When I tell my friends that I grew up in a large house in Jamaica with 7 bedrooms, a huge veranda with driveway and car park, a huge lawn in front plus a huge backyard so large that we used to play table tennis outside, plus various fruit trees (mangoes, apples, ackee, grapefruit, plums), plus a tool shed, plus a sewing room inside the house, with a large living room, three bathrooms, etc, they all think I must be rich. I tell them no, that's just a typical middle-class home in Jamaica. Then when I tell them we had a helper (maid), a gardener plus a handyman, used to throw large parties at the end of school year to coincide with the famous high school barbecues (are those still a thing?), etc, they think my parents must have been millionaires. I laugh and tell them, no, that's your average middle-class lifestyle in Jamaica. Then when I tell that we used to take leisurely outings to the countryside, that I used to go camping every summer, drive to the beaches and have the best grilled seafood, or drive to Montego Bay to spend a day at some resort, they think I must be telling them fairy tales, for this type of lifestyle in the US is only available to the rich. I tell them that about half the Jamaicans living in the US have had to adjust to a significant downgrade in their lifestyle upon migrating to the US. The biggest shock they get is when arriving in NY only to live in tiny, stuffy, run-down apartments in the Bronx or Queens. Growing up as a child in Jamaica, I thought life was supremely comfortable in my coddled middle-class existence, until I started getting invited to birthday parties by my schoolmates at Wolmer's. Many of them came from wealthy backgrounds and lived in huge mansions on the hills. One particular birthday party by a schoolmate who lived in Stony Hills still lives as an unforgettable moment to this day in my mind. I've never seen such a lavish house with a more luxurious lifestyle in all my travels around the world. That birthday party really opened my eyes as to how rich people in Jamaica live!
My "Goal" is to someday live back there (even if only half the time), in my "Country" Village where I grew up, and in the house where I was raised. My mom and sister have turned that house into something Amazing, over the years.
Jamaica no problem. Over 30 years and I have never witness any violence ,I only see it on the news. I sleep with my doors open ,just of to give thanks everyday
All I can say iris is this. You are a blessing to JA. People have so much stereotypes of not just Jamaica but The Africa continent itself. They really believe most of Jamaicans live in homes and communities like what they see in some of these movies or RUclips. I tell you this. I have not come across any indigenous Jamaican bloggers who have ever presented JA the way you do. If they exist I want to know. Thank you, thank you, thank you for every video you put out on JA your smashing the negative stereotypes of how the world see Jamaica 🇯🇲. Well done👏👏👏👏👏👏👌👍
The Delpratt Family channel abd Realtor Adrian as well as PJ Ebanks (a draughtsman) are 3 Jamaican channels where locals are telling you and showing you positives that are real life for many at whatever price level.
Sorry to hear that the original people of Jamaica really do not know how to promote their own country other than to music and to witness the new dance craves! Jamaica you can do better?
Dis Bredda up here mstnt say dat bout Yard ppl. Irene, she a Yard girl Now n Love Up YARD n do har tng. Blessings 4 dat. Othr Yard ppl do it 2. She 1st. Dat No Matter. She a Yard girl Now. She Lv YARD. Ana Ntng. She Lv har cntry n othr cntry 2. Ana Ntng.
@@zopound94 There's SOMETHING you don't KNOW about Jamaicans: once they EMBRACE you, it doesn't matter where you're from originally, to them she's Jamaican NOW!! Please, DON'T try to 'rock the boat', for they'll DUMP you in the sea, lol!!😁 It's just ONE LOVE with Irina - Out of Many ONE People!! P.S. Irina has become a part of the body (Jamaica). Once a part of the body that's just what you're!!💯
🌹Many called, chosen are few. 🌹Much known having paid dues. 🌹Own, rent, or whatever pursue. 🌹One, two or 3 bedrooms stew. 🌹Irene network, her info crew. 🌹Link in box, if you chose to do. 🌹Time is money, we know is true. 🇯🇲THE PROMISED LAND 🇯🇲
Live in England for 21 yrs. knows exactly what u talking about. Coming from a 6 bedrooms 3 bathrooms house in Jamaica. England was a huge culture shock for me, when I came here
Wow... thank you for showing the beauty of jamaica ..I wouldn't want to live in gated community...I want my private place to plant my mango and breadfruit etc tress to be free...thank you Jesus for free life ...good job...God bless
That was the norm, back then people never had mortgages, today however, the younger generation don't seem to have the patients for that, besides, now with all developments they can just get mortgage, find a home and just move in ... no need to deal with contractors and ever changing prices of material and government red tape.
Big up to Nicola for co-hosting this episode! I hope she gets a ton of business from this video!!!! Booo to the other realtors! You missed the boat!!! 😂 Great video, Irie!
Thanks Irene. This is a true representative of Jamaica. One day do a video on homes in the hills of St..Andrew if you'll find someone who would allow you access. We Jamaicans are private about where we live
THANK YOU AGAIN ANOTHER GREAT PRODUCTION, THE POOREST PERSON IN JAMAICA IS A CAPITALIST , I WOULD SUGGEST TO ALL JAMAICAN OUTSIDE OF JAMAICA TO STOP WATCHING THOSE NEGATIVES VIDEOS
60 percent are don't make look like it's not the truth even if your middle class you still struggle because most people are paying mortgage for 30yrs with low paying income
I noticed that not only rich people live in fabulous houses, but middle income and low income people too. It's just that usually people with low income build a house over a long period of time (like 10 years), rather than buying it.
Irina, this is your best production by far. Jamaica is small, but not that small; so many different ares to live. That realtor is knowledgeable, I might have to contact her.
I can understand why some persons would want to live in a gated community, but I would not want to spend MY MONEY to buy MY house, and then someone going to tell me that I CAN'T even change the HOUSE COLOR!!! and if my family grows and I need more space, I can't do ANY ADDITIONS to MY HOUSE. KMT! No thanks!
That's why you have choices. Some folks don't mind the restrictions because it maintains uniformity and standard, therefore the area will always be in a pristine condition to help keep the value of their investment.
@@kingpinoutlow8105 yup. Agree. Quite a few allows this. However, there are rules to abide by but nothing onerous to prevent you from achieving what you want.
