How a Kenyan Couple Balanced Two Careers While Moving from the Cayman Islands to Canada

Eliud Choge accepted an overseas job offer that led him and his partner, Eunice Mokeira, to live and work across several countries, navigating shifts in career, cost of living, and community.

At the time of the offer, Eliud was well established in Kenya’s corporate sector, with a master’s degree in IT Management and experience in audit and finance. His relocation to the Cayman Islands marked the start of a multi-country journey through some of the world’s most competitive and costly economies.

In the Cayman Islands, a small territory with a population of about 90,000, Eliud entered a global financial centre known for attracting multinational firms and high-net-worth individuals. His transition was supported by structured corporate programmes, including relocation assistance and workplace mentorship.

Outside of formal support, personal networks played a central role in his adjustment. He found community through the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which provided both social connection and practical help. He later observed that similar networks were important in each country he lived in.

Despite the absence of income tax, living in the Cayman Islands was expensive. Housing costs were high, and imported goods increased food prices. Sharing accommodation helped reduce expenses, while dining out was often more practical than cooking. The tax-free income partly offset these costs.

Eliud later considered opportunities in the United Kingdom and the Bahamas, ultimately choosing the Bahamas due to stronger financial prospects and better professional options for Eunice, who is a medical doctor. They moved to Nassau in 2022 and married in Kenya the following year.

In the Bahamas, they experienced a more socially open environment. Eliud noted a welcoming culture, while Eunice was attracted to both the natural setting and clinical work opportunities. However, limitations in medical training programmes influenced their long-term planning.

Their move to California brought them into a leading global technology hub. Eliud worked near major technology firms and gained exposure to innovation and investment networks. However, high taxes and living costs reduced the financial benefits of higher earnings.

Eunice faced additional challenges in the United States, including navigating professional requirements across different healthcare systems. At one stage, she returned temporarily to the Bahamas to gain clinical experience. Their experience reflected the complexity of managing dual careers across countries.

Over time, the couple shifted their focus from career progression alone to overall quality of life. They chose to move to Calgary, Canada, in early 2025, seeking a more balanced environment.

In Canada, they found a slower pace of life and lower living costs, along with access to healthcare and public services. Eunice began exploring structured medical residency pathways, while Eliud continued working with an international firm.

Despite their moves, both maintain a strong connection to the Bahamas. They describe it as a place where they felt a strong sense of community, shaping their view of what home means.