Overview of Residential Areas

Currently there are 37 broker members with over 260 agents and they make up the vast majority of all Island practitioners (although there are a few outliers as membership is not compulsory). These brokers share their property listings in an online Multiple Listing System and they work together on real estate transactions, which allows buyers to see all properties and still work with their favourite agent. It also allows sellers to get the widest possible exposure for their properties. The association works closely with the Cayman Government on any issues relating to the real estate business to ensure a good experience for all involved.

Legal Overview The real estate market in Cayman is simple and straightforward. Apart from a one-time stamp duty, there are no annual property taxes or restrictions on foreign ownership by individuals, and titles are granted and guaranteed by the Cayman Islands Government and recorded in a modern, reliable and centralised land registry, where every plot is mapped and given a descriptive title number based on location. Any encumbrances such as mortgages, rightsof-ways and cautions pending contracts are recorded on the title register of the parcel of land. As a result of this, there is no need for lengthy title searches, title companies or title insurance. In fact, title companies and title insurance do not even exist in Cayman. Vacant land can be owned and held for future investment potential. To date, Cayman real estate has proven to be an attractive and profitable investment. Owning land in the name of a corporation is possible, but strict rules apply and a lawyer’s advice is essential. Buildings are subject to a series of planning permissions and building permit approvals. These are monitored by the Cayman Islands Central Planning Authority and Building Control Unit, which carries out plan reviews and onsite inspections that relate to the site, building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical works. There are also requirements for structural engineers to take into consideration such as seismic design principles depending on the building heights and purpose of the building. Construction materials have to be imported and are subject to duties that range from 15%-22% on the landed value, which includes duty on the shipping costs. Consequently, the cost of building is considerably higher than in places where materials are more readily available. Refer to the Building in Cayman chapter for a detailed guide on building a residential property, as well as a list of building professionals in the Cayman Islands.

Attorneys are usually used by a purchaser to aid in understanding the difference between our system and what they are familiar with back home. An attorney can also help with more complicated transactions, and ensure that the somewhat archaic procedures required by the Cayman Islands Land Registry are more easily negotiated. The biggest difference between a purchase here as opposed to most other jurisdictions is the Stamp Duty, which is a 7.5% fee based on the Cayman dollar price of the property. It is paid to Government after closing on each transaction in order to register your title and it is normally paid by the purchaser.

OVERVIEW OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN GRAND CAYMAN

Seven Mile Beach (SMB)

WEST BAY ROAD SEVEN MILE BEACH

SMB is divided into two areas: the beach and across the road from the beach. Both are ideal locations within walking distance to restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops and Camana Bay. There are many apartment

complexes on Seven Mile Beach itself, but most are rented out for short-term, daily rentals. However, some offer long-term rentals like George Town Villas, The Grandview, Sunset Cove, Laguna del Mar, Seagull Condominiums, Lacovia (this one is set to be demolished and redeveloped into a much more modern, high-rise set of 3 buildings), The Sovereign and The Pinnacle. Monthly rental prices in this area range from a low of US$2,000 to a high of US$35,000+). Areas such as Snug Harbour, Parkway, Governors Harbour, Canal Point, Crystal Harbour and the Cayman Islands Yacht Club are all nice places to live and popular with families, though the prices of properties can vary significantly between them. There are many 4-bedroom houses in these areas but you can also find upscale 2 and 3-bedroom apartments in a few of them. Properties are usually well maintained and professionals tend to rent or buy them. These neighbourhoods around Seven Mile Beach are generally quiet areas, near to restaurants and the beach. There is also a very good school in Camana Bay called Cayman International School, which follows the International Baccalaureate education system and can accommodate over 1,000 students from ages 2 to 18.

Britannia apartments are popular and vary in price, but based on the large number of units you can usually find a motivated seller. Apartments have either canal, pool or park views and the property is walking distance to Camana Bay and all its great facilities.

Snug Harbour lies to the east of West Bay Road and is reached from the Esterley Tibbetts Highway. This is a sought-after residential area and is very popular with families. As well as being family and dog friendly, Snug Harbour has the advantage of being close to Seven Mile Beach and Camana Bay with easy access to George Town and West Bay. The area has two roads, Jennifer Drive and Andrew Drive, which run parallel West-East and finish at the North Sound. There are a number of With access to over 1500 listings in our MLS system, let our award-winning, experienced local team work for you.

