Where to live

Old May 7th, 2016, 07:30 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where to live

Widow with 2 small fur babies. Income is $31,000/yr. I have been researching. Nature, ocean, sincerely nice people, low altitude, museum, architecture. Researching St. Lucia. Enjoy the quit, simple life. Low maintenance.

I have totally confused myself.

Thank you very much.
JUNEBAILEY is offline  
Old May 7th, 2016, 07:32 PM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, my question is where to stay before I visit. Ecuador, Costa Rica.

Thank you.
JUNEBAILEY is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 07:16 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do you mean you want to visit St. Lucia for a few days on route to Ecuador and Costa Rica?

Your annual income notwithstanding, how much (in dollars) per night are you willing to spend for accommodations?

What type of accommodations are you seeking - guest house, B&B, small hotel, full service resort, in town, countryside, beachfront????

How long will you be planning to stay on St. Lucia?

What type of transportation do you plan on using while on island?

Will you be bringing your "fur babies" in tow? If so, have you looked into the legal requirements for bringing pets to any of those destinations?
RoamsAround is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 07:40 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I'm also confused...

How long are you planning to be on St. Lucia? And two cats are coming with you on this trip? All 3 of you are first going to the Caribbean, then on to Central America?

Is this a permanent move? Or a trip? How long total?
suze is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 08:14 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you. I was thinking of living in St. Lucia. If that does not work, I will move on. Yes, I will be bringing my 2 dogs.. I am willing to pay no more than $700/month to rent apt. or home.

thank you.

This is permanent.
JUNEBAILEY is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 08:47 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Well the first thing you need to do is figure out how you are going to be legally allowed to stay in any of these places past a normal 3 month tourist visa.

What country is your current citizenship?

And about bringing in the 2 dogs. Especially for islands there are often strict or lengthy quarantine regulations, if they are allowed at all.
suze is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 09:04 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
USA CITIZENSHIP. tHANK YOU FOR THE INFO ON THE DOGS. wILL RESEARCH MORE.
JUNEBAILEY is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 10:28 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can't just show up one day and expect to take up residence on St. Lucia or most any of the Caribbean islands as they are either independent nations or Departments of European Countries like France or the Netherlands. As a "non-citizen" (aka "non-belonger") you have to comply with the particular island's immigration laws. Generally speaking, to obtain residency you have to invest in real property or a business that provides jobs for locals. The amount of investment varies from island to island but usually ranges from around $300,000US to $500,000US. You also have to prove you are in good health, have a "clean" police record and have the financial means to support yourself without out working. If you need to work on the island you have to obtain a Work Permit which is often difficult to get. You have to possess a "unique Skill, find an employer willing to sponsor you and that employer must prove to the local Labor Department there are no "locals" qualified to fill the position. FYI - You will find similar laws in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Go to the official government website for the island nation or foreign nation you are considering to begin your research on the immigration requirements for that island/country. The process is lengthy and filled with "red tape". It can take anywhere from 6 months to a year for your application to be processed and there are no guarantees it will be approved. In most instances you will need the services of a local attorney to assist you. If Residency is granted you will have to pay the required fees.

As a US Citizen, you'll find it infinitely easier to relocate to Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques and any of the US. Virgin Islands as you will already have citizenship/residency and work status. Relocating there is no more difficult than relocating to the next town over from where you live. So you may want to concentrate your efforts to those destinations.

Now, I don't want to dash your hopes but as an (US) ex-pat living in the Caribbean I can tell you that with an income of only $31,000 a year you are going to find it extremely difficult to live in the Caribbean. I know people earning twice that amount who are just eking out an existence. In order to maintain your same standard of living you can expect your living expenses in the Caribbean will be about 30% to 35% HIGHER than where you now live. If you have to work you'll find wages/salaries will be anywhere from 20% to 35% LOWER than for comparable positions on the mainland USA. That's the Catch-22 of living in the Caribbean.

Lastly, life is not simple in the Caribbean nor is it easy. It has it's own set of challenges so do your research. DO NOT move to the Caribbean without first making a prolonged (1 to 3 month) Pre-Move Visit to the island you are considering to see if you like that island and if island life is right for you. Some people come and never leave others find it not to their liking and leave after only a few months.

Good luck following your dream.
RoamsAround is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 11:23 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You are very knowledgeable. Really appreciate that. Only been to Florida. Appreciate your comment re. PR, etc. Told many times I could enter Equador on pensioners visa. Still researching.

May you have a Healthy and Happy Life.

God Bless.

June
JUNEBAILEY is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 01:07 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Is there any chance you can vacation in one (or a couple) of these places before attempting a permanent move? What if you hate it there?

I hope to relocate myself eventually, but it's to a place I have spent a LOT of time already on shorter trips. So I have a fairly accurate picture of what life would be like there as an ex-pat.

You might want to include Mexico in your search? You would still need to deal with appropriate paperwork for permanent residency, but dogs are allowed, and you could definitely find a place to rent for $700.

Besides legal permission to stay in the country, health care and insurance is typically a major concern for people getting ready to try this.
suze is offline  
Old May 8th, 2016, 01:18 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you.
JUNEBAILEY is offline  
Old May 11th, 2016, 11:13 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I recommend that instead of exclusively using this medium, you contact a St. Lucia consulate based in the US. Contact:

NEW YORK
Consul General
Consulate General of Saint Lucia
800 2nd Avenue
5th Floor, N.Y. 10017
New York
U.S.A.
Tel: (212) 697 9360
Fax: (212) 697 4993
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
website: www.saintluciaconsulateny.org
rogandgee is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kmcginley
Caribbean Islands
2
Jan 1st, 2018 02:54 PM
kbopalinski
Caribbean Islands
9
May 2nd, 2012 02:01 PM
areardon
Caribbean Islands
2
Jun 11th, 2009 04:23 AM
tcapp
United States
5
Oct 21st, 2005 06:05 AM
negis1
Mexico & Central America
15
Oct 16th, 2005 06:02 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -