Living in the Caribbean is a dream for many. Some people relocate to this gorgeous area of the world for study or work, others to retire and enjoy the slow-paced life after a life of sacrifices. Many people study or work from home and can do so from anywhere in the world, so they decide to move to the sunny side of the world and skip cold weather and snowstorms.
Whichever situation you are in, you are not alone. The number of ex-pats that relocate to the Caribbean grows considerably every year, and several ex-pats end up making a life here, opening new businesses, buying or building new homes, and creating families.
As Jamaicans say, “Out of many, one people”: Today, The Caribbean is a true melting pot of cultures, nationalities, colors, and orientations.
Some ex-pats come prepared, and some have a sort of safety net with family members or friends who preceded them, but there are many people that take the plunge and jump on a brand-new adventure to these beautiful countries.
According to recent surveys, ex-pats are looking for a balance of quality of life, ease of settling, and career options. Quality of life includes aspects such as personal happiness, leisure options, transportation system, health and safety, and general well-being.
What are the best Caribbean countries where ex-pats from all over the world can find safe communities to start a new life? Let’s now take a look at our top ten choices in 2023.
10. Dominica – Nuera Villas
The cost of living on this beautiful island is very affordable, especially when compared to other countries nearby. For instance, the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in central Roseau, the capital, is around US$300 and you can spend up to US$800 for a three-bedroom. In Marigot, Saint Andrew, you can find the Nuera Villas gated community that responds to middle-class needs, surrounded with tranquility and a sense of oneness with nature.
Public, as well as reasonably priced private healthcare, are available, while private insurance is always recommended. The country is extremely tax-friendly for added peace of mind, and it offers incredible nature and a tranquil and relaxed way of life.
9. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Kingstown
The Grenadines, a chain of 32 islands surrounding the main Saint Vincent Island, are known as a playground for the rich and famous. Some of the islands are private and have seen among their guests multimillionaire Richard Benson, who owned the island of Mustique, Princess Margaret – sister to Queen Elizabeth II – who vacationed here many times, Sir Paul McCartney and David Bowie, who both owned properties.
However, most of the country’s population of 110,000 locals and 1,300 British ex-pats live in the capital, Kingstown. Here, ex-pats can choose to inhabit luxury homes along the beachfront on mountainsides or in gated communities in nature reserves, which are not as common though.
The government encourages residential investments through several incentives, while the low to moderate tax system in the country is a great advantage for most ex-pats. However, medical care is limited, and evacuation is sometimes the best choice in case of injuries or emergencies.
8. Anguilla – The Resorts and Residences by CuisinArt
Thanks to its strong and growing economy, tax incentives, and tropical climate, Anguilla is a small gem in the Caribbean Sea that attracts tourists and ex-pats every year. It is interesting to note that foreign retirees who have property on the island can quickly obtain their permanent residency, and that, being a popular tax haven, bankers can freely create offshore companies and conduct business.
Anguilla is often considered the best place in the Caribbean to own a home, as the government is stable and relaxed, and there is virtually no crime at all. The only downside though is that there is only one hospital and patients with severe health concerns generally have to be transferred to the United States.
The private gated community of The Resorts & Residences by Cuisine Art offers five-star services and amenities for its guests, including a sparkling world-class beach, an 18-hole Greg Norman Golf Course, an expansive full-service spa, and multiple exceptional dining choices.
7. Grenada – Royal Westmoreland
Known for its peaceful lifestyle and gorgeous beaches, Grenada is also the only island in the Caribbean to offer foreign investors the opportunity to reside in the United States by applying for the US E2 non-immigrant visa. Through its Citizenship by Investment program, ex-pats can obtain a second passport and enjoy various benefits for economic investment in the country, along with the opportunity of visa-free travel to over 140 countries worldwide.
Expats living in Grenada particularly love its stunning nature, its kind friendly people, colorful buildings, and low crime rate. The island has a large expat community in St. George. Gated communities in Grenada are relatively new, with the very first, Royal Westmoreland, being built in the mid-1990s.
6. St Lucia – Aronvale and Calabash in Gros Islet
When compared to the USA or the UK, rent in St Lucia is incredibly affordable. We are looking at about US$480 per month for a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment in Castries, close to all amenities, while the price rises up to about US$1,000 for a three-bedroom apartment.
The island country offers a golden visa offering citizenship by investment, with a minimum of US$100,000.
St Lucia is considered one of the best islands to retire to in the Caribbean thanks to its stunning landscapes, its top quality of life, and a plethora of activities to do. Due to an increase in expats relocating here, the real estate market is booming and provides for fantastic housing opportunities, including a few luxury gated communities mostly located in the area of Gros Islet, such as Aronvale Residences and Calabash Villas Golf Park.
