a grain of salt.

That said, we've been on quite a few of the Caribbean islands. T&C's would be almost my last choice (maybe Jamaica would be worse).

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
I was just in Grand Turk in Feb. I remember hearing that medicine ran by the Canadians is cheap like $150 a month per household. If you buy property you automatically become a citizen. The police are super bored since there’s no crime. Also donkeys are like squirrels.

It’s not that cheap, but relatively reasonable. You pay 3% of your salary and the employer pays 3.4%. But, I have no idea if the quality is any good.

quote:

Originally posted by gw3971:
great diving! lots of sharks and people selling weed.

Two out of three isn't so bad.

If it’s just a year or two I’d definitely do it.
I haven’t been to those particular islands but I’ve been to a few in the Caribbean and I think it’s well worth the life experience. Especially if you like to, or want to learn to dive. Best of luck!

Been there several times. It is like much of the third world with better trimmings the closer to the beach you get. My wife wanted to buy a place there and we looked. I talked her out of it. There is a stamp tax there. It is pricey to pay. Look it up. Everything shipped there has import duty that is high. It is a small island that will get smaller if you move in And are living there 24/7. You will also always be an outsider there. I talked the Mrs into SWFL. It is America with great healthcare, cheap fuel, cheap food, and you can always drive away from a hurricane. You can’t do that with an island.

A case of Coors Lite is $55.99.
You drive on the opposite side of the road.
Areas between the nice is third world.

Turks & Caicos (2014), the British/American action drama/political thriller television film, was filmed in part on the islands.

_{Bill Nighy • Helena Bonham Carter • Rupert Graves • Ralph Fiennes • Ewen Bremner • James McArdle • Winona Ryder • Christopher Walken • Dylan Baker • Meredith Eaton • Zach Grenier • Julie Hewlett • James Naughton • Malik Yoba}