TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Moving to Tortola..!?

I consider myself a Tortola veteran - have been visiting for almost 30 years - and am lucky enough to consider it my second home. Being in CT my whole life and hating winter, I am looking to take the plunge and relocate permanently! Its exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. I am trying to get a true handle on living expenses and income. Seems pay down there is definitely less than the states - but how much less is reasonable to accept?

Anyone have any experience with this?

Do you already own a home on Tortola, will you be buying one or renting? If renting, how big a home would you need and what style of residence would you want? That will help determine your income needs.

Welcome to TTOL! I just sent you a PM (private message). Click on the blinking letter picture to open it.

A U.S citizen can not live full time in BVI, ask Manpot, although British he'll have more knowledge then most in this area. Working in BVI is an entirely different matter. Let's put it this way you better have deep pockets, real estate is not cheap.

If you own your home and can prove you're financially independent, you can get residency. (Or so people who have done so say.) Alternatively, you can get a work visa; there are lots of conditions, but many are issued.

Alien landholders have the right to stay for six months, so leaving and returning is also an option.

What is not encouraged is folks of modest means and no special skills moving to the BVIs to seek work.

Is the "Right to reside long term" the same as formal residency?

So much mixed info..if you buy you can live in the BVI's for six months a year ( how that six months is split is open to discussion..and not here!). If you are not working you can get residency.."Permission to reside"..twelve months a year..it took us three months to get it and we renew each year for $45...but with that you cannot work..unless you work off island and are paid elsewhere..There are some reasonably priced long term rentals BTW..you need to come down and check for yourself and , if you have a talent seriously needed here, work permits are quite doable..

Mal is the expert on this. But, with his assistance, here is what I think are the rules of the road. If by permanent residency you mean gaining "Belonger Status" you will be disappointed as it takes about twenty years before you can even apply.
We are officially "Non-Belongers" and have a government card to prove it.
Non- Belonger status is granted to people who own property in the BVI. With a Non-Belonger Land Holding License you are allowed to stay for six months without going back every 30 days to C&I to extend your visa.
I am advised that after six months, you are not supose to be allowed back into the territory until six months have passed. In theory, going to St. Thomas for a few nights doesn't allow you to skirt that provision. But, I 'm pretty sure that it is skirted frequently.
The right way to do it is the way Mal has done it, which is to apply for a Right to Reside Permit. He was able to get through that process relatively painlessly, by island standards. I think it involved a number of trips to C&I in addition to the paperwork.
But, I envy you. We still haven't figured out a way to extend our stays beyond three weeks. Best of luck!

No argument with anything that has been said here. Of course an immigration attorney is the only one who can advise you on your specific situation.

My understanding is that, after twenty years, folks on work visas can apply for residency, which, if granted, eliminates the need for a visa. That is the case for many workers from "down island". Eventually they can apply for citizenship.

The key, as Manpot says, is that you have to choose between the residency granted because you are financially independent and having the ability to work in the BVI. We have several neighbors who own homes and live year-round (non-working). We have several who got work permits and then bought homes with alien landholders licenses. And we have a couple who have achieved Belonger status.

There may also be a category for people who start essential businesses, but that is a whole 'nother topic.

If you are a U.S. citizen and you need to work to live, you might consider living/working in the USVI and spending your spare time "over there". <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

http://bvinewbie.com/

I have found this site useful for friends of mine who got work permits and live in the BVI.

You will find that living in the BVI is far different than vacationing in the BVI (even if it was 30 times). Be prepared for no current (power), no water, no internet, no cable, drastically inferior cell service, long lines in banks, paying to have mail, paying for each package on top of that, seriously sh!tty customer service (and I'm not talking about waitstaff), etc, etc. Working is paradise is still working. If you can get through all that, it's great. Read the blog "Women Who Live On Rocks" (whether or not you are female) for a humourous account of the trials and tribulations of island living.

Although I recently left Tortola, I lived there for almost 20 years.

Agree..to some extent..living here is different from visiting but we still love it. It can be frustrating at times but there are ways to make things much easier.For example: All our bills are paid by our Cousin Robin in Sonoma..the house has its own credit card that deals with most of them. We have no bank acccount in the BVI's which eliminates a lot of hassles..just make sure we have enough in checking to pull cash..usually from Myett's at CGB..up to $500 a day. I think some things have got easier..dealing with the DMV down here...even Immigration has speeded up..we have many less power outages and phone/ internet issues in the last year...its been MUCH less of a problem..These are just some views IMHO..A good one who might also jump in here is " Island Doc " Howard who we gave advice to before and during his move and has become a great friend..he has recently made the move , opened a business etc..

Yes, the DMV, definitely was getting more efficient the last few years. Since I left in August, following BVI Community Board in facebook, it seems as if BVIEC (power) and LIME internet have been very, very bad; with LIME, not only the service itself, but the customer service as well. YMMV with both, based on where you live on the island. Not having a local bank is a good idea, especially if one is not a year-long resident.

Living here in Apple Bay power outages have become quite rare..maybe once every two weeks and short when we have them..less than an hour. Last problem with LIME they came out next day..not much worse than the USA.We live here 7 months of the year and could easily function for a full 12 without a local bank..

Have you thought about purchasing a sail or power boat to live on?
It's the best way to go so you can spend time in any of the islands and you still get to stay 6 months out of the year and only need to purchase a yearly temporary import permit for about $200.00.

Hello all and thank you for your replies!! There are obviously a lot of knowledgeable people here (and current Tortola residents!!)

Here is a little more info - my family owns a house on the West End already and, although it is my mother's, my name is on it and I have a land holder's license. She has been a long term vacationer for years - staying 2-3 months at a time, so I am well versed in the power outages, internet service, cell service and "island time".

My intent is to come on island, squat at Mom's for a bit until I find an apartment. I've been in touch with several agencies and am thinking $2K/mo budget would cut it. The long term intent would be to buy but I know already what a lengthy process that is since we've been through it already.

I already have a job offer (and my husband is close to one) - so we would both reside under work permits that our employers will obtain for us.

I think what I am trying to figure out right now is what is a reasonable income to expect? How much lower are professional salaries in the BVI? I am not in the finance/banking/legal industry. My potential employer is one of the largest on island but local based. It seems salary offerings are less - but how much less is really reasonable? 15%? 25% 40%???

Also - we have a little one that would attend Cedar School - FWIW.

Sounds like you have a plan and it's coming together nicely. What a great experience for your family.

In terms of salaries, my impression is that government officials and consultants are extremely well paid, relative to similarly-sized places. Health-care workers and teachers seem less well paid. Your comparative pay probably depends a lot on your field.

Maybe it would be easier to focus on your take-home pay and expenses. The BVI has no income tax, but there is a social security tax and a new national health tax. You will still have to pay US taxes, but with the foreign income exclusion.

Your mom's household running expenses should be a good guide. We find insurance in the BVI is expensive, especially with only liability on our car and boat. We have an account with the same bank for many decades, but they now charge $35 - a month! - because we are American.

Importing furniture and household goods always costs more than I expect, more because of duty and fees than the actual shipping charges. Food is a lot more expensive, as you no doubt know. I would add 50% to your US food budget. While gas is more expensive, you won't be driving as far.

Cedar is a nice school, and a lot cheaper than private schools, particularly in Fairfield County.

We have neighbors, full-time residents, who were able to live (frugally) on US social security and limited investment income. It can be done.

Please keep us posted.

Thanks for posting the additional info. I have to ask though, why does it matter how much less the salary is on island than in the US?? You have an offer for employment, which requires you getting a work permit. Do you get any impression that the salary is negotiable at all?? Often, they will offer what they will offer, period..

Anything above $4 an hour is good(some employers think $4 is fine <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />). And I know way too many folks that have been getting paid only that for many years.

Actually I know for a fact that it is negotiable. It says so in the employment letter itself and that was reinforced to me both in person, in emails and on the phone.

The reason I ask is the salary they are offering me is 40% less than I am making right now. That feels a bit extreme is all. I certainly am willing to accept what is appropriate and reasonable but I also don't want to leave myself high and dry.

OK, I just don't think anyone on a TRAVEL bulletin board could give you good advice on what a reasonable salary would be, especially when we don't even know what the position is--which may or may not even help. You certainly could come back to them with a counter offer on the salary and see what the response is.

Thank you - I do plan to counter am just trying to do some due diligence. Although this is a travel site I was hoping, and did succeed, in finding some US - Tortola transplants - so all is not lost. I am a bit of a research fanatic, so I have found this quite beneficial regardless. I do appreciate your input and perspective.

Best wishes with your relocation!

Carol, I don't think your question makes sense. I feel it hugely matters how much less the salary will be. In my first few years here, I grossly underestimated my overall living and business expenses. Couple that with a much smaller salary than in Georgia, things got "interesting" for a while.

A lot of ex-pats (and locals, too!) are just barely making it here right now. I love what I do, I am blessed to be where I am--life is good, today......But, I'd be lyin' if I said it's been easy.

To Xandralaw, Carol's probably right--this may not be the perfect forum for your inquiry....please feel free to email me (howardbergdc@gmail.com) with any other questions I may be able to help you with....welcome to the 'hood!

Sorry, my comment was phrased very badly. What I meant to say is that it doesn't really matter what the difference is between where you are now and what you get paid there, it only matters what you get paid there, and whether you can live on that money.

If you plan to pay $2000 a month for rent then your salary must be over $60,000.00 to be comfortable as the electric for that size of house with AC alongside water rates and internet, phone line, cable or satelite and car expences will run your bills to around $3000 a month including rent. It's what level of comfort and life style you are looking for, but remember even in paradise if your working its just another place to live. If you plan to eat out and enjoy life then a salary of $80,000+ would be much better

Such great information and thoughts in this thread. I know it is "off topic" but we have some subject matter experts that it is great to hear from. We are were recently granted our Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence (NBLHL) and then subsequently closed on a house on Jost. We aren't able to visit more than a few time a year for the next few years but after that RETIREMENT baby!