Why there's thumbs down on on this well informative information, can anyone explain what is native about showing Jamaica true colours , Can't wait to see more about my land of birth, keep on doing your thing, I like your showcase on BEAUTIFUL JAMAICA,
Well know for it's cool climate, large lotted communities, quietness, yet lots of businesses and amenities, government services, churches, still not too far from the beaches, reasonable drive from Kingston, and a rich history.
Thanks for informing, as well as filling the gap missing in some areas about homes in Jamaica. The images of delapidated homes can be discouraging for local people, who see otherwise. Many years ago, a relative of mine was in the local media. At this time there were islandwide demonstrations about high gasoline prices. CBS television (U.S.A.) sent a film crew down to report on the matter. My relative met some of them & mentioned they would not find much excitement because the protests were largely peaceful and no crowds to speak of were clogging the streets. He was told the film crew could not return with mundane footage. They ignored the typical areas, found ghettos and aired burning tyres and menacing behaviour, as though the whole island was on the verge of chaos. Some local media people & civil servants, thought it was the height of irresponsibility.
And things like that is why I would not make the US my final stop. Loving Irina for this video. She's Eastern European like my husband they are sensible down to earth people, they know how to adjust and handle life.
Excellent Video. Rural in the hills is my thing. Safety is a priority but I want to see fruit trees on my land, Bananas, Mango, Jack fruit, etc. The restrictions of gated community can be stifling. Costs are now put of control in Jamaica though.
So glad I found your channel! I’m a Jamaican National who left thirty years ago and who is considering returning home. Thank you for the excellent overviews.
Jamaica and the Caribbean in general have severely overpriced homes and they don't build much for the locals working in the country. The situation is quite sad especially when as a Jamaica you go to other developing nations in Latin America and Asia and you realize how much affordable housing is.
As a Canadian, Jamaica is one the cheapest places in the world to buy a house. I'm not sure how housing prices measure up to the income of the average Jamaican person, but the price of a mansion in Jamaica is 200,000 CAD while the price of a mansion in Canada is 4.5 million CAD. And you can buy that relatively cheap house in a nice area. A nice house in a good area in Asia or anywhere in Latin America is about the same as it is in Canada.
@@Ilikefrogs.. Mia what you just stated is completely off. You can't get a mansion in Jamaica for $200,000 cad, just stop it. They're selling old 3 bedroom homes in Kingston for $250-300k USD in mediocre neighbourhoods & it's closer to $500-600k for a home in the middle class areas and upwards of a million in the nicer ones. The only places with cheap housing in Jamaica are areas that nobody wants to live because it's far from where you work, have no hospitals, schools or crappy ones close by and surely no nightlife or good supermarkets etc. Buying a 3-4 bedroom home in the countryside aka bush for $200k Canadian isn't worth the money. You really need to search housing prices in Latin America and South East Asia because you clearly don't know what you're talking about. Even as a tourist i can get a nice 1 bedroom apartment inclusive of utilities for $400-500/month in Latin America and for $300/month i can get an apartment with a gym, pool etc in Thailand/Phillipines. You don't know these markets because you live in the first world and you don't vacation in these places hence you're comparing Jamaican prices to Canadian which is asinine considering Canadians get 10-20x the wages we get here in Jamaica. You have to compare Jamaican housing prices to countries with similar wages to gauge how expensive or cheap the real estate is and ours are severely overpriced when you do the correct comparison.
Whenever I visit jamaica and stay with friends I get so accustom to the large room sizes that it takes me awhile to readjust to the smaller rooms in the UK. Its interesting that more apartments are being built which not only is due to availability of land, it also reflects changing tastes. Like everywhere in the world the lower working classes have been left out. its good to see The prime minister challenge architects to design affordable housing for the lower working class. Looking forward to the next episode on housing.
My wife's room in Jamaica is the biggest I've been in. Roughly, it would hold 100 people standing shoulder to shoulder in a row of ten. Wayyyy bigger than mine in London.
one point each gated community have its own regulation so u can choose one that apply best to u it terms of the freedom you would like. The one i live in has a lot of freedom i can do additions to the side , back, on top and to the front up to a certain parameter. i only have to keep the same colour. your in charge of maintaining your own property. maintaince fee is affordable abt 15USD. there is no pool though only common areas. it also has automatic gate u can let yourself in and security and cameras to screen visitors. visitors gate is separate with an intercom to screen them before granting access. it's nice to know that there can be no surprise visits to your home.
It's so funny to me, I am in corporate Jamaica and work with allot of other nationalities and they seem amazed when they come here and see how most Jamaicans live. I have heard from my Indian colleagues that they thought we lived in huts and trees let alone to see us in mansions and driving the vehicles we drive..🤯
Ocho Rios and Montego Bay have similar price value for homes. The only difference is Montego Bay had the airport, so the prices there might be a little higher than Ocho Rios. On the other hand, I think Ocho Rios is more exclusive, especially for international celebrities and royalties . Just my opinion!!!!!
We are based in Ocho Rios during the Winter months. We over look the cruise ship terminal & beach from our condo at Columbus Hedights/Skycastles. We have traveled all over Jamaica but like Ocho Rios as we find it meets all our needs and we don't need a car - beach, shopping, restaurants, fresh fish, groceries, bars etc.
@@lewisr7700 - condo prices are really inexpensive. We pay just under $1800 a month for 2 story, 2 bed, 2.5 bath condo with a gazebo and roof top terrace. We can easily sleep 6. We know both Sandals properties well. But try Couples Sans Souci as our fav beach is next door "Pleasure Cove"...a lot of people from Sans Souci come visit.
Irie the media all way show Jamaica 🇯🇲 in a bad way thank you the good video from Jamaica wee got better house in Jamaica than us and UK I live here in Albany NY thay think. Jamaica only have hut 🛖 Jamaica to the world 🌎
Great video Irie. Back in 1998-99 my wife and I purchased a 3 bedroom apartment off the Hope Road area in Kingston, a decent area and the housing market in Jamaica was different from what it is now. I have no regrets, especially now we Have children and whenever we come to Jamaica this is home and we don’t have to stay in a hotel or B&B.
@@MontegoBayTechTalk thanks for your input. Yes, at the time it was a huge sacrifice, I was told by some that I was hanging my hat higher than I can reach it. However I am now happy we made that investment. One love from NYC.
