Housing

Housing

Most newcomers to the island like to rent before buying. If you are not certain how long you might be staying in Cayman renting is a wise choice. In the long run, buying your own property will make sense if you put down roots. There are many types of housing available both in rentals and purchases with condos being the most common.

Housing typically comes furnished with fixtures, appliances and furniture for the simple reason that it is unreasonable to expect people to move an entire household overseas. Some rentals even include linens and kitchen wares. Two bedroom units are the most common. One bedroom rentals or housing with 3 or more bedrooms are also available, though it may take some searching to find them.

Other standard features are: tile floors, air conditioning, porch or balcony, 1 uncovered parking space, laundry, ceiling fans and at at least a small yard space. Other features you may want to consider are: swimming pool, television, Cable access, and internet.

Foreigners moving to Cayman for employment generally live in the neighbourhoods of Governor’s Harbour, South Sound, Prospect, Savannah or West Bay. These areas are within easy commute of George Town where most of the jobs are located. Generally, the closer you are to George Town or Seven Mile Beach, the more expensive the property will be. Rentals are also available in the farther out districts of Bodden Town, East End and North Side. Here you will get more for your dollar and can more easily afford beach front property.

Sharing with roommates is common and is a great way to get a nicer property at an affordable price. Group houses can also be found.

The newspapers list rental properties and the Friday edition has the most listings. There are also real estate agents who specialize in rentals. Your employer may also have some resources.

Most landlords require you to sign a lease, generally for 12 months. A security deposit is standard. It is in your interest to have a clause in the lease that releases you from the contract if your work permit is cancelled or not renewed.

Children are accepted at the majority of rentals. But pets are a different issue. Some landlords accept any pet; others accept only small pets or cats. It is advisable to clarify this with the landlord before signing the lease.