#84914 - 03/21/10 01:39 PM
Life in Tahiti
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TomWilde
Junior Member
Registered: 03/21/10
Posts: 4
Loc: Switzerland
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Hey guys, just registered.
I've always wondered how life would be in Tahiti or the french polynesia in general.
Are there any tahitians or somebody who's been more than just for vacations in the french polynesia on this forum?
I'd like to know:
- how expensive life is
- work oportunities
- life quality
- education level
- languages spoken besides french
I am planning to go and start my life in the french polynesia as soon as Im done with my education.
Any advices?
Thanks in advance for any replies =]
~Tom
Edited by TomWilde (03/21/10 01:39 PM)
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#84916 - 03/21/10 04:39 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: TomWilde]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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Ia Ora Na e Maeva Tom !
- Life is VERY expensive... stupid example: 4 small yoghurts in France € 1,71 same in Tahiti appr. € 9,-
Electricity is the most expensive in the world, average € 0,35/Kwh
Rental place, anything decent from € 1500 upwards
Just getting connected to the internet: € 250 and takes appr. 5 weeks whereafter you're limited in up- and downloads
- work opportunities: NIHIL unemployment has never been so high and people with less than 5 years residency are no longer allowed to be hired (local employment protection plan)
- life quality: absolutely GREAT, you can walk into the bank barefoot and spill your life story to the teller while people wait patiently behind you... you can have happy hours at places and resorts that take your breath away... no stress, time has a very different meaning here, things that don't get done today will be done some other time... outdoor living and casual clothing as it is hot all year around
- education level... ?? In general a little lower than France's but there is also a university in Tahiti
- languages: French and Tahitian (different dialects) people that work in tourist industry mostly speak English as well
Do lots of homework... you'll need a visa if wanting to stay more than 3 months and won't be allowed to work
_________________________
* with sunshine *
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#84917 - 03/21/10 04:49 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: Poehere]
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tambir9
Member
Registered: 12/18/06
Posts: 210
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Out of curiousity Poehere, what type of wages do people earn... for example the bank teller, what would their annual wage be? What about hotel workers? I am curious because for many of us our stress levels come from trying to pay the bills, and from the costs of living you have mentioned, it sounds like keeping up with the basics could be stressful.
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#84918 - 03/21/10 05:59 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: tambir9]
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TomWilde
Junior Member
Registered: 03/21/10
Posts: 4
Loc: Switzerland
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@Poehere: Thanks for your awesome reply.
I'm used to that kind of prices (I live in Zurich, Switzerland and life's damn expensive here too) but electricity if far cheaper here.
I'm studying hotel management at EHL:
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_h%C3%B4teli%C3%A8re_de_Lausanne]Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne[/url]
For when I'm finished I really hope that employement will have restored itself and that I can work in the touristic industry in tahiti. Because 5 years is a lot of time without a job, and even thou I wouldn't have to care about freezing to death, I'm sure that life can be hard even in paradise.
Since switzerland has very good relations with the EU I don't think I'm going to need a visa.
My hopes and dream have always been establishing myself in Tahiti, make my whole life there, that's why I asked for education (if I get to be a father somewhen).
All this started when I went to live in Chile (Southamerica) for a couple of years, I got rid of this european box-shaped mentality and learned that life is about living it, not following a scheme. That's why Tahiti is my future.
Once again thank you very much for your reply.
Edited by TomWilde (03/21/10 06:01 PM)
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#84920 - 03/21/10 06:27 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: TomWilde]
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hamara
Expert Advisor
Registered: 01/07/02
Posts: 2319
Loc: Washington/Moorea
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With a Swiss passport you can stay for 3 months. Longer stays will require a visa.
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#84921 - 03/21/10 07:26 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: hamara]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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Tambir, the minimum wage is around 1800 us$ per month now, so the employer pays another 30% on top of that for social security (however no unemployment benefits here...) hence one of the reasons having a drink or staying in a hotel is pretty expensive as there is no way around employment costs for any company here!
Hotel staff is being paid likewise meaning starting at 1800 us$ per month for job levels like waiter, housekeeping etc and slowely going up...
Very true that paying bills with that kind of salary in view of the cost of living for expatriates / foreigners can be stressfull but locals live differently. Where "imported" labour usually share a rental place, the locals own their homes/land so don't pay rent and they usually live with a lot of other family members under 1 roof sharing costs etc. The diet is different as well, so iso eating imported NZealand steak it would be a can of corned beef or fish and fruit and vegies that push in the garden iso buying strawberries at 18 us$ at a supermarket...
_________________________
* with sunshine *
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#84922 - 03/21/10 07:47 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: TomWilde]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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EHL has a very very good reputation worldwide so your best bet would be to join a large (international) hospitality chain present as well in FP, like Four Seasons or Intercontinental and request a transfer to FP...
FP is totally independent from the EU in terms of immigration laws! No EU citizen (except for the French) and no swiss passport holder has the same rights in FP as in the EU member states/countries where you're free to move around the members countries without a visa and can even work! You can enter max 3 months only and believe me you will be extradicted if overstaying your welcome sort of speak!
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/venir/visas/index.html
If you think Tahiti is your future, you should try come and taste all about FP life before committing yourself... (or have you been to FP already??) to see if it really is your dream and goal as it will not be easy to do so but it is not impossible either
_________________________
* with sunshine *
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#84989 - 03/25/10 04:03 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: Poehere]
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TomWilde
Junior Member
Registered: 03/21/10
Posts: 4
Loc: Switzerland
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Thank you for your answers =] I will go and try out myself. I have never been to FP before.
One last question: do tahitians internally really like tourists?
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#85010 - 03/28/10 04:06 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: TomWilde]
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YosemiteGirl2
Member
Registered: 09/17/07
Posts: 373
Loc: California
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Hi Tom,
I can't offer any advice on moving to FP, but wanted to add that your home town is absolutely lovely. My husband and I were privileged to live/work in Zurich for a year and were so impressed with the high quality of life. The little city on the lake outshines most larger European cities. We also continue to be amazed by the quality of the hospitality services in Switzerland as a whole -- the training you are now acquiring is amongst the best in the world. Good luck to you!
-C
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#85011 - 03/28/10 04:54 PM
Re: Life in Tahiti
[Re: YosemiteGirl2]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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Hi P, just wanted to clarify your rental prices as stated above - is that 1500 Euro per month?
We pay around 6 Euro per day in electricity approx and decent places to rent around 256 Euro per week.
Wages for 40 hour week clerical/admin type role approx 472 Euro. Mining and Executive roles between 1000 - 1200 Euro per week.
I reckon approx 25% of our monthly wage goes on paying bills and insurances - if we didn't have to pay them we'd be rich and travelling to Tahiti twice a year at least!!
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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