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Expat Exchange - Cost of Living in Great Guana Cay 2024
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Cost of Living in Great Guana Cay

By Betsy Burlingame

Atlantis Bahamas
Atlantis Bahamas

Summary: If you're moving to Great Guana Cay, understanding the the cost of living in Great Guana Cay helps you know what to expect when it comes to apartment or house hunting, grocery shopping, transportation, dining out, utilities and more.

Category Details
Apartment Rentals
  • 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: $1,000 - $1,500 per month
  • 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: $800 - $1,200 per month
  • 3-bedroom apartment in the city center: $2,000 - $3,000 per month
  • 3-bedroom apartment outside the city center: $1,500 - $2,500 per month
Apartment Purchases
  • Price per square meter in the city center: $2,500 - $4,000
  • Price per square meter outside the city center: $1,500 - $2,500
Transportation
  • One-way local transport ticket: $2.50 - $4.00
  • Monthly local transport pass: $50 - $75
  • Taxi starting tariff: $4.00 - $6.00
  • Taxi 1km tariff: $2.00 - $3.00
  • Gasoline (1 liter): $1.20 - $1.50
Groceries
  • Milk (1 liter): $1.50 - $2.50
  • Bread (500g): $2.00 - $4.00
  • Rice (1kg): $2.00 - $3.50
  • Eggs (12): $2.50 - $4.00
  • Cheese (1kg): $8.00 - $15.00
  • Chicken breasts (1kg): $8.00 - $12.00
  • Beef round (1kg): $10.00 - $16.00
  • Apples (1kg): $3.00 - $5.00
  • Bananas (1kg): $1.00 - $2.00
  • Oranges (1kg): $2.00 - $4.00
  • Tomatoes (1kg): $2.00 - $4.00
  • Potatoes (1kg): $1.50 - $3.00
  • Onions (1kg): $1.50 - $3.00
  • Water (1.5-liter bottle): $1.00 - $2.00
Restaurants
  • Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $10.00 - $20.00
  • Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $50.00 - $80.00
  • Combo meal at a fast-food restaurant: $6.00 - $10.00
  • Domestic beer (0.5-liter draught): $3.00 - $5.00
  • Imported beer (0.33-liter bottle): $4.00 - $6.00
  • Cappuccino: $3.00 - $5.00
  • Soft drink (0.33-liter bottle): $1.00 - $2.50
  • Water (0.33-liter bottle): $1.00 - $2.00
Utilities
  • Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for an 85m2 apartment: $150 - $250 per month
  • 1 minute of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans): $0.20 - $0.40
  • Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL): $60 - $100 per month
Private School Tuition
  • Preschool (or Kindergarten) tuition: $4,000 - $8,000 per year
  • Elementary school tuition: $8,000 - $15,000 per year
  • Middle school tuition: $10,000 - $18,000 per year
  • High school tuition: $12,000 - $20,000 per year
Please note that these prices are approximate and can vary depending on the specific location within Great Guana Cay, as well as the current economic situation. It is always a good idea to research and compare prices before making any decisions.

Monthly Budget for Retirees in Great Guana Cay

"The cost of living in Great Guana Cay is considered to be relatively high. This is largely due to the fact that most goods and services need to be imported, which increases their cost. Groceries, for instance, can be quite expensive, with prices significantly higher than what one might find in the United States or Canada. Eating out can also be costly, with meals at restaurants often priced higher than their North American counterparts. However, local food stalls and smaller eateries can offer more affordable options. Housing is another major expense. Rental prices can vary greatly depending on the size and location of the property, but are generally on the higher end. Buying property can also be quite expensive, particularly for beachfront or ocean view homes. Utilities such as electricity and water can also be costly, as can internet and cable services. Gasoline for vehicles and boats is another significant expense, as are maintenance and repair costs for these. Despite these costs, many people find the beauty and tranquility of Great Guana Cay to be worth the expense. It's important to note that while the cost of living can be high, there are also no income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes in the Bahamas, which can offset some of these expenses for residents," said one expat living in Great Guana Cay.

Can I live in Great Guana Cay on $1,500 a month?

