You’ve arrived in Barbados and are ready to set up your new island home. Once you’ve unpacked and, of course, had a trip to the beach, you’ll probably be wondering – where do I go from here? And where do I even start?
Look no further; we have all the information you need here at Totally Barbados.
This guide to living in Barbados contains all the essential information you need to know about settling in and adjusting to your new home on the island of Barbados.
You’ll find ‘how-to‘ tips and advice relating to settling in the process, including how to see domestic help, open a bank account, and where to leave your pets if you travel overseas.
Where To Live in Barbados?
You might have already organized your accommodation before arriving on the island; however, temporary and last-minute accommodation can be found if you’re a little more spontaneous.
It would be best if you didn’t have difficulties getting somewhere comfortable to hold you over for the short term until you find something more permanent to settle in at home in Barbados.
Where Do I Start?
Firstly, list the essentials you’re looking for in your new home. Then, make another list of things you might compromise on, taking with you. It’s also worthwhile to get out and explore the island to figure out which parish might be most compatible with your desired lifestyle.
For example, Christ Church is great for a lot of action and nightlife, whereas St. Joseph is a better option for those seeking a more low-key, quiet way of life.
What you’ll find is the parishes of Barbados each have different things to offer you, and each has unique characteristics to suit a variety of lifestyles.
Things to Consider: public transport access, ambiance, and neighborhood safety. Amenities like shopping centers/convenience stores, restaurants, bars, etc., cost of living, and climate (some parishes are more breezy than others, some have closer beach access, and others are more remote and tropical).
What Next?
Your best bet is to go through a local real estate agent to help you find what you’re looking for in your new home in Barbados.
It’s wise to list yourself with several local real estate agents and scan the local newspapers for accommodation listings.
Or, take a drive in the countryside and ask the locals firsthand for any rooms or houses that might be available to rent.
You’ll be surprised by how many properties are not listed with real estate agents and are rented out by the infamous Bajan word of mouth and local ‘grapevine.’
What Are My Options?
We have a vibrant rental and property market in Barbados, and finding a suitable home to rent or buy shouldn’t be too difficult. There are options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Rental properties come either unfurnished or fully furnished. You’ll most commonly find partially furnished properties, including all major appliances, closets, and curtains, at a minimum. We help you with a list of essential questions when investigating rental properties in Barbados.
Instead of renting a home or room, you might decide to invest and buy a property or maybe even take the plunge and build your dream house here on the island. Numerous new and existing developments are island-wide, so you won’t find it difficult.
Buying a property or building a house are viable options for your new island home. We’ve included valuable information on finding the right mortgage in Barbados and all the ‘need to know’ tips with associated costs within our Living in Barbados guide.
Note: It pays to approach the task of finding your new place patiently, as finding the perfect home here in Barbados may be more time-consuming than you’d first imagine.
Firstly, the concept of ‘island time‘ is fundamental. Things tend to work at a slightly slower pace in Barbados than you might be used to – and secondly, you also need to get to know the island to find the most suitable location for your desired lifestyle.
Utilities – What You Need To Know
Electricity in Barbados is reliable and among the cheapest in the Caribbean. The electricity supply is 110 volts/50 cycles, but if you have international electrical appliances, you’ll need an adapter or converter to use them on the island.
Note: We recommend you not bring these items with you but purchase them locally. Many island-wide stores sell functional quality appliances and offer various repair and warranty services.
The telecommunications market in Barbados is now quite competitive. As a result, the leading players, FLOW (Cable and & Wireless) and Digicel offer great mobile/cell phone deals and various billing options.
They both operate on a GSM network and offer international roaming options.
Domestic telephone lines in Barbados are reliable, and customers can access a wide range of products, from basic to comprehensive telephone services to internet access, including high-speed fiber-optic communications.
The water supply in Barbados is also very safe, reliable, and suitable for drinking. The water in Barbados is naturally of very high quality due to the island’s limestone geology, which acts as a natural filtering system.
How Can I Keep My Home In Order?
Having a housekeeper is a common and affordable way to keep your house clean and in order in Barbados.
The best place to start is by seeking recommendations from other housekeepers who work for people you know or by asking friends, hotels, or guesthouses for their advice.
