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Welcome to the Saipan Living Website!

"America's best kept secret!"

"Discover what it's like to live on Saipan, Tinian or Rota, Northern Mariana Islands!"--Walt Goodridge

Saipan Overview

A summary of key points What's the ecconomy like right now? What are the political parties? What's the weather like? Are there typhoons? What currency do they use there? Can I own land there if I'm NOT of Northern Mariana Descent? MORE...

The People

"Take a look at Saipan society!" Saipan has a unique population of Chamorros, Carolinians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Thailanders, Bangladeshis and US mainland transplants! What language is spoken there? Are the people friendly? MORE...

Immigration

Visa, Passport, Green card information and more! Do US citizens need a visa to visit Saipan? MORE...

Employment

Minimum wage, job availability and more! What types of jobs are available? Where should I look for job vacancy announcements? What's the going rate for my profession? MORE...

Cost of Living

Your daily expenses Is it expensive to live there? Can I survive on my pension or disability? How much is trash pickup? Are utilities cheap? Are the private schools affordable? MORE...

Doing Business

Making money on Saipan What sort of business should I start? What sort of businesses are needed? Would a Starbucks succeed on Saipan? Are there any entrepreneurs I can speak with? MORE...

Resources

Helpful information Are there any websites, books, maps, directories or other resources that can help me make my decision? MORE...

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What people are asking Here are more questions answered in the Relocation Guide MORE...

WHERE IS SAIPAN?

Located in the western pacific, a short flight from Guam and 3 hours from Japan, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a popular tourist destination rich in history, culture and natural resources. Saipan, just 5 miles wide by 13 miles long, is the largest and most populated of the 15 islands making up an archipelago that stretches 400 miles (north to south) along the edge of the Marianas Trench.

Ask a Question

While we can't guarantee an answer given the volume of questions we receive, you may ask one here.

Order any of our products directly from us (i.e. click on or and you can ask up to 3 general or personalized questions we'll do our best to answer within 2 to 3 days (typically less).

Saipan Living 2018! The Relocation Guide!

YES, THIS TITLE HAS BEEN UPDATED for 2018!
Saipan Living 2018! A comprehensive guide for moving to, finding a job, working, living, retiring or simply vacationing in the Northern Mariana Islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

An "on the ground" overview of life on Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) researched, compiled and presented by a (former New York City dweller turned rat race escapee) CNMI resident and author with over 10 years of experience observing, exploring, writing about, offering tours of, answering questions and personally enjoying Saipan living!

Where exactly is Saipan? Is it a place I can escape to? What's it really like? Can I retire comfortably there? What taxes will I need to pay? Will I be able to vote in the US elections? Do I need a visa or passport to go there?

Read Saipan Living 2018, and discover Saipan for yourself! Find out what it's really like to live on Saipan from current, up-to-date, on-the-ground information that not even the ! Get answers and information and learn everything you need to know about visa & passport requirements, job opportunities, labor laws, expat communities, pets, churches, schools, gun laws, crime stats, the economy, dating, land ownership and much, much, much more!

This unique volume includes:

An A to Z index of relevant topics from "accommodations" to "zoning laws" with specific, up-to-date information and answers to the most frequently-asked questions as well as "tropical island lifestyle" details you probably haven't even thought about thinking about--details and nuance that the CIA website, travel guides, and even blogs don't get quite right. Indexed TWO ways for your convenience: (1) by Frequently Asked Questions and (2) by topic!

You get: The truth about Saipan including the good, the bad and the ugly

• Reassurances for your concerns from to mosquitoes to humidity to crime

• A step-by-step checklist for your relocation

• Tips and advice for a smooth transition and adjustment

• Support and resources for your unique lifestyle

• Contact numbers, websites & email addresses for vendors, organizations and all govt offices

• The latest updated information as of 2018 including entry requirements, cost of living, job search, school life and more!

• The latest census information with "reality check" modifications from those who actually live there!

• Facts as well as valuable opinions from past, current and even future residents!

