Where can we live?
#31
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 18
Re: Where can we live?
There's a reason why it's easy to go to Montserrat at the moment, remember that more than half of the island is off limits following their volcano, and they lost to a lot of the best resources in that event.
Never liked antigua much myself, too dry and not enough good local resouces, but to each their own. So long as you stay a year and commit nothing financially in that period you should know at the end.
Suggest you find copies of 2 out of print oldish books, how to live in the caribbean and how to retire in the caribbean, both very informative. Living on an island is VERY different to visiting it, beware of holiday syndrome, the needs and likes become quite different over time.
Never liked antigua much myself, too dry and not enough good local resouces, but to each their own. So long as you stay a year and commit nothing financially in that period you should know at the end.
Suggest you find copies of 2 out of print oldish books, how to live in the caribbean and how to retire in the caribbean, both very informative. Living on an island is VERY different to visiting it, beware of holiday syndrome, the needs and likes become quite different over time.
Yes, we have been to Montserrat many times over the last 10 years and are aware of all its issues. Things are slowly changing and improving.
I am a huge fan of Grenada. My father took me there in the 1980s and we've been going back ever since. We were last there for a month in December 2015. I see all the amazing things going on. Natural resources ( chocolate!!!!) are for sure better than Antigua, but as I said the school for our youngest ( 13) is the biggest draw, and we have friends who have been on the island since the 1950s. They were born there, so it's not as if we don't have real connections set up. I am just on here looking for other people who might share their personal experiences. Perhaps you might know about schools on Grenada that expats and locals both attend? The ability to find good long term rentals? If people eventually might be able to bring their pets over if doing the extended tourist visa thing?
That's exactly our plan. To go for a year. To rent. To enrol her in school, if we can, if not she can do online schooling ( which we've done before when we've be on tour with my H) and we can take a view from there.
#32
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 18
Re: Where can we live?
Megbel - have you considered Nevis ?- which I prefer to St Kitts or Antigua. It has a passport plan etc so you would probably get in there. It is quite small though. You can see Montserrat from Nevis. Have you been to Montserrat? I did not like it even before the volcano erupted! Barbados is quite different of course. St Martin is up market. Both Nevis and St Martin have scary landing strips! All the islands are different. Good luck with your search.
Again, thank you for reaching out.
#33
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: Where can we live?
Schools here in Grenada on something I ever needed/researched myself but there are plenty of grenadians who send kids back here from the uk and usa to be educated, I understand there are a number of good private schools which don't cost very much e.g. McDonald college or the gbss boys school. Finding a rental property is relatively easy but I don't know whether it's expensive or cheap compared with other places, some areas are definitely expensive because of the large number of US students at the medical University here. Just look online at realtors like Terra, Altman and others.
#34
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Joined: Nov 2016
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Re: Where can we live?
Many thanks for this great information.
I'm going to research the schools in Grenada tomorrow, and make some calls on Monday.
I'm going to research the schools in Grenada tomorrow, and make some calls on Monday.
#35
Re: Where can we live?
If I can make one suggestion -
You mentioned your husband is a US PR. If there is any chance that you might want one day to return to the US, I would recommend he applies for US citizenship if eligible (3 years marriage or 5 years residency). Given the fact that we are entering quite an uncertain time in terms of immigration with this new president, citizenship will firm that up for him and allow an easy return should you choose.
You mentioned your husband is a US PR. If there is any chance that you might want one day to return to the US, I would recommend he applies for US citizenship if eligible (3 years marriage or 5 years residency). Given the fact that we are entering quite an uncertain time in terms of immigration with this new president, citizenship will firm that up for him and allow an easy return should you choose.
#36
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 18
Re: Where can we live?
If I can make one suggestion -
You mentioned your husband is a US PR. If there is any chance that you might want one day to return to the US, I would recommend he applies for US citizenship if eligible (3 years marriage or 5 years residency). Given the fact that we are entering quite an uncertain time in terms of immigration with this new president, citizenship will firm that up for him and allow an easy return should you choose.
You mentioned your husband is a US PR. If there is any chance that you might want one day to return to the US, I would recommend he applies for US citizenship if eligible (3 years marriage or 5 years residency). Given the fact that we are entering quite an uncertain time in terms of immigration with this new president, citizenship will firm that up for him and allow an easy return should you choose.
#37
Re: Where can we live?
Wow! That's almost offensive and actually rather rude. You know nothing about my family or I, so instead of making a query, you'd rather just jump in there and assume and judge. Just the kind of people we need on this planet. FYI-There is a fantastic IBL school in Antigua, that's why I prefer it first and foremost.
The US and the UK are a mess and .....
The US and the UK are a mess and .....
#41
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: Where can we live?
For a truly quiet and safe life i choose here, but there are other places...
#42
Re: Where can we live?
But that's kinda my point - it's easy to say "where I live is bad", but the answer might be somewhere else in the same country, not necessarily the dislocation of moving to another country.
#43
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 451
Re: Where can we live?
Wow! That's almost offensive and actually rather rude. You know nothing about my family or I, so instead of making a query, you'd rather just jump in there and assume and judge. Just the kind of people we need on this planet. FYI-There is a fantastic IBL school in Antigua, that's why I prefer it first and foremost.
The US and The UK are a mess and I don't have to live in either. LUCKY ME!!!! You are not in my situation. Yes, I actually have lived in both countries, so it's my families experiences and opinions that matter to me.
"If all our income is offshore why does it matter?" Oh, maybe because we actually care about our quality of life and our children's so we choose to look farther afield rather than sit around and complain and do nothing like most seem to do. Imagine that? Looking for an alternative?
The US and The UK are a mess and I don't have to live in either. LUCKY ME!!!! You are not in my situation. Yes, I actually have lived in both countries, so it's my families experiences and opinions that matter to me.
"If all our income is offshore why does it matter?" Oh, maybe because we actually care about our quality of life and our children's so we choose to look farther afield rather than sit around and complain and do nothing like most seem to do. Imagine that? Looking for an alternative?
Sorry, but I did not mean any offence ! Some people just dont like having their ideas questioned, but then later wished they had questioned them themselves. I didnt make any assumptions about your family, but finding a school to send your child to, particularly at 13, is not all I was thinking about. I was thinking about the childs out of school life and long term when islanders have to send their offspring to a university in another country with its consequences. Enjoy your vacation!
#44
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Joined: May 2010
Location: Caribbean/Upper West Side/Camden Yd
Posts: 372
Re: Where can we live?
I know it's easy to get carried away in minutia, but I did not find any budget ( monthly) and any health requirements ?