It's a dream come true!!
Mr & Mrs D. Wilson   02/2002
Cayman Jobs Members

Part I 
Chasing the dream…..
by Bob & Sharlynn D. 11/2000
Cayman Jobs Members

We are currently cruising at about 33000 feet on our way to Toronto and then Miami. The last 2 weeks have been just short of insane but I now have a moment to relax and think a bit about how all of this has materialized.

Back in March, shortly after I returned from a training course in Chicago, I was searching on the internet for a Caribbean job site when I came across www.caymanjobs.com. My curiosity exploded. Sharlynn and I were leaving in April for Florida and the Bahamas and started reviewing our options to visit Cayman. That wasn't going to work very well but we proceeded to subscribe to the website anyways. 

By the time we departed for Florida our interest had been touched and we had plenty to discuss while on our vacation. I must admit that I was more unsettled than Sharlynn which made me more anxious to pursue this dream. Throughout the summer we slowly did more research and both of us were becoming weary of our climate and our day jobs. We loved our new condo (built in 99) but it was in the wrong location!

So I started to interact direct with Wendy via ICQ, and rattled off as many 'simple' questions that came to mind and tried to formulate in my mind what this country called Cayman was really like. Finally Shar and I decided to plan a 'see for ourselves' journey which we promised we would do if we ever considered a move like this. 

Through more coaching from Wendy, more research on the web, and some resume building, the research began. With Sharlynn being a Registered Nurse we put the focus on my resume for a sales/retail position and faxed a few resumes. We also sent follow-up resumes by mail. In my cover letters, I did state that we would be visiting Cayman in September and that we were coming fully prepared to start the process if we landed offers. This seemed to work well. Within a week or so I had five interviews and our hardcopies of our resumes had not even arrived on the island!

Then Sharlynn began to apply and her responses were varied. The Health field was so accustomed to recruiting in North America they seemed surprised that they could talk to her in Cayman. Nevertheless her persistent approach gained her a couple of meetings during our vacation. She has also considered a change in careers and thought it may be good to be at the other end of the healthcare spectrum and decided to pursue a position with a gym on the island. Now this went against the normal idea that most people are hired within their field. But we thought it never hurt to try and she proceeded to send her resume out. After the first rejection she was not very confident about her chances. But with a little encouragement she sent out two more (resumes) and received responses from both immediately- she was amazed!!!

So we were off to Cayman for a 2 week vacation/job search with interviews confirmed, and our passport photos, police clearance, character references, and the understanding that we may be looking at leaving before Xmas if all worked out. We had a meeting with our accountant prior to leaving to hear his side of the story and to give us better background of questions to ask when we were in Cayman.

Everything in Cayman went very well. Our initial impressions were favorable and we started to envision ourselves there at some point. By the end of our second full day Shar had secured an offer from the Gym! She also had a lead in the medical field but choose to pursue her dream. She just turned 30, could quit her job, move to a tropical island, and get paid to workout.... it seemed surreal! 

The next week I started my interviews and was very impressed. I was fortunate to have more than one offer and by the end of the week I decided I would choose between the existing options before pursuing any others. I accepted an offer from my first interview with a tour company and the process started.

Both of our employers were very impressed with our degree of preparation and mentioned it often. The only part we didn't do was have a medical before we left, which worked out okay as it gave us a chance to try the Cayman medical system, which was excellent!

Before we left the island, we decided to secure accommodation which was a relatively short search. We left a deposit on a 1BR furnished pink apartment in a 4-plex (brand new, it was being built when we saw it), and we headed home to pack up our lives in Canada...We must mention that while in Cayman we stayed for 13 nights with Rose at Harborview Apartments which we totally recommend for an affordable accommodation in a great location that helped us sample the Cayman culture by shopping at the grocery store across the street and being located between 7MB and Georgetown we got a good taste of the area. We paid $75/night USD for a studio apartment with kitchenette and were beachfront, with a dock to swim and snorkel from, and the Treehouse restaurant on one side and the Wharf on the other and Kirks Supermarket across the street.