**moves in closer to the table so she can hear better**

That's the way we did it..bought CRC in 1989..used it as a vacation rental..remodelled in 2005..sold up and moved down. Much easier to do it while you are making a good living, especially if you have equity in the roof already over your head. We had enough equity to buy for cash and then remodel for cash and never have a mortgage on CRC..and got nice US tax break with our stateside mortgage payment..YMMV..

Totally agree! While this thread may technically be off topic, it is obviously (just look at the number of views) of great interest to many who post and read here, AND there is a wealth of knowledge to be shared regarding the subject here as well.

Just my two cents, but while I have nothing to add, at least thus far, I have read this thread with great interest!

The BVI's have a real problem with misinformation about buying down here..I so often hear" Its impossible.."..You have to wait for years" etc. That is really not the reality. You find the property you want, if your bid is accepted.. you put 10% down in escrow..hire a local attorney and apply for a Non Belonger Land Holder License ( all explained in Newbie and Welcome)..it may take a year but then its yours..

So here are my rough numbers - please feel free to edit or add.
Rent $2000
Internet/home phone $110
Cable $46
Khoys $11 (based off annual fee of $125)
Groceries $600 (family of three - 2 adults one toddler)
Gas $300
Cell ph $100 (my job includes one so this is husband only)
Car Ins $200 (this is a total guess)
Electricity $150
Savings for 2 work permit renewals $167
TOTAL - $3677

Missing expenses - rental insurance, personal savings and debt, variable incidentals (school supplies, medical exp, home furnishings, sunscreen lol, entertainment)... what else?

Am calculating take home pay as less 8% taxes + 4% SS and health insurance.

Also - I will have a two income household with my husband working...

Groceries is not in my calculations but there or there abouts yes, other than groceries that will probably exceed $1000 but maybe I eat alot! Also school fee's for Cedar are EXTREME perhaps someone else can chime in but I believe about $1600 a month plus a reg fee of $3000 + $300 for just applying. Good luck!

Tortola is only 12 or 13 miles long - gas is more per gallon, your mpg will be low, but $300 seems too high, or is that for two cars? You wouldn't be carpooling to work?
Why have a landline if you have two cellphones? And it will take LIME months and months to install if you believe the chatter over on facebook BVI Community Board, so you can subtract out a few months!

I pay Car-Insurance about $ 800.00 per year for a Suzuki so assume your $ 200.00 per month will be for 2 cars. If you do use Lime for Internet, even with limited amount of local calls from the land line I would calculate about $ 140.00 per month minimum (I think it is about $ 40.00 per month already for the line and about $ 100.00 for Internet). We do live well but my grocery-bill is for 2 1/4 persons (my daughter eats only little at home) and with buying bulk like Wholesale Filet Tenderloin and buying Chickenbreast by the case it will be more like $ 900.00 - $ 1200.00 per month, I don't think I get through a week for less then $ 300.00. But on the other hand we do have a dog and a cat <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Gas I usually use 1 tank 3 times per month and I am not going to work in Town but go to Town from West-End more then I should and put a lot of miles between Soper's Hole and Carrot Bay. When it comes to US-mail-box, the monthly fee is a drop in the bucket to what you do pay for your internet-shopping service-charges (my mail-forwarder charges 50 % of the shippers postage and not sure what else they add in for customs-clearance......) - and survey says that my mail-forwarder is the most reasonable priced on the island. Maybe I do too much online-shopping <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> it does add up. The Government Health-Insurance plan has not been implemented, so I pay about $ 420.00 per month, your husband will be cheaper. If your employer provides Health-Insurance it probably is 50 % of that as your portion.
My Electricity is about $ 150.00 per month but I hardly run any A/C since I have a nice breeze from the ocean and my bedroom is above the cistern - you have no idea how cool that keeps the room. Most of the fans are usually running and my daughter might run her A/C. I calculate that just having the Hot Water Heater and the refrigerator will run you between $ 40.00 and $ 50.00 per month - calculated from Electricity Bills of apartments not occupied because of vacation or change in Tenants. I hope that helps.

We retired and moved here permanently. Your food bill is underestimated no matter how well you shop. You need to remember the lunches at work too. My car insurance is approx $600/yr. Cable is $55/mo with no premium channels, many repeat shows at different times of the day and off frequently. I think your electricity is low even for an apartment.

Don't forget to factor in Cedar with fees of $1k up per month, depending on grade, I also have kids at Cedar. What kind of work will you be doing? There is quite a spread of salaries from one employer to another and depending (on times) where you come from. Negotiate where you can.

I just thought I would update everyone that we are officially moving to Tortola! My husband I both have jobs and our daughter is enrolled at Cedar school. Thanks to so many people's help and input I feel we are doing this with eyes wide open. We can't wait to be there and make paradise our home.

Thank you to everyone who chimed in!!

Congrats to you and your family! Enjoy it!

Congrats!!