• Completed tax forms with instructions to show how to pay taxes on Saipan!

• 10 years of questions collected from the saipanliving.com website, along with the actual responses from past, present, and even future residents.

• Actual "relocation scenarios" featuring people's real concerns and the answers they received!

• Photos of the islands you won't find anywhere else.

• "The good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly!" Yes, it's not all peaches and cream!

• Chamorro, Carolinian, Filipino, Chinese, Russian, Korean, American, Japanese viewpoints and perspectives on Saipan living.
Yes, you get all this and more to help you decide if Saipan is the right place to visit, vacation, venture into business, retire or simply escape the rat race!

Another goal of this book is to help shape the on-going transition of what Saipan living means and could mean in the future. It includes: • Predictions of Saipan's future • A manifesto on what Saipan really needs • Interviews with people who've lived there since the 1970s

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

"You've pretty much answered most of my questions. I can't believe how much was covered in this book. I read it in one day. I didn't want to stop reading."--Brittany (2017 from the Amazon website)

"I've just read Saipan Living, the relocation guide, and it's excellent! My husband and I are relocating to Saipan at the end of the month, and current resources about the island are extremely difficult to find. Thank you, Mr. Goodridge, for making available such up to date, well-written, and helpful information. It's already been useful, and I'm sure it will be tremendously so when we hit the ground in a few weeks. Finding for a place to live, furniture to purchase, and perhaps even a job will all be much easier with this inside scoop!"--LeeAnn (2017 from Amazon website)

"hi Walt, I am very impressed. I never thought of early retiring there until seeing this website. I am interested in finding out more.-- Jim W (from the early-retirement.org forum about welovesaipan.com)

"I have read great things about you and your assistance. I have already found your book to be of great assistance. It is awesome! Thanks so much."-- B. Manuel re: Saipan Living

"Just finished your book and very much did enjoy it I am sure I will read again and again it has a lot of very good information and answered most of my questions."--Keith P. p.s. keep me in the loop please.

RECENT NEWS FROM SAIPAN

These are the topics, conversations, latest developments, pending legislation and stuff that will affect life, business and tourism on Saipan, Tinian, Rota and the rest of the CNMI "Super Typhoon Yutu hit the Northern Mariana islands of Saipan and Tinian on October 25, 2018. With winds of over 180 miles per hour, there was tremendous devastation that has left hundreds of men women and children homeless. However, beyond the homelessness, there is also a unique loss that many are experiencing--and that is the loss of a hopeful future. I was inspired to launch this campaign after a brief two minute meeting with..." READ MORE AND please consider CONTRIBUTING ANY AMOUNT to the campaign: MORE..

Despite historical opposition by the general population voiced in public referanda over the years, local lawmakers pushed through an approval of allowing a company to build and operate a casino on Saipan. MORE..

This is likely the most urgent situation in the CNMI. With the total number of allowable contract worker contracts decreasing each year towards the goal of a total phaseout by the USCIS recently announced that this year's "cap" of 12,999 CNMI work permits has been reached. Consequently, any contract worker with a CW1 visa whose renewal application was not filed, will not be renewed regardless of years in the CNMI, regardless of the number of dependent family members living in the CNMI. This decision has already started to have dire consequences for employers, spouses and children of contract workers on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.... MORE..

The minimum wage in the CNMI is now $7.55/hour. Here's what you need to know if you are looking for a job here. MORE..

The Visa Waiver Program that allows citizens of Russia and China to visit the CNMI without securing a visa in advance is still in effect. Japan tourist numbers fall while China tourist numbers rise. MORE..

Article XII (12), the section of the CNMI constitution that limits land ownership to those of Northern Mariana descent only is up for re-evaluation. MORE..

Both Tinian and Pagan have been subjects of debate MORE..

What's the voting situation? What's the cost of living? Read what other people have frequently asked over the years...! MORE..

Jetskiing, trekking tours, submarine rides, parasailing, wakeboarding and much more! MORE..