Leaving Trinidad for good...

[agent007]

Right now, I’m at a crossroad. The question is, how long does T&T have again until we implode? The crime, corruption and nepotism etc are not very encouraging. Our infrastructure will continue to age and deteriorate, vehicles will continue to get more expensive just like real estate and food prices etc. the diminishing middle class would continue to make way either for the haves and have nots.

The positives are, we have generally great weather. We are a tropical twin-island nation after all and there are benefits of having 4 coast lines (especially access to the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean). 3/4 of the world don’t even know that we exist so in terms of international or diplomatic enemies, we have little to zero of that.

Our culture is still rich with a myriad of traditions that make us truly unique and we get to enjoy Carnival, lots of public holidays and lots of great tasting food. Our houses are built strong and we do have that mellow type of island life behavior.

So do we give up these good attributes to go live in another country to receive racism, to work harder because if you slip, you slide for sure? Do we go because your tax dollars are better well spent towards community uplifting? Do you really want to shovel snow to get access to your car that hasn’t been washed in weeks so that you can drive to work? Do you want to be in a country that half of the world hates? Are the prices of real estate and vehicles abroad that encouraging for us to leave our island home and life? .

Would you leave your aging parents behind? How would you feel that you’ve missed paying final respects to family, relatives and friends all because it was not logistically feasible to return home during that time. Missing birthdays, graduations, weddings etc. remember it is not feasible to jump in a place just so and fly to T&T for every little thing. There would be events that you will miss out on. Imagine you working in beastly cold weather whilst your relatives are in a beach house in mayaro playing beach cricket and having fun whilst you watching your work monitor in a multi story building that is paying for that nice ride you’ve got parked in the basement. You finish your quick WhatsApp call and thinking to yourself? What the hell I’m I doing?

I dunno, it’s a mixed bag of emotions but I just want your thoughts on what I mentioned above. I guess it all depends on our appetite for change and what exactly is driving us to permanently relocate and leave your former life behind. Some say, when you become a parent, it’s no longer about you but what is best for your child. Would the USA, Canada, UK and Australia be the kind of place to migrate to for your children’s sake? I know the aforementioned countries also have their own issues because even in a pre COVID world, those places were not exactly a bed of roses next to greener pastures.

And so my tuner friends, I know there’s more to add but I just wanted to share a portion of what I’m thinking as of late. What’s your revised take on this?

[zoom rader]

Right now, I’m at a crossroad. The question is, how long does T&T have again until we implode? The crime, corruption and nepotism etc are not very encouraging. Our infrastructure will continue to age and deteriorate, vehicles will continue to get more expensive just like real estate and food prices etc. the diminishing middle class would continue to make way either for the haves and have nots.

The positives are, we have generally great weather. We are a tropical twin-island nation after all and there are benefits of having 4 coast lines (especially access to the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean). 3/4 of the world don’t even know that we exist so in terms of international or diplomatic enemies, we have little to zero of that.

Our culture is still rich with a myriad of traditions that make us truly unique and we get to enjoy Carnival, lots of public holidays and lots of great tasting food. Our houses are built strong and we do have that mellow type of island life behavior.

So do we give up these good attributes to go live in another country to receive racism, to work harder because if you slip, you slide for sure? Do we go because your tax dollars are better well spent towards community uplifting? Do you really want to shovel snow to get access to your car that hasn’t been washed in weeks so that you can drive to work? Do you want to be in a country that half of the world hates? Are the prices of real estate and vehicles abroad that encouraging for us to leave our island home and life? .

Would you leave your aging parents behind? How would you feel that you’ve missed paying final respects to family, relatives and friends all because it was not logistically feasible to return home during that time. Missing birthdays, graduations, weddings etc. remember it is not feasible to jump in a place just so and fly to T&T for every little thing. There would be events that you will miss out on. Imagine you working in beastly cold weather whilst your relatives are in a beach house in mayaro playing beach cricket and having fun whilst you watching your work monitor in a multi story building that is paying for that nice ride you’ve got parked in the basement. You finish your quick WhatsApp call and thinking to yourself? What the hell I’m I doing?