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intersecting roads in-between. Much of the residential housing consists of detached family homes with gardens, ranging from modest 2-bedroom homes to more upscale, 5/6 bedroom residences. However, there are several apartment buildings and townhouses here too, particularly towards the North Sound. Residents of Snug Harbour enjoy access to the Snug Harbour Park, consisting of a tennis court, a basketball court, a children’s playground and a large grassy park. This is a popular meeting spot for families. Residents can book the tennis and basketball courts online.

Palm Heights Drive lies to the south of Snug Harbour and is accessed through the main Snug Harbour entrance. This is another popular residential location. One side of this road lies on the picturesque Britannia Canal, where you can find a number of attractive residential canal-front houses and apartments. The other side of Palm Heights consists mostly of detached family homes, some with beautiful gardens. Palm Heights Drive is often mistakenly considered to be part of Snug Harbour, but this is not the case. Whilst residents here use the Snug Harbour Park and playground, they are not able to book the tennis and basketball courts.

Camana Bay

Camana Bay and its town centre are situated on 685 acres that stretch from the sea on Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound on the other side. The design of Camana Bay is based on New Urbanism, a planning model that promotes 'walkability' through a mix of housing, shops, restaurants, public spaces, schools, and parks. Streets and walkways are interconnecting, offering a safe and scenic stroll or bike ride, while shady courtyards nurture social gatherings and a sense of community. Traffic is also minimal and developer Dart has continued that theme, building a four-lane vehicle underpass so pedestrians can safely travel from Seven Mile Beach over the bypass to the Camana Bay Town Centre and waterfront. Designed by a team of award-winning architects and planners, Camana Bay has a contemporary style, inspired by traditional Caribbean architecture and is landscaped with beautiful, mature trees and native plants to give it a distinctly Caymanian character. Camana Bay has become a very popular place to live simply because it welcomes the return to a traditional style of community, with the Camana Bay Cinema, notable restaurants, Foster’s supermarket, a weekly farmers market, a yoga, sports massage and physiotherapy studio,

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bookstore, clothing stores, doctors’ clinics, pharmacy, a 24-hour gym, two schools, residential housing and prestigious office space for businesses. Residential rental options include The Terraces, which are a collection of 63 1- and 2-bedroom apartments (some of the 2-beds have a den, which could be used as a third bedroom) and over 28 different floor plans. Units are available for long-term rental and are in the heart of Camana Bay’s Town Centre. Beautifully decorated with spacious private balconies, fully equipped contemporary kitchens, state-of-the-art electronics and flat-screen televisions, The Terraces also boast around-the-clock security and property management, underground parking and video entry lock systems. Benefits for residents include gym membership and secure underground parking with elevator access. Each of the two Terraces towers has its own lap pool and leisure area with freshwater showers, bathrooms, seating areas and an outside kitchen with a high-end gas barbeque. The Terraces are equally popular with families and young professionals and pets are welcomed. OLEA, which broke ground in early 2019, is Camana Bay’s first for-sale residential development, made up of an assortment of condominiums, townhouses and duplexes, located to the south of Camana Bay’s Town Centre. Major features of this amenity-rich waterfront neighbourhood include the Island’s first lazy river, a resort-style pool, a waterfront boardwalk, beautifully landscaped common areas, a yoga garden and a fully equipped gym. Coming online in 2022 is Kapok, a 10-storey, for-lease residential building located towards the north end of the Town Centre on Bismarckia Way, close to Foster’s supermarket. With 89 residences ranging from 550-square-foot studios to 1,698-square-foot, three-bedroom units, Kapok features a modern design, indigenous landscaping, large windows, balconies and terraces, and is built to

Fitwel® building certification standards to improve occupant health and productivity. Living in Camana Bay is all about the lifestyle it offers more than anything else. It is incredibly appealing to able to walk everywhere (particularly if your work place is located there), have everything taken care of for you, and enjoy access to world-class dining, entertainment, including concerts and festivals, shopping and children’s activities right on your doorstep.

OLEA (Sales & Presentation Centre) Market Street, Camana Bay Tel: (345) 640 6532 Email: olea@camanabay.com OLEA, Camana Bay’s first for-sale residential development, is an amenity-rich waterfront neighbourhood located minutes from Camana Bay’s Town Centre which will feature Grand Cayman’s first lazy river, a resort-style pool and the largest solar array of any residential development on Island. Visit the OLEA Sales & Presentation Centre to learn more about its 124 condos, townhomes and duplexes. Open Monday- Friday 12pm-5pm (or by appointment).

