Which Caribbean Island to move to

[377OHMS]

Quote from veritas007:

I'm thinking of moving the the Caribbean.
Which island would you recommend?

I am concerned about the following things:

1)Safety, low crime
2)Things to do, restaurant, bars, clubs, beaches
3)Number of educated, successful people
4)Good looking women

I used to work and live up and down the chain of islands from Puerto Rico to the mainland in French Guiana doing, ah, satellite related work.

I always liked Dominica the best and would go there when not working:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominica

Martinique is a close second.

Avoid the U.S. Virgin Islands big time, particularly St. Croix. I can't believe anybody lives there. I do like Saphire Bay on St. Thomas but wouldn't live there unless I had a freaking bunker attached to my house.

 

[Trader KGB]

Quote from 377OHMS:

Avoid the U.S. Virgin Islands big time, particularly St. Croix. I can't believe anybody lives there.

Can you shed some more light on St. Croix? Is it really that much worse than St. Thomas/John? I've been seeing some good deals on beachfront condos there. Read awhile back that there were hedge funds in the area, though they moved out when the IRS clamped down.

Though I spend more time in the BVI, I like the USVI for certain benefits: no passport, cheaper airfare, local roaming for US cellular networks, more commercial development, etc.

 

[377OHMS]

Quote from Trader KGB:

Can you shed some more light on St. Croix? Is it really that much worse than St. Thomas/John? I've been seeing some good deals on beachfront condos there. Read awhile back that there were hedge funds in the area, though they moved out when the IRS clamped down.

Though I spend more time in the BVI, I like the USVI for certain benefits: no passport, cheaper airfare, local roaming for US cellular networks, more commercial development, etc.

St. Croix is the most dangerous of the 3 islands. You don't want to be there after a large storm. Once the island was hit hard and *all* the convicts escaped from the main prison and were roaming the island in an armed hoard invading homes, crazy shit.

St. Thomas has the capital, Charlotte Amalie. There are some nice places on the other side of the island, I mentioned Saphire Bay. Very nice, not as tense as the capital. There are some wealthy folks living on the hilltops and if you stay there long enough you will definitely meet some of them. If you are planning to move there you should try to rent or lease the first year until you figure out where the safe areas are.

I personally witnessed violent crime on St. Thomas and once barely escaped a group of locals in the city. The police are 100% ineffective. I can't even really tell you the half of what I saw and experienced there. Over a beer or two you would rapidly get the picture. I'll just say that once I had to crawl onto the top of a speeding cab and throw some local off who was clinging to the roof.

St. John is more sedate and is the safest but it feels somewhat isolated like, say, Kauai.

I didn't trade in those days and my connections there are technical oriented so I didn't meet many financial folks while there.

 

[Trader KGB]

Quote from 377OHMS:

St. Croix is the most dangerous of the 3 islands. You don't want to be there after a large storm. Once the island was hit hard and *all* the convicts escaped from the main prison and were roaming the island in an armed hoard invading homes, crazy shit.

Wow. I've been reading threads over on tripadvisor from current residents & tourists and the vast majority are positive. Seems crime was bad at one point, but it's improved, though it's hard to shake off the stigma. If it's safe enough for Disney Cruise, it's safe enough for me:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22103915/

 

[377OHMS]

Quote from Trader KGB:

Wow. I've been reading threads over on tripadvisor from current residents & tourists and the vast majority are positive. Seems crime was bad at one point, but it's improved, though it's hard to shake off the stigma. If it's safe enough for Disney Cruise, it's safe enough for me:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22103915/

Heh, never get off the boat.

Seriously, you'll probably be fine. Its not like the place goes beserk everyday. If you can pick up a deal, why not? Seems like you are doing your homework.

I know what you mean about the airfares. Going farther down the chain you start having to take Air France. Big increase there, they gotta pay for the champagne and pate somehow.

