Re: Where can we live?
 

Thanks for the the book tip, UK Grenada. I appreciate it. Yes, I agree to the VERY different aspect of hols VS living. We did almost 6 weeks in Antigua this past Summer to get a better feel. We are fortunate to have been able to do that.
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.

Re: Where can we live?
 

Thank you Sabi Star! I have never been to Nevis, although it's on my list. I did spend time in St kitts and I wasn't bowled over. I get that many people don't like Monsterrat. There's not a lot on offer. The beaches are black and there are few. It's very much going back in time. My H is a fan. He loves it there. I do like St Martin but it's very built up and busy. I think it has a lot of what we are after ( schools, lifestyle, diversity) but I've never spend more than a few days there. Usually on our way to Statia. Yes, the landing strip is bananas. I would not rule it out though as the International school is very good. I like the Dutch side best.
Again, thank you for reaching out.

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.

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.

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.

Re: Where can we live?
 

ScousePete! Yes, brilliant advice. We were just talking about this. We have been married for 19 years and he's been in the US for 9, so it's a good idea to cover all bases. Thank you!

Re: Where can we live?
 

And you think most countries in the Caribbean are better? :blink:

Re: Where can we live?
 

Yes- For my family and for what we are looking for in life, it just might be. We are fortunately able and willing to look elsewhere. Aren't we lucky to have a choice?
Better? Maybe. Different? Yes.

Re: Where can we live?
 

Violent crime, drug use and smuggling, poverty, and political corruption on a scale much greater than in the UK and USA? :unsure:

Re: Where can we live?
 

Shouldn't you be watching Top Gear reruns?

Re: Where can we live?
 

A bit of a generalisation. I wouldnt want to live in many parts of the us, some parts of the uk, definitely not the dom rep, haiti, southern st lucia, and parts of jamaica and trinidad.

For a truly quiet and safe life i choose here, but there are other places...

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.

Re: Where can we live?
 

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!

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 ?