@@haddingtoniangcp2464 thanks for your input. Even though I don’t know your financial situation, I somewhat disagree, Hope springs eternal my friend. Once you can dream it, you can achieve it. As I said in my prior comment, we made great sacrifices at the time and it wasn’t easy for us then as a young couple, I actually worked abroad for several years going back and forth in order to achieve that home purchase dream, because we decided that was where we wanted a home. So never say never, one love from NYC.
If your going to relocate to jamaica it's much more better/inexpensive to buy your own land and build your own house as it'll work out ALOTT!!! Cheaper than renting or buying an government owned home
A couple of major flaws overlooked when buying a home in Jamaica. Who maintains the roads. Always a battle between the local town authority who sometimes argue the sub-division is outside its jurisdiction, and the home owners claiming that as tax payers the roads should be the Council's responsibility. Note how flat the roads are. Nice when new. The builder is no longer responsible for maintenance once it's completed. This is one positive of buying in a gated community. The other flaw. There is typically no retention area to collect water in the event of flooding. So water settles on the flat road and the surface deteriorates being soaked through by standing water for long periods. One other dreadful area of discontent outside of a gated community with restrictions is having a neighbor who has numerous junk cars parked in front of their home and others who have no desire to maintain the condition of the property. You're exposing me to some interesting things about my country that I never knew about or existed. I love your channel and content. Thanks.
Water service and supply can be an even larger issue than roads, and can affect day to day life, so should also perhaps be touched upon in any future episodes about housing.
Love, love!! Thank you. I was married in Jamaica in ‘03. We visit yearly. I dearly love Jamaica and it’s my dream to retire there. Thank you for the video.
Excellent Video! What amazes me, is that it takes-a Truly Jamaican- None Jamaican, to shed these types of positive lights on my beautiful homeland. A good percentage (small, but loud as they may be) of Jamaican living on the island (with their careless attitudes towards it’s beauty) do very little to do the same. That also goes for Jamaican Immigrants living overseas, who spews negativity about their homeland in order appease, assimilate.
The ones who speak negatively are the one who have never been outside of their community. Example if you have lived in Tivoli, Arnette Gardens and poor communities that are totally shut off from the rich.
We really appreciate the videos you do. You are highlighting our country giving us positive media coverage. I enjoy the videos and appreciate the time and effort you put into each one. Especially love this one because we love real estate!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I see some people are against gated communities , but not all gated communities are equal. For example, there is an up and coming gated community in Lacovia ,St.Elizabeth called Palmbrook Estate , 10 mins drive from Jamaica Zoo, there you can buy from 1/4 acre up and design and build to your liking. The covenant is not strict, you are allowed to go 2 floors up and your fence should be no taller than 4 feet. You can expand and paint in any colour. There will be a sports park, clubhouse , a communal fruit orchard, fruit for the residents to enjoy, areas reserved for commercial shops, a garbage hut, where residents put their garbage for collection, a Well so when NWC is off, you will still have water. Gated are not prisons, you have your freedom as if you build/buy elsewhere . I prefer this type of gated to Richmond, where you cant expand or change the colour of the outside of your prop. But, to each their own , I know for some people gated is a no, no
I kept an apartment in Rhyne Park because it was cheaper to keep than staying in a hotel when I'm home. I love the community because of it's closeness to Montego Bay shopping areas and my family
Thank you for showing a much more positive and accurate depiction of Jamaica and housing there. My grandmother was from Jamaica and moved to London, I'm English but want a home in my grandmother's motherland and this video was a great help and starter. Thank you again for the positive representation, Jamaica is beautiful and full of energy and love. Blessings 💗🙏🏽
Irina, respek! Information and education, love the content. You may add the town of Falmouth to the list of destinations. It has the youngest and at the very least, one of the largest cruise ports capable of accommodating mega cruise liners, and possessing its fair share of historically preserved Georgian-style architecture.
Irina, excellent investigative journalism as we all come to expect from you! Thanks a million for dispelling the main negative stereotype of how Jamaicans live! I love and enjoy all that you do here!
Thank you again, and again Irina, and that realtor as well. I personally is not a fan of a gated community or an apartment. My goal is to take as much people to Jamaica as possible, and also to be able to plant fruits and vegetables for my household, and to expand as i see fit so those mentioned option would not help me. I also cringed at the fact that i would have to pay maintenance for my home forever.
Love and appreciate this video, thank you for doing this!! I get very defensive here in the US, and always having to explain that what is depicted in the media is not all of Jamaica. And that is why I don’t watch Ras Kitchen (Mokko), I know that’s their life and way of living, but the message they are sending probably without knowledge is not a good representation of the entire country, and they should have that disclaimer.
The media portrays Jamaica as poor but what viewers dont realize is that the housing they see in videos are for ambience and to portray the rough neck of the citizen but those dancers and singers and actors dont live in those areas and have their security guards with them and also a lot of them are from overseas and are there on assignment
Thank you for informing the masses. Although you did a great job, I still feel like you didn’t capture just how awe inspiring some neighbours are, especially in Montego Bay. It’s just that beautiful. A camera production doesn’t do it justice but you did well 👏.
..watched your videos for a while but never replied😢😅😅..... ..i adore your unbiased view, that is a hard line to walk cause we all have innate biases.. .........i love everything you do, you are a lovely human being🔥💖😋😅
Great information love your videos. I remember when I brought my son age 3, when he saw the apartment building's he said," he do not want to stay in any of them," luckily for him he is now 28 and he did get his wish. So saying that to say we live good back home, cannot forget the good life we use to enjoyed as a child. Thanks for giving us this video.
Jamaican will travel overseas and spend years make their fortune and have a great time, even procreate. But at the end of the day we always move back home. Home is where we are at peak strength. If you are of Jamaican decent it's not a maybe, you will be drawn to the country. It is irritating when overseas when someone know you're jamaican they ask you for weed or think you a fearless killer or some dare devil. I hurts how people depict Jamaica as a bad place full of angry people that fight over everything when that's not the case. Miss continue to do the good work and show the good in our country. Out of many one people, you are a living testament to that.
