Leaving paradise

Several weeks ago there was an interesting article in the Bermuda Sun about why some Bermudians choose to emigrate.

The article looked at the undergraduate thesis of Alaina Cubbon, a Bermudian student at Oxford University, who surveyed 92 Bermudian emigrants to find out why they left the Island.

Roughly 33% of respondents said that their main reason for moving abroad was to join a spouse or partner, 25% cited better employment opportunities and 12% said the most important factor in their decision was the small size of the Island. Once they had left, however, the cost of living was given as the biggest reason for not coming back.

Given the events of the last week, I wouldn't have been surprised if frustration at the local political climate had figured highly on their list too (apparently 63% of us are dissatisfied with this). However, Ms. Cubbon did not find that to be a major factor.

It's unfortunate that those who choose to leave tend to be well-educated; had they stayed in Bermuda, many would likely be filling positions currently occupied by work permit holders. All countries fret about a "brain drain" from time to time though, so it would have been nice to know whether Bermuda has a bigger problem with emigration than elsewhere.

It's difficult to see what we can do to persuade more Bermudians to stay. Although the weather here is better than in most other places, crime is lower, and family ties tend to be stronger, there's nothing the Island can do about its size or relative isolation, and there will always be fewer career opportunities than in North America or Europe.

While Bermuda will always be small, perhaps the best the Island can do is to ensure that it's at least not small-minded.

Comments

[Tiger Bay on 26.09.05 at 18:35]

There are many factors at play, including Bermudians marrying overseas and finding that their partners find Bermuda nice place to visit but too small to live.

Another is that Bermudians see the way the real world works, and find the back room games of Bermuda too tiresome to readapt to.

Bermuda is also quite parochial. Many Bermudians get top of the line educations and cannot find employers here willing to take them on even when suitable positions are filled with expatriates. I've seen and experienced this myself - much to my anger and disappointment.

[Raptor on 26.09.05 at 19:47]

It wasn't that long ago that a Bermuda male could take a foreigner as his wife, and she could work here. But a Bermuda female who took a foreigner as her husband was in a very different position. He either could not work here, or, if he did, he could be replaced by a Bermudian graduate of far lesser qualifications on short notice.

[Amin Swan on 26.09.05 at 20:03]

My situation is almost all of the above.. I worked for Marriott Hotels for ten year - including in Bermuda. My experience in Bermuda was limited because in order to move up the ladder, someone had to move out of their position. And as we know there are Bermudians who have been holding Management positions in some hotels for 10-20 years. I found it best to come to a city like Atlanta where there are no less than 80 Marriott properties, many with management positions that I could try for. I have been here since (1997). Now visiting Bermuda, I still enjoy it's amazing beauty and am very proud to call it home, however, the costs of living boggles my mind. I spend $700 for an apartment in ATL which includes washer and dryer, dishwaher, balcony overlooking downtown and central A/C which I am in no hurry to give up.
Now on the flip side, living in the states has it's downside too. Crime, not too friendly people, non stop pace of Atlanta, and worse of all being 4 hours away from a beach!!!(Savanah, GA - which ain't much to look at anyway)
Will I come back to Bermuda - for the right pay and decent living arrangements - sure!

[Nicolette on 26.09.05 at 20:35]

For me is was essential to get experience in the "real" world. Being one of the top performers in a Bermuda company or Bermuda branch meant nothing without going to London and New York and seeing where I stood against my peers. Expatriates inherently bring with them real world experience so if this is home then we need to go out to get that experience in order to justify seeking top positions within Bermuda companies - especially those that are headquartered here and publicly traded. Once we go away though, many personal matters can affect our decision about returning. I left for education and then what I call real-world experience. I returned because this is home and after 5 years, I thought it was time. Not the best of reasons... maybe I'll transfer out of here in a few years...who knows.

[Slowhand on 26.09.05 at 20:51]

All of my immediate family has left the Island, all for various reasons. My Paternal Grandparents, Uncle and Aunt all left in the early 70's and went to W. Austrailia (I've been told due to the political climate at the time, but I understand there were incentives then to move there as well) My parents sold their property in the early 90's and moved to Canada (My Mom is originally from there) mainly because they felt they would do better in retirement there than here. My Sister never came back after going to university in Canada, one brother went with my folks (younger) and my other brother moved to Canada and is now married with his own business (we did all gain Canadian Citizenship through my Mother).
My Uncle did end up coming back from Aust. with nothing to show for it, but years of hard work.
I know of many that have left and wish they could come back, having sold out, then not been able to make what they thought they could. Many come back for short periods and grab a few quick hustles then return with the money they made here.
I am considering moving to Canada, as it will be cheaper by far to put my kids through college as a resident. My intention would be to return though.