 

[flyingiguana]

wow i thought for sure antigua would show up in this thread. most people i've known who moved down that way have moved to antigua for business purposes.

 

[makloda]

To anybody that moved to the Caribbean already:

a) How boring is it really? Is there really 'nothing' to do or is that pure exaggeration?
b) How are day to day living expenses compared to a major US city such as Chicago, Phoenix or Miami? I mean restaurants, insurance, the wife doing her hairdresser/nails/cosmetics round etc.
c) How is availability of 'special' goods. E.g. you want to buy a new home cinema, want to upgrade the car stereo, or simply purchase a bunch of new monitors for the PC. Do you have to order anything that's not milk and bread from overseas? If so, what about customs?

 

[hilojack]

Quote from makloda:

To anybody that moved to the Caribbean already:

a) How boring is it really? Is there really 'nothing' to do or is that pure exaggeration?
b) How are day to day living expenses compared to a major US city such as Chicago, Phoenix or Miami? I mean restaurants, insurance, the wife doing her hairdresser/nails/cosmetics round etc.
c) How is availability of 'special' goods. E.g. you want to buy a new home cinema, want to upgrade the car stereo, or simply purchase a bunch of new monitors for the PC. Do you have to order anything that's not milk and bread from overseas? If so, what about customs?

Well this couldn't be a more general question. Obviously it depends on the individual (and their tastes) and what area in the caribbean you want to live.

a) Define "nothing to do". Considering that you'll be trading 6-10 hours a day, 5 days a week-- what sort of entertainment do you require? Are you content sitting on a beautiful quiet beach enjoying a drink and the sunset, or do you need court jesters and shot girls to keep you entertained? Do you do anything athletic and outdoorsy?

b) day to living expenses can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. Do you want to live like a tourist or like a local? Typically, service items are cheaper as you get to take advantage of labor costs, hard goods are more expensive as they are difficult to get there and not a huge local market for expensive items

c) go out and get a new home theather system. Bwaaaaaaaa! Uh no, most places you will not be doing that and will have to order special. Smaller items may be available but not the in the quality or name brands that you may require. If you have to order abroad, you most likely will be hit with an import duty that will vary from country to country.

The important theing to realize is that each country has something different to offer, based on its culture. Ex. If you enjoy good wine and cheese-- best to choice a place with french influence. Bottom line is there is no "perfect" place. Some may have more drawbacks than others and it is up to the individual to decide whats important. I will say this: if you are concerned about where to go to get a new home theaher system, the caribbean lifestyle is definitely NOT for you.

 

[dandxg]

Quote from 377OHMS:

St. Croix is the most dangerous of the 3 islands. You don't want to be there after a large storm. Once the island was hit hard and *all* the convicts escaped from the main prison and were roaming the island in an armed hoard invading homes, crazy shit.

St. Thomas has the capital, Charlotte Amalie. There are some nice places on the other side of the island, I mentioned Saphire Bay. Very nice, not as tense as the capital. There are some wealthy folks living on the hilltops and if you stay there long enough you will definitely meet some of them. If you are planning to move there you should try to rent or lease the first year until you figure out where the safe areas are.

I personally witnessed violent crime on St. Thomas and once barely escaped a group of locals in the city. The police are 100% ineffective. I can't even really tell you the half of what I saw and experienced there. Over a beer or two you would rapidly get the picture. I'll just say that once I had to crawl onto the top of a speeding cab and throw some local off who was clinging to the roof.

St. John is more sedate and is the safest but it feels somewhat isolated like, say, Kauai.

I didn't trade in those days and my connections there are technical oriented so I didn't meet many financial folks while there.

Wow quite interesting thanks for the feedback. I was surprised a 2br house was reasonable, maybe now I know why?

 

[dandxg]

Quote from flyingiguana:

wow i thought for sure antigua would show up in this thread. most people i've known who moved down that way have moved to antigua for business purposes.

And what have the told you objectively about it? It seems to miss the radar?