Mandeville, Jamaica

Capital City

Living in Mandeville, Jamaica is not for the faint of heart. The town's population of 48,317 belies its remote inland location, 103 km from the capital Kingston. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the municipality lacking the coastal access and major river that characterize other Jamaican parish capitals.

However, Mandeville does offer some advantages. The town square, parish church, and historic 19th-century houses give it a quaint, genteel character. And the presence of Northern Caribbean University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution, suggests an educated, professional class. For Jamaicans returning from abroad seeking a quieter, more traditional lifestyle, Mandeville could be an appealing choice.

Overall, Mandeville is best suited for resilient individuals who can navigate its administrative challenges and remoteness. The rewards are a serene, colonial-era atmosphere and a tight-knit community.