fabledbananna

That's exactly my point. Just checked their immigration website and it says EU members don't need a visditors visa, just a return ticket!

nylorac

Yes my husband and I moved to St MARTIN last December and we absolutely love it. I am working as a consultant, so just needed access to internet which was no problem. We rent a 2 bed apartment in Baie Nettle which is really convenient for both french and dutch main towns.

Shopping is cheaper and better on the Dutch side, a 10 minute drive. It is like a little bit of Europe in the Caribbean and much easier to live here than St Lucia where we were working before. Jobs are not freely available so beware, you need to speak French to really get a job on this side although everyone speaks English. Dutch side only really employs Antillean passport holders.

We have a great lifestyle and have no regrets!

mattie

Why should'nt we ? everyone else does when coming to this country (uk) !!
We should not be made to fell guilty when moving to another country.

fabledbananna

How much is cost of living there?
What do you pay for an internet connection?
And more importantly, do they have premiership football???????

sheppy100

Ok, I'm fasinated....I have been to St Martin, (both dutch and french sides) and loved it...

I am a single female brit looking to move overseas, and am completely open minded, but as a solo traveller, (and a little mature for a 'gap year', 41 to be precise) I am a little hesitant. I have to admit St Martin never occured to me! I work in 'visitor attraction', (think museums, science centres, or anywhere you might go for a day out), managment, but can turn my hand to anything in the customer service/tourist sectors. What might the opportunities in employment be in St Martin??

Oh, and does anyone ever use the chat rooms on here??

thanks in advance for any advice..tips...

Also, can anyone recommed a hotel in St martin, and flights, how best to get there..I might just have to do a reccy visit!

lifeisgoo0d

I am with you, sheepy! A friend brought that little island to my attention as an option, and we're planning a scouting trip towards the end of the year.

Any information on reasonable housing for a month is greatly appreciated!!

I lived in the USA for 10 years, moved back to Austria and have to get away sooner rather than later!!
Although I'm a 43yr. old guy I am curious: I heard rumors that the crime rate is kind of high, even that it is recommended for single female travellers to hire a bodyguard???
Thanks for any help!!!

loser40

"Bodyguard" ???

As far as I know, St Martin is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, sure, there are certain 'no go' areas, but most of the island is very safe, unlike Jamaica for example.

M.

erikri

Hi Everybody. I live in Sweden where I work as a technical officer in the army. However, now I'm going to leave the army to become an AC/cooling-technichian.
Me and my wife visited St Martin last year for our honeymoon and fell in love with the place. We have decided that if we does'nt get any children in the next three years we will move there.

Most people on this forum seems to work in museums, hotels etc.

I figured that even though there is no other industries than tourism there must be a place for me with my general technical background?

Am I right or am I wrong? thankful for answers!

IT_M0nk3y

I've never really understood why they require a return ticket TBH as you can buy a single to mainland France, but there you go!

I too am one of those who is planning to up sticks and drag my wife and kid kicking and screaming to the island. My question is that I am planning to start a consultancy business on the island and I know that I can start my business on the French side and serve clients on the French side, but would my business be allowed to have clients on the Dutch side also?

It would certainly make things easier as it would double my target audience, so here's hoping

pgtips

Good on you, where there is a will there is a way. Enjoy yourselves

Warwick

Hi All,

(SNIP)
I am a UK citizen but been living in the US for the last 15 months - my visa has not been extended so need to move out. As I am busy growing a business in the US I have chosen St Martin as the most convenient place where I can live without any red tape (French side at least) - set up my office there and run the business in the US from the island. Will probably be moving there late September.......so the adventure begins but I am sure it will be a great one. Anyone wanting more info on starting island life feel free to contact me from mid-October and I will answer any questions that I can from a newbie perspective!

W

cull0086

Warwick,
I am very interested in gathering more information on the requirements for gaining employment on St Maarten. I am moving to the Island in early November from the United States. I am a United States citizen, and i am trying to find out what steps I need to take to make myself eligible for employment on the island.

Any info helps!

Thanks

Warwick

Hey Cull - I will see what I can find out. Although as a UK passport holder the theory is that I should have no issues settling and working there - at least on the French side. Which side are you looking at? I have heard that work visas are not easy to come by - especially on the Dutch side.
Will be heading down on the 18th September to look for an apartment.

Will advise if I hear anything.

W

Warwick

Phone the "hotel de la collectivite" in Marigot today to enquire as to what I needed to do once I got to the island - i.e. in terms of registering etc. I was told I needed to do absolutely nothing - the last official I spoke to said "deposez vos valises et profitez de St Martin" (put down your bags and enjoy St Martin). So.... I am sure that there will be issues regards taxes and health insurance etc that will require more red tape - but certainly in terms of getting settled on the French side there seem to be no restrictions for EU citizens.

pgtips

Jamaica, although supposedly unsafe in some parts still manages to get record numbers of tourist visiting each year. I wonder why ? Maybe people want a bit of excitement and to live life to the thrill !!!