If you had the opportunity......

[nikyyo]

I might have the opportunity to live in either Freeport, Nassau,Bermuda ,or Aruba for up to Six years. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts as to which location would be the best to live in. I would like to consider all aspects of quality of life and of course the quality of the scuba diving. Cost of living will not be an issue as my living expenses will be paid for during my time there. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[DORSETBOY]

Have been recommended Aruba by another instructor... syaing that I'd quite happily go to any you mentioned as the diving would be better than Scotland!:)

[blackice]

Wow what sort of job offers that sort of transfer, maybe I should switch careers?

[CuriousMe]

I wouldn't even think twice. Crime is lower, the atomosphere is great, and the diving is fantastic.

Peace,
Cathie

[IslandHopper]

Bermuda will provide the most "modern" environment ... if you like all your amennities. Aruba is the least developed of the lot .... obviously, the farther south (Aruba) the better the diving year-round.

Nassau is very close to Miami, for those time when you get to missing civilization.

(I love living on Guam, but It'd be nice to be able to visit the states more often without enduring a 16 hour plane ride.)

[domino22]

I am open to all as long as I have a free place to stay. Note Aruba and Nassau have craps tables.jd

[snorkymn]

I was just in Aruba 2 weeks ago.. I've been to the Bahamas as well... ARUBA is the place to stay! If I could find a 6 year stint there, I'd take it in a minute.

[Northeastwrecks]

My personal favorite is Bermuda. Modern amenities, great wrecks, close to the States (if that makes a difference), low crime.

[scubamax]

My personal favorite is Bermuda. Modern amenities, great wrecks, close to the States (if that makes a difference), low crime.


I agree with NEW...Bermuda has by far the best standard of living of your choices. . .if you have never lived on an island (No, not counting Manhattan!) you will need to adjust your lifestyle and expectations, even in Bermuda. A lot of people who move from NYC or another big city to an island can get easily frustrated with the "pace" of service and lack of selection of goods on an island. Just be prepared to expect and accept the differences and go with the flow and you will be better off during your stay.

Remember that in Aruba English is not the first/official language, so as a resident you will need to be able to adjust accordingly!

Beware to take all of your advice from anyone who has just come back from vacation on any given island. Chances are they will be still in a dreamy-eyed afterglow about the destination-but not really tuned in to being a resident of the island; but the natural inclination will be to of course want to go back and live there if they could!

Not that this advice is worthless, but you will see the bias.

My advice is to contact people who live on any of these islands who can share with you the skinny on actually living on this place or that, in addition to vacation experiences.

Scubamax

[nikyyo]

Wow,i made this post quite some time ago and I didn't get any reponses for so long I had forgotten about it. Thank you all for your input. Don't worry JD, you'll have a free place to stay no matter where it is. I should know soon whether or not I will get this. I am trying for Aruba, but i may have to be flexible.

[domino22]

Go with who ever has the crap table. And or best odds I can explane that later. But let us get thru Coz and the north end first. BBQ will be there more or less.jd