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Step Two — Research the Landscape
A. Parish short-list scan
Factor Parish/Town A Parish/Town B Parish/Town C Notes
Cost of living (rent, groceries)
Internet/fibre availability
Road access & traffic
Hospitals/clinics nearby
Safety/community vibe
Flood/hurricane exposureB. Information sources checklist
- Returning Residents Programme (eligibility, concessions, contacts).
- Local realtors/attorneys (titles, neighbourhood insights).
- Community groups/churches (citizens’ association, watch).
- First-hand visit: stay 1–2 weeks in each short-listed area.
Step Three — Financial Preparation
A. Budget bands (monthly, JMD)
Line Estimate Notes
Housing (rent/maintenance/HOA^2 )
Utilities (JPS^3 /NWC^4 /Internet)
Transport (fuel/insurance/servicing)
Food & household
Health insurance / meds
Miscellaneous & giving
Contingency (10–15%)B. One-off / move costs
Item Estimate Due date Owner
Flights & initial accommodation
Shipping or local purchasing(^2) Home Owners Association (HOA)
(^3) Jamaica Public Service (JPS)
(^4) National Water Commission (NWC)