The Terraces at Camana Bay Dart Real Estate Tel: (345) 640 4000 Email: info@camanabay.com www.camanabay.com An exclusive property in the heart of Camana Bay owned by Dart Real Estate, The Terraces offers residents the ‘work, live and play’ dream. With direct access to all of Camana Bay’s renowned amenities, The Terraces offer modern one-bedroom and two-bedroom

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South Sound

SOUTH SOUND

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South Sound is still in the midst of a boom in development. Take a drive down South Sound Road and you will see numerous developments on both sides of the road. The popularity of South Sound isn’t surprising given its proximity to the water, schools, supermarkets and George Town. It is also home to the Cayman Islands Rugby Club, Tennis Club and Squash Club, public dock, a government boat launching ramp, beaches and a seaside boardwalk.

Cayman Enterprise City is set to build its main 850,000sq ft campus in South Sound, and Harbour Walk, a multi-purpose retail, residential and commercial location in Grand Harbour will be completed by the end of 2021.

One downside to South Sound being such a popular area to live is that the traffic during rush hour can be bumper to bumper the entire length of South Sound Road. Apart from SMB, South Sound is one of the most convenient and, therefore, expensive areas in which to buy or rent on the Island.

Canal-Front Living

There are a number of waterways that cut inland from the North Sound, creating canal subdivisions that are a very nice, more affordable alternative to buying or renting property directly on the oceanfront. If you are planning to buy a boat, you cannot beat the convenience of having a dock right in front of your home or apartment. There are 20 canal subdivisions in Grand Cayman, half of which can be found along the Seven Mile Beach corridor and West Bay, and the other half run east from Prospect to North Sound Estates and the Cays in Rum Point. Canal subdivisions take time to mature and to be built-out and this will have a significant effect on the values that land and homes in these areas can

command. Over time, this will change as various subdivisions develop and it is something to think about when buying. The following is a pretty straightforward and honest overview of the various canal subdivisions, which can be classed into five levels, one being the most expensive and five being the most affordable. Some subdivisions straddle two levels and this invariably depends on specific roads within the area and the quality of the homes and landscaping on those roads. Level 1: Top-of-the-line estate homes. Meticulously maintained with strong covenants and manned security gate. Vista Del Mar, The Ritz-Carlton Deckhouses, Lalique Pointé, Diamond’s Edge and Salt Creek are first in class in these tier-one communities because of their security, exclusivity, attention to detail, wellmaintained public open spaces, amenities offered and the quality of building. The most expensive, non-beachfront homes are found here. Additionally, OLEA, Camana Bay’s first, for-sale waterfront community, offers beautifully landscaped common areas and access to the highest-quality amenities. Level 2: Excellent maintenance and services. Luxury homes with a manned security gate and strong covenants. Crystal Harbour leads this class of the field and has been one of the most actively developed canal subdivisions on Grand Cayman in recent years. New to Crystal Harbour is the upscale subneighbourhood of Lalique Pointé and recently sold out Cypress Pointe North developments. The redeveloped Cayman Islands Yacht Club has benefitted the most from direct access via the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, and residents are taking advantage of its boating facilities and two very good restaurants, Morgan’s and Bàcaro. In due course, a pedestrian trail to Seven Mile Beach will be built. Another Yacht Club addition is the gated waterfront community called Stone Island. Britannia is fading a bit, but is still very well-regarded and a convenient living location. One

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www.propertiescayman.com important consideration, if you are planning on buying land to build on, is that concrete pilings are required in the house foundations of properties in both the Yacht Club and Crystal Harbour. This raises the cost of construction considerably. Level 3: Good services with uppermiddle class luxury homes. Well maintained with good covenants. Canal Point is in this class followed by The Shores and Mangrove Point, all gated neighbourhoods with evening manned security. Governors Harbour has lost its sheen due to the lack of a landscaping buffer from the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, and haphazard road maintenance, but this could change. Another canal-front development in the area is Clipper Bay, located between Snug Harbour and Canal Point, it offers quick access to the North Sound.

