My husband and I are now into our fifth year – no, not of marriage (that’s been 33!!) but five fantastic years living in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. “Where’s that?” I hear you cry. Please get out the atlas or should I be more savvy and say,” Google it”? It’s a hidden gem in the Caribbean, just down from Bahamas and a 105 minute flight from Miami, USA.
I want to take this opportunity to tell my life story so far, such that it is, because some readers may well identify with it and then consider taking the plunge to relocate or invest abroad in The Turks and Caicos Islands.
We spent a few years planning and searching for that special place where we would relive our six years idyllic years in Bermuda that we had in the early 80’s – “and don’t get attached to the place, as you are only imported labour”, we were told as young teachers way back then. Well we did get attached and loved our life there but knew it could not be forever because of restrictions on non Bermudians.
We stayed for six years as ‘imported labour’ and begrudgingly left to raise our new family on British soil so that we could buy our own home and apply for promotion within the education sector; two big restrictions on expats in Bermuda.
We returned with toddler and a bump (our son was born four months later in an English hospital) and we then had eighteen long years struggling once again as teachers in the UK. We bored our long suffering friends with our wishing that we were somewhere else, warm and sunny and simple.
To compensate for endless grey days and to feel more alive, we visited Florida and bought two villas. The plan had been to sell holidays to the British and eventually, after building up a portfolio of property, we would relocate to American soil. We often visited the USA from Bermuda as a short flight took us to the bright lights of New York and all that shopping!
The idea of home ownership and selling holidays was a disaster. Property managers over there (some British) did not deliver and we would spend many a summer over there, repairing, replacing light bulbs and cleaning pools and carpets- something we had been paying for each month as absentee owners.
We found the American tax system bewildering and the officials were not completely understanding of anyone who was not an American citizen. It was the first time that we experienced first hand, the notion there that nothing existed outside the United States. We were relieved to sell both properties after a worrying and stressful three years. The selling process was not as happy and straightforward as one sees on these TV shows. We vowed never to buy in USA again.
Hitting 50 was a turning point for me…I started feeling on borrowed time and there I was still missing the dream, still feeling frustrated with bureaucracy and constant changes in the work place. Leisure time was ferrying the children to their respective clubs, music lessons and sleepovers, fitting in the household chores and gardening.
Fortunately, my husband experienced similar feelings and was easily persuaded to explore islands for us to relocate to. It took a year to find such a place and a year of planning. The heartache of selling the character family home we had built, so lovingly, around our two beautiful children was hard to accept but we had talked of this time for years. So after years of child raising, work, renovating the house ourselves, parties, pets ranging from chickens to pigs and sheep, hamsters and cockerels, the desire for a complete change of lifestyle took hold.
The dream had to become a reality so with the grown children’s blessings, we sold, bought a modern “box” to rent out and packed four suitcases.
On our departure day our son, then nineteen and at college, collected us and drove us to Heathrow. It was strange and somewhat sad, to look at the back of his head as I sat in the rear of the car. Wasn’t it only yesterday I marveled at his newborn head – so perfectly formed and so handsome? How soon he had grown up, and apart, an independent, competent adult, a young man to be proud of. My anxiety brushed over me. Would he be safe without me? He would not have a home to come to when he needed a roast Sunday lunch or a heart to heart about girlfriend troubles. His older sister was in the North of England and here he was in the South with no-one.
I reassured myself that many parents working abroad leave their younger offspring in boarding schools for months on end. He was an adult and he could visit us as frequently as college holiday dates allowed. I felt better and the excitement came over me again.
With some of the proceeds from the sale of Florida homes and the UK family home we purchased a new house in the South of England to keep as a nest egg. Then we bought a one bed apartment condominium overlooking a marina, close to beach and restaurants on the island of Providenciales in TheTurks and Caicos Islands. Condominium living is alien to the British and we were slightly nervous of communal living and management companies. Our worries were unfounded and we enjoy a well managed environment with beautifully landscaped gardens. It was a wise move as it gave us an opportunity to have instant contact with people around us and easily make friends.
Providenciales is the most developed of all the inhabited islands here, boasting fine restaurants, beautiful homes and condominium complexes, some on the stunning Grace Bay Beach.
The Government is keen to ensure that interest and investment is shared amongst all the islands. Grand Turk has seen massive growth with the building of a new cruise ship terminal. North Caicos and Middle Caicos have now been joined by a causeway which opened last year. North boasts a large new airport and deep harbour marina.
As it’s a tax free, British territory where there is no restriction on expats buying homes or land, we felt confident that our investment was sound. It certainly is.
We knew we had about one year’s money to live on, if we were careful and what would we need money for anyway when we had love, sun and sand – and no work!! ?