[dallasbda on 26.09.05 at 21:10]

One thing that's missing from the list is the huge number of Bermudians who move away because they're gay.

Bermuda's not exactly a welcoming place to be different... and there's a huge number of well-educated very talented Bermudians living in NY / London / Toronto as a direct result of it.

It's Bermuda's loss.

[Prospect on 26.09.05 at 21:40]

For additional insight to the Bermudian university student mind may I suggest visiting www2.bermyuniversity.com. While still in it's early stages, it definately has potential :).

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 26.09.05 at 22:39]

Dam has the Devil been thrown out of Paradise again? I thought Milton had already covered that story in Paradise Lost.Big world out there and its a wonder to see....Go travel...You will never regret it.

[sandgrownan on 27.09.05 at 08:33]

As long as the Bermudians that are leaving are largely white...the plan is working.. heh heh heh....

[jake on 27.09.05 at 09:02]

Typical paranoia.

Since a higher proportion of whites are educated overseas, the factors that drive emigration listed above would affect them more.

Has it been determined that on an absolute basis more white people leave?

Are white people more likely (since stemming from a smaller indigenous population) to marry someone from overseas, and therefore they and their children will have citizenship rights which facilitate emigration easier?

If our approach to every question is to find out where someone is at fault, the method and the insights are not very scientific.

[ch57 on 27.09.05 at 09:04]

"Bermuda's not exactly a welcoming place to be different... and there's a huge number of well-educated very talented Bermudians living in NY / London / Toronto as a direct result of it."

One of the main reasons I left Bermuda, 17 years ago, is because I'm gay, and Bermuda has no time or place for gay people, regardless of my qualifications.
I'm an engineer and I've worked in broadcasting in Toronto for the past 15 years.

[Bill Cook on 27.09.05 at 09:13]

Actual numbers on Bermudians leaving Bermuda and not returning is difficult to come by as they sortof remain on the books as it were,and return periodically to be with family.

This starts usually by attending college aquiring skills and not having much in the way of outlet here go elsewhere.

I suspect the numbers are quite high as I know friends whose children leave to be educated and have not returned to live here,a high percentage relatively speaking.

The percentage of status Bermudians is much higher still, as in most cases they are not wealthy by our standards and choose a less expensive place where they have a higher quality of life that is affordable,also Bermuda is very poor at looking after seniors even if you are not poor but just awful if you are.

Bermuda suits the young person preferably single who is out for an experience and move on which represents quite a number of residents, but is less secure for a married couple who want to have and raise children, with some hope of a future for those children.

I think if someone ever does a study on actual numbers who leave Bermuda it will be found to be much higher than we thought.

Probably proportionally there are more whites but also a not insignificant number of non whites.

[Tiger Bay on 27.09.05 at 09:14]

It ain't a racial thing - I have friends of both races who have left. It seems to be equated more with high educational or professional acheivement. Exactly the type of people we wish would come home after a period of gaining experience overseas.

[Douglas on 27.09.05 at 09:18]

Another reason people leave is that many kinds of professional jobs essentially don't exist on this island, especially in the science, technology, and creative areas.

[Adjustah - Live from Toronto on 27.09.05 at 09:32]

I'd consider moving away for a consistently good cup of morning coffee...

[Two Cents on 27.09.05 at 09:36]

"Bermuda's not exactly a welcoming place to be different... and there's a huge number of well-educated very talented Bermudians living in NY / London / Toronto as a direct result of it."

This is a definate "downfall" of many "small minded" Bermudians (black, white, and other) to mentally build themselves up by highlighting the "differences" in others regardless if it's their sexual prefernce, religion, or any other differnce. Which they see as weakness.

You see the examples of this almost daily in our lives in Bermuda;
(a) Someone falls down and these idiots would laugh at them rather than offer assistance.
(b) For some reason idiots find anyone either "over the top" gay, or even just someone flamboyant very amusing.

We need more emphasis put on understanding others and tolerence in schools, as I feel alot of this comes from schools, I'll bet everyone can remember these same idiots making fun of other students in school who for whatever reason are different, unless I am mistaken I am sure ch57 remembers.

[loki on 27.09.05 at 09:42]

"I'd consider moving away for a consistently good cup of morning coffee."

Rock Island, dude.

[ch57 on 27.09.05 at 09:44]

"I'll bet everyone can remember these same idiots making fun of other students in school who for whatever reason are different, unless I am mistaken I am sure ch57 remembers."

