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A comparison of life (not work) in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and the British Virgin Islands
Bermuda, The Cayman Islands and the BVI
They may be thousands of kilometres apart, and different in many ways, but for a typical
lawyer with aspirations to move offshore, these three locations tick plenty of the same
boxes. They are sunny. They have a high standard of living. They have little or no tax.
For some, these shared attractions are enough, and it just comes down to where the right
role arises. Nothing wrong with that. For others, defining which is right for them is crucial
to making the move work. Regardless, it pays to understand what your potential future
home has to offer.
WHERE IS IT AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Bermuda
• Capital – Hamilton, Main Island
• Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, c.1,000 km east of the U.S. East Coast
• Land area of 54 km2 and a population of c.65,000 (density c.1,293 / km2
• Largely flat and gently rolling landscape with no mountains
• Rocky coastline with many coves, bays, coral reefs, and beautiful pink sand beaches
Cayman Islands
• Capital – George Town, Grand Cayman
• Located in the western Caribbean Sea, c.770km south of Cuba and 240km north of Jamaica
• Land area of 264 km2 (Grand Cayman, 196 km2), population of c.75,000 (density c.310 / km2)
• Relatively flat with no mountains, but some rolling hills
• Coastline of beautiful white-sand beaches and coral reefs, with crystal-clear waters
British Virgin Islands
• Capital – Road Town, Tortola
• Located in the eastern Caribbean Sea, 95 km east of Puerto Rico and 19 km west of U.S.V.I.
• Land area of 150 km2 (Tortola, 54 km2), population of c.40,000 (density c.263 / km2).
• A volcanic island with a rugged and mountainous interior and lush vegetation.
• A jagged coastline of small coves and beautiful beaches, circled by reefs and clear waters.
WHERE CAN YOU GO FROM THERE?
Bermuda
• NEW YORK is the main travel hub, be there in a couple of hours
• 14 locations across the USA plus Toronto and Halifax, Canada
• London Heathrow in around 7 hours
Cayman Islands
• MIAMI is the main travel hub, around 90 minutes or so away
• 14 locations across the USA and Toronto in Canada
• Cuba, Panama, Honduras, Jamaica, Bahamas
British Virgin Islands
• Be in SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, the main travel hub, in only an hour
• Miami in less than two hours
• 8 locations across the Caribbean
WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?
Bermuda
• Subtropical climate
• Temperature range of 16–29°C
• Warm summers, mild winters, no defined rainy season
• Moderate hurricane risk (June to November)
Cayman Islands
• Tropical marine climate
• Temperature range of 25–31°C
• Dry season November to April, rainy season May to October
• High hurricane risk (June to November)
British Virgin Islands
• Tropical rainforest climate
• Temperature range of 25–31°C
• Dry season December to April, rainy season May to November
• High hurricane risk (June to November)
IS IT EXPENSIVE?
Bermuda
• Rent: One-bed: $1200/mth to $3000+/mth and two-bed: $2000/mth to $4500+/mth
• A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant (exc. alcohol): $80 to $150
• Weekly groceries for two: $150-$200
Cayman Islands
• Rent: One-bed: $2000/mth to $3500+/mth and two-bed: $2800/mth to $5000+/mth
• A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant (exc. alcohol): $80 to $120
• Weekly groceries for two: $120-$170
British Virgin Islands
• Rent: One-bed: $1000/mth to $2500+/mth and two-bed: $1500/mth to $3500+/mth
• A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant (exc. alcohol): $80 to $120
• Weekly groceries for two: $130-$180
* Note that all above prices are for indicative purposes only and can vary significantly
Bermuda
• Relax at the iconic Horseshoe Bay Beach or one of the island’s many world class beaches
• Soak up the history and enjoy lunch in UNESCO World Heritage site, St. George’s Town
• Learn to dive, play golf on world class courses, perhaps a ‘friendly’ tennis match
Cayman Islands
• People travel around the world to see Seven Mile Beach, you can be there in ten minutes
• Get up close and personal with the amazing creatures at Stingray City
• Whether on land or sea, adrenaline fuelled or relaxed, there will be a sport for you
British Virgin Islands
• Find a secluded spot on one of the many beaches, some of the finest in the Caribbean
• Hike through lush rainforest in Sage Mountain National Park
• Sail to one of the many stunning sister islands and indulge in some world class diving
Bermuda
• Visit the Harbourfront restaurants for a bite and a perfect sunset over the ocean
• Enjoy Bermuda’s vibrant live music scene
• Relax in a waterfront bar with a Rum Swizzle or a Dark & Stormy
Cayman Islands
• Enjoy a sophisticated evening at a luxury hotel bar or an upscale restaurant
• Shop, dine, or catch a movie at the vibrant, modern, Camana Bay Town
• Watch the sunset over the Caribbean Sea at one of Cayman’s popular beach shacks
British Virgin Islands
• Enjoy a bite to eat in a laid-back and relaxed setting, almost certainly with a stunning view
• Take a short ferry ride and sip on a Painkiller at the famous Soggy Dollar Bar
• Barbeque on a picture postcard beach as the sun sets over the ocean
fIND OUT MORE
Bermuda
• Origin Bermuda
• Lonely Planet
• Bermuda Tourism
Cayman Islands
• Origin Cayman
• Lonely Planet
• Cayman Tourism
British Virgin Islands
CONTACT
Jason Horobin
Charlotte Hooper
Lexi Nemeth
Origin Legal is a specialist legal recruitment company launched in January 2005 by a management team that first came together in 1996. Origin Legal is recognised as one of the UK’s leading providers of legal jobs at all levels for lawyers, legal executives, solicitors and paralegals. The company’s primary goal is to deliver the highest quality of service and through successful legal recruiting develop and maintain long term client relationships.
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