(where to go?) Moving with Small Kids to Caribbean?
Jul 8th, 2018, 05:48 PM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,667
You do know that unless you already have citizenship or legal residency status for either of those islands you cannot just show up one day and move to the island.
So the first questions you have to answer are:
1) Have you investigated what the legal requirements are to immigrate to either of those islands? Go to the official government websites for each island and you’ll be able to research the appropriate
laws and regulations.
2) Do you have the financial wherewithal to reside on the island you select without working? Non-citizens cannot work without first obtaining a Work Permit and they are usually very 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 Ministry that there are no “locals” qualified to fill that position. Even if you meet all the requirements there’s no guarantee the Work Oermit will be granted.
You should also know the cost of living in the Caribbean is high ( probably around 30% higher than where you now live) and, if you have to work, you will find wages will be significantly lower than they are for comparable jobs “back home” (wherever that may be).
Lastly, take it from someone who has long bed in the Caribbean for more than 15 year - living on an island is far different then being there on vacation. You should never consider moving to an island without first visiting there for extended periods (anywhere from 1 to 6 months) so you’ll get a first hand idea of what daily life is really like.
So the first questions you have to answer are:
1) Have you investigated what the legal requirements are to immigrate to either of those islands? Go to the official government websites for each island and you’ll be able to research the appropriate
laws and regulations.
2) Do you have the financial wherewithal to reside on the island you select without working? Non-citizens cannot work without first obtaining a Work Permit and they are usually very 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 Ministry that there are no “locals” qualified to fill that position. Even if you meet all the requirements there’s no guarantee the Work Oermit will be granted.
You should also know the cost of living in the Caribbean is high ( probably around 30% higher than where you now live) and, if you have to work, you will find wages will be significantly lower than they are for comparable jobs “back home” (wherever that may be).
Lastly, take it from someone who has long bed in the Caribbean for more than 15 year - living on an island is far different then being there on vacation. You should never consider moving to an island without first visiting there for extended periods (anywhere from 1 to 6 months) so you’ll get a first hand idea of what daily life is really like.
Jul 8th, 2018, 05:55 PM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,667
Since most Caribbean islands have similar immigration requirements let me add another thing to consider.
If you are a US citizen you will find it infinitely easier to relocate to the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Culebra or Vieques are you will already have residency and work status. If you are a citizen of a EU country you can easily relocate to one of the French islands for the same reasons.
Do your homework BEFORE relocations to the Caribbean so your dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
If you are a US citizen you will find it infinitely easier to relocate to the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Culebra or Vieques are you will already have residency and work status. If you are a citizen of a EU country you can easily relocate to one of the French islands for the same reasons.
Do your homework BEFORE relocations to the Caribbean so your dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Jul 9th, 2018, 04:03 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,716
As for small kids, eventually most that want their kids to go to college usually end up sending kids to private schools in States by the time they reach high school.
Utilities are highly! My 3 bedroom 2 bath electric bill can be $1000 a month, water bill $300
apliances rust out all the time, same with cars
duty tax can put you out 38% off anything you bring in, 100% for cars
residency can cost $2000 yearly for a family of 4, or must leave overnight every 60-90 days.
Right to work (even online from home or for free!) costs between $7000-$9000 a year depending on trade. And sometimes their in no hurry to renew, which means your stuck not working until then. If own business, must hire a local as a partner (which can create other problems)
groceries average age twice as much
medical, most places persons fly out for care, I wouldn’t trust my life on most islands
nothing gets done timely, why it’s called “island time”
lastly, you must live there a month like a local (not vacation) to pick an island. It’s far different from visiting not something for us to pick for you.
Personally, I’d wait until the kids are through high school to live your dream. Most with this dream (especially when don’t even know where) last a year. And both spouses must really want it or most end up divorcing because it’s just a way of life
Utilities are highly! My 3 bedroom 2 bath electric bill can be $1000 a month, water bill $300
apliances rust out all the time, same with cars
duty tax can put you out 38% off anything you bring in, 100% for cars
residency can cost $2000 yearly for a family of 4, or must leave overnight every 60-90 days.
Right to work (even online from home or for free!) costs between $7000-$9000 a year depending on trade. And sometimes their in no hurry to renew, which means your stuck not working until then. If own business, must hire a local as a partner (which can create other problems)
groceries average age twice as much
medical, most places persons fly out for care, I wouldn’t trust my life on most islands
nothing gets done timely, why it’s called “island time”
lastly, you must live there a month like a local (not vacation) to pick an island. It’s far different from visiting not something for us to pick for you.
Personally, I’d wait until the kids are through high school to live your dream. Most with this dream (especially when don’t even know where) last a year. And both spouses must really want it or most end up divorcing because it’s just a way of life
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