Moving to the Cook Islands

Hi there,
We are a family of 4 (2 preschool aged kids) looking to move to the Cook Islands for a 3 year contract. I have been searching online but finding it hard to get any cuttent info on ex-pat life. There was a post on these forums that was helpful, but it was 7 years old!

My partner and i have lived in an island community before (Chatham Is) so know what to expect re isolation, scarcity of quality fruit and veges, high cost of supermarket food, unreliable Internet, poor (or in that case) no cell-phone coverage and being "other". What made life there great was the community (not all of whom were friendly), the expat community, the amazing island itself, the self-reliant lifestyle and the "otherness" of it all.

I have a few specific questions about the Cook Islands, mainly Rarotonga but also Aitutaki. Any other general info would be great!

1. Do people grow their own veges? I have heard fresh water is limited and wondered if that was a problem?

2. What is the ex-pat community like? Are there many, if any, young families.

3. I have heard the health care is poor, is this still the case?

4. Friends and family who have visited recently reported dog problems, as in lots of stray dogs wandering around. Are these dogs dangerous? Do they attack people (have recently read about a cow being attacked)? I have lived in a country with roving dogs and was bitten, have also seen a pack of dogs attact a lamb in another country. I'm not a fan, especially with the added worry of small children.

5. What is crime like?

6. Does anyone have any experience with the early childhood centres?

7. I have heard there is a public library in Raro, what is the selection like? And does anyone know if it sends books to Aitutaki?

8. What can we expect to pay in rent for a 3 bedroom?

Thanks to anyone who can give me some answers!

Try posting to the Cook Islands face book page
https://www.facebook.com/theCookIslands

I go there every year. What Island are you considering?

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Hi guys - just wondering if you ever found out answers to these questions and did you end up moving to the CI’s? How can I contact you to ask some of the same questions...?! :)

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