I dunno, it’s a mixed bag of emotions but I just want your thoughts on what I mentioned above. I guess it all depends on our appetite for change and what exactly is driving us to permanently relocate and leave your former life behind. Some say, when you become a parent, it’s no longer about you but what is best for your child. Would the USA, Canada, UK and Australia be the kind of place to migrate to for your children’s sake? I know the aforementioned countries also have their own issues because even in a pre COVID world, those places were not exactly a bed of roses next to greener pastures.

And so my tuner friends, I know there’s more to add but I just wanted to share a portion of what I’m thinking as of late. What’s your revised take on this?

Trinidad does not have long again bro, start looking to move out . Even the smaller island enjoy a better lifestyle than ours.

[SuperiorMan]

Right now, I’m at a crossroad. The question is, how long does T&T have again until we implode? The crime, corruption and nepotism etc are not very encouraging. Our infrastructure will continue to age and deteriorate, vehicles will continue to get more expensive just like real estate and food prices etc. the diminishing middle class would continue to make way either for the haves and have nots.

The positives are, we have generally great weather. We are a tropical twin-island nation after all and there are benefits of having 4 coast lines (especially access to the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean). 3/4 of the world don’t even know that we exist so in terms of international or diplomatic enemies, we have little to zero of that.

Our culture is still rich with a myriad of traditions that make us truly unique and we get to enjoy Carnival, lots of public holidays and lots of great tasting food. Our houses are built strong and we do have that mellow type of island life behavior.

So do we give up these good attributes to go live in another country to receive racism, to work harder because if you slip, you slide for sure? Do we go because your tax dollars are better well spent towards community uplifting? Do you really want to shovel snow to get access to your car that hasn’t been washed in weeks so that you can drive to work? Do you want to be in a country that half of the world hates? Are the prices of real estate and vehicles abroad that encouraging for us to leave our island home and life? .

Would you leave your aging parents behind? How would you feel that you’ve missed paying final respects to family, relatives and friends all because it was not logistically feasible to return home during that time. Missing birthdays, graduations, weddings etc. remember it is not feasible to jump in a place just so and fly to T&T for every little thing. There would be events that you will miss out on. Imagine you working in beastly cold weather whilst your relatives are in a beach house in mayaro playing beach cricket and having fun whilst you watching your work monitor in a multi story building that is paying for that nice ride you’ve got parked in the basement. You finish your quick WhatsApp call and thinking to yourself? What the hell I’m I doing?

I dunno, it’s a mixed bag of emotions but I just want your thoughts on what I mentioned above. I guess it all depends on our appetite for change and what exactly is driving us to permanently relocate and leave your former life behind. Some say, when you become a parent, it’s no longer about you but what is best for your child. Would the USA, Canada, UK and Australia be the kind of place to migrate to for your children’s sake? I know the aforementioned countries also have their own issues because even in a pre COVID world, those places were not exactly a bed of roses next to greener pastures.

And so my tuner friends, I know there’s more to add but I just wanted to share a portion of what I’m thinking as of late. What’s your revised take on this?

Trinidad does not have long again bro, start looking to move out . Even the smaller island enjoy a better lifestyle than ours.

.

[SuperiorMan]

Landed here 2 years ago and now I have a large 2 family house in a peaceful neighborhood, the tenants rent pays my mortgage. I drive a new Chevy Suburban. With all my success in T&T I would not have progressed this far in 2 years and I am not even working as hard.

This is good to hear. Like hearing stories like this. What state you at? Real estate market is bad in Trinidad. What kind of work you do?

[TheBoostLord]

Landed here 2 years ago and now I have a large 2 family house in a peaceful neighborhood, the tenants rent pays my mortgage. I drive a new Chevy Suburban. With all my success in T&T I would not have progressed this far in 2 years and I am not even working as hard.

This is good to hear. Like hearing stories like this. What state you at? Real estate market is bad in Trinidad. What kind of work you do?

He's upstate NY if i recall correctly. I heading out in about 4-5 months, Giving Houston a try.