WOW...Thank you so much for this very wonderful & Informative video, As a Jamaican it really got under my skin with all the negative portrayal of our country, our people & our living conditions, what a lot of people don't understand or refuse to believe there are ghettos in every country on the face of this Earth, But I can assure you our small Island is far more than just ghettos & crimes it's a very BEAUTIFUL & UNIQUE PLACE, once again thank you so much for the wonderful video. NOTE: New Subscriber
Thanks again Irina for this informative vlog.I know all about the type of homes tthere,but thank you for making those living abroad aware that our Island is diverse and that they should avoid stereotypes.I myself is in the process of building my own home designed by me to cater for my needs in Petersfield just outside Sav La _Mar. Its not too distant from Negril but affords the privilege ofvusing the resorts like people living outside the country would do.The best of both worlds I'd say.Once sgain Irina you are our excellent Island promoter.You slways tell it like it is.God bless you,Good health you you and your family and my felloe Jamaicans.Muchove from the UK.
Excellently presented synopsis on this subject thoroughly enjoyed it you mention more to come please could you include steps to buy a house cash without mortgage am retired and want come live in the the country of my birth I have not seen anything on RUclips on this topic. Thank you for bring an objective view of Jamaica
Nichola showed me some properties for rent a few years back now I am ready to buy and will definitely use her. Professional, knowledgeable, thorough & nice can’t say enough good things about her.
Thank you Irie and Nicole, very informative video. I live in Kingston and the standard of living is pretty good. Apartment complexes are being constructed every where and the quality is really superior.
I’m from Belize 🇧🇿 but I like to watch your videos just to see how we compare to another Caribbean country that’s only 700 miles away. I just found out about your channel today and have already watched 5 videos. Great job👏🏽
Nice to see they appreciate lawns and trees without feeling the need to smother everything in concrete. The realtor isreally knowledgeable. The graphics with the house prices is excellent. Good job.
Tourist areas also have easier access to services and better infrastructure which raises the standard of living and prices. Like most places around the world, right now, there's a lack of affordable housing even with NHT . Prices are not reflective of average wages , yet there's a mantra of FOMO ( fear of missing out) before prices go up even more, being pushed by whoever is to financially gain. In the meantime, there's alot of frustration for the average person with average income.
you do such a great job. in future videos please compare parishes for someone wanting to come and live in jamaica temporarily (considering job opportunities as well)
When I tell my friends that I grew up in a large house in Jamaica with 7 bedrooms, a huge veranda with driveway and car park, a huge lawn in front plus a huge backyard so large that we used to play table tennis outside, plus various fruit trees (mangoes, apples, ackee, grapefruit, plums), plus a tool shed, plus a sewing room inside the house, with a large living room, three bathrooms, etc, they all think I must be rich. I tell them no, that's just a typical middle-class home in Jamaica. Then when I tell them we had a helper (maid), a gardener plus a handyman, used to throw large parties at the end of school year to coincide with the famous high school barbecues (are those still a thing?), etc, they think my parents must have been millionaires. I laugh and tell them, no, that's your average middle-class lifestyle in Jamaica. Then when I tell that we used to take leisurely outings to the countryside, that I used to go camping every summer, drive to the beaches and have the best grilled seafood, or drive to Montego Bay to spend a day at some resort, they think I must be telling them fairy tales, for this type of lifestyle in the US is only available to the rich. I tell them that about half the Jamaicans living in the US have had to adjust to a significant downgrade in their lifestyle upon migrating to the US. The biggest shock they get is when arriving in NY only to live in tiny, stuffy, run-down apartments in the Bronx or Queens.
Growing up as a child in Jamaica, I thought life was supremely comfortable in my coddled middle-class existence, until I started getting invited to birthday parties by my schoolmates at Wolmer's. Many of them came from wealthy backgrounds and lived in huge mansions on the hills. One particular birthday party by a schoolmate who lived in Stony Hills still lives as an unforgettable moment to this day in my mind. I've never seen such a lavish house with a more luxurious lifestyle in all my travels around the world. That birthday party really opened my eyes as to how rich people in Jamaica live!
I rate this comment. Thanks for being real.
I must say your family was rich lol, it is certainly not the norm
Well said…….I couldn’t agree with you more.
Same here man i got an irrevocable downgrade in my lifestyle when i moved here. Matter of fact i asked to be sent back home.
@@bread90210 how would you know
That's how I live in Jamaica,like a king.I will live nowhere else.
I'll soon join you😅
eee no jk
My "Goal" is to someday live back there (even if only half the time), in my "Country" Village where I grew up, and in the house where I was raised. My mom and sister have turned that house into something Amazing, over the years.
Me too girl.
Jamaica no problem. Over 30 years and I have never witness any violence ,I only see it on the news. I sleep with my doors open ,just of to give thanks everyday
All I can say iris is this. You are a blessing to JA. People have so much stereotypes of not just Jamaica but The Africa continent itself. They really believe most of Jamaicans live in homes and communities like what they see in some of these movies or RUclips. I tell you this. I have not come across any indigenous Jamaican bloggers who have ever presented JA the way you do. If they exist I want to know. Thank you, thank you, thank you for every video you put out on JA your smashing the negative stereotypes of how the world see Jamaica 🇯🇲. Well done👏👏👏👏👏👏👌👍
She actually does her research. She's doing a great job.
I have seen skyscrapers in Africa to rival many in the West
The Delpratt Family channel abd Realtor Adrian as well as PJ Ebanks (a draughtsman) are 3 Jamaican channels where locals are telling you and showing you positives that are real life for many at whatever price level.
Mtm you tube channel will show you another lifestyle in Jamaica
@@smorris7864 your absolutely correct about MTM. I am a proud subscriber to their channel.
Jamaica is about three countries in one.
Once again, Irina gives us the real stuff on Jamaica. I call her Jamaica's best tour guide!
@BRUCE PORTMORE
It's called approach. Some people see the 'glass' half full; others, half empty!
I agree, Irina is the best.
Sorry to hear that the original people of Jamaica really do not know how to promote their own country other than to music and to witness the new dance craves! Jamaica you can do better?
Dis Bredda up here mstnt say dat bout Yard ppl. Irene, she a Yard girl Now n Love Up YARD n do har tng. Blessings 4 dat. Othr Yard ppl do it 2. She 1st. Dat No Matter. She a Yard girl Now. She Lv YARD. Ana Ntng. She Lv har cntry n othr cntry 2. Ana Ntng.