Suppose you decide to live where there is a reasonable amount of garden space. In that case, it is also widespread in Barbados to have a gardener/landscaping company come to maintain your property.
Note: If you employ someone for over 15 hours a week, you’ll need to join The Barbados National Insurance Scheme (NIS), which provides medical assistance in the event of illness, maternity leave, or an accident. They also cover disability, unemployment, and pension benefits. You can also source information about how and where to register, what the scheme covers, how to file contribution claims, etc.
Additional Barbados Nation Insurance Scheme (NIS) information is available at www.nis.gov.bb.
Living in Barbados also has information on other service businesses you might need for home maintenance, like a handyman, pest control, plumbing, pool cleaning, and minor repairs.
How Can I Maintain My Health on the Island?
The 2013 Human Development Report UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) places Barbados 38th of 187 countries surveyed, including developing and developed nations.
The HDI measures development by combining life expectancy, education attainment, and income indicators, which is encouraging and makes Barbadians proud.
Local healthcare services on the island are highly standard and easily accessible. The government-run Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) offers emergency services and specialized clinical services in surgery, pediatrics and obstetrics, radiology, and psychiatry, to name a few.
You can read about all the QEH has to offer on its website at www.qehconnect.com.
The second-largest facility is the privately-run Bayview Hospital, which offers numerous specialty services. For more information, see www.bayviewhospital.com.bb.
Government polyclinics all over the island provide free medical treatment for minor ailments, as well as geriatric hospitals, childcare facilities, and private emergency clinics.
Need to know more? Refer to our pages on Health for a more detailed description of the above-mentioned local facilities, as well as of doctors, dentists, specialists, and alternative practitioners, as well as a list of pharmacies located here on the island.
What About My Pets?
Pets are also a critical factor when settling in at home in Barbados. Totally Barbados provides you with information on things like finding a vet, pet supplies, training, and boarding kennels so you can ensure your pets are taken care of properly.
Pets are available for sale all over the island, and your best bet is to check out the local newspapers for pet advertisements. Otherwise, that right old Bajan word of mouth will also do wonders in your pet search.
You might want to consider adopting a stray or homeless cat or dog from various charitable foundations like the RSPCA, located in Barbados.
Note: Barbados has strict laws on the importation of animals due to rabies and other diseases. All pets must be examined by the Chief Veterinary Officer, who provides an import permit before they are permitted to leave the customs area. If you plan on bringing your pet with you, please make sure you do your research before deciding to settle in Barbados.
For more information on pet importation guidelines, call Barbados Veterinary Services at (246) 535-0221.
Is There A Dress Code in Barbados?
Dressing appropriately for all the places you visit is encouraged and expected in Barbados.
Most establishments enforce dress codes, and it’s common to see signs stating ‘no bare-backs‘ (shirt required) all over the island at specific venues and shops.
The Barbadian way of life is quite relaxed yet conservative, so we advise you to always use your discretion and dress according to the situation and venue.
Important: Please take note that it is illegal to wear camouflage or army-style clothing or carry any items in camouflage material in Barbados.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
In Barbados, you can choose from a wide selection of unique local and international brands, food, and beverages. However, as with most imported goods, these tend to carry heavy-duty rates and are expensive to purchase on the island. Go local and seasonal for the cheapest and freshest produce on the island.
Supermarkets and mini-marts/convenience stores are dotted all over the island, some open late and even 24 hours, so it shouldn’t be a problem getting food and supplies for your home at almost any hour.
Note: The only exception is Sundays when the island tends to ‘shut down’ for the day. Bridgetown tends to be non-operational; however, you’ll still find stores and fast food chains open for basic food and beverages all over the island on a Sunday.
Two local daily newspapers (The Nation and The Advocate) can be bought across the island or even delivered to your home and is a great way to keep up with local and international current affairs.
There are also quite a few bookstores on the island with a wide selection of literature. Some will also order specific books for you if they are not in stock.
For those health enthusiasts, many health stores in Barbados stock various health and beauty products, snacks, and books. Not to mention, there should be an increase in gyms and fitness clubs so you can maintain your health regime in your new home without a problem.
Settling in at home in Barbados doesn’t have to be stressful!
We hope you find our pages useful – we make every effort to include as much of what you might need to know during your settlement into your new home as possible.
We strive to take some of the stress out of your move, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy your new home in Barbados.