Grand Harbour is the most conveniently located of the Eastern subdivisions and many of the homes here are high-level properties. There are three distinct areas to Grand Harbour: the older and more developed side called South Reach, which is now a gated community, The Isles and The Estates, both of which have had a lot of recent building. The commercial area of Grand Harbour has a recently renovated supermarket called Hurley's, two restaurants and a very well-run and popular skate park which gets active in the evenings with 6-16 year olds. A little further east, Patrick’s Island has some older and beautiful homes with mature landscaping and wide, open basins. It also backs onto a huge sway of undeveloped land with numerous dyke roads that lead to the North Sound via numerous inland lakes and are lovely for walking dogs, running and getting away from it all. Sunrise Landing rounds out this level. Both of these last subdivisions are popular with successful local entrepreneurs. No houses are built in the Cays yet. Level 4: Decent services with mixed midlevel homes. Older subdivisions like Red Bay, Omega and Prospect all have their 'good' and 'not as good' sections. As one of the newest projects, Newlands Sound, has the potential to move higher but has no homes yet, though land is for sale. Palm Heights in Snug Harbour has the benefit of looking across at Britannia, but this area contains mainly duplex properties. Canal subdivisions in this level include Palm Heights, Omega and Newlands Sound. Sunrise Landing and the Cays at Rum Point all straddle level 3 and 4. Level 5: Minimal maintenance and either no covenants or these are not enforced. Mid-level to lower-value homes, but most still to a very reasonable standard. All these subdivisions are similar, mixedquality developments. The developers are now deceased, so there is no consistent, ongoing maintenance undertaken. North Sound Estates is farther out but has been quite active due to pricing. Some homes are very nice, but there is too much debris around keeping prices down. Canal subdivisions in this level include Red Bay, Prospect and North Sound Estates, all of which straddle level 4 and 5, depending on which street you are looking at.

Prospect & Red Bay

PROSPECT & RED BAY

Prospect and Red Bay, which are right next to each other, are one of the fastest growing areas in Grand Cayman. They are close to George Town, the schools and the Shoppes at Grand Harbour which has various stores, a school, two restaurants, a large supermarket, Hurley’s Marketplace, and Cayman's own skate park: The Mountain Dew Black Pearl. Harbour Walk is a new destination location featuring residential, office and retail space that is going up next to Grand Harbour and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021. There are

also two banks in the area, as well as the Department of Vehicle and Drivers Licensing. Also in the Red Bay area are the Cayman Islands Sailing Club, King’s Sports Centre and Powerhouse Gym. The commute to town from this area is relatively quick (10 minutes), but traffic does get backed up during rush hour at the Hurley’s roundabout. Expect the regular commute at the height of rush hour to take 35 minutes, but you can shave 15 minutes off that time if you live at Grand Harbour. There are lots of residential homes in this area with a mix of inland, canal front and oceanfront properties. There are a few really nice areas to look out for in Red Bay and Prospect. The first is Prospect Point Road, a quiet beachfront community found on a winding road where longtime Cayman residents have built exclusive million-dollar homes. The second area, called Patrick’s Island, is an upscale residential area with canal frontage, where land is still available and many desirable 4 and 5-bedroom homes have been built. The third is Grand Harbour, which is located immediately behind Hurley’s Shopping complex and the nearby retail and residential hub, Harbour Walk. Consisting mainly of canal-front homes to the south is South Reach, a gated community that is almost completely built out. The other side of the canal has The Isles and The Estates. It has been a very active area in terms of new home construction.

West Bay

George Town (GT)

WEST BAY

This is a residential area at the top western end of the Island. It is less expensive than George Town or Seven Mile Beach and there are some lovely homes and condominiums on or near the sea. The canal-front area called The Shores commands premium prices on rentals and sales, as do properties on Boggy Sand Road, the last residential neighbourhood remaining on Seven Mile Beach. Popular seaside West Bay condos that offer long-term rentals include Coconut Bay, Ocean Side Plantation, Westview and Villas Pappagallo. New developments like West 19, The Point at Watercourse, Dolphin Club and The Meadows add new life to West Bay and acclaimed restaurants such as Calypso Grill, Cracked Conch, Macabuca, Tukka West, Ristorante Pappagallo and VIVO offer nice options for an evening out. Tourist attractions like the Cayman Turtle Centre and the Cayman Motor Museum are also in West Bay. Diving from the Cracked Conch restaurant and from Lighthouse Point nearby is also very popular. Divetech, the on-site dive shop at Lighthouse Point, is welcoming, and friendly staff can explain where nearby dive sites are located. They can also take you to the Kittiwake shipwreck.