I remember, I also remember teachers joining in on the fun.

Bermuda is regressive, not progressive.

[Two Cents on 27.09.05 at 10:01]

Bermuda is regressive, not progressive

ch57 has hit the nail on the head, this regression flows over to other life issues as well as what we are discussing today, which is one of downfalls of living on such a tiny island.

By getting away/extensively travelling your mind is opened to other cultures and ways of life something that the more narrow minded of us are missing in their lives. I know that my mind has been widened/opened by travelling the world and seeing what there is to offer outside of these 21 sq miles.

p.s A week in NY, NJ, or ATL isn't what I am talking about

p.p.s Does ch57 = s.c ??

[Yet Another Limey on 27.09.05 at 10:05]

I've always wondered why the poorer less well educated Bermudian's don't take more advantage of their British citizenship and move to the UK where it's easier to live well and even afford to buy a house on an average wage.

[loki on 27.09.05 at 10:11]

" remember, I also remember teachers joining in on the fun."

Not exactly surprising when headmasters aren't exactly leading the way in terms of tolerance and justice, though.......

[r on 27.09.05 at 10:16]

with the cost of living in bermuda being so high, it makes it really difficult to come back after university. after moving on with your life and growing up, you have to settle back in with your parents. that's never an easy thing to do.

even if you come back to the Island with a couple of years experience in the UK/US/Canada under your belt, it can still be difficult to find a job. many of the international companies are more than happy to hire mid to lower level staff from the US/UK and provide them with moving and housing expenses...but if you are bermudian, that never seems to happen.

these are just a few of the difficulties facing bermudians, but all in all its really not that bad. if you have strong work ethics and a brain, you can do anything you want when it come down to it.

[loki on 27.09.05 at 10:34]

Another factor to take into account are the people that choose to retire abroad. The plain fact is that people can take their savings and/or the proceeds of sale of their Bermuda property and live a far more affluent lifestyle elsewhere. Some people move away because they literally cannot afford to retire here. For my part, I'm in my 30s, and I've pretty much decided that I'd rather retire at 50 and move to Mexico.

[Bill Cook on 27.09.05 at 10:54]

Loki.

You are on target.

If you sell your house here esp. now for 1.5 million and buy in Southern California away from the glamourous areas you get a great house for 750m leaving you the balance.

The climate is superior no humidity plenty of sunshine great food at reasonable prices and the availability of all sports plus nearby skiing.

If you are old you can hire a housekeeper who will look after you and drive you around etc.

The trick is to go there and spend time in various locations.

Ther are great locations in Mexico on the border but tricky legalities regarding ownership etc.but go see them anyway some are really luxurious

I looked at a 7 acre ranch with an orange grove and avocada trees irragated 4 bed large liv room all marble floors ultra mod kitchen etc tropical garden pool with waterfall for 1.5 million.

If there was anything like that here it would be 10 million !

[nouseforaname on 27.09.05 at 11:00]

Don't call Bermuda small minded or provincial. I used to live in Canada and you wouldn't belive the amount of people who had never left the province they live in or been on a plane. If Bermuda goes independent she will lose many more educated Bermudians, white and black.

[loki on 27.09.05 at 11:04]

"Ther are great locations in Mexico on the border but tricky legalities regarding ownership etc.but go see them anyway some are really luxurious."

I've been looking into Lake Chapala, which is away from the border and has a very pleasant climate between 75 and 80 degrees throughout the year, owing to its elevation. From what I can tell, the basic legalities are that you have to buy property via a trust if that property is within 40 miles of the coast or the borders, otherwise (as in the case of Lake Chapala), you can buy it in your own name. US$200,000.00 for a concrete built, 3 bedroom lakeside house with pool and tennis court is, to say the least, enticing.

[Raptor on 27.09.05 at 11:18]

Loki, Be sure you have legal water rights.

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 27.09.05 at 11:24]

Loki to help you on your Mexican adventure...read this book...a visit to Don Otavio by Sybille Bedford...Its a traveller's tale from Mexico with all sorts of interesting History....Heah Paradise people don't forget Costa Rica too!!!

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 27.09.05 at 11:36]

Hmmm I found Paradise yesterday just like the Spartans....I climbed along it on the South Shore among all the Yellow seaside Golden rod. My perch was about seventy feet up in cliffs looking down on the blue green aqua water.No longtails their all back in the Sargasso Sea. Lovely breeze,no cars ,no people,just me alone with nature....I have places all over the island where I can do this...to make it perfect I had mars bar and a cool soft drink...only thing i could hear was my heart beat....Paradise...I'm a wolf I live it every day.....lots of kisses gotta run today....think I'll go do one of my live performance peieces at Rock Island....Who loves ya BAby Its ME thats right....Try being a little more Wolfy!!!

