I’m always up for a new adventure, and this blog is just another one to add to the list. Several years ago, our family had the crazy idea that we should move to an island and start a tour company. Well, it seems that crazy idea is fast becoming a reality and I wanted to share with you what is involved with going from the All-American, suburban lifestyle that is “normal” to starting a new life in the Caribbean. In this blog, I’m going to let you know the steps we’ve had to take, the emotions we go through, the good, the bad and the ugly. Hopefully the good will prevail!
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Z Island Life 
Awesome blog – thanks for sharing! I’m curious to know what items you moved to Aruba from your home vs what you decided to purchase once there. I’m also curious as to how you decided on a business to open.
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Thanks for your message! As far as what we moved here, it was easier because we are living in a fully furnished home (which is common in Aruba). Most of the things we moved were sentimental items (photo albums, keepsakes that can’t be replaced), and my favorite kitchen items. No furniture. As far as the business, what started as a dream is turning into reality. We are avid travelers/cruisers/boaters, so having a tour company with a speed boat was an easy decision! Thanks again for reading!
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Is it easy to start a business? Will you purchase a house or rent after your lease is up?
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Hi Tracy – I wouldn’t say it’s EASY to start a business here. It takes A LOT of patience and A LOT of work. You must have an Arubian partner. Whenever we are up and running with our tour company, I will be blogging about the specifics of the process. It takes time and patience. For the house, we do plan to purchase a house here. Thanks for reading!
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Hello. Congratulations on your blog.
I’d like to know your experiences with schooling in Aruba. I’ve been offered a nice job there, but I’m afraid that my children (10 and 8) may not get an education that’s complete and recognised elsewhere (for instance, to get into European universities once they finish).
I would be just able to afford some of the private schools I can see on the internet, but that would cancel out the whole salary advantage over my current job in Europe.
So, If you don’t mind, I’d love to get some information about the public and the affordable schools in the island.
Knowing that their education will be valid elsewhere, in English and dutch and affordable would be reassuring.
Thank you very much.
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Hello! Thanks for finding my blog. I honest don’t know a lot about how the schools here will compare to what you are used to. I have heard very good things about the International School, but I also know it’s expensive. I am quite sure there would be no problem with getting into universities once they are finished, since Aruba is a Dutch territory and I know the students who are Aruban go to many different universities throughout the world. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help to you, but wish you the best!
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Greetings and so happy to have found you… Absolutely love your blog! Such great insight and super helpful as Bob and I are moving to the island July 1 – from Arizona no less!! It’s been stressful and exciting and humbling, for sure. My greatest concern is getting our two cats there safely and without incident. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi Diann – I am so sorry that I have never seen this comment! Are you here? Let me know if you are and if your cats made it safely! I would have loved to help you if I would have seen this message earlier. Let me know how things are going and if you would like to meet up! Again, apologize for the delay in responding! If you would like to e-mail me, it’s tammyz630@yahoo.com.
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Awesome blog. I came across it 2 days after returning from my first trip Aruba last week. Wish I would have found it sooner. You should try making your blog a book, I enjoyed it a lot. It explained so much like “having to ask for your check” at a restaurant. I regret NOT trying the water.
Question: what’s a typical school day for kids there. Time? We saw kids that looked like they were heading home quite early in the day. Do they go Monday-Friday?
I hope your business keeps picking up and next time we visit (we are planning already) I will visit your tour site. If there Is anything you would like us to bring from Pennsylvania, I would be happy to help a fellow Aruba lover American. I will let you know when.
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Hello Jeri! So happy to hear you like my blog. I can’t believe you didn’t drink our water! Well, next time:) So the kids go to school from about 7:30-1:30 each day. And yes, it is Monday through Friday. From what I know, there are no cafeterias in the schools so they are just given a few little breaks during that time and that’s probably why the days are shorter. No lunch times to deal with, etc. Not sure if it was mentioned in what you’ve read so far, but we actually grew up in Pennsylvania! Where are you from? I grew up in Johnsonburg, my husband in Greenville, and we met in college in Erie. Thanks so much for your offer to bring things to us! It’s always good to know when someone is heading our way so just keep me posted! My e-mail address is tammyz630@yahoo.com if that’s better to communicate. Have a great day and I hope to get to meet you one day!
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Congratulations on your move! My family and I are in love with Aruba as well, and my husband wants to move there and this blog was a fantastic find! I truly admire your “not giving up” attitude, and remember, good things come to those who wait. We’re from NJ, so I totally relate to a lot of what you wrote about island time, traffic, etc. I can’t wait to finally say hello to the blue water everyday as an islander. Our next trip is scheduled for March 31st, and we will definitely look up Full Throttle! Hope we get the chance to chat! Feel free to email me if you need anything from Jersey!
kleyra@icloud.com
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Hello Kristine – Thanks so much for your message! We have met A LOT of people from New Jersey since being here! Aruba is a very popular vacation spot for anyone in that area. Yes, it would be great to meet you in person and share more of our experience, and, of course, take you on our tour:) Best wishes to you!
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I love your blog. Thank you so much for recording your experiences.
My questions are about things I haven’t seen you cover. If I missed them, I am sorry.
Are mosquitoes the same problem in Aruba as everywhere else in the Caribbean? What worked for you to fight them?
What about the cost of things like electricity and water?
Also, what are your total expenses per month for the four of you? How does that differ from what you were spending in Arizona?
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Hi Lyana – Thanks for your message! I don’t think I ever mentioned mosquitoes. Yes, we have them but I’ve definitely been places where they are worse. When we get a lot of rain, they tend to show up, but the island does a good job of controlling them as well. They are irritating for sure! Don’t really have a good remedy other than swatting them when you see them:)
For expenses, electricity and water are a little expensive, but that’s how it goes when you live on a small island. When we lived in a larger house with a pool, we paid around $400-$500 a month for electricity and $200-ish for water. We live in a smaller house without a pool now so hoping for way less utility costs (just moved so haven’t been billed yet!). Overall, our expenses are pretty similar to Arizona as some things are more but some things are less. Plus it’s the lifestyle that you choose that makes it vary a lot. If you hang out in the tourist areas all the time, your expenses will be ridiculous. If you learn to go to local places to eat out, shop for the Dutch brands on food, these expenses can be way less. We spend around $750 a month in groceries and we barely ever eat out. Living here like an American would be expensive, but living like an Aruban isn’t so bad:)
Hope that helped you!
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What a quick reply, thank you :).
How does your new rent compare to old?
I’ve also been wondering about the whole pool thing. As someone living in the snow right now, it seems to me that I wouldn’t care about having a pool if I could walk to the beach. I must be wrong because so many houses/apartment buildings in the Caribbean have pools. How do you feel about this?
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Also, if you ever found the desire to do a cost of move/ cost of living post, you would have many interested readers :’
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