You can go horseback riding and bicycling along a rugged and littletravelled beach called Barkers, which spans part of the northern tip of West Bay. Barkers Beach is a nice area to get away from it all and is popular with dog walkers and kite surfers. Note the area is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from sunset to sunrise. It currently takes about 20 minutes to drive from West Bay to George Town using the Esterley Tibbetts Highway.

GEORGE TOWN

George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands. It is located on the southwest corner of Grand Cayman and has a busy port, with an influx of several cruise ships almost daily and cargo ships unloading

most evenings. The main roads in George Town are North and South Church Street, which run through town parallel to the sea. Walkers Road has most of the schools on it (Truth for Youth, Calvary Baptist, Cayman Academy, Little Trotters, CIFEC, John Gray, Cayman Prep, St. Ignatius, Sprogs - in that order from the George Town end to South Sound) and also many residential properties. Smith Road, Shedden Road and Eastern Avenue cut through town and run down to the waterfront roads off North and South Church Street. Most of the properties in George Town are mid-range in price. It is a good area to live in if you have schoolaged kids, as the main school areas are on Smith Road and Walkers Road and are five minutes from the town centre. Also, with increasing traffic levels, it means you will avoid the main rush hour traffic jams (the routes to West Bay/Seven Mile Beach and the Eastern Districts are slow-moving at peak times). Private prep and high schools in this area include St. Ignatius Catholic School, Cayman Prep and High School, Triple C, Cayman Academy, Calvary Baptist Christian Academy and Truth for Youth. A lovely neighbourhood off Walkers Road where houses occasionally come up for sale (and are quickly snapped up) is the upscale Webster’s Estates. All the homes sit on larger than usual plots, have mature shade trees, large gardens and are architect designed. No apartment complexes have been allowed to be built in Webster’s Estates, so there is a quiet community and family feel to the area. On the apartment front, there are many condominiums for rent off Walkers Road starting at CI$1,000 for a studio, CI$1,300-CI$2,500 for a 1-bedroom apartment and CI$2,000 - CI$2,800 for a 2-bedroom unit. Some of these apartments look and feel dated, so it is worth looking around and not getting discouraged, as there are some gems as well. A few of the nicer options in this area include the townhouses at The Retreats and the L’Ambience complex off Fairbanks Road. The latter has a multitude of mature shade trees, lush landscaping, two pools and huge communal grassy areas. These are family-oriented complexes and pets are allowed. Some modern developments have sprung up along Crewe Road, including The Bentley, which sells 2- and 3-bed townhouses. If you are looking for high-end luxury, then check out Casa Luna, SeaView, Oceana and FIN. All are on the waterfront in George Town and offer luxury living for upwards of CI$2 million.

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SAVANNAH, LOWER VALLEY, NEWLANDS & PEDRO

This is another area with both inland and canal-front properties. Sunrise Landings and North Sound Estates (both canal-front areas) fall within Savannah and Lower Valley. These areas are very popular with young families as land is still affordable. You can also easily find canal-front house plots for sale at a reasonable price. Inland you will find that properties on the market in this area are family homes on larger plots with good-sized gardens and lovely shade trees. Savannah is one of the highest-elevated areas of Grand Cayman. The commute times have improved since the East-West Arterial Road opened, but it still slows down significantly near Prospect during the morning rush hour. From late-May to early-August the poinciana trees, of which the area has an overwhelming abundance, flower and the sight as you drive through Savannah is breath-taking. Also located in Savannah is Pedro St. James Castle, a national historical site and the oldestexisting structure in Cayman. It is known as the 'Birthplace of Democracy in the Cayman Islands'. Countryside Shopping Village, located at the roundabout where

the road intersects between Savannah, Pedro and the entrance to Newlands, is the largest central shopping hub in the area. This village of shops has a Foster’s supermarket, CNB bank, large pharmacy, medical clinic, liquor store, hardware store, gym, veterinary clinic, dry cleaners, several restaurants and a few other useful stores. Country Corner, located next door to Country Side, has additional locations for Cimboco, Chicken! Chicken!, Cafe Del Sol and GNC.