[SuperiorMan]

Landed here 2 years ago and now I have a large 2 family house in a peaceful neighborhood, the tenants rent pays my mortgage. I drive a new Chevy Suburban. With all my success in T&T I would not have progressed this far in 2 years and I am not even working as hard.

This is good to hear. Like hearing stories like this. What state you at? Real estate market is bad in Trinidad. What kind of work you do?

He's upstate NY if i recall correctly. I heading out in about 4-5 months, Giving Houston a try.

How's the real estate there?

[Gladiator]

Trinidad in such a mess you cant even get your money changed to USD if you want to sell everything and leave....

[Redress10]

Joining the line fellas. Considering North America.

[shake d livin wake d dead]

Do trinis in the states/canada live a better life?

Once you have some $ to get you started and qualifications that they recognise...you have a foot across the line. Dont go there with nothing and hope to start the american dream one time

[MaxPower]

Do trinis in the states/canada live a better life?

Once you have some $ to get you started and qualifications that they recognise...you have a foot across the line. Dont go there with nothing and hope to start the american dream one time

Exactly,

The bare minimum wage salary is serious ketch ass life.

You will only be able to afford apartments looking similar or worse to dem Maloney apartments.

Trinis does watch too much television and feel America is this great land. It’s only when they go across they realize how hard it really is if their ass broke.

[The Bamboo Online]

Trinidad in such a mess you cant even get your money changed to USD if you want to sell everything and leave....

When I left I had to leave most of my money in the bank because of the limits but once outside the banks can’t really limit you I used my ATM card every day to pull out cash.

Had family who wanted to send money back home so I would take their USD cash and I would transfer cash out of my TTT bank account.

[Blaze d Chalice]

Trinis does watch too much television and feel America is this great land. It’s only when they go across they realize how hard it really is if their ass broke.

And then they will bawl 'racialism'

Joining the line fellas. Considering North America.

any specific reason for North America? I assuming you mean USA/CA or is Mexico included?

[timelapse]

Australia is an option.
When you finish, you can retire to a tropical island

[TheBoostLord]

Australia is an option.
When you finish, you can retire to a tropical island

some ppl actually like the cold weather. I do enjoy hooning a bit in snow and dressing in layers and being outside walking for a long time without sweating. wouldnt have a problem doing that for years to come.

[TheBoostLord]

Do trinis in the states/canada live a better life?

Once you have some $ to get you started and qualifications that they recognise...you have a foot across the line. Dont go there with nothing and hope to start the american dream one time

There is another option that many forget. Many immigrants from other countries go with nothing simply because its possible to build a prosperous life from nothing. Yeah minimum wage sucks but they only work until they have enough to start their own thing. Once you get to the point that you can clear expenses then the sky is the limit. If you are hardworking and motivated with a real goal then it can definitely work out for you, especially those with blue collar skills. In many instances America works for those that talk the talk and walk the walk rather than just relying on a piece of paper to get you jobs.

I would suggest NOT starting out in a high cost of living area. No LA or NYC or Miami. rent in other places is far more reasonable. everything else more or less follows. Most immigrants stick together in the same areas for support but also fear of failure. Only when you leave that comfort zone do you see and learn so much more and plenty times thats enough to get the ball rolling.

I've seen family members rent and struggle their entire lives, even with well paying jobs and I've also seen those that move out of state and buy homes in record time, living life very comfortably.

Land and homes are unbelievably cheap from a Trini standpoint once its outside of HCOL areas. I was checking out property just on the outskirts of Houston maybe 45mins from city centre. You can rent a whole house for about $900-$1200. Most were 1 acre lots with basic homes avg about $160kusd. Thats many times more achievable even on a 'meagre' salary of say 4000usd.

[turbo_beast369]

Anyone here awaiting USA immigrant visa interview letters? Since COVID the immigration process is taking way longer due to the backlogs from the temporary immigration bans on certain categories when trump had presidency. How's the process going for you all?

[Habit7]

I am not seeing anybody talking about the homesickness.

You can be the most successful immigrant ever, big house, nice car and best job. But when you remembering all your friends and family. Being around ppl who can relate to you. Having to worry about speaking clearly or adopting a fake accent. The food you are missing. How you took trini weather for granted. And many more.

Homesickness is real. Just because you spent a 2wks abroad before on holidays doesn't mean you know how months away from home feels. It can give you a bad depression. If you going anywhere, try to see if you can test it out for a few weeks or months first before you make the leap.

[TheBoostLord]

Anyone here awaiting USA immigrant visa interview letters? Since COVID the immigration process is taking way longer due to the backlogs from the temporary immigration bans on certain categories when trump had presidency. How's the process going for you all?

Embassy fb page gives regular updates, they all say that immigrant visas are still being processed but i guess slowdown is unavoidable

[Bad Dog]

I migrated 35 years ago for the good and faced the bad and the ugly.

Trinidad is good for all the things mentioned; family, friends, holidays, fetes etc.
US/Canada/Australia is bad for all the things mentioned: cold weather, racial discriminations, dead end jobs, and loneliness.

When you decide to leave Trinidad and you weigh the pros and cons you would find that the grass is greener on the other side but reality quickly sets in as you arrive in your chosen destination. The friends and family that you depended on are too busy and engaged in their own world so you have to be prepared to do what is necessary to provide for your family. It is difficult to see your children suffer (new environment, missed friends and family the most) but you make the sacrifice to ensure that they are happy. Be prepared to be a bottom feeder but not a licker (swallow your ego). You take any kind of work that is available even with much regret but it's a start to a better future . There are opportunities, set your goals and work to achieve them. As time goes by and you settle everything falls into place your children wouldn't miss anything from Trinidad as a matter of fact my children who were born in Trinidad does not want to visit for any of the good things and they have accepted all the bad things in their new homeland. They have great careers and are well respected by their peers.

I started at the bottom of the ladder, looked for better opportunities and ended my career in a great job. Lives in a great neighbourhood, drives a good car, has another good car for cruising and shows, now retired and still shovels the snow in winter.

Am I happy with the decision to migrate? YES!
Would I advise anyone to migrate? YES!
Would I do it all over again? YES!

[Redress10]

Joining the line fellas. Considering North America.

any specific reason for North America? I assuming you mean USA/CA or is Mexico included?[/quote]

Just the USA/CA.

Mainly for the weather and chance for diverse life. Have a uk passport but living there just don't appeal to me.ost of my friends out in LA and they enjoying life. Looks appealing.

[SuperiorMan]

Even the best parts of UK can't hold up to California.

It's always filthy, dirty roads, has narrow roads with lots of traffic, polluted (air pollution), and the houses are nothing you could get like in the US for the price. Also, weather in California is much better.

[SuperiorMan]

I migrated 35 years ago for the good and faced the bad and the ugly.

Trinidad is good for all the things mentioned; family, friends, holidays, fetes etc.
US/Canada/Australia is bad for all the things mentioned: cold weather, racial discriminations, dead end jobs, and loneliness.

When you decide to leave Trinidad and you weigh the pros and cons you would find that the grass is greener on the other side but reality quickly sets in as you arrive in your chosen destination. The friends and family that you depended on are too busy and engaged in their own world so you have to be prepared to do what is necessary to provide for your family. It is difficult to see your children suffer (new environment, missed friends and family the most) but you make the sacrifice to ensure that they are happy. Be prepared to be a bottom feeder but not a licker (swallow your ego). You take any kind of work that is available even with much regret but it's a start to a better future . There are opportunities, set your goals and work to achieve them. As time goes by and you settle everything falls into place your children wouldn't miss anything from Trinidad as a matter of fact my children who were born in Trinidad does not want to visit for any of the good things and they have accepted all the bad things in their new homeland. They have great careers and are well respected by their peers.

I started at the bottom of the ladder, looked for better opportunities and ended my career in a great job. Lives in a great neighbourhood, drives a good car, has another good car for cruising and shows, now retired and still shovels the snow in winter.

Am I happy with the decision to migrate? YES!
Would I advise anyone to migrate? YES!
Would I do it all over again? YES!

What sort of work did you do?

