SMU Families!
Would you be willing to share your cost of living in GC?

khamilton was kind enough to share her breakdown as a couple (below).
how is it different with kids? (esp: how much more in rent, food, and other activities)
(I have one infant, but others may also want to know about school)


khamilton's budget breakdown: (married couple)
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Here is my breakdown for the year I was in Cayman

Tuition - $7900 per semester

Fees - $375 - $450 for insurance

Books - about $250 per semester. I bought a lot of used books from Amazon and Ebay

Computer - if you spend $3000 on a computer you got ripped off. I just bought a brand new top of the line Gateway for $1500. You can get good one for a lot cheaper if you shop around

Equipment - The onyl thing I bought until my 4th semester was gloves for labs. For my 4th semester i purchased a stethoscope, tuning forks, reflex hammer and oto/opthalmascope and they all cost me about $500.

Rent, water & electric - $1300 per month (1BR on the ocean in WestBay 10 minutes from school)

Food - For myself and my husband we spent about $50 per week on groceries. And about $100 per week eating out. You can do this for mush cheaper and for a lot more.

Cable - $80 per month (some houses/apartments include this in the rent)

Internet - $30 per month for the slowest high speed with Weststar

Telephone - When I had a land line it was about $100 per month including long distance. After the first couple of months I got a VoIP service for $20 a month for long distance and a pre-paid cell phone for local calls.

Car - I bought a good running car for $900 and my husband bought a jeep for $2800. If you don't want to buy a car, you can bike from most places and walk from some of them. Some people went in together to get a car and split the cost.