Now is when the real work began.... we no longer had Wendy's blueprint to follow and there were many times when we had to take stock, re-evaluate, and remind ourselves of why we made these decisions. In fact, we seriously did this six times in the 6-7 weeks leading to our departure today! There were many stages we could see when people would back out for various reasons.

We often had to remind ourselves of why we were going, the lifestyle we envisioned, and that the work we were doing to get ready to leave Canada would only be a memory in our lives. Our choice to relocate in the fall helped as the weather in Grande Prairie was cooling fast and a large reason for moving south was the climate. We were also seeking a simpler lifestyle and opted to start on Cayman without a vehicle relying on foot and bike transportation with the understanding that the island bus system and taxis would provide adequate alternatives when desired. We felt the island was crowded with enough vehicles and that a car may only complicate our desire for a simpler lifestyle. Now we may change this view in the future......

Our landlord has been excellent with regular contact during our return to Canada. As island time would go, the apartment will not be ready for Nov 1st as planned but he has offered to put us up at the Hyatt while it is completed- what can we say to that???..... He has also agreed to include more furnishings at our request which allowed us to pack less luggage.

The luggage is one thing I will comment on and forewarn other expats to research well before departure. I made a brief visit to the airport a month before we left and picked up bike bags and a ski bag for our double hammock. The airlines appreciated the pre-planning greatly and didn't charge for our over baggage amount, only the bikes. We were not so fortunate in the US and were penalized heavily- enough that it would have been cheaper to buy bikes in Cayman and outfit them. Now this was part in course due to our deviation in a direct trip to Cayman which would have resulted in a favorable financial situation with the bikes. We added an extra flight within Florida and that was where the extra expense was incurred and was outrageous compared to the baggage rates in Canada or that Cayman airways charges. Either way do your homework.... Another tip is that if you collect Aero plan points these flights can be planned for a 1 year return which is great and can save you lots of money. The tickets can also be changed if space permits at no charge as we did this also!

This as far as we have come to date and will update you further as we settle in Cayman.

As a footnote, I want to share some of the great encouragement we received from the friends and strangers in Grande Prairie before we left. Many were green with envy, and most want to live vicariously through us, and the news of us leaving for Cayman spread like wildfire. I believe we will inspire some to pursue what they really want and not just settle for the status quo. We made many new friends which was unfortunate that we had to move to Cayman before we could meet so many others with interest similar to ours of living and working on a tropical island. I believe at least a few will end up on Cayman in the next 12-24 months.

Thanks to Darren and Wendy, we have been able to realize a dream that has been churning in us for sometime. Some people 'talk' about doing things in their lives, and others pursue them. Darren and Wendy are the people who chase their dreams, and are willing to share them along the way. They have inspired Sharlynn and I greatly to make the move and again I thank them.

Bob & Sharlynn D.
Members of www.caymanjobs.com

Part II  
Living the dream…..
by Bob & Sharlynn D. 02/2001
Cayman Jobs Members

We are here; have been for 3 months, and are fully settled. It takes time and has been a very good learning experience. If we had to leave tomorrow we would both consider the whole experience a success and with no regrets. 

Now that we are integrating into Cayman society we realize how beneficial all our work with Wendy from Caymanjobs and our own research was. 

Both our employers and other expats have commented on how knowledgeable we are about the way things work on the island. The trip we took to preview Cayman was a large part of that and Wendy encouraged us right from the start that a trip would bode well for our chances in Cayman and right she was. Anyone who plans on trying for a job without visiting Cayman first risks a lot- what if you don’t like it? Other people say that they can’t afford the vacation trip to interview and look around- are you prepared to accept you may not get hired over the phone or fax!? It will depend how much you really want the lifestyle, tax free living, and climate. That is something only you can know…

Now that we are settled I want to profile the people here and make some broad generalizations. The people in Cayman, local and expat, are much more laid back. They drive with more courtesy, they greet you on the street with more enthusiasm, and they seem to have a kinder and gentler disposition to them. People who expect fast service, or even great customer service will surely be disappointed. People who can appreciate the simpler things in life, the less sense of urgency, will fare well here. And the Caymanians pick up real quick as to what type of person you are and I think you can figure out who they will accept more freely. 

As you set-up your new life in Cayman you begin to realize how similar it can be to home, wherever that may be. You needed your utilities connected, your cable, and your telephone so you pay your deposits and make arrangements. Prices on most services are higher but you are earning tax free money and usually in a currency more powerful than your own! Grocery shopping provides you with familiar items as well as new local and foreign varieties as well. Part of our interest in moving to Cayman was to experience more cultural diversity than we were accustomed to in Northern Alberta. 

The Immigration process went quick and smooth for Sharlynn while I am still awaiting my GOL but do not expect any delays at this point but anything can happen! Both of our employers applied for Temporary Permits first which were approved in about 3-4 weeks while we were home in Canada packing up. Upon our arrival Immigration greeted us and welcomed us to Cayman with no hassle. Within our first four weeks Shar received her GOL as it was pushed through by her employer due to a chronic shortage of staff in the fitness industry. It is important to note that Sharlynn is a Registered Nurse by career but had a passion for Aerobics and was still hired. She completed her Certification prior to us leaving for Cayman. 

It is February now and Immigration is only working on GOL requests from September and October of last year as their internal processes have really slowed things done. Some new initiatives this year in the Immigration Department appear to be working well and they expect to be caught up before long. My temporary permit has been extended 3 times (the maximum) and has now expired. My employers have assured me that because my GOL is in for review I need not worry and only if I wanted to leave the island would I need a special stamp to re enter at this point. My GOL is still no guarantee but the odds are very favorable it will be passed.

 Our lives in Cayman are incredibly simple. We both use a bicycle as our main form of transportation and the fresh air and exercise have revitalized both of us. It is a great feeling to bike to work in the AM with blue skies and sunshine and a warm breeze in your face. Sharlynn enjoys the evening rides home from work, when the stars are out and the temperature is ideal. We rent a car once a month to tour the island and simply for a change. 

Our days off are holidays, we literally go to the beach, go swimming, go to Rum Point, or simply sit on one of the seawalls and admire the Caribbean beauty. That is the real bonus. By having 2 days off a week we end up with 104 days of ‘holiday’ type days plus the time off we are allowed from work on top of that. Consider how many days you went on holidays for last year and then consider the lifestyle that could lie ahead in Cayman! 

We are extremely thankful for our opportunity in Cayman, and have Darren and Wendy to thank for their service. When we started the process it looked like a mountain. While we sold and packed all of our stuff it really seemed a pain. Now that we are here and we reflect- it was really not that big of deal- we made it a big deal! We both agree we would do it again in a minute although we don’t plan on any moves for awhile as long as Immigration cooperates each year! 

A little advice I can’t stress enough. Prepare to spend some money to do this. What you spend with Darren and Wendy is minor considering the opportunity of reward that it can return, both monetary and emotionally. What they tell you works and is worth paying for- if you really want to move to Cayman. And do your own research so you can be accountable for the decisions you make. I have met a few people who have moved here with unreasonable expectations and little knowledge of what they were getting into and they insist on making it an “us” and “them” thing. Remember, we are visitors to this island and there will be differences from where you moved from, and if you can’t live with those differences than save yourself the time and the money and move somewhere more suited to your expectations. 

In closing, today Shar and I asked each other, how could we ever give up this lifestyle? We will remember these days for the rest of our lives. 

Thanks Darren and Wendy, thanks again…

Bob & Sharlynn D.
George Town, Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands