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Cost of Living (Surviving)
Posted by: MatthewDLW3 (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date: November 09, 2012 04:19PM

I may be moving to the island in Dec. I was offered a contract with WINAIR. I know cost of living is higher there than in the states, But I really want to get an Idea of what it would cost to go to the grocery/market and eat on a daily/monthly budget. My wife will probably be coming with a month or so after I arrive. We are not to concerned about making money or living luxurious or anything just want to make sure we can eat and survive for the 6 months we will be there. Any advice will help.
Also is it possible with $3000 per month income with some savings as back up.

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Re: Cost of Living (Surviving)
Posted by: Barbara1 (Moderator)
Date: November 12, 2012 09:05AM

Hi Matthew
Its hard to answer our question. certainly people do survive down here on a salary of even less than $3000 a month, but it is difficult.your monthly expenses depend on a lot.
apartment rental: plan on probably spending around $800 -$1000 a month for something decent.
electricity can be expensive... depending on the size of your apartment and how much air conditioning you use, costs can run between $100 to $200 a month.
and groceries..again, depends on how much and what you eat.
for 2 people, I would think at least $100 a week for two.
I am sure people do away with less than that but they are smart shoppers and can make inexpensive meals.
Good luck!

[barcann.livejournal.com]

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Re: Cost of Living (Surviving)
Posted by: MatthewDLW3 (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date: November 12, 2012 09:18PM

Thank you so much for the help! Really appreciate it. Do you or anyone else happen to know how much taxes are taken out of your paycheck in St. Maarten. In the states I always just estimate about %10 out of your paycheck. Just wondering, trying to get a feel of what my exact take home pay will be and get a sense of the island. Thanks again.

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Re: Cost of Living (Surviving)
Posted by: Barbara1 (Moderator)
Date: November 13, 2012 09:21AM

10% taxes out of your paycheck in the USA?
I doubt that. I would assume it is much more.
here it could be as high a 35% depending on you income bracket.
I would run that by your prospective employer

[barcann.livejournal.com]

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