@@zopound94
There's SOMETHING you don't KNOW about Jamaicans: once they EMBRACE you, it doesn't matter where you're from originally, to them she's Jamaican NOW!!
Please, DON'T try to 'rock the boat', for they'll DUMP you in the sea, lol!!😁
It's just ONE LOVE with Irina - Out of Many ONE People!!
P.S. Irina has become a part of the body (Jamaica). Once a part of the body that's just what you're!!💯
🌹Many called, chosen are few.
🌹Much known having paid dues.
🌹Own, rent, or whatever pursue.
🌹One, two or 3 bedrooms stew.
🌹Irene network, her info crew.
🌹Link in box, if you chose to do.
🌹Time is money, we know is true.
🇯🇲THE PROMISED LAND 🇯🇲
Live in England for 21 yrs. knows exactly what u talking about. Coming from a 6 bedrooms 3 bathrooms house in Jamaica. England was a huge culture shock for me, when I came here
Should cover the wealthy and middle class areas of Kingstown and Mobay. Truly enjoyed the video. Bless
Wow... thank you for showing the beauty of jamaica ..I wouldn't want to live in gated community...I want my private place to plant my mango and breadfruit etc tress to be free...thank you Jesus for free life ...good job...God bless
Loved this but a lot of homes are built by Jamaicans who buy their land and build over the span of 10 years sometimes. Great content.
That was the norm, back then people never had mortgages, today however, the younger generation don't seem to have the patients for that, besides, now with all developments they can just get mortgage, find a home and just move in ... no need to deal with contractors and ever changing prices of material and government red tape.
@@karenr3355 thanks for that info
@@karenr3355 the buying of pre made homes are an option for some. I think when I am ready I will be building as well.
Yes
@Mandy Gee gotta set your goal and start with the 1st dollar. Meds-ing the entire cost will overwhelm and discourage you...bless 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Big up to Nicola for co-hosting this episode! I hope she gets a ton of business from this video!!!!
Booo to the other realtors! You missed the boat!!! 😂
Great video, Irie!
Please remember, not everyone is good in front of a camera
Nicola you is the one I will find.. you took the time ....bless up.
Nicola is great on camera, but we were very disappointed in dealing with her as a realtor.
@@nadiyaandrus952 why?
@@iamisaidi Then learn the art of being in front of a camera.......this is one reason others come and move ahead......
There are lots of beautiful home in Jamaica bless up
Thanks Irene. This is a true representative of Jamaica. One day do a video on homes in the hills of St..Andrew if you'll find someone who would allow you access. We Jamaicans are private about where we live
I can't wait to move back home.
My sentiments exactly
Me too 🇯🇲
Take good care.
Same here
I am curios about long term rentals or leases on properties. Say lease a house or apartment for 3 to 5 years. Is there a market for that...
Thanks for setting the haters straight! Jamaica has homes that no where else does and Jamaican build stronger homes that anywhere else.
THANK YOU AGAIN ANOTHER GREAT PRODUCTION, THE POOREST PERSON IN JAMAICA IS A CAPITALIST , I WOULD SUGGEST TO ALL JAMAICAN OUTSIDE OF JAMAICA TO STOP WATCHING THOSE NEGATIVES VIDEOS
I love this lady! I've spoked about the same topic before on the way they always portray Jamaica like everyone live in a little shack.
60 percent are don't make look like it's not the truth even if your middle class you still struggle because most people are paying mortgage for 30yrs with low paying income
Thanks for this video, outsiders don't think Jamaica have a fabulous house and the rich do live there
I noticed that not only rich people live in fabulous houses, but middle income and low income people too. It's just that usually people with low income build a house over a long period of time (like 10 years), rather than buying it.
Irina, this is your best production by far. Jamaica is small, but not that small; so many different ares to live. That realtor is knowledgeable, I might have to contact her.
I can understand why some persons would want to live in a gated community, but I would not want to spend MY MONEY to buy MY house, and then someone going to tell me that I CAN'T even change the HOUSE COLOR!!! and if my family grows and I need more space, I can't do ANY ADDITIONS to MY HOUSE. KMT! No thanks!
Not all gated community are like that some you can expand
That's why you have choices. Some folks don't mind the restrictions because it maintains uniformity and standard, therefore the area will always be in a pristine condition to help keep the value of their investment.
@@kingpinoutlow8105 yup. Agree. Quite a few allows this. However, there are rules to abide by but nothing onerous to prevent you from achieving what you want.
I lived in Garden City Kansas for about 3 years back in the late 1990s, and now I live in Jamaica. 😂
So right Irina!!!, gated community home ownership makes so much more sense for someone like me living partially abroad.
Why there's thumbs down on on this well informative information, can anyone explain what is native about showing Jamaica true colours ,
Can't wait to see more about my land of birth, keep on doing your thing, I like your showcase on BEAUTIFUL JAMAICA,
my home in Kingston is in a partially gated housing scheme and i love it
You never disappoint. Thanks!
Yay! The long awaited video 💃🏼💃🏼
Thanks lady. ❤️
Live in Jamaica. Have lived in gated and open. Much prefer open non gated. Lived in Lagoons, Ironshore, and now Kingston. Great video. Keep it up. D
Another great vids...hope this wipe away all that bs stereotypical view of Jamaicans living..thank you again. 🇯🇲❤
You are special to Jamaica. No body has been so honest and objective of what the real Jamaica really looks like.
Thanks again Irvine for showcasing that which is good about Jamaica…that’s why Jamaica will always be my home in spite of the myriad of challenges….
Absolutely.
The house value by location was spot on too.....proud Jamaican here.....Great job
As I Jamaican i am proud that you represent my country so well, thank you🙏🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
Jamaican as some beautiful homes
Great content Irina. Doing a great job dispelling the myths and showcasing Jamaica realistically 😊
I love you, am a jamaican living in Antigua. But I visit every year.
Grew up in Mandeville. Can't believe how much it's gone big time.
Well know for it's cool climate, large lotted communities, quietness, yet lots of businesses and amenities, government services, churches, still not too far from the beaches, reasonable drive from Kingston, and a rich history.
