Pros and Cons of Living in Bahamas

"Friendliness of the people in my office - I am the only expat. Ability to be happy despite not having much. Their religious faith is strong," explained one expat.

"Expatriates in the Bahamas appreciate the laid-back attitude and the friendliness of the locals. They also value the cultural diversity of the islands and the stunning natural beauty. The diverse range of leisure activities and resorts, from hiking and island hopping to swimming with pigs and stingrays, keeps expats entertained and enchanted. The Bahamian cuisine, with its fusion of rice, seafood, tropical fruits and fresh flavors, is something many expats find attractive. The vibrant music, ranging from Junkanoo, Rake n’ Scrape, and Calypso, to Reggae, Boom, and Soca, adds to the charm. Finally, the relaxed housing market and warm, sunny weather make the Bahamas an attractive place to move and settle in," said one person in Bahamas.

"People here mostly smile and greet you every time you go by, strangers or not. There is a 'help each other attitude' in some groups," remarked one expat in Treasure Cay, Abaco.

"A resistance to change. Lack of interest in opportunities that both land and sea offer. Lack of use of both. Poor attitudes in any type of officialdom, basically service with a shrug or blank stare. Not caring about standards - the stores happily sell food that is out of date and even rotten. Communication is appalling, phones not answered, messages and emails not replied to, desks not manned. Corruption. Male chauvinism. There is a definite male/female divide here. Of course none of this applies to everyone or every place, there are some lovely people and some places with great service, but it is generally inherant," said a person living in Treasure Cay, Abaco.

"Many expats in the Bahamas find it challenging to get used to the more relaxed attitude towards punctuality and timeliness, as well as the frequently more laid-back approach to life that is seen in the local culture. Expats also need to be aware of the different customs and cultures that exist between Bahamians and expats, so as to avoid potential misunderstandings. Expats can also find it difficult to adjust to the more informal manner of communication which is common amongst locals. Finally, the Bahamas has its own particular type of etiquette and it can sometimes be tricky to learn the ins and outs of its most important cultural norms," explained one expat living in Bahamas.

"Lack of professionalism, laid back attitude in industries that should move swiftly, prices, customs duties, lack of activities for children," said one in Nassau.