[BDAtoUSA on 27.09.05 at 12:23]

The gay reason is bigger than many may know.. That was my reasoning for leaving. I'm not flambouyant, but it's no way that you can live a comfortable lifestyle on that Island without people asking questions and in your business. I love that Island God knows I do....but I felt pushed out by the homophobics - I don't plan on returning anytime soon.

[Yet Another Limey on 27.09.05 at 14:40]

If all the gays are leaving the island, how come I know more gay people here than back in Blighty? Is it because expats come from more tolerant societies or have I just been hanging round rock island too long.

[Two Cents on 27.09.05 at 14:54]

BDAtoUSA,

In Bermuda you can't be different in anyway, and not expect to take shit in some shape or form from some small minded idiot. For some reason we have a lower tolerance for differences, but then we brag about how culturally diververse we are ...what a crock!!

[sandgrownan on 27.09.05 at 15:01]

Two Cents - I agree, It's massively hypocritical society we live in.

[BDAtoUSA on 27.09.05 at 15:21]

Two cents,

You are right. Another big issue is family. I have yet told anyone in my family because I'm terrified of what they will think. I grew up around gay-bashing. My answer was to be out of sight and out of mind and move to the States and live free with out all the "where's your girlfriend" - "when you getting married" "how come he's always around him?" "Oh-guess what I heard about him" all that foolishness is enough to drive anyone off the island.

[How Peculiar on 27.09.05 at 16:11]

For anyone different - whether sexual preference, appearance, simply lifestyle or way of thinking - this is a tough place to be ... bermudasucks.com

"You all laugh because I'm different. I laugh because you're all the same."

[Uncle Elvis on 27.09.05 at 16:32]

2¢,
    You know me better than anyone on here, and were there for many of my experiences with this sort of small minded crap.
    You've hit the nail on the head, Nosmo. I do think that in certain ways we ARE pretty diverse and accepting, but this very thing blinds us to the aspects where we AREN'T very accepting.
    An example would be the fact that, while making jokes about black folks is pretty much frowned upon and we've even grown to a point where jokes about white folks are greeted with some disapprovl (I'm lookin at YOU, D.L. Hugely), no one seems to have a problem when people make the "ChingChong" face behind Asian people, or saying things like, "Chinese, Japanese... same thing", the "Dot on the head" joke. We don't have a small population of asians here, we have an ever growing population. We have to look at this and what it says about US as a society who, for the most part, are trying to grow as people and BECOME more accepting and realize that it's not cool.
    The same thing for gays. You're still allowed to fire someone, just because they're gay. Now, I know several people who are completely chaste, don't go out and have sex with everyone they can (I'm not saying that gays do this, it's just a perception people have. Please don't lambaste me, I'm making a point.) Basically, all they do is find people of the same sex attractive. They never act on it. These people can be fired, just because of that. Crazy, innit?
    Or how about the case where the guy was found guilty of sexual abuse of a 15 year old (almost 16... I'm not defending what he did, but come on. I have some knowledge of this case and the whole thing was ridiculous) and got 12 years (I think that was the original sentence). About a week later, a guy was found guilty of not only having sex with a minor, a VERY young minor and giving her a STD but she was his granddaughter! His sentence was SIGNIFICANTLY shorter.
    I don't blame people for leaving here because of the intolerance. Go, find a place where you will be accepted. Please. Be happy. I wish you well. But please DO remember that there ARE those that care about you and DON'T judge you. We'll be here for you if you ever want to come back.

[loki on 27.09.05 at 17:36]

Elvis,

You may recall that I am quite familiar with the first case that you mentioned - he got 10 years in the Supreme Court, which was later reduced on appeal to 5 (which was still too much, though I could be considered biased), ultimately doing about two years, with good behaviour. Funnily enough, he nearly didn't get parole because a bigoted member of the parole board had a problem with the fact that he as gay and let him know that he wanted to hear him say that he would no longer be gay when released. Asshole.....

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 27.09.05 at 18:07]

I think all of us have to laugh a little more and have fun....Its my best way of living....be yourself....wear what you like go bare footed to Hamilton.....Take your bra off girls....boys don't be rude to the ladies...Heah you might be leaving Paradise soon....Make Hay while the SUN shines....Party with a Wolf ^..^

[SmokingGun on 27.09.05 at 18:23]

Some people don't move back to Bermuda because of the lifestyle. Especially right out of college there is too much temptation to drink and go from one party to the next. With limited stuff to do a lot will just end up drinking all the time.

