Moving to Bermuda

Expats moving to Bermuda can look forward to a little slice of paradise. The tiny North Atlantic island, located east of North Carolina, is made up of seven main islands and 170 additional islets. In total it is just 20 square miles (54 km²) in size. 

Those moving to Bermuda will find that they're never further than a mile from the ocean. The sea is characterised by a turquoise clarity, washing across pink sand. Bermuda makes for an idyllic tourist and expat destination.

Living in Bermuda as an expat

Hamilton, the capital, has an attractive combination of local shops and international businesses. The country's economy is dependent on the financial services industry which means that of the 62,000+ population about 18,000 are expats holding work permits. As a British Overseas Territory, the official language of Bermuda is English. That said, it has its own parliament, separate laws and a US-style health service covered by employer’s health insurance.

The culture of Bermuda is a blend of British, Caribbean and American influences, and the population is generally friendly and welcoming. Crime rates are low, though when there is violence it's widely reported. Outside work, lifestyle choices usually centre around water and golf.

Charities and volunteering are popular on the island, and there are numerous opportunities for trailing spouses. The island has churches of many denominations but caters less extensively for non-Christian religions.

Cost of living in Bermuda

The cost of living in Bermuda is high. Aside from small-scale farming of fruit, vegetables and corn, most foodstuffs are imported and the duties passed on to the consumer. To balance this, pay scales are higher and there are favourable tax regulations. When negotiating a remuneration package, expats should bear in mind that household expenses in Bermuda may be far higher than in their home country.

Expat families and children

The standard of education in Bermuda is high, with free provision of primary school education and government-funded secondary schools. Most expats use private schooling and there is a choice of several schools for 11 to 18-year-olds. It's also quite common for teenage children to be educated abroad. Bermuda College provides vocational training in limited subjects, but there's no university on the island.

Climate in Bermuda

Bermuda's climate is sub-tropical. In the summer the weather can be too humid to do anything strenuous. A home with air conditioning is an essential, not a luxury. The winters, however, are balmy and pleasant.

Expats will have no trouble adjusting to life in Bermuda, and may very well never want to leave. This tiny island country boasts gorgeous ocean scenes and a population that is ready to welcome newcomers to a blissful life in their new home.