5. The Bahamas – Lyford Cay, Ocean Club Estates & Albany
It is hard not to mention expats’ paradise Bahamas in our list, but equally hard to locate this country on our top ten, for merely an economic reason. The Bahamas, particularly the island of Nassau, is one of the best Caribbean expat destinations, especially for US and British citizens. It boasts some of the most luxurious and prestigious gated communities in the whole Caribbean and has a reputation as a playground for the wealthy.
The most sought-after gated communities in Nassau are Albany, with a rare collection of amenities aiming to satisfy families, businesspeople, and couples alike. Ocean Club Estates is considered the premier residential community on Paradise Island thanks to its golf course, gym, tennis court, and spectacular beaches, and Lyford Cay, one of the most renowned luxury gated communities in the world.
The cons to relocating to the Bahamas are linked to its high cost of living, which would not compare to the rest of the region, making it the top choice for luxury relocations, rather than middle-class ones.
The cost of living has been calculated at a 20% higher than in the United States. Medium-size residences in exclusive gated communities often cost more than US$2 million.
4. Jamaica – The Lagoons, Ironshore, Richmond Estate
The third largest Caribbean Island hosts an ex-pat community of around 25,000 people, mostly British. While it offers many beautiful attractions and fantastic weather, Jamaica also has a lower cost of living when compared to its neighboring countries, and almost 1/3 cheaper than in the UK.
Expats who want to settle here have it quite easy, as many options are available for visa extension and application for Permanent Residency rather than Citizenship; however, the country does not have a golden visa program.
Expats enjoy life in the numerous – and affordable – gated communities in Montego Bay (look for West Gate Village or the more upscale Ironshore and The Lagoons) and Ocho Rios (Drax Hall and Richmond Estate).
Kingston does not offer the same variety of gated communities but has some wealthy neighborhoods that ex-pats tend to prefer, such as Cherry Gardens or Norbrook.
3. Barbados – Sugar Hill, Reeds House, Battaleys Mews
One of the places in the Caribbean with the nicest gated communities for middle-class ex-pats is certainly Barbados! Some of the most popular gated communities in Barbados are located in Royal Westmoreland on the west coast, such as Sugar Hill and Apes Hill, but also Port St Charles, Reeds House, and Battaleys Mews.
There is a strong presence of British expats on the island, with a proportion of about 1 expat in 10 people. The cost of living in Barbados is, on average, 20.5% higher than in the United States. However, rent in Barbados is, on average, 54.8% lower than in the United States.
2. Belize – Las Brisas, Mahogany Beach
One of the natural wonders of the Caribbean, Belize has a lot to offer to expats seeking to relocate to this area. Well renowned as a hotspot for divers due to the Belize Barrier Reef, one of the richest and most colorful in the world, Belize is attracting people from all over the world also thanks to its pleasant climate and its low-cost connections to the States.
Belize has a reputation as being a good place to set up a business, and for ex-pats, this is especially true, as the government will always prioritize locals for employment. The legal requirement for employers to hire locals rather than foreigners, together with the taxation freedom as Belize is identified as one of the Caribbean tax havens, kind of forces ex-pats to prefer setting up their own businesses.
The top expats communities are Ambergris Caye and Cayo District. While the first one, a little island just offshore from Belize City, is a quirky and comfortable beachside town but certainly not cheap – with an average budget of US$3,000 to 3,200 per month for a couple – the second one, the second largest town in the country, boasts a healthy lifestyle and is considerably more affordable – with an average budget of around US$1,200 to 1,500 per month for a couple.
Ambergris Caye, however, is the top choice for ex-pats looking for gated communities, such as The Residence at Mahogany Beach or Las Brisas, known to give that extra sense of security.
1. Dominican Republic – Las Terrenas
The absolute top destination for ex-pats in the Caribbean is, for many reasons, the Dominican Republic. Not only does the island features an outstanding 4.5% of immigrants in its population (numbering a rough 450.000 people expats living here), but temporary residence visa are normally issued for a whole year, and are very easy to renew.
After five renewals, expats can apply online for a permanent residence visa. The ideal community for ex-pats is, without a doubt, Las Terrenas: here you are surrounded by the most pristine beaches on the island, you have an amazing microclimate, a European flavor, and the most laidback vibes you can think of.
If this was not enough, the cost of living per month is around US$1,400 and most couples live comfortably with US$2,000 at the maximum. The Dominican Republic has today a steady and vibrant economy, a stable government, and a wide array of products and services, along with good healthcare and a high level of safety. A true ex-pat paradise!
In terms of working abroad, expats look for jobs and careers, work-life balance, job security, salary, and benefits. Last but not least, the ease of settling is an important factor when choosing where to relocate: ex-pats want to feel welcome, find friends, and be able to communicate in a language that they speak and understand.
Choosing one of the above-mentioned middle-class communities in the Caribbean to retire and enjoy a peaceful life is an exciting opportunity with most of these factors taken into account.
Check out this video on Top 10 Caribbean Islands to Retire Comfortably Under $1,500 Monthly in 2022
What are your experiences with living in the Caribbean? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.