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Note: Most recent update -- Spring 2014

Ever wished you could pick up, move and live/work from a tropical island paradise like Jamaica?

Well you can – and it’s easier than you think. This ebook provides step-by-step instructions – you’ll learn how to start planning as much as a year out – on how do it.

All the Info You Need to Create a Portable Lifestyle to Live Anywhere You Want

Nothing is left to chance. There is detailed budget information, 7 steps on how to create a mobile working lifestyle, what to expect as far as daily living, how to find an apartment, how much to expect to pay, how to get utilities turned on and so much more.

As an American freelance writer, I’ve lived part-time in Negril, Jamaica since March 2010. I come for 2-3 months, then go back home for a month or so; all the while earning a very good living. In this ebook, I tell you how to do the same thing.

My sister (who lives in Negril as well part-time) and I joke all the time that we’re semi-retired because we live a life that most people wait until the retire to experience.

And, we get never-ending questions about how we manage to do what we do. Well, this ebook shows you exactly how.

And, it’s something everyone who really wants to can do. It’s not nearly as hard (or hard at all, really) as you may think. With the carefully laid out steps within, six months to a year from now, you too can be calling a tropical paradise like Negril, Jamaica home.

Tired of Waiting for an “Annual Vacation?” Have that Rum Punch in the Middle of the Afternoon

There’s no need to stay stuck in a job you hate, waiting for an annual vacation of a week or two just to let loose and have some fun. This can be your daily existence!

Now, while I do work – a lot! – I also take off and go to the beach when I feel like it, meet friends for lunch at a beachside café and have rum punches when I want, go for early morning swims, sleep late, etc.

In short, my life is not dictated by someone else’s time table.

I work when it’s best for me, which happens to be late mornings into the evenings (I’m not a morning person at all).

Never Have to Report to a Job Again

And you know what, I can’t imagine having to report to a job again (I’ve made my living completely online since 2007, as I detail in the ebook, Living the Freelance Life: How I Live Internationally and Have Earned a Living Completely Online Since 2007 & You Can Too!.

Following is a complete table of contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Page 8

PREFACE: Page 9

How the Info within Can Help You Move Wherever You Want in the Caribbean: Page 9

How/Why I Discovered and Moved to Jamaica: Page 9

The Beauty of Jamaica: Page 9

Why I Love to Travel: Page 10

My Love of the Outdoors: Page 11

Family Connection: Page 11

My Love of Travel . . . Sated: Page 12

SECTION I: BASICS ABOUT JAMAICA (AND NEGRIL): Page 13

Location: Where Exactly Is Jamaica: Page 13

Population: How Many People Are There In Negril: Page 13

Language: What Language(s) Is Spoken in Jamaica: Page 14

Money: What Is the Official Currency of Jamaica: Page 14

Race/Ethnicity: What Is the Ethnic Makeup of Jamaica: Page 14

Religion: What Religions are Practiced in Jamaica: Page 15

The Geographic Layout of Negril: The West End (The Cliffs) vs. The Beach: Page 15

When Is Low and High Season in Negril & Why You Need to Know: Page 16

SECTION II: WHAT TO DO 6 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR OR MORE BEFORE YOU MOVE: Page 18

Moving to Jamaica: Seven (7) Steps to Creating a Mobile Working Lifestyle: Page 18

Why You Should Save at Least Three Times as Much Money as You Think You’ll Need: Page 23

SECTION III: GETTING THROUGH IMMIGRATION IN MONTEGO BAY: Page 25

Tips on Filling out the Customs Form on the Plane: Page 26

How to Get to Negril from the Montego Bay Airport Cheaply (This Knowledge Alone Can Save You $75+!): Page 27

SECTION IV: PREPARING TO MOVE – WHAT TO DO 30 DAYS BEFOREHAND: Page 29

Plan Second Trip: Page 29

Know Your Money: Page 29

Start Closing Up Loose Ends at Home: Page 30

How to Handle Your Mail in Your Absence: Page 30

SECTION V: HOW TO FIND AN APARTMENT TO RENT IN NEGRIL, JAMAICA: Page 32

Negril Apartment Hunting Tip #1: Page 32

Negril Apartment Hunting Tip #2: Page 32

Negril Apartment Hunting Tip #3: Page 33

Negril Apartment Hunting Tip #4: Page 33

Important Tip When Hunting for Apartments Abroad – No Matter Where You’re Going: Page 34

