Moving to Guam may come with a range of emotions for your family. My husband was excited for the sandy beaches, clear blue water, proximity to major cities like Tokyo and Seoul, and the more laidback culture that awaited us. I was nervous to be thousands of miles and a full twenty-four hours (minimum) of travel away from my family and friends.
I worried about finding a job, a community, and a sense of “home” in a place that would feel so different from the East Coast. It’s okay to feel both ends of the emotional spectrum and to oscillate between them in the lead-up to your move; change is exciting and scary! To help build your excitement further and ease your worries, here are 5 things you should know about moving to Guam.
- Life is Slower Here
Growing up on Long Island, I was used to a go-go-go lifestyle in a crowded and bustling part of the country. Guam, however, is a chance to step back and savor those stunning sunsets and take the time to just float in the ocean. The speed limit throughout the island caps off at 35mph.
Rather than seeing this as an inconvenience, enjoy the chance to look at the waves and palm trees as you listen to the radio. Mail is slow right now, and we all let out a collective groan when we get the notification that our package is being transported by boat. Sure, I miss my 2-day Amazon Prime shipping and don’t love waiting two months for a package, but it helps me plan ahead for purchases, be resourceful about finding what I need nearby, and resist the temptation to impulse shop.
- A Strong Sense of Community
Whether you live on base or off, there are a lot of opportunities to create a strong community of friends and found family. With the steep prices of airline tickets and the long journey back, it’s not feasible for a lot of military families to visit the States for the holidays and special events. While homesickness is very real with those geographic barriers, know that you are very much not alone in your feelings.
Everyone is a little homesick, and we make an effort to hang out together to keep the loneliness at bay. From celebrating toddlers’ birthdays to going to trivia nights at breweries to joining a pickleball league, we have found many ways to hang out with friends and expand our circle. Military spouse Facebook groups have helped me to find book clubs and volunteer opportunities, and I love finding women who share similar interests and passions with me.
Village festivals, church fiestas, Night Markets, and the many events sponsored at Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam all help to create a sense of community and fun.
- New Flavors
When you attend a festival, fiesta, Night Market, or Chamorro BBQ, you might notice some new foods and flavors. Red rice gets its color from achote seeds, but don’t worry, the red color doesn’t mean it’s spicy. KFC, surprisingly, serves some solid red rice, and it’s one of the first things I pile on my plate. Kelaguen is a similar cooking preparation to ceviche because the chosen protein is mixed with lemon juice, salt, and hot peppers. BBQ chicken, shrimp, octopus, and other fish are common meats in this. “Pika” means spicy in Chamorro, and Guam’s famous denanche’ (hot sauce) is made with donne’ peppers. My husband especially likes it when coconut crab meat is added! Familiar fruits like mangos and avocados grow on Guam, but you can also try less familiar ones like soursop and star apple. Don’t be afraid to ask vendors about the foods they’re selling or to reach out to a farmer to learn more about local dishes and produce!
- New Kinds of Seasons
While you won’t get spring, fall, and winter, there are two distinct seasons in what feels like an endless summer. We moved in the height of rainy season, which stretches from July to November. Does this mean it rains all day, every day? No, but you can expect heavy rains in the afternoons and a greater chance of a typhoon.
Typhoon season is pretty similar to hurricane season, and the same preparations and precautions apply. It’s a good idea to always have flashlights, batteries, canned food, and bottled water on hand. Dry season brings cooler breezes, far less rain, and more sunny days. Guam has daily earthquakes, but the majority of them are far too small to even feel. When they are large enough to feel, they usually do not cause damage, but they did catch me by surprise!
- New Hobbies
Because of Guam’s year-round tropical weather and beautiful beaches, many people take advantage of this rare opportunity to spend so much time on or near the water. Many people will become dive certified to explore the clear waters teeming with fish in the surrounding reefs. If you’re a bit less adventurous like me, you may enjoy observing a wide variety of marine life while snorkeling instead. From paddleboarding to cycling around the island to sunset yoga to waterfall hikes, there’s so many ways to enjoy the great outdoors by yourself, with your family, or with a new group of friends. Facebook groups are your friend here to find people with similar interests, and you’ll soon find your calendar filling with adventures.
Katie McDonald is a Navy wife, and she and her husband are currently stationed in Guam. After 5 years as an English teacher, Katie is currently working as a freelance writer and enjoys writing about books and travel.. https://www.katiereads.com/
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