living abroad

[dennis569]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum but if not heads up mods.
I'm looking for input on living in the Carribean. I'm only a few years from retirement and
it looks like we will have the means to buy a house there.
I've looked at many real estate sites and communicated with a couple of agents there.
We've been looking mostly in Belize. Have read a LOT of discussions online, also books
and such.
I would retain my U.S. citizenship, some times I wonder why with the way things seem to be headed here.
Am also considering The D.R. and Costa Rica.
Any input and experiances would be great.
Thanks, DG

[Rodeo]

My advice is baby steps ... When you settle on a location, don't buy something, rent for several months. Try a couple different places. The communities in the carribean are pretty insular, and have very distinct personalities. You want to make sure you fit in and are comfortable. I spent a lot of time down there, and lived on St. Thomas full time for about a year. It is beautiful, but it can get old, esp if you find yourself on a small island like St. Thomas. After a year I was ready for someplace new.

If you haven't already, read Don't Stop the Carnival by Herman Wouk. Dead on, funny portrayal of life on a carribean island.

Good luck!

[McCleod]

I hear many Canadians and US citizens have moved to Panama -- Bogete(sp?). That is the sum total of my knowledge on the topic!

[smelvis]

I go to Costa Rica quite often and am friends with a lot of expats, They all say rent for a year or so and do not even think about buying without doing so. After visiting and hearing many horror stories I have to agree. I could go on and on about the various reasons but would need a lot more time and space to do it. I would think anywhere you end up the advice is sound.

Good Luck and if can answer any particular questions about CR ask or pm me.

[Cigary]

I have been retired for about 13 years now and the wife just retired about 3 years ago. We thought and still think about doing this and considered the Carribean as a place to retire for at least half the year while retaining our houses in San Diego and Atlanta. I think the smartest thing to do is what Rodeo is saying below,,,baby steps. Don't buy anything until you live there for at least a year. We have stayed there for weeks and got "island fever" and couldn't wait to get off. We are now looking at places like Italy and France or Austrailia to live half the time. We have vacationed in these places and love it. It's a big world out there so take your time.

Originally Posted by Rodeo

My advice is baby steps ... When you settle on a location, don't buy something, rent for several months. Try a couple different places. The communities in the carribean are pretty insular, and have very distinct personalities. You want to make sure you fit in and are comfortable. I spent a lot of time down there, and lived on St. Thomas full time for about a year. It is beautiful, but it can get old, esp if you find yourself on a small island like St. Thomas. After a year I was ready for someplace new.

If you haven't already, read Don't Stop the Carnival by Herman Wouk. Dead on, funny portrayal of life on a carribean island.

Good luck!

Great advice here.

[tmanqz]

I've been to DR a few times and love it. My GF is from DR and knows it like the back of her hand, so she showed me around and you can get a lot of nice places pretty reasonable. Cost of living is cheap. People are very nice and they like Americans!!! Especially if you speak spanish.
Best beaches in the world, but it can get HOT.
I've got 25 years to retirement, but im saving up to move there when I retire, plan on sitting on the beach drinking El Presidente beer all day , then clubbing and dancing salsa all night.

Definately visit, I think you will like DR.

May not be right for everyone, but its my kind of place.

[Cletus]

Originally Posted by Cigary

We have stayed there for weeks and got "island fever" and couldn't wait to get off.

Cigary....Can you describe "island fever" in a little more detail? I'm no where near retirement but I have very fond memories of my vacations to the Carribean. What did you experience that made you want to go home after a few weeks?

Of course, with homes in San Diego and Atlanta, you're either minutes away or a couple of hours away from an ocean. I'm a plane flight away from any ocean at best. I really love sitting with a good book, a good cigar, and watching the ocean roll in.


.

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by Cletus

Cigary....Can you describe "island fever" in a little more detail? I'm no where near retirement but I have very fond memories of my vacations to the Carribean. What did you experience that made you want to go home after a few weeks?

Of course, with homes in San Diego and Atlanta, you're either minutes away or a couple of hours away from an ocean. I'm a plane flight away from any ocean at best. I really love sitting with a good book, a good cigar, and watching the ocean roll in.


.

Island fever is when you feel that you cannot get away from your current environment almost like "cabin fever" when you have been in an enviroment long enough to where you think you will go crazy unless you get out. Some people are fine with living in small spaces or living in an area where they don't feel the need to get away for awhile because they feel they have been "cooped up" for too long.

My wife and I travel a lot and like to see new things so if we stay in the same place for very long we tend to get bored. I love the ocean and the mountains alot and love to see new sights,,,but also welcome staying at home for a few months.

Everybody is different as to what their comfort zone is and for us staying on a small island while it seems perfect just wasn't for us because I get bored easily and need new stimulation. We have talked to a lot of people who live in Hawaii or the Carribean and they tell us the same thing about what your expectations are with island living.

1. It's small
2. You won't have a Kroger or big name Grocery Stores for convenience
3. Shopping is limited unless you love tourist items
4. No Sams or Costco unless you live on Maui or Oahu
5. Gas is expensive
6. Don't get a car that is expensive or hard to repair
7. Electricity goes out so get used to it and weather can suck when hurricanes hit.
8. Learn the language where you live in the Carribean,,,,or get taken advantage of.

You have the right idea as to what you already like,,,you'd probably do well in the Carribean and living there. I loved the idea more than the reality of it and glad I didn't buy anything.

[dennis569]

Thanks so much for the input guys.
Especially the "rent first" part.
You got to know I'm thinking of the cigars, also fishing.
The only thing that I have to really think about is the gun laws in these countries suck.
One real estate lady told me in Belize you will get prison for having one round of ammo.

[McCleod]

Originally Posted by Rodeo

My advice is baby steps ... When you settle on a location, don't buy something, rent for several months. Try a couple different places. The communities in the carribean are pretty insular, and have very distinct personalities. You want to make sure you fit in and are comfortable. I spent a lot of time down there, and lived on St. Thomas full time for about a year. It is beautiful, but it can get old, esp if you find yourself on a small island like St. Thomas. After a year I was ready for someplace new.

If you haven't already, read Don't Stop the Carnival by Herman Wouk. Dead on, funny portrayal of life on a carribean island.

Good luck!

I ordered that book!