HI!

This is a great forum, it has taught me a lot already. My wife and I are moving to Aruba this Dec with an 8 month assignment. We are really excited and think we will be staying near Oranjestad.

We were just wondering what to expect as far as weather, bugs (my wife's big concern), and adjustments from living in the US. Is the humidity comparable to Florida in the summer? Are the grocery stores very expensive? Is there options for cable TV, high speed internet and US cell phones?

Look forward to coming
thanks

Normally bugs are no problem, but after a rain sometimes they are. I would take or purchase some bug spray when you arrive. We keep one in our car.

I've never been to Florida in the summer, but I don't think Aruba is as humid. We have friends in Aruba that visit U.S. for vacation. They will not return to Michigan because it is too humid for them in our summer.

Grocery stores. More expensive than U.S. but not bad. Some items like milk ($6.50/gal) are. I drink a lot of Gaturade & it runs about $6.00/ gal. But in general, they are not to bad. Meat prices are reasonable. Groud beef was $2.59/lb. last month. Steaks ran $6.00 & up /lb. When initial shopping to stock kitchen, Consales has the best prices, especially on spices. Also their meat is good quality & reasonable.

Cable - there is cable TV of Aruba & Direct TV available. Internet is available thru Setar (local phone provider) It would probably be cheaper to buy a cell phone from them than using a U.S. cell. There is also Digi-cel.

When are you arriving? I will be there thru Dec. 19 & happy to meet with you to answer any questions I can.

Tom & Karen
Next Trip:

Jan. 5 - Mar. 31

I would love to find out how your move to Aruba works, I am really thinking about moving down there myself and have allot of the same questions. I am going from Jan 7th to March 31 and it is the first time that I have gone on a vaction for three months, I would love to stay there every winter. If you find a good place to shop let me know..thanks Jim

Jason,do you know how many people would love to have an eight month assignment to live in Aruba?Just woundering what kind of work do you do and do they need help?Good luck you should have a wounderful time.

I'm actually just doing an internship at a business that caters to a lot of cruise ship tourists, and finishing up a Economics/Business Degree in college after I get back.

Thanks for all the answers. I was also wondering if many people have pet dogs there. I was thinking of getting my wife one for Christmas. Do they have many breeds? Yorkies, Pomeranians, or something small.

Please visit http://www.arubaanimalshelter.com/ before purchasing a dog for your wife.

Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
Back to paradise Trip #18
Christmas & New Years Aboard the Queen Mary 2

Hey T & K - Nice to bother you again!!!! How wonderful it is you are in Aruba - it cold and crappy weather here!!! Question - you mentioned Consales, is this a regular grocery??? - where is it located???
BTW - I used the map from the magazines you sent and looked at the locator satellite map on restaurantsaruba.com to find my way all over the island from my resort. It was really neat to see the pools at the Carbbean Palm from the sky. I also found our way to Moomba's for the Jolly Pirate sail and our way to the Ostrich Farm. Can you tell I research something to death!!!???

Easter in Aruba

There are 2 large supermarkets opposite closed Bushiri

I'm wondering that as well. I know only Lings, Certified, Super Foods and Hong King. Consales?

. . . . . .
Okay - I found it in the yellow pages: CONSALES ARUBA
Gutenbergstraat 2
582-3750

That doesn't help much

We still need Tom and Karen to say where it is.

Aruba Trip Reports

Consales is indeed in Gutenbergstraat and that is as you get to the gas station (Valero Boulevard) upon entering the downtown area, you then take a left instead of going straight downtown, at the round about at the tax office you take a left, so you go into the round about, your third left you get back out and then your second left you'll be right in front of Consales.

Hope this is of help.

Regards,

Bryan Morris
Aruba's Premier Wedding Photographer