Thanks for informing, as well as filling the gap missing in some areas about homes in Jamaica.
The images of delapidated homes can be discouraging for local people, who see otherwise.
Many years ago, a relative of mine was in the local media. At this time there were islandwide
demonstrations about high gasoline prices.
CBS television (U.S.A.) sent a film crew down to report on the matter. My relative met some of them
& mentioned they would not find much excitement because the protests were largely peaceful and
no crowds to speak of were clogging the streets.
He was told the film crew could not return with mundane footage. They ignored the typical areas,
found ghettos and aired burning tyres and menacing behaviour, as though the whole island was
on the verge of chaos.
Some local media people & civil servants, thought it was the height of irresponsibility.
And things like that is why I would not make the US my final stop. Loving Irina for this video. She's Eastern European like my husband they are sensible down to earth people, they know how to adjust and handle life.
Excellent Video. Rural in the hills is my thing. Safety is a priority but I want to see fruit trees on my land, Bananas, Mango, Jack fruit, etc. The restrictions of gated community can be stifling. Costs are now put of control in Jamaica though.
Hi Irie good video about Jamaica 🇯🇲 love 💘 your video
So glad I found your channel! I’m a Jamaican National who left thirty years ago and who is considering returning home. Thank you for the excellent overviews.
Jamaica and the Caribbean in general have severely overpriced homes and they don't build much for the locals working in the country. The situation is quite sad especially when as a Jamaica you go to other developing nations in Latin America and Asia and you realize how much affordable housing is.
This true
But is it overpriced if people are buying at that price?
As a Canadian, Jamaica is one the cheapest places in the world to buy a house. I'm not sure how housing prices measure up to the income of the average Jamaican person, but the price of a mansion in Jamaica is 200,000 CAD while the price of a mansion in Canada is 4.5 million CAD. And you can buy that relatively cheap house in a nice area. A nice house in a good area in Asia or anywhere in Latin America is about the same as it is in Canada.
@@Ilikefrogs.. Mia what you just stated is completely off. You can't get a mansion in Jamaica for $200,000 cad, just stop it. They're selling old 3 bedroom homes in Kingston for $250-300k USD in mediocre neighbourhoods & it's closer to $500-600k for a home in the middle class areas and upwards of a million in the nicer ones.
The only places with cheap housing in Jamaica are areas that nobody wants to live because it's far from where you work, have no hospitals, schools or crappy ones close by and surely no nightlife or good supermarkets etc. Buying a 3-4 bedroom home in the countryside aka bush for $200k Canadian isn't worth the money.
You really need to search housing prices in Latin America and South East Asia because you clearly don't know what you're talking about. Even as a tourist i can get a nice 1 bedroom apartment inclusive of utilities for $400-500/month in Latin America and for $300/month i can get an apartment with a gym, pool etc in Thailand/Phillipines.
You don't know these markets because you live in the first world and you don't vacation in these places hence you're comparing Jamaican prices to Canadian which is asinine considering Canadians get 10-20x the wages we get here in Jamaica. You have to compare Jamaican housing prices to countries with similar wages to gauge how expensive or cheap the real estate is and ours are severely overpriced when you do the correct comparison.
@@Ilikefrogs..
The average income for Jamaican is 1USD a hour
Whenever I visit jamaica and stay with friends I get so accustom to the large room sizes that it takes me awhile to readjust to the smaller rooms in the UK. Its interesting that more apartments are being built which not only is due to availability of land, it also reflects changing tastes. Like everywhere in the world the lower working classes have been left out. its good to see The prime minister challenge architects to design affordable housing for the lower working class. Looking forward to the next episode on housing.
My wife's room in Jamaica is the biggest I've been in. Roughly, it would hold 100 people standing shoulder to shoulder in a row of ten. Wayyyy bigger than mine in London.
Thank you so much for pointing out the stereotypes portrayed by media. It’s infuriating to say the least.
Top notch video! Some areas do not have reliable telecommunications, shopping or transportation. God Bless Jamaica and Irie🙏
Excellent video Irina!
one point each gated community have its own regulation so u can choose one that apply best to u it terms of the freedom you would like. The one i live in has a lot of freedom i can do additions to the side , back, on top and to the front up to a certain parameter. i only have to keep the same colour. your in charge of maintaining your own property. maintaince fee is affordable abt 15USD. there is no pool though only common areas. it also has automatic gate u can let yourself in and security and cameras to screen visitors. visitors gate is separate with an intercom to screen them before granting access. it's nice to know that there can be no surprise visits to your home.
Risha, great additional info. Thanks
@@trevorsteer7331 h it I’m no u J my p
Jamaica land we love.Much thanks Irene for another great video.
I love my people 🇯🇲 🥰🥰 my dad's from the island
It's so funny to me, I am in corporate Jamaica and work with allot of other nationalities and they seem amazed when they come here and see how most Jamaicans live. I have heard from my Indian colleagues that they thought we lived in huts and trees let alone to see us in mansions and driving the vehicles we drive..🤯
Those are illiterate people who are not well read.
@@NATURALMYSTICMK its funny coming from indians lol
Look how they live in india/cities. Who are they to talk ...smh
because the media put it like that many times unless they are catering to tourism then you would see otherwise
No sah. Indians making those comments? No man. They really are sheltered.
Ocho Rios and Montego Bay have similar price value for homes. The only difference is Montego Bay had the airport, so the prices there might be a little higher than Ocho Rios. On the other hand, I think Ocho Rios is more exclusive, especially for international celebrities and royalties . Just my opinion!!!!!
True , But Mobay is way bigger than Ochi. its more isolated places on the outskirts of Ochi maybe
We are based in Ocho Rios during the Winter months. We over look the cruise ship terminal & beach from our condo at Columbus Hedights/Skycastles. We have traveled all over Jamaica but like Ocho Rios as we find it meets all our needs and we don't need a car - beach, shopping, restaurants, fresh fish, groceries, bars etc.
@@Porscheman1 how are condo prices in ocho Rios? We just spent a week at sandals ochi and loved the area and people.