"I've been living in Great Guana Cay for a while now, and I can tell you that it's possible to live on $1,500 a month, but you'll have to make some sacrifices. First, you'll need to find a place to live that's affordable. The more popular areas like Baker's Bay and Orchid Bay can be quite expensive, so you might want to consider looking for a rental in the more residential areas like the Settlement or near the public dock. You can find some decent apartments or small houses for around $800 to $1,000 a month.Next, you'll need to be mindful of your utility bills. Electricity can be quite expensive here, so you'll want to be conservative with your usage. Water is also a bit pricey, so you might want to invest in a rainwater collection system to help offset the cost.Groceries can be another significant expense, especially if you're used to shopping at large supermarkets with a wide variety of products. The local grocery stores on the island have a limited selection, and prices can be higher due to the cost of importing goods. To save money, you might want to consider buying in bulk when you visit Marsh Harbour on the mainland or even ordering some non-perishable items online.Eating out can also be costly, so you'll want to limit how often you dine at the local restaurants. Instead, try to cook at home as much as possible and take advantage of the fresh seafood available from local fishermen.Transportation is another area where you can save money. Owning a car on the island can be expensive due to import taxes and high gas prices. Instead, consider getting around by golf cart, bicycle, or on foot. If you need to travel to the mainland, the ferry can be a more affordable option than flying.Finally, you'll need to be prepared to give up some of the modern amenities you might be used to. High-speed internet can be hard to come by and can be expensive, so you might have to settle for slower speeds or limited data plans. Additionally, you won't find many shopping malls or large entertainment venues on the island, so you'll need to get creative with your leisure activities.Overall, living on $1,500 a month in Great Guana Cay is doable, but you'll need to be prepared to make some sacrifices and adjust your lifestyle to fit your budget," commented an expat living in Great Guana Cay.

Can I live in Great Guana Cay on $3,500 a month?

"I've been living in Great Guana Cay for a while now, and I can tell you that it's possible to live comfortably on $3,000 a month, but you'll have to make some sacrifices. First, you'll need to find a more affordable place to live. The more expensive neighborhoods like Baker's Bay and Orchid Bay are beautiful, but they're definitely out of your budget. Instead, consider looking for a rental in the Settlement area, where you can find more reasonably priced homes and apartments.Next, you'll need to adjust your expectations when it comes to modern amenities. While Great Guana Cay does have electricity and running water, you might find that the internet service is slower and less reliable than what you're used to. You'll also need to be prepared for occasional power outages, especially during hurricane season.Groceries can be quite expensive on the island, as most items have to be imported. To save money, try to buy local produce and seafood whenever possible, and consider cutting back on imported items like alcohol and processed foods. Eating out can also be pricey, so you might want to cook at home more often.Transportation is another area where you'll need to make some sacrifices. Cars are not very common on Great Guana Cay, and the cost of importing one can be prohibitive. Instead, most people get around by golf cart, bicycle, or on foot. If you need to travel to other islands, you'll have to rely on the ferry service, which can be expensive and sometimes unreliable.Finally, you'll need to be prepared for a slower pace of life. While this can be a welcome change for some, it might take some getting used to if you're accustomed to the hustle and bustle of a big city. The island has a small, tight-knit community, and you'll need to be patient and flexible when it comes to dealing with local customs and bureaucracy.Overall, living in Great Guana Cay on $3,000 a month is doable, but it will require some adjustments and sacrifices. By finding an affordable place to live, cutting back on expenses, and embracing the laid-back island lifestyle, you can make it work and enjoy your time in this beautiful corner of the Bahamas," said one expat living in Great Guana Cay.

Can I live in Great Guana Cay on $5,000 a month?

"I've been living in Great Guana Cay for a while now, and I can tell you that it's definitely possible to live comfortably on $5,000 a month, especially if you're used to modern amenities. However, there are some sacrifices you'll have to make to ensure you stay within your budget.Firstly, you'll need to be mindful of where you choose to live. Some of the more expensive neighborhoods, like Baker's Bay or Orchid Bay, might be out of your budget. Instead, consider looking for a rental property in the more affordable areas, such as the Settlement or near the public dock. You can find some nice houses or apartments for rent at reasonable prices, but keep in mind that they might not have all the modern amenities you're used to.Another thing to consider is transportation. Owning a car on the island can be quite expensive, so you might want to rely on walking, biking, or renting a golf cart to get around. This will not only save you money but also allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery and laid-back island lifestyle.Groceries and dining out can also be quite expensive on the island, so you'll need to budget accordingly. You might want to consider cooking at home more often and limiting your dining out experiences to special occasions. There's a small grocery store on the island, but you can also take a ferry to Marsh Harbour on the nearby Abaco Island to shop at larger supermarkets for better prices.As for entertainment and activities, there are plenty of affordable options to enjoy. The beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and hiking trails are all free, and you can also find some reasonably priced boat rentals or fishing charters if you're interested in exploring the surrounding waters.In terms of utilities and internet, you might have to compromise on the quality and speed of your internet connection, as it can be quite expensive and not as reliable as you might be used to. Additionally, electricity costs can be high, so you'll want to be mindful of your usage.Overall, living in Great Guana Cay on a $5,000 a month budget is doable, but you'll need to be mindful of your spending and make some sacrifices in terms of housing, transportation, and other expenses. However, the beautiful surroundings and relaxed island lifestyle can make it all worth it," commented an expat living in Great Guana Cay.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


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