Caribbean move info

stprdi
New Member



Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 8
Location: BC

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:29 pm

 

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We'd like to move to the Caribbean. Does anyone know where Canadians are able to move permanently down there? Seems most places we check have 3 month time limits. Failing that we would like to buy a home or condo. Anyone done that already?

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waveringhobbit
Junior Member



Joined: 27 Apr 2008
Posts: 28
Location: greenwich

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:35 am

 

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Not yet, but I am also hoping that I could move to the island someday. Which part of the Carribbean are you considering?

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stprdi
New Member



Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 8
Location: BC

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:02 am

 

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We love Curacao and St Maarten. Would love to buy a home but would settle for waterfront condo. Just want to be somewhere full time and not have to worry about the 3 month time limit that many countries have. How about you?

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Jim Mackenzie
New Member



Joined: 13 May 2008
Posts: 1
Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:48 am

 

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I'm wondering the same thing. Move to a part of the world with even lower taxes and better weather than Winnipeg! And the carribean may be just the place

I'd like to know how your search is going so far, and hope you find something. If you have any info., or hear of any such country (Bahamas, Turks, etc.) pls. let me know. I'm working in Kenya right now, and probably have 5 years left to work. I'm a telecom engineer, which is a semi-reputable, portable, trade; and I'd like to finish my working life in the Western hemisphere but without the snow!

Regards,

Jim Mackenzie
_________________
Jim Mackenzie
Nairobi, Kenya

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stprdi
New Member



Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 8
Location: BC

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:22 am

 

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Hi Jim. So you are originally from WinterPeg? I'm in BC. I'm not getting real far on my search. It seems everytime I check out the regulations for a country down there they have this 3 month stay thing. I also have a dual citizenship with UK. That may help. But it's difficult to get a straight answer from anyone in a government office. Frustrating to say the least.

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1368
Location: Calgary

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 4:14 pm

 

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The Turks & Caicos and Belize seem to be the place Canadians go to, I assume the immigration issue has something to do with it. If you've got money, it's not too hard to get the right to reside on the Bahamas. Working there is a different issue though. Basically if you buy a house worth at least US$250,000 you automatically get the right to reside, and if it's worth $500,000 or more you can eventually get permanent residency.

Some political party on the Turks & Caicos were campaigning for the islands to become a Canadian territory instead of a UK one some years ago, because Canada is closer.

I think Trinidad & Tobago and possibly Barbados might have similar rules to the Bahamas, I had a friend who lived on Barbados and he didn't have any immigration problems, but he was loaded.

Yeah, if you have a claim to citizenship in an EU country that would help with St Maarten and Curacao as they are both territories of EU States. St Maarten is a French dept. so that would probably be the easiest. I heard the Netherlands had tightened rules on vacation homes for retirees so there is