Where to live in Jersey
Traditionally Jersey was a small agricultural and seafaring community. It became a tourist resort for the British in the 20th-century and in the last three decades it has been transformed into a major international offshore finance centre, with all the ancillary legal, banking, accounting, administration and insurance services.
Jersey is divided into 12 parishes, which are the political, administrative and social units on which life in the island is based. Almost all the parishes have a mix of housing, from low-cost apartments (often government subsidised) to luxury villas. The island has its own parliament (the States), 13 police forces (voluntary, or honorary, ones in each of the 12 parishes and one paid force in St Helier), its own coins, bank notes and postage stamps.
Life in Jersey has many advantages: generally nothing is further than 30-minutes drive (even in rush-hour); the educational and sports facilities are good; there is relatively little violent crime (although like in most affluent communities drugs are a problem); and there is a huge range of leisure and cultural activities and places to eat. Last but not least is the very favourable tax regime.
The disadvantages are: a higher cost of living than in the British Isles (although this is off-set by lower taxes) and a very restrictive housing policy for those not Jersey born and bred (www.gov.je) Travel to the British Isles and to France is expensive (unless you book well in advance), and several times a year it is difficult, occasionally impossible, to get to and from the island because of fog or high winds.
Photos by courtesy of A.C. Moore and Penny McGuire.
Grouville, which borders St Clement to the north, has something of everything. There is low-cost housing in the areas close to St Helier and St Clement as well as one... area details
St Brelade is a large sprawling parish along the southwest coast with the best variety of sandy beaches in the island. It also has two very good shopping centres, one... area details
St Clement borders St Helier to the east and the parish is fast becoming an extension of the town. This is an area of mainly low-cost housing but there are... area details
This an area of mainly low-cost housing but there are some areas in the high-cost bracket. There is still evidence of well-proportioned and well laid-out Georgian terraces and pretty Victorian streets,... area details
This parish, which is half way to everywhere, stretches along the central section of the north coast. The airport, the harbour and St Helier are all within an easy 20-minute... area details
St Lawrence lies to the south of St John. Some of the island’s oldest farms (now belonging to the Jersey National Trust) are in this parish and in its quiet... area details
This is one of the most agricultural parishes, and one of the most sought after places to live in the island. It has the best herd of Jersey cattle, some... area details
To the west of St John is St Mary, which is quieter and more rural than its neighbour. There are no village shops (the petrol station has some groceries and... area details
On the northwest and west coast St Ouen has some of the most rugged scenery in the island. This is wind-swept territory, with few trees, low hedges and small intensely-farmed... area details
This is an in-between parish, more of a through road to somewhere else than a place to stop. It is sandwiched between St Ouen to the northwest and St Brelade... area details