When I left Jamaica after living there for many years, I returned to the UK expecting to feel relief, familiarity, and maybe even a sense of progress. After all, the UK is a so-called “first-world” nation—modern, efficient, advanced. But what I didn’t expect was the culture shock I’d feel after having spent five years immersed in a land many outsiders still label “third-world.” That term is both outdated and, frankly, misleading. Because what I experienced in Jamaica—what I lived—taught me that advancement is not just about trains that run on time or fibre optic speeds. Sometimes, progress looks like free mangos, clean air, and peace of mind.
A Different Kind of Rich
Jamaica is often viewed through a lens of what it lacks. Yes, we have infrastructural challenges. The roads aren’t always great, internet can be patchy in the hills, and bureaucracy still runs on island time. But those things only tell a fraction of the story. Jamaica also possesses a richness that most so-called developed nations have long lost: a richness in life.
Imagine waking up each morning to the chirping of birds, sunlight streaming through your window like a golden river, and the scent of fresh mountain air in your lungs. It’s not just poetic—it’s pure. In the cool regions of Portland or the hills of St. Mary and Mandeville the air is crisp and clean, untouched by industrial fumes. And when you get thirsty? You don’t always need to buy bottled water. Natural spring water flows from the mountains—free. Yes, clean, fresh, alkaline water—straight from the earth.
In the UK, we pay a premium for this kind of wellness: bottled spring water, organic food, vitamin D supplements. In Jamaica, many of these are a birthright.
The Gift of the Land
Let me tell you something that changed how I see value. In the UK, food is something you buy—processed, packaged, and shipped from faraway lands. In Jamaica, it’s something that finds you.
Mangos fall from trees like blessings from heaven. Julie, East Indian, Blackie—take your pick. Nobody owns the wind or the fruits it blows down. You’re walking and you see a breadfruit or a guinep tree in the bush? You can eat for free. As someone once told me, “Nobody haffi hungry if dem live pon land.”
And let’s talk about that land. Jamaica’s soil, when respected, yields everything from yams and pumpkins to pimento and soursop. Yes, imported food has crept in and taken its toll. But for those who eat locally—who understand the rhythm of the land—there’s an abundance of naturally grown, pesticide-free food. That’s real wealth.
Salt, Sun, and Skin
We live in a world obsessed with wellness trends: salt scrubs, vitamin D lamps, seaweed treatments. Yet, in Jamaica, these things are part of everyday life. You don’t need a £200 spa package. Just head to the beach.
The salt water soothes the skin and muscles. The sun, especially important for people of African descent, provides essential Vitamin D, something severely lacking in the grey UK skies. Doctors in the UK have begun to prescribe vitamin D supplements, especially for Black and Brown populations—ironically, something we get for free in Jamaica.
I’ve seen eczema fade, muscle pain lessen, and moods lift—just from a daily dip in the sea and a stroll under the sun. These are not luxuries. They’re just... life in Jamaica.
A Slower, Saner Pace
Back in the UK, I found myself thrown once again into the whirlwind: rush-hour traffic, endless appointments, the noise, the grey. Life here is efficient—but is it human?
In Jamaica, time stretches. Yes, this can be frustrating when you’re waiting at the bank or dealing with official paperwork. But it also means people talk to each other. They laugh. They reason. They check in. In the UK, a conversation with a stranger feels like a breach of etiquette. In Jamaica, it’s a daily ritual.
If you miss the men playing dominoes outside the corner shop, the impromptu dancehall sessions, the old ladies selling ackee and saltfish from their front gate. That human texture—that soulful glue—is harder to find in the digital, transactional world of the West.
The Flip Side of “First World”
Let me be honest. Yes, returning to the UK was like stepping into a world of convenience. Tap your card, the transaction is instant. Trains (mostly) run on time. There’s a kind of structure that can be calming.
But it comes at a cost. The UK can feel sterile—emotionally, socially, and even nutritionally. Much of the food is genetically modified or over-processed. The air is heavy with pollutants. And despite all the “advancement,” there’s a sense of collective exhaustion. Everyone is rushing, yet no one seems to know where they’re going.
Jamaica: A Different Definition of Development
People often say, “Jamaica is a third-world country.” But by whose standards? If development means access to clean air, fresh food, sunlight, strong community ties, and low-cost health benefits provided by nature—then Jamaica is developed in ways many countries can only dream of.
Of course, we have challenges: infrastructure, corruption, economic instability. But those issues don’t negate the beauty and wisdom embedded in the land and its people.
A Love Letter to a “Simple” Life
When I reflect on my decade in Jamaica, it’s not the hotels or resorts that stand out—it’s the little moments.
- Drinking water fresh from a mountain stream.
- Watching the sun rise over Blue Mountain Peak.
- Hearing the laughter of children playing barefoot in the rain.
- Climbing a tree to pick June plums for my daughter.
- Getting a fresh cut of sugarcane from the side of the road.
It’s those moments that shaped me. And it’s why, despite all the conveniences I have in the UK, part of me has always ached for home.
The Real Wealth of Nations
Maybe it’s time we stop seeing the world through the lens of GDPs and skyscrapers. Maybe we need a new metric—one that includes clean air, mental health, access to nature, and community bonds.
Because by that standard, Jamaica isn’t behind. It’s ahead.
So, to those who ask me, “Why did you leave the UK for Jamaica?” or “Isn't it hard being in a third-world country?”—my answer is simple:
I live better. I lived fuller. I now lived.
Footnote:
To those thinking of relocating to Jamaica, don’t just look at it through the lens of limitations. See the possibilities. Visit the local farmer’s market. Talk to the elders. Walk barefoot in the hills. And then ask yourself: What does it mean to truly live well?
If you’re ready to turn that question into a lifestyle, now is the time to explore real estate opportunities across this vibrant island—whether it’s a hillside retreat, a beachfront bungalow, or a homestead in the country.