@@lewisr7700 - condo prices are really inexpensive. We pay just under $1800 a month for 2 story, 2 bed, 2.5 bath condo with a gazebo and roof top terrace. We can easily sleep 6. We know both Sandals properties well. But try Couples Sans Souci as our fav beach is next door "Pleasure Cove"...a lot of people from Sans Souci come visit.
@@Porscheman1 thank you so much for your reply. I will check into it.
Irie the media all way show Jamaica 🇯🇲 in a bad way thank you the good video from Jamaica wee got better house in Jamaica than us and UK I live here in Albany NY thay think. Jamaica only have hut 🛖 Jamaica to the world 🌎
But Jamaiican music especially dancehall show those as well, so we cannot put all the blame on foreign medias
@@phillyyardyvibes808 agree, it’s like they’ve been singing about poverty since I was a kid and still they’re broke
Great video Irie. Back in 1998-99 my wife and I purchased a 3 bedroom apartment off the Hope Road area in Kingston, a decent area and the housing market in Jamaica was different from what it is now. I have no regrets, especially now we Have children and whenever we come to Jamaica this is home and we don’t have to stay in a hotel or B&B.
Hope Road prices going to be crazy now, that was an excellent investment.
@@MontegoBayTechTalk thanks for your input. Yes, at the time it was a huge sacrifice, I was told by some that I was hanging my hat higher than I can reach it. However I am now happy we made that investment. One love from NYC.
I'm happy for you. My dream is to own a property on Hope Road. With my money, I think it will be just that: a dream. Sigh
@@haddingtoniangcp2464 thanks for your input. Even though I don’t know your financial situation, I somewhat disagree, Hope springs eternal my friend. Once you can dream it, you can achieve it. As I said in my prior comment, we made great sacrifices at the time and it wasn’t easy for us then as a young couple, I actually worked abroad for several years going back and forth in order to achieve that home purchase dream, because we decided that was where we wanted a home. So never say never, one love from NYC.
@@johnl6838 thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I'll take it aboard and work towards my dream. Much love from London
thank you so much... I have tried for years to explain what you put so simply and eloquent in a 20 min video
If your going to relocate to jamaica it's much more better/inexpensive to buy your own land and build your own house as it'll work out ALOTT!!! Cheaper than renting or buying an government owned home
A pal bought land for 2mill. That's £12k. Expensive!
Not at all. Price is dependent on location location not just in Jamaica
Well done iris❤
A couple of major flaws overlooked when buying a home in Jamaica. Who maintains the roads. Always a battle between the local town authority who sometimes argue the sub-division is outside its jurisdiction, and the home owners claiming that as tax payers the roads should be the Council's responsibility. Note how flat the roads are. Nice when new. The builder is no longer responsible for maintenance once it's completed. This is one positive of buying in a gated community. The other flaw. There is typically no retention area to collect water in the event of flooding. So water settles on the flat road and the surface deteriorates being soaked through by standing water for long periods. One other dreadful area of discontent outside of a gated community with restrictions is having a neighbor who has numerous junk cars parked in front of their home and others who have no desire to maintain the condition of the property. You're exposing me to some interesting things about my country that I never knew about or existed. I love your channel and content. Thanks.
Water service and supply can be an even larger issue than roads, and can affect day to day life, so should also perhaps be touched upon in any future episodes about housing.
I am glad that you mentioned the roads. The homes in many places are very beautiful but the roads to get to them can be very deplorable.
@@ilasterling8536 that is the word for it, yes.
Love, love!! Thank you. I was married in Jamaica in ‘03. We visit yearly. I dearly love Jamaica and it’s my dream to retire there. Thank you for the video.
Excellent Video! What amazes me, is that it takes-a Truly Jamaican- None Jamaican, to shed these types of positive lights on my beautiful homeland. A good percentage (small, but loud as they may be) of Jamaican living on the island (with their careless attitudes towards it’s beauty) do very little to do the same.
That also goes for Jamaican Immigrants living overseas, who spews negativity about their homeland in order appease, assimilate.
The ones who speak negatively are the one who have never been outside of their community.
Example if you have lived in Tivoli, Arnette Gardens and poor communities that are totally shut off from the rich.
My Ukrainian Jamaican sister, you are doing a wonderful work for Jamaica, very positive and inspirational 👍🏿🙏 blessed love.
Once again IRIE very informative video. 👍👍🇬🇧🇯🇲
Ate you aware that you have the BEST channel on Jamaica on ANY platform??🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲❤🖤💚💛❤
I love you girl, thank you very much for highlighting the way Jamaicans really live, Jamaica have some of the most beautiful homes.
Well done Bella Irina💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥
The best and most reliable info on *Jamaica* by far 👏👌🙌👍
The guest host was terrific, I would definitely use her for a Jamaica home purchaser
Thank you for showing Jamaica the way it should portray
I think my wife need to give you a talk, you are stealing her husband heart to love Jamaica more😁😁😁😁😁😊😊😊
I enjoyed this post immensely. Straightforward and non-patronising; a welcome tonic.
I am Jamaican living in the diaspora. I would certainly prefer to live in a gated residence😊
Enjoyed growing up in Jamaica. Love it and still do. Love the vibes
We really appreciate the videos you do. You are highlighting our country giving us positive media coverage. I enjoy the videos and appreciate the time and effort you put into each one. Especially love this one because we love real estate!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I see some people are against gated communities , but not all gated communities are equal. For example, there is an up and coming gated community in Lacovia ,St.Elizabeth called Palmbrook Estate , 10 mins drive from Jamaica Zoo, there you can buy from 1/4 acre up and design and build to your liking. The covenant is not strict, you are allowed to go 2 floors up and your fence should be no taller than 4 feet. You can expand and paint in any colour. There will be a sports park, clubhouse , a communal fruit orchard, fruit for the residents to enjoy, areas reserved for commercial shops, a garbage hut, where residents put their garbage for collection, a Well so when NWC is off, you will still have water. Gated are not prisons, you have your freedom as if you build/buy elsewhere . I prefer this type of gated to Richmond, where you cant expand or change the colour of the outside of your prop. But, to each their own , I know for some people gated is a no, no
I kept an apartment in Rhyne Park because it was cheaper to keep than staying in a hotel when I'm home. I love the community because of it's closeness to Montego Bay shopping areas and my family
Thank you for showing a much more positive and accurate depiction of Jamaica and housing there. My grandmother was from Jamaica and moved to London, I'm English but want a home in my grandmother's motherland and this video was a great help and starter. Thank you again for the positive representation, Jamaica is beautiful and full of energy and love. Blessings 💗🙏🏽
Another amazing and informative coverage. I prefer not gated community for space and freedom.