Beach Bay

BEACH BAY

Beach Bay is on the right just before you get to Bodden Town. It has one of the highest elevations on the Island. If you drive all the way down Beach Bay Road, you’ll find Sea Spray Drive, a coastal road with fabulous houses and apartments on it. One end of the road has a very private, but rocky, beach, and the sunsets over the bluff at the other end of the coast road are amazing. The rents here range from high to exclusive.

Bodden Town

BODDEN TOWN

Those who venture out to Bodden Town love it. It is on the beach, away from the hustle and bustle and the rents are in the low to mid-range. The community still has the feel of a small Caribbean town, with a mixture of locals and expats living alongside one another. The beaches are rustic, usually littered with driftwood and dried turtle grass and are lovely places for walking dogs. Although the impression of a long commute may keep the fainthearted away from Bodden Town, it takes just 20-25 minutes to reach George Town if you leave early or late enough to miss the rush hour traffic.

Frank Sound & Cottage North Side & East End

FRANK SOUND & COTTAGE

Frank Sound is an area that crosses inland as you drive towards Rum Point. It has affordable homes with large properties; the land is very fertile with mature shade and fruit trees. Another huge bonus of this area is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and the Mastic Trail, both of which are great to explore, and are located just off Frank Sound Road. Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Grace, which passed through the Cayman Islands in August 2021, badly damaged the Botanic Park and at the time of print (September 2021) the park remains closed to visitors. It is also the location of the Clifton Hunter High School.

NORTH SIDE & EAST END

This is a beautiful and historical part of the Island. On the way to these eastern districts, you will pass Pedro St. James’ Castle in Savannah, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in Frank Sound and the Wreck of the Ten Sails in Gun Bay. The residents in North Side and East End are said to be the friendliest in Cayman. The commute time from either East End or North Side to George Town will take at least 40 minutes without traffic. Over the Edge restaurant, in the village of Old Man

Bay, serves great local seafood cooked with a French influence. Their catch of the day is always good, as is their shrimp cooked in a Chablis sauce. Other restaurants include The Caboose (previously Kurt's Korner), which offers grilled fish, stewed beef and oxtail. There is also an Italian restaurant located by Foster’s supermarket in East End called The Italian Kitchen, which provides good, basic Italian cooking, but is not open for lunch and doesn’t take reservations for the evening. In the heart of East End is Tukka, an Australian/Caymanian-fusion seafood restaurant, and Eagle Rays, which is run by the same owner as Tukka and is located at Ocean Frontiers. Finally, Vivine’s Kitchen, located on the water, is a rustic little restaurant with good local food served on tables set up in Miss Vivine’s garden. It is packed on Sundays. Fun things to do in the area include diving with Ocean Frontiers, walking the Mastic Trail (bring bug spray, water and good walking shoes), snorkelling off the North Coast (remember it is a marine park, so don’t break anything off or take anything home with you), beachcombing deserted beaches, kiteboarding, sailing or having a ride on White Sand Sports’ exhilarating Jetovator, which you can find at the Wyndham Reef Resort.

North Side Living Life on the North Coast involves a long list of trade-offs. The distance from town, which has helped keep the old-time Cayman lifestyle, is inconvenient for trips to Seven Mile Beach, the airport etc. The prevalent onshore trade winds, which bring cool temperatures most of the year, also bring salt to coat windows and degrade electronics. On the flipside, the lack of neighbours means a lack of ambient light and great conditions for star viewing. Living in North Side can feel like being perpetually on vacation. Almost every house, drive or walk involves a sea view and holiday atmosphere, and many houses are owned by long-term visitors, who have been visiting Cayman on vacation regularly for 20 or 30 years. Others are short-term vacationers staying at The Retreat, Island Houses, The Rum Point Club Residences, Kaibo Yacht Club Villas or The Pools of the Kai Condominiums. Residents of other districts, particularly boat owners, often go for staycations in Rum Point/Kaibo houses, especially over long weekends. Many full-time residents in the area are also retired, so very few actually commute into town to work. The journey takes about 50 minutes, but this depends on rush hour traffic. Other residents work locally, primarily in the tourist/hospitality industry. Being relatively far from town means that some forward planning is needed for routine activities. Without a list, one is fated to 'pop back' at least as far as Countryside Shopping Village to pick up forgotten items. Organise your errands to make sure to get all of it done on one day. There is a wide cross-section of society living in the district of North Side. Nobody cares who you are, only if you have something interesting to say!

