In every corner of the globe, there are Jamaicans who never truly left home.
Though their lives have taken them to cities like London, New York, Toronto, and Miami, many Jamaicans abroad hold on to the hope of returning. For decades, this desire to come home has shaped migration patterns—and now, it’s shaping Jamaica’s real estate market.
Today’s returning residents form a diverse, determined group, and they’re changing what “coming home” looks like. Instead of grand mansions or multi-storey showpieces, many are opting for smaller, single-storey homes—practical, comfortable, and most importantly, secure.
A Historical Homecoming
The story of returning residents is not a new one. As early as the 1960s and 70s, Jamaicans who had left for the UK under the Windrush generation began making their way back to the island in retirement. They were soon followed by others from the U.S. and Canada, often after decades of hard work, sending remittances home while planning their return.
These early retur…
