About Bermuda

Overview

Climate
Located north of the Caribbean in the Atlantic Ocean, the climate in Bermuda is generally sub-tropical, humid and frost-free, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Daytime temperatures seldom exceed 90˚F (32˚C) degrees in the summer months. Mean daily highs range from 87˚F (31˚C) in July to 68˚F (20˚C) in February, giving the Island a generally very favourable climate for those who enjoy beach and outdoor activities.

When it rains, it is normally heavier than would be experienced in Britain or North America but these showers pass quickly. There is a risk of hurricanes—albeit less than the US east coast—but these also normally tend to pass quickly and cause little lasting damage due to Bermuda's strict building codes. Humidity rises considerably during mid-summer (although offices are of course air-conditioned and comfortable) and it can seem quite cool in the early mornings or late evenings from December to March (especially when driving home very late on a scooter).

Economy
International business and Tourism are the two economic pillars of Bermuda's economy, with the share of revenue generated from tourism declining in favor of international business in recent years.

Due to its tax-free environment, Bermuda has become an important location for a host of international businesses such as insurance management, investment/mutual funds, holding companies, trading companies, trust companies and offshore shipping. Behind only London, Bermuda is the global leader in the world insurance markets.

Immigration
Foreign citizens must hold a valid work permit in order to be employed on the Island. To protect Bermudians from excessive competition, you will generally only be granted a work permit if you hold a professional designation (e.g. a chartered accountant, lawyer, actuary, etc.) or possess specialized skills (IT, underwriter, etc.), and if there is not a suitably qualified Bermudian candidate available for the role at the time your application is submitted. The international business sector has the greatest demand for professional and office staff and continues to prosper, so this requirement is usually not a significant hurdle provided of course that local candidates are considered first and the process is initiated by the employer, not the employee.

If you are part of a couple hoping to relocate to Bermuda, please note that although you may be granted a work permit, this does not automatically allow your partner to be employed on the island. He or she will need to go through the same Immigration process and be evaluated in their own right.

Transport and communications
Bermuda’s modern airport is a 30 minute drive from the City of Hamilton and Bermuda is approximately 2 hours flying time from New York, allowing for ready excursions to the mainland. There are several direct flights to major gateway cities in North America (e.g. New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami and Toronto) as well as direct flights to London, Gatwick.

In view of the sunny climate and the impracticalities of buying a car, many people arriving on the Island choose a scooter/moped as their initial means of transport. Scooters typically cost from $1000 second hand to $4,000 new. The roads are well maintained and given the Island's size, commuting times are limited: Spending 20 minutes getting to work would generally be considered a long journey. There is also an excellent public transport system including buses and ferries as well as a large Island-wide fleet of taxis.

Bermuda also provides the communication infrastructure necessary to support a leading offshore business centre, offering high-speed internet, and full voice and data services through fiber-optic cable connections to other parts of the world, as well as several cellular phone providers. There are a number of local radio stations and Bermuda’s cable companies offer access to a large number of North American and European television stations.

Cost of living on the Islands
The cost of living in Bermuda can be more expensive than some people from North America may be used to, but tends not to be out of line for those coming from major cities in Europe. The reasons for this are two-fold: first, since Bermuda's main sources of income are tourism and the offshore financial services industry, very little is actually made on the Island so most goods are imported; and second, there is no direct income tax which means that levies on imports are a key source of revenue for the government. Most people find the lack of income tax makes up for the generally higher cost of living.

You will find that your most significant regular expense will be accommodation. Cost will vary considerably depending on whether you choose to share a house or move into your own apartment. We would generally recommend that (unless you are arriving as a couple) the former is the better alternative. Moving into a shared house is popular since it allows you to share overheads (thereby bringing down costs or allowing you to live somewhere better than you might be able to afford on your own) as well as giving you access immediately to an additional social circle. The closer to Hamilton and the more facilities a house has, the more expensive housing will tend to be. The following web site can be reviewed for accommodations advertisements: http://bermuda.e-moo.com

Recreational activities
Bermuda is deservedly one of the world's leading holiday resorts and provides excellent facilities for most sports as well as having beautiful sandy beaches that are the envy of many rival locations. There are clubs and leagues that can be joined to cover a wide range of sports including football, rugby, cricket, field hockey, ball hockey, squash, volleyball and softball, amongst others. Golf and tennis facilities in particular are plentiful—keen players of these popular sports will have a wealth of clubs and locations to choose from.

Bermuda is, of course, an ideal location in which to participate in water sports. Aside from scuba diving, many people use the opportunity to take up sailing, boating, wind surfing, jet skiing or deep-sea fishing.

The Island boasts four small cinemas featuring the latest releases and there are a number of societies that periodically stage plays or revues. There is a wide range of restaurants, from casual diners to top quality, elegant (and expensive!) restaurants in attractive locations. KFC is the only international fast food chain—Government policy is to retain Bermuda's distinctiveness by barring foreign fast food chains.

If you enjoy an informal drink, there are many British-style pubs in Hamilton to choose from for a quick drink after work. There are also several nightclubs. The many bars offer a good opportunity to meet people from a similar background and you can be assured of a very active social life.

To learn more about career opportunities in Bermuda, please visit our careers page or contact us.

Links about Bermuda