Irina, respek!
Information and education, love the content.
You may add the town of Falmouth to the list of destinations. It has the youngest and at the very least, one of the largest cruise ports capable of accommodating mega cruise liners, and possessing its fair share of historically preserved Georgian-style architecture.
Irina, excellent investigative journalism as we all come to expect from you! Thanks a million for dispelling the main negative stereotype of how Jamaicans live! I love and enjoy all that you do here!
Thank you again, and again Irina, and that realtor as well. I personally is not a fan of a gated community or an apartment. My goal is to take as much people to Jamaica as possible, and also to be able to plant fruits and vegetables for my household, and to expand as i see fit so those mentioned option would not help me. I also cringed at the fact that i would have to pay maintenance for my home forever.
Thanks again Irina for another great video. I’m particularly excited about this series as I plan to move to MoBay I’m 4 years 😍
Love and appreciate this video, thank you for doing this!! I get very defensive here in the US, and always having to explain that what is depicted in the media is not all of Jamaica. And that is why I don’t watch Ras Kitchen (Mokko), I know that’s their life and way of living, but the message they are sending probably without knowledge is not a good representation of the entire country, and they should have that disclaimer.
That is not his culture, he his just poor!
The media portrays Jamaica as poor but what viewers dont realize is that the housing they see in videos are for ambience and to portray the rough neck of the citizen but those dancers and singers and actors dont live in those areas and have their security guards with them and also a lot of them are from overseas and are there on assignment
WOW ... you are so right Irina
Thank you for informing the masses. Although you did a great job, I still feel like you didn’t capture just how awe inspiring some neighbours are, especially in Montego Bay. It’s just that beautiful. A camera production doesn’t do it justice but you did well 👏.
..watched your videos for a while but never replied😢😅😅.....
..i adore your unbiased view, that is a hard line to walk cause we all have innate biases..
.........i love everything you do, you are a lovely human being🔥💖😋😅
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support! 💕🙏
Great information love your videos. I remember when I brought my son age 3, when he saw the apartment building's he said," he do not want to stay in any of them," luckily for him he is now 28 and he did get his wish. So saying that to say we live good back home, cannot forget the good life we use to enjoyed as a child. Thanks for giving us this video.
Jamaican will travel overseas and spend years make their fortune and have a great time, even procreate. But at the end of the day we always move back home. Home is where we are at peak strength. If you are of Jamaican decent it's not a maybe, you will be drawn to the country. It is irritating when overseas when someone know you're jamaican they ask you for weed or think you a fearless killer or some dare devil. I hurts how people depict Jamaica as a bad place full of angry people that fight over everything when that's not the case. Miss continue to do the good work and show the good in our country. Out of many one people, you are a living testament to that.
WOW...Thank you so much for this very wonderful & Informative video, As a Jamaican it really got under my skin with all the negative portrayal of our country, our people & our living conditions, what a lot of people don't understand or refuse to believe there are ghettos in every country on the face of this Earth, But I can assure you our small Island is far more than just ghettos & crimes it's a very BEAUTIFUL & UNIQUE PLACE, once again thank you so much for the wonderful video.
NOTE: New Subscriber
I prefer living outside gated community they don't have enough land space that I want
Also I want to design my house
Thanks again Irina for this informative vlog.I know all about the type of homes tthere,but thank you for making those living abroad aware that our Island is diverse and that they should avoid stereotypes.I myself is in the process of building my own home designed by me to cater for my needs in Petersfield just outside Sav La _Mar. Its not too distant from Negril but affords the privilege ofvusing the resorts like people living outside the country would do.The best of both worlds I'd say.Once sgain Irina you are our excellent Island promoter.You slways tell it like it is.God bless you,Good health you you and your family and my felloe Jamaicans.Muchove from the UK.
Hi good lady how did you purchase your land a start building in Negril area of San le mar
Excellently presented synopsis on this subject thoroughly enjoyed it you mention more to come please could you include steps to buy a house cash without mortgage am retired and want come live in the the country of my birth I have not seen anything on RUclips on this topic. Thank you for bring an objective view of Jamaica
Work with a realtor to find the right property for you. It's that simple.
Nichola showed me some properties for rent a few years back now I am ready to buy and will definitely use her. Professional, knowledgeable, thorough & nice can’t say enough good things about her.
Thank you for always informing us about this beautiful island. Love love all your videos
Thank you Irie and Nicole, very informative video. I live in Kingston and the standard of living is pretty good. Apartment complexes are being constructed every where and the quality is really superior.
Awesome video. You should do one about purchasing land and the cost of building your own house. Ie rules, regulations, price
Thank you! Yes, there will be more videos, one on how to buy a house, and two more: on land and how to build a house.
I’m from Belize 🇧🇿 but I like to watch your videos just to see how we compare to another Caribbean country that’s only 700 miles away. I just found out about your channel today and have already watched 5 videos. Great job👏🏽
Nice to see they appreciate lawns and trees without feeling the need to smother everything in concrete.
The realtor isreally knowledgeable. The graphics with the house prices is excellent. Good job.
Tourist areas also have easier access to services and better infrastructure which raises the standard of living and prices. Like most places around the world, right now, there's a lack of affordable housing even with NHT . Prices are not reflective of average wages , yet there's a mantra of FOMO ( fear of missing out) before prices go up even more, being pushed by whoever is to financially gain. In the meantime, there's alot of frustration for the average person with average income.
true
If you keep on being negative you'll never make it in life.
True
@@warrenmorgan235 it's called realistic. I've already "made it"
Great, me too.
you do such a great job. in future videos please compare parishes for someone wanting to come and live in jamaica temporarily (considering job opportunities as well)
Thanks. Again for a excellent video
I love how you are loyalty & respect to Jamaica nd speak the true . L just find you channel nd l have to subscribe
Very informative..I love it and look forward to those to come
This is just excellent work. Love the map of how prices of real estate are broken down. Awesome.