Hello Everyone,
My Husband and I have been married almost 4 months and we have only spent 2 weeks together, and those weren't even concurrent. We find that since his 129F got to the CSC it has been collecting dust (since Feb 7th) so we decided since we can I am taking my son(2 yo in April) and moving to Jamaica to wait the rest of this riddiculously long waiting period out. What happened to the rumor of him comming home in 3 months if we were married? annnyway. We will be living in a small place in Grange District. He having plumbing and current most of the time, but no hot water. Any advice anyone wants to give me about this adventure we are about to embark on, is welcome. You should know too that my mom will live in my house while I'm gone and pay the note and bills thats why we are able to go. SO whatcha got??? advice from anyone is needed, anything you know or think I should inquire about please tell me, we are scheduled to leae end of March.
Thanks,
Eva

I've lived with my husband in the middle of the jungle with no running water/electricity or anything....so that said, buy a camping solar shower that you fill and leave in the sun each day to warm, because that hot Jamaican sun will do the trick. Otherwise, take a cold shower in the middle of the day, as it is very refreshing.

I dunno if you have a bathtub out there, but one time i got so desperate for a hot bath that i took our decent sized laundry bucket, hauled water from the creek and boiled 3 huge pots of water under a fire--haha...so i think you will be FINE

My only words of caution are that you NEED to have an AMERICAN job in order to bring your hubby in the country...i hope you do not overlook this...what i did was go back and forth to belize while finishing my last 6 months of college...i then stayed in belize another 3 months then flew home to the US and got a job as quickly as possible so I had a contract in time to submit to the US embassy in Belize...even with a co-sponsor, if that's your case, you still need a job i'm pretty sure--can someone please correct me if I'm wrong? I also did the K-3 visa...honey, just wait it out if you can...and make sure you are not getting yourself into more of a hassle by not having a US job in time.

peace,
ilana

Sorry, but no hot water... and a 2 yr old? Maybe I'm too comfortable, but I'd just wait it out.

A 2 yr old + no hot water wouldn't bother me...doesn't most of the world live without hot water? i think americans think kids need a whole lot more than they do (take it from me, I'm a nanny for really rich baby twins....).

To the Original Poster--don't let what Americans call "necessities" stop you from going with your heart...i see you're already along in the process, but have you ever considered just living in Jamaica? my husband and I will be living in Belize permanently, but we have our reasons for spending a few years in the states...i've found living frugally and rustically incredibly relaxed and rewarding, as you may find...the only think I would look into is health care for your 2 yr old, especially because he's still so young...unless you have a fabulous creole mother-in-law like myself who seems to know every home remedy in the world...lol...good luck!

Call and set an appointment with a state senator representative. They can call to see where your case is at and help your case. The average married couple wait 7 to 12 months. Where did you ever here 3 months?

I would wait here and be patient. You need a USA job for him to move here with a good income. I have waited 9 years since I met my husband. Teaching Jamaica for months at a time I wouldn't move there unless I won a million dollars and could live comfortable. My husband and I have been married for almost 7 months yes it is hard but its not a life time. The longest we have spent together is a month. Look at this very seriously before making a drastic move. We all love JA but life will not be an easy road down there.

This is my 2 cents

One Luv,
Jax

Not sure if she needs a job if she has a co-sponsor???

Can see nothing wrong with going to Jamaica to live as long as she'll be ok financially.
I know this may shock some people here to the core, but I lived for 12 years in Jamaica with (shock horror) NO hot water!!!
For those faint of heart, please stop reading now, for 2 years of that, we lived with no RUNNING water!!


There is absolutely no reason it should be a problem taking your two year old with you, he/she will be fine.
I actually think it's a good idea in that you will get to spend some time with your husband and ensure you really do want to spend the rest of your life with him.
For some advice on moving there, check out www.jamaicans.com and they have a forum specially for that.

Do you really need hot water in Jamaica?
I lived in the Amazon and it is SO HOT & HUMID that the idea of a hot shower makes you sweat.
I'm used to taking 3-5 cold showers a day to cool myself down.

I say do what your heart & your head tell you. Good luck!

I agree w/AlienUKGirl. I too used to live in JA while I was a child, but not for long maybe a couple of years. Not only that I have spent many summers there and trust me it's not that bad as some may think. As long as you have the money then you should be fine. We used to stay in the country w/my grandmother and there was no hot or running water for that matter. We used to go to the river w/containers to "catch water" to full up the drum and bathe out of a pan. Yes some may say WHOA that's too much info but it was the truth. I used to put my pan out in the morning so by the time we were ready the water would be warm from the sun. It's not only that but I have learned some valuble lessons in life from living in JA and I wouldn't change it for the world. I even sent my daughter to live down there for a few yrs so she could experience what survival is all about. We here as USC take our priveledges for granted to the point we are so stricken to say "no way we can't do it" but trust me when I tell you will be ok. Whatever you decide to do just follow your heart. Good luck!

Anna

Roy grew up in the country with no running water or electricity. I can't wait to go spend some time at their house -- he doesn't want to stay there with me -- I think he thinks it will be too hard on me. To visit -- great. Having to live like that -- not so much so.

But....you have to follow your heart. If you truly can't stand being away from each other then go. I would definitely check if doing that would have any effect on the whole "support" issue.

Hot water isn't a necessity in the Caribean...I lived without it for four years, and only really needed to heat hot water on the stove in Nov-February.

I spent a week backpacking in the back country of Isle Royale, MI.... I could do it for a week or so at a time, not as a general rule.

Any concerns about access to good medical care for your 2yr old? That's what would make me second-guess my decision....

the water is not the issue really. I have lived there even when there isn't any water to take showers. I am just saying don't they look at how much you make? The amount needed to be above the poverty line. Yes I would love to live with my hubby but I would get bored real fast there as I do on vacation without money.

And I need to have money to support him when he comes up.

Living with only the bare essentials was a fantastic experience for me, makes me appreciate what I have now so much more...Bathed in a pan nuff times!!
Washed all my stuff including sheets by hand...means now I can wash by hand if needed....cooked on a coal pot.....

Would LOVE for my son to experience similar to give him perspective...

hey thanks everyone for all of your comments. My lawyer says that I need to show only my 2006 tax returns, and then a letter from my employer saying how much I make and how long I have been with them. Since I am with a temp agency I can still use them even if I haven't worked with them in a while, becasue upon my return they will have work for me, and I work for them currently. Besides I am selling a piece of property at the moment so that should show that I ahve enought to care for us both. My mom will also co-sponsor us if need be. I am excited to be with my son full time. Instead of up at dark gone to school and work home at dark and up again to do it all over again. We will be in Grange District, and like I said we get current and Hydro so its all good. and what does a 2 yo really need? some pull ups and apple juice He's really very smart, vocab of over 200 words and he turns 2 in april! so i will work more with him on letters and numbers, let him chase chickens and goats, and read lots of books. thanks everyone I read every word and appreciate it all.
Please keep em comming!
Eva & Ethan

that was us on a camping trip about a year ago we look good rough right??

If you can afford to be with your husband be with your husband . Your beautiful child will have a great experience a full time MOM and DAD. Like you said hot water is not the problem missing your man is!!
I lived with my husband only a week and we didn't have hot water but being together was great!!! It did make me appreciate what I have here more!!! We take so much for granted!!

I think it's great if you can do it. I would love to be able to go and stay with my sweetie in Jamaica during this process. Not possible for me, but you go ahead and enjoy it.

Hi Eva,

I sent my daughter home when she was 2 and stayed there for several yrs. The school system is great (depending on your location of course) esp for the little ones. When my daughter came back she was ahead of her classmates b/c most of the things she was learning in school she already knew. It is a great exp for the kids esp while they are young. Although I was born here my parents were adamant that we learned both cultures!!! I seen the struggles and tribulation my parents had to endure in JA and the pain that my grandmother put me through as a child but I am a greater person b/c of it. It will also help your relationship w/your mate by seeing his world and understanding it.

Anna

You look great! Your son is too cute.

They are 2 year old in Jamaica with no hot water too.

Mrs Forrester you will be fine. It will, most likely, be a slight shock when you first get there but you will get used to it. The water is NOWHERE near as cold as it is here. To date I still cannot shower in really hot water. A few years before my parents left, they installed one of those 'on demand' water heaters and that worked great.

To quote my vet (she was talking about my dog, not a human baby), "There must be some sad, funny looking kids out there...because that one got a double dose of cute!"

What a precious child.

If you have all means money wise here will be fine when you get back and can do the paperwork down there for your case. Have a wonderful time with your hubby and all the best

UMMM I BELIEVE WE HAVE 3YR OLD IN JAMICA ALSO DOCTORS THE KID WILL BE FINE. MOM WILL BE FINE I BET HE DONT GET NO EAR INFECTION WHILE HE THERE. TAKE A LAPTOP AND A DIGITAL CAMERA ITS A MUST.