Living permanently in the Caribbean
 

Hi,we have visited a few Caribbean islands over the years, now we're both at retirement age are thinking of buying a house in either Curacao or Antigua. Problem is we can only stay 3 months a year, we want to stay longer possibly full time.We won't be working as we don't need to work, we don't want to have to buy into any schemes or go there via the pensionado scheme either.There seems so little information on the net, and most information is dated.We have sold both our homes in the UK and are now ready to buy a house in the Caribbean and live there. Are there any ex British patts living in the Caribbean that can give us some tips and information please. Thanks in advance.

Go visit not as vacation but as info collecting

Most islands allow 60-90 visits, meaning you must leave overnight every 60-90 days

You can get a resident permit, also costly, and must renew every year

Living on an island is not a vacation! So go maybe 2 months, don't live at the beach, and fix things and shop as if living there

Utilities are outrageously high

Salt air destroys everything. Appliances Fry, weeds grow like crazy

It's very rewarding, but visit a couple of months first before investing as it's not what you think it is!

You can obtain permanent residency on many island (Antigua is one of them) by investing a specified sum (usually between $300,000US and $750,000US depending on the island) in an "approved" residence and provided that you have the financial means to support yourself without working, are in good health and do not have a criminal record. Having residency will allow you to stay as long as you wish and come/go as you please.

There's actually a lot of information available on the internet. Google such topics as "Residency Requirements on NAME OF ISLAND", "Living on NAME OF ISLAND", etc. Also check out the immigration requirements for islands that interest you by looking at the "Official Government" website for those islands.

All that said, you'd be wise to make several long term visits to any island before you by. Living on an island is far different then being there on vacation. The islands may look like paradise but they are not heaven.

Why buy a home right away? Why not rent until you see how things work out for you?

<<there seems so little information on the net, and most information is dated>>

Really? Try the library then. I'm currently reading several books about retiring to Mexico/Caribbean/Central America recently published with current information.