RUM POINT

Rum Point has a beautiful stretch of beach and faces the North Sound. It has shade, clear waters, exclusive million-dollar homes and some more affordable condos. The Rum Point Club can be reached by car, ferry or private boat and is a great place to hang out in hammocks, eat lunch at a picnic table and swim or snorkel in the safe and shallow water right in front of the sun lounger area. On Sundays, the place is jammed and sometimes up to 50 boats are moored off the beach. Nice things to do in the area include paddleboarding, water skiing, kayaking, sailing and taking a boat to the Sandbar to see the stingrays. You can also fly fish the mini sandbar on the Eastern side of the lagoon entrance and take a bioluminescence kayak tour with Cayman Kayaks on a moonless night. The commute to George Town will take just under an hour. Although a couple of residents commute by boat across the North Sound, this means you have to leave your car at either end. The nearest supermarket is Foster’s Express opposite The Wyndham Reef Resort in East End, but it is quite small. There is also a small rustic grocery shop, Chisholm’s, on Rum Point Drive.

Cayman Kai

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Cayman Kai is just beyond Rum Point. There is a holiday home feel about the area and life is centred around the beach. There are many luxurious houses and a few upscale apartments on the water. Prices in

this area are high for large private homes but there are 2-bed condos at the Kaibo Yacht Club that rent for around CI$200 per night. Some residents treat themselves by renting a house or condo here for the weekend. Call Cayman Villas (Tel: (345) 945 4144) to see what vacation rentals they have available. Great restaurants include the chilled out Kaibo Bar & Grill and the upscale Upstairs Restaurant, which has a superb rum collection and a tasting menu with wine pairing. Kaibo also has a coffee shop and sells ice, basic groceries and fuel for cars and boats. The commute into George Town at rush hour will take just over an hour.

OVERVIEW OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN CAYMAN BRAC

The most easterly of the Cayman Islands, the Brac, is about 12 miles in length and just over a mile in width. Early Scottish fishermen who settled here gave the Island its name. Brac is Gaelic for bluff, named after the limestone ridge that runs down the centre of the Island reaching an elevation of 150ft at the eastern end. This is also the highest point on all three Islands. The friendly Brackers share their Island with over 200 different bird species and numerous iguanas. The dramatic scenery and rugged terrain boast a plethora of hidden caves and winding trails that the whole family will love exploring. The atmosphere is tranquil, crime is almost non-existent and the people are friendly and welcoming. Cayman Brac is also famous for its superb diving, which should not be missed.

West End

WEST END (Cayman Brac)

In Cayman Brac’s West End you will find the airport, two grocery stores, a gas station and couple of condo complexes. Hence, the north shore of the West End has the highest population of residents on the Island. The famous Russian wreck dive, renamed M.V. Capt. Keith Tibbetts, lies just offshore. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism Information Centre is located here, as well as West End Primary School (a Government Hurricane Shelter) and the Island’s only airport: Charles Kirkconnell International Airport.

Stake Bay

STAKE BAY (Cayman Brac)

On the north side, Stake Bay roughly refers to the middle section of the Island. Stake Bay is the capital of the Island and is where you will find the main Government building, the hospital, the museum, a grocery store and the Island’s only high school – the highly respected Layman E. Scott Sr. High School.

The Bluff

OVERVIEW OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN LITTLE CAYMAN

Little Cayman is truly little. Ten miles in length and one in width, it harbours a permanent population of fewer than 200. Even though it is a mere blip on the radar, the Island is a formidable

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THE BLUFF (Cayman Brac)

The Island’s gentle ascent eventually leads to the limestone cliffs which are its namesake. A lighthouse crowns the 150ft tall seaside edge of the bluff. The birds circling overhead may eventually lead you back inland to the ancient woodlands of the Brac Parrot Reserve. It is home to many endemic flora and fauna species of the Cayman Islands. The Bluff has seen a significant increase in housing developments and it also has the Government-owned Cayman Brac Day Care Centre. Eastern Districts Continue east to Watering Place, Creek and Spot Bay and you’ll find a true Cayman Brac welcome. “Mom and Pop” stores and small local restaurants showcase authentic souvenirs and traditional Caymanian fare. The Cayman Brac Heritage House is located between Creek and Spot Bay and complements the Cayman Brac Museum, offering reenactments of our country’s past, with displays showing how islanders used natural resources to create houses and tools. There are two primary schools, Creek Primary School and Spot Bay Primary School, in this area.