After a wonderful year on island, meeting some very interesting people from all walks of life, we felt the need to be more productive. We had become volunteers in various organizations on island and we also became an unofficial information centre with friends calling up asking if we knew of cars for sale, homes to rent, land to buy and where was the tourist attraction named “The Hole.”
We both found work outside education, which was very exciting to think that at our age, employers would even consider us as assets to their companies. Ageism does not exist here which is refreshing and inspiring and when one is least expecting it, an opportunity arises. We have continued to stay here and enjoyed being employed for another four years.
I am a sales associate with a newly formed real estate company on island called Anchor Realty Ltd. It had always been an area of great interest to me. I like helping people realize their aspirations, and we have bought and sold many a house over the years.
I have begun regular blogging reports on my site for viewers to receive up-to-date real estate news, sometimes I write from the same day. I particularly like this facility as it’s like writing to all my friends all over the world. This is helpful when the postal service is erratic and unreliable. (We get Christmas cards in March, posted in November but after a while one soon laughs off these minor irritants as what is charming about living on a little island). I doubt I would say that if I did not have e-mail though as it is my lifeline to the outside world.
The sun doesn’t stop shining and the people do not stop coming. They disembark from planes scowling with stress and leave with huge smiles. Life here is simple and stress free. I sometimes have to remind myself how carefree it is when I am working with clients from other countries. They need time to adjust to the laid back attitudes and the lack of clock watching. But those who can relax and leave their Blackberrys behind are always smiling and having fun because that is what they are here for. They rave about the beauty of the beaches and the brilliant turquoise of the sea. They dive, eat at fine restaurants, fish, and snorkel, take boats and picnics out to little islands and wish they did not have to go home so early.
This relaxed place is infectious as it is easy to feel very right at home. Living here fulltime, I am the envy of my clients and many return to their overseas homes to work out their relocation strategies and back they come.
Our children and their partners arrive every Christmas for the traditional family get- together and we are blessed they want to be here and not on the ski slopes with their friends.
Our friends come and go out here. That’s what happens on islands where the labour force is made up of experienced, trained workers on contracts to help the locals manage the overwhelming amount of business that has formed here. We are still hanging in and enjoying our simple life where the postal system is erratic and online utility payments are just coming in.
The construction and real estate industries continue to flourish so that people who have been here a few short years wish they had bought two, three years ago.
What is an enigma is why there are so few Europeans who have discovered these shores. Where are they all?? The British pound has been so strong for many months, as has the Euro and we have the US dollar. British Airways flies direct on Sundays via Nassau. Flying in from the USA could not be easier as several American flight carriers fly daily from New York, Atlanta, Boston, North Carolina (Charlotte). American Airlines arrives several times a day from Miami.
Why invest here?
Buying is easy and realtors here abide by the TCI code of conduct.
All business associated with buying and selling property is underpinned by British law.
It is English speaking with many professionals living and working here so from architects to lawyers to construction companies, engineers, interior designers, one can always find a reliable and trustworthy company.
The Land Registry ensures that your title to land and property is guaranteed by the Crown and is registered with the Government
The Government Planning Department overseas plans and building codes.
The market is open to all regardless of nationality and there is no personal income tax, inheritance tax, property tax or capital gains tax.
Property is hot and seemingly not affected by the worldwide downturn.
Private jets fly in every day and the enlarged private jet airport appears full with ever increasing bigger planes.
Private islands are being developed to cater for those who wish to belong to an elite group of owners who want exclusivity coupled with the use of a private airstrip and port of entry facilities on site.
The new hospital that will be the envy of many a nation, has broken ground.
The new health system will be introduced to cater to all.
The celebrity set mingles with the rest of us, as they know we will respect their privacy. It’s chill time here every day.
We have sentimental times of wishing our home was still home but all in all we have made the right decision. It has enriched our day to day living and with the passing of time, so fast these days, we are fortunate that life is unpredictable but maybe someone else, discouraged and exhausted, or just looking for that reason to change, may be inspired to take the plunge after reading this.
You can do it and hey ho…if it doesn’t workout, you can say you had a very extended holiday and that you are now feeling very relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world and whatever it throws at you.
I hope I get to meet some of you when you arrive in Providenciales. Give me a call as I would be happy to help you feel right at home…
Author: Jan Hull offers prospective buyers an individual attentive service coupled with plenty of local knowledge from all viewpoints. Having bought, sold, rented and tenanted all over the island, there is little she has not experienced firsthand. She is authorised to show any property for sale and is a member of the Turks and Caicos Realtor Association. http://www.caribbeanhomefinder.net/
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My husband and I are now into our fifth year – no, not of marriage (that’s been 33!!) but five fantastic years living in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. “Where’s that?” I hear you cry. Please get out the atlas or should I be more savvy and say,” Google it”? It’s a hidden gem in the Caribbean, just down from Bahamas and a 105 minute flight from Miami, USA.