[Redress10]

Even the best parts of UK can't hold up to California.

It's always filthy, dirty roads, has narrow roads with lots of traffic, polluted (air pollution), and the houses are nothing you could get like in the US for the price. Also, weather in California is much better.

I know bro plus that grey weather just isn't it anymore. Not to mention leaving the euro. The appeal is minimal at this point. Don't forget the food as well. Food in USA is diverse and actually taste good. There are so many options.

The lifestyle in LA is crazy. Place just looks and feels like paradise. I am seriously considering it.

[ScHoolboySoloQ]

All this talk about how bad America is but you want to go there for a better life.

America is known for cold weather, racial discrimination, dead end jobs, loneliness? Which part of America? It is a VERY big country. Generalizing the entire country like that, I don't give Americans wrong. I wouldn't want you in my country either.

[Redress10]

All this talk about how bad America is but you want to go there for a better life.

America is known for cold weather, racial discrimination, dead end jobs, loneliness? Which part of America? It is a VERY big country. Generalizing the entire country like that, I don't give Americans wrong. I wouldn't want you in my country either.

???

[Dohplaydat]

I sort of migrated for 3 years to the UK from 2015-2018. I was back and forth quite a bit. I lived in London, spent time in Manchester and some at Oxford.

The work was great, the people were friendly, but Habit7 is right about one thing, loneliness and homesickness kick in. Especially in the UK. Life is extremely different here, culture as well.

We have a lot more in common with Americans and the American way of a lifestyle than we do with Brits. My closest friends all ended up being Europeans and just one Brit (who was Indian but born in the UK). Trini personalities are oddly very similar to Spanish, Portuguese and Greeks. Their style of humor, laidback attitude, always ready to lime made me not miss friends at home as much.

I left the UK for what I thought was going to be a few months but ended up being 3 years now, when my dad got ill. I worked remotely but resigned eventually and took up contract work locally.

I can always return, I extended my work VISA to 2023 and can apply for ILR and permanent residence quite easily. That said, I don't think I'll be doing it.

I'm looking primarily at the US, Dubai, or NZ as my next option. I've been researching Brazil and Portugal and aside from the language barrier there is a huge demand for my field there and work visas are easy to get. Plus those women.....wow.

Canada isn't a bad option as well, but that winter not easy.

There are many things Trinis take for granted - we are truly a blessed land in terms of weather, food, people, music, and culture, before covid it was relatively easy to earn a decent living.

Things are bad now and I don't foresee it getting better. I won't recommend the UK to anyone unless you truly know what you're getting into.

[ScHoolboySoloQ]

All this talk about how bad America is but you want to go there for a better life.

America is known for cold weather, racial discrimination, dead end jobs, loneliness? Which part of America? It is a VERY big country. Generalizing the entire country like that, I don't give Americans wrong. I wouldn't want you in my country either.

???

Read through the posts, you will see why I reacted.

[Ben_spanna]

Even the best parts of UK can't hold up to California.

It's always filthy, dirty roads, has narrow roads with lots of traffic, polluted (air pollution), and the houses are nothing you could get like in the US for the price. Also, weather in California is much better.

I know bro plus that grey weather just isn't it anymore. Not to mention leaving the euro. The appeal is minimal at this point. Don't forget the food as well. Food in USA is diverse and actually taste good. There are so many options.

The lifestyle in LA is crazy. Place just looks and feels like paradise. I am seriously considering it.

Until the BIG quake and California breaks into 2 pieces!!! which they say is soon to come

[MaxPower]

Friends,

Many of you Trinis throw your blatant xenophobic racial slurs towards our dear Venezuelan brothers and sisters.

Some of you Trinis constantly make reference to how life is in Venezuela and how Venezuelans run down and disregard their own country and are coming here to do the same…..correct right?


Do some you Trinis think it is right for other countries to say the same about how allyuh have this country?

Too many Trinis wanting to go to other countries is not necessarily a good idea in SOME cases.

[sam1978]

Going lawfully is not the problem . Crossing borders without rules or regulation is . It's illegal ,, unlawful and immoral. Time to get rid of the illegal cockroaches.