How To Move To Magical Bermuda As An Expat part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.
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The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.
Introduction
According to recent studies, Bermuda is one of the best countries where expats can live. With a small population and healthy political environment, it’s no wonder so many people are heading there to take up new jobs. If you’re thinking about moving to Bermuda as an expat, then there are some things you should know.
Everyone knows that Bermuda is an island, but what you might not know is that it’s the largest of the British Islands. This means it has plenty things to discover and enjoy. The locals are warm and welcoming – as long as you know where they’re from! If you want to become a local, then brush up on your Bermudian words and phrases such as ‘wuss goin on?’ and ‘time to Ron Da Island.’
Bermuda is also famous for its pink sand beaches, including Horseshoe Bay and Elbow Beach. If the thought of sunbathing on a beach filled with baby-pink sand gets you excited, then you’ll want to know that this is only possible between October and April.
Currently, hiking is one of the most popular sports in Bermuda – thanks to scenic spots like Spittal Pond Nature Reserve. And if you’re keen on hiking yourself, why not join a group? Strolling around with others provides an easy way to make new friends, especially if you have kids or pets.
However, we have compiled this article to meet your requirements regarding Bermuda. In fact, we will walk you through the pros and cons of moving to this Island. Not only is that, but also to explain the different ways and things to know about moving to Bermuda as an expat. Continue reading to know more!
What to Know about Moving to Bermuda
Moving to Bermuda is a great life change. It’s the kind of lifestyle change many of us dream about, where you get to live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. And if you think it sounds like heaven, that’s because Bermuda literally means “Heaven” or “Paradise.”
Moving to Bermuda can certainly be an amazing experience, but there are a few things you should know before you go all-in and move to that gorgeous island.
There is a Lot of British Influence
Bermuda has been under the rule of Britain for centuries, and it still has strong ties with England—so much so that Bermudian dollars are tied directly to the British pound. This means that if you want to live in Bermuda, it may be helpful to embrace some British culture.
Besides, try drinking tea or reading Shakespeare, for example. Also, if you’re coming from America, don’t be surprised if things are a little different than what you expect. For instance, roads on the left side of the road and cars drive on the left as well.
Bermuda Is a Great Place to Retire
Bermuda is a great place to retire because it has many tax incentives for residents 65 years of age or older, including a discounted income tax rate. In addition, if you’re going to be living in Bermuda for at least 183 days out of the year, you can claim tax exemption for your home country. Also, if you’re already receiving a pension, it may be possible to claim tax exemption.
Public Transportation is Limited
Once you move there, you will realize that this beautiful island isn’t very big—and that means public transportation can also be limited. If you don’t want to rent or buy a car, walking and biking are your only transportation options. However, if you don’t mind biking everywhere and want to save some money, consider buying a used bike (or even better—a scooter!) as soon as you move there.
The Job Market Is Not Great
The job market in Bermuda is not great for those who are only looking for jobs on the island. This is because many of the jobs in Bermuda are filled by immigrant workers. Therefore, if you want to work on the island, it’s best to focus on a career that is in high demand and has lots of job openings.
The Weather Is Gorgeous
Though there is no such thing as perfect weather anywhere else on Earth, Bermuda definitely comes close. As a matter of fact, it’s the only place in the world where you are guaranteed to have good weather for 365 days out of the year. The average temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit all year round, and it almost never rains on the island.
There’s No Shopping Like British Shopping
In Bermuda, shopping isn’t quite like it is in America. The island has a very small population, and it can be hard to find things you’re used to—especially if you enjoy going to big-box stores or malls. However, there are a few things that will make your transition easier.
First, shipping is very cheap and even free—so if you can’t find something in Bermuda, just order it online. Second, try to embrace the British culture as much as possible—while this may seem difficult at first, you might find yourself enjoying certain aspects of British society more than American.
This also means that while there aren’t a lot of big box stores, there are a lot of small specialty shops where you can get anything from electronics to clothing. Also, while there are some supermarkets on the island, it can be helpful to patronize smaller markets or stores where you can get all of your shopping done in one place.
Bermuda is Expensive
Bermuda is pricey—that’s just something you’ll need to know before moving there. If you want to buy a house, rent an apartment, or even get a hotel room, then it can be helpful to bring lots of cash with you when you arrive in Bermuda.
Also, if you want a car, you might need to have a job lined up before you move there because owning/renting a car is very expensive. If you don’t mind taking public transportation or having a bicycle, then it can be helpful if you can hold off on buying a car until after you’ve been living in Bermuda for at least six months.
Why You Should Move To Bermuda
Getting a visa to live in Bermuda can be way easier than you think. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, just show up and apply at the airport. For being such a strict country, they have a hands-off policy for foreign workers.
They also accept gay marriages and all that jazz which is not something many countries can boast. But for one reason or another, Bermuda is not a very popular destination for expats. Here are seven reasons why you should move to Bermuda now.
1. The Weather Is Fantastic
Tropical temperatures, clear blue water, and a relaxed atmosphere make Bermuda a perfect place to live. Being an expat on this island also means that you won’t have to deal with the cold of normal winters. When it gets too hot there, Bermuda takes a step back from the equator, which is obviously something you won’t have to worry about.
2. The Pace of Life Is Relaxed
You’re not on vacation, though, so don’t think that this island is only full of retired people with nothing better to do than walking around in Bermuda shorts while drinking piña coladas. Bermuda is a part of the United Kingdom which means that English law is in full effect on this island. There are pubs, nightclubs, and amazing restaurants with fine cuisine, all within walking distance.
3. The Working Culture Is Great
With its relaxed pace of life, Bermuda established itself as a major financial hub in the Atlantic Ocean. Because of that, you can find anything from an entry-level job to crazy high-flying careers on this island.
If you only want to work for two weeks a month or make six figures doing something you love, you can make that happen in Bermuda. With almost zero taxes to pay on any income, moving to Bermuda might be the best career move you’ll ever make.
4. The Island Itself Is Stunning
Bermuda is small enough that you can drive around the whole thing in only a few hours but also big enough for there to be deserted beaches all around it. You can experience first-class dining without ever leaving the island, and if you feel like a little change of pace, a ferry trip to one of the small islands around Bermuda will give your day a real boost.
5. The Locals Are Generally Friendly
Although most locals speak with a British accent, there is definitely an interesting mix of people living in Bermuda, making for some great interactions and conversations with people you just meet. Bermuda might be a small island, but it’s big enough for anyone to feel welcome and enjoy their favorite places and activities without ever feeling bored.
6. A Great Place to Live As a Digital Nomad
The weather here makes for perfect working conditions. Add the low cost of living, and you can see why Bermuda is a haven for internet entrepreneurs. If you’re not into working from your laptop, there are plenty of international corporations on this island, which means that you’ll never have a shortage of job offers.
7. The People Are Welcoming
If you’ve ever been to Bermuda, you know that the locals love it when tourists come to visit. And while they might be a bit reserved at first, once you make local friends and show interest in learning about their culture and history, everyone will become open and accepting of you as an expat. It might take a while to make friends with the locals, but once you do, they’ll become your best asset in Bermuda.