Negril, Jamaica: Apartment Scams on Websites Like Craigslist, Et Al: Page 34

How Many “Renting in a Foreign Country Apartment Scams” Work: Page 34

Tips for Avoiding Apartment Hunting Scams in Jamaica on Craigslist (and Other Websites): Page 35

In My Opinion, the Best Way to Find an Apartment in Jamaica (or Any Foreign Country): Page 36

The Process of Renting an Apartment in Negril, Jamaica: Page 36

A Note about Utilities When Renting in Jamaica: Page 36

How to Get a Tax I.D. Number in Jamaica (Which You’ll Need for Certain Utilities): Page 37

How Much Should You Expect to Pay in Rent for an Apartment in Negril, Jamaica: Page 37

What I’ve Paid in Rent in Jamaica (4 Different Apts/Houses): Page 38

Just How Important Is a Beach Chair in Negril?: Page 38

Questions to Ask When Apartment Hunting in Jamaica: Page 38

What to Bring to Furnish Your Apartment: Page 44

How to Transport Items Cheaply to Jamaica: Page 45

Information on Duty Taxes You Will Have to Pay If You Ship Items to Jamaica: Page 45

SECTION VI: LIVING EXPENSES IN NEGRIL (BESIDES RENT): Page 47

Cell Phone Costs in Jamaica: Page 47

Ways to Call Home Free and/or Very Cheaply: Page 47

Transportation -- Getting around Negril via Taxi: Page 48

How Much Taxis Cost in Negril: Page 48

Taking Taxis in Negril – The Local Way: Page 49

Food: Shopping for / How Much to Expect to Spend: Page 49

Toiletries and Household Incidentals: Toothpaste, Soap, Dish Detergent, Deodorant: Page 50

Clothing: Where to Shop – How Much to Spend: Page 51

Budget Overview: How Much You Can Expect to Spend Per Month WITHOUT Including Entertainment: Page 52

Entertainment: What to Do and Where to Go in Negril: Page 53

Things to Do in Negril: Concerts: Page 53

Things to Do in Negril: The Beach and Water Sports: Page 54

Things to Do in Negril: Exercise: Page 54

Things to Do in Negril: Walk and Explore (Bring Your Camera!): Page 54

Things to Do: Nightclubs / Live Music: Page 54

Affordable Restaurants/Bars I Frequent in Negril: Page 55

Getting out of Negril: Day Trips: Page 59

About “Tourist Traps”: Page 59

Budget Recap: Total Monthly Expenditures INCLUDING Entertainment: Page 60

A Note about Incidentals: What They Are, How to Calculate Them & Why You MUST Include Them in Your Budget: Page 61

SECTION VII: JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Page 62

Finding Work in Negril, Jamaica as an American / Foreigner with “No Papers”: Page 62

Negril, Jamaica: Types of Businesses That Would Do Well in Here: Page 63

The Unemployment Rate in Jamaica: Page 63

The Low Season in Negril, Jamaica: When You Can – and Cannot – Make Money: Page 64

The Bottom Line on Finding Work in Negril, Jamaica as a Foreigner: Page 64

SECTION VIII: DAILY LIVING -- WHAT TO EXPECT: Page 65

The People: Page 65

The Heat: Page 66

Walking: Page 67

Critters: Page 67

Clean Up or Move Out: Page 67

The Dust: Page 68

Excuse Me, It’s My Turn: Page 68

Going to the Dogs: Page 68

The Ocean: Page 69

Extra Tips, Insights and Info about Living in Negril: Page 69

Food on the Side of the Road: Page 69

Food on the Beach: Page 70

Many Places Closed During Low Season: Page 70

Sunday Is Family Day: Page 70

Stores Close Early: Page 70

Where to Get Online if You Don’t Have/Don’t Want to Get Internet Access in Your Apartment in Negril: Page 70

Items to Always Have in Your Purse, Backpack and/or Beach Bag: Page 71

Emergency Numbers: Page 72

SECTION IX: WHAT TO DO IF YOU WANT TO STAY LONGER THAN 3 MONTHS: Page 73

How to Become a Jamaican Resident: Page 73

Getting Residency: Paperwork Required: Page 73

First-hand Account of an American Who Applied to Become a Permanent Jamaican Resident: Page 74

SECTION X: MY FINAL THOUGHTS AS AN AMERICAN LIVING IN NEGRIL: Page 75

Negatives of Living in Negril as a Foreigner: Page 75

Positives of Living in Negril as a Foreigner: Page 76

Change Is Good: Page 77

Conclusion: Life Lessons Learned as an American Living in a Foreign Country: Page 78

ENDMATTER: Page 80