Tiffany Grant made the decision to move abroad and leave the United States. Her first trip to Jamaica, where she has roots, was a few years ago. “I was struck by the joy I felt surrounded by the culture, the food, and so many family members and new friends,” she told CNBC.
Grant, a financial educator, writer, podcaster, and coach, relocated to Negril, Jamaica, in the spring of 2024 with her two youngest children.
She was often sick and had extremely high blood pressure while living in the United States, but over the past few months, she has become less stressed and her health has improved by adopting the habits of older adults in her new community. She believes she has a better chance of longevity there overall.
She now shares the most important lessons she has learned from the elderly people in the area.
Community, mobility, and fresh food: lessons from Negril life
Her community’s elderly residents spend a lot of time outside. “One of my neighbors, in his mid-to-late 60s, can do a backflip and often climbs trees to pick fruit.” In addition to spending time taking care of their gardens, many people wash their clothes by hand and hang them on the line.
“I feel like the dependence on cars in the U.S. made it harder for me to enjoy nature and the company of other people.” Most Negril residents, especially seniors, walk and take public transportation to run errands. Because Jamaica is mountainous and hilly, residents often end up climbing hills. Her health has greatly benefited from this.
She says she has tried doing that in the States, “but as soon as the season changes, I go back in and may or may not come out again,” she adds. Because of the year-round temperate weather, Grant now works outside nearly all day, and her veranda office is always open.
Food is fresh and less processed. Fruit trees are everywhere, and there is a wide variety of vegetables. “I don’t eat traditional fast food here, although there are restaurants that serve it. I prefer to go to a skilled local vendor and try some of their wares,” she says, referring to the freshly caught fish, porridge, cold coconuts, and dishes like jerk chicken, brown stew, bully beef, and beef patties.
Finding connection and belonging in island life
“You will frequently see people, especially older folks, talking, playing dominoes or Ludi, and laughing together. When people aren’t feeling well, neighbors will share their favorite herbal remedies,” Grant explains.
Even though her family is new, they often get invited to neighborhood events. On Sundays, for instance, people might attend church, relax, visit the river, and engage in “bush cooking”—making and serving meals outside.
She immediately felt at home in Negril’s very relaxed setting, whereas she hardly ever saw anyone in her old neighborhood in the United States.
After seven years, she only knew about four neighbors on her street. There was very little interaction. It’s strange not to talk to your neighbors in Jamaica; whenever she sees someone, they sit and chat.
It wasn’t until they left that she realized how stressful and individualistic her life was.
When slowing down changes everything
Tiffany is more than happy with her decision: “The pace of island life forced me to slow down, start paying attention to how I felt, and challenged my beliefs of what life should be. Moving shook up my routine, removed me from daily stressors, and allowed me to create a new reality.”
Besides moving abroad, she shows us the importance of slowing down and coming back to basics: eat well, move your body, and care about your community.