Another reason people don't go straight back is because they want to meet someone other than trying to find a Bermudian, of which we are a limited species. Often times this turns into a situation where they just don't go home after all.

[Red Riding Hood (.)(.) on 27.09.05 at 21:10]

I was living in England very happily then made the stupid move back here. At the time I thought it was the right one but two days after I was back home I realized I had made a terrible mistake.

Ten years on I am still wrestling with the idea of going back, but unfortunately I have gotten very comfortable. My main reason for wanting to move is to educate my kids properly. I cannot afford the private schools so my four kids are being home schooled my wife. The home school is okay but I still believe in proper schools so with great reluctance the prospect of returning to the UK is becoming increasingly real.

My biggest fear of moving is the finality of it, I doubt I would ever return, or if there will be much of a Bermuda to return to.

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 27.09.05 at 21:29]

Heah Little Hoody pull a Nike just DO IT!!! What you waiting for ....A WOLF!!!

[Fen on 28.09.05 at 06:47]

I am very ambivalent about moving back to the island. On the one hand, there is so much that I love and miss about Bermuda, such as its beauty, the people, the way of life and the comparitively short commutes. On the other hand, it is very small, and expensive, and the jobs that my (non-Bermudian) husband and I have simply don't exist there.

I don't know. I grew up in Bermuda, so it is my home. But after so long in the UK, it is also my home. Whichever country I am in, I will miss the other one. Think I will just have to try to find very understanding employers that will let me alternate between the UK and Bda, every three months, making sure I am in Bermuda for Christmas and Cup Match.

[James on 28.09.05 at 11:16]

I’m a reporter for the Bermuda Sun. I was very interested to read the comments people have made on this issue - particularly with reference to Bermuda's intolerant attitudes.
We've been looking for some time at the Bermuda Sun at doing a feature on the difficulties of being gay in Bermuda - particularly with reference to the outdated human rights legislation here and the social attitudes which seem to make it practically impossible for anyone to be openly gay.
The difficulty we have had is that few people who live in Bermuda are prepared to talk openly about the subject in the newspaper.
Having read the posts on this site, I just wanted to put the idea out there for anyone who has left Bermuda because of its intolerant attitudes towards homosexuality, to contact me with a view to discussing a future story.
My e-mail address is jwhittaker@bermudasun.bm.

Thanks

James

[SmokingGun on 28.09.05 at 12:34]

James, I'm not in the least bit surprised that you have had a difficult time getting people to open up to you. Bermuda is a very small place and though there are many who have lived abroad and returned with an open mind to the realities of life there are still too many things that work against people being openly gay. A while back I once worked with a guy that was gay and just about one of the nicest people I've ever met. Before I met him sure I had my opinions on gay people but he never made me feel uncomfortable and I realized many of my opinions were baseless. He was a very low key person who simply wanted to maintain a very private low profile life. He had only one partner who he saw on a regular basis and lived a very simple existence. He bothered no-one but the one thing that bothered him was he just couldn't be his true self in a manner that was open and accepted. He lived in fear that he'd be fired from his job if it became known or that it would prevent him from future growth. It's unfortunate that he had to live in such tormented secrecy.

We all know that Bermuda has major issues with not accepting others that are different such as has been discussed over and over regarding race. I hope as we openly explore our differences we can benefit from the interaction and take it a step forward to include learning more about and being accepting of those that are just different for whatever reason.

Good luck with your efforts and if you don't get enough volunteers maybe you could write about tolerence and acceptence of all our differences.

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 28.09.05 at 12:56]

Cry me a river...if Its not about one thing its another...every life is a challenge...Go watch Pricilla Queen of the Desert if your feeling a little low.We dont rope gay people to fences and leave them to die like they do in the USA.

[SmokingGun on 28.09.05 at 13:02]

^..^
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[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 28.09.05 at 13:10]

Very Cute.....I guess its all this living in Paradise that is making da Wolf Cry a River...Sweet--- sign of a quick mind...Your SMOKING!!!

[smith on 28.09.05 at 14:09]

"We dont rope gay people to fences ..."

No, we just throw them in jail.

[BDAtoUSA on 28.09.05 at 16:57]

Wolfie Guy.....

In other words you mean a little racism should'nt hurt you, it aint like we have clan outfits on like in the states....

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 28.09.05 at 17:57]

We dont through them in jail....unless they are doing certain acts in public spaces....same goes for hetrosexuals too!Who was talking about racism....I'm saying every living human has to deal with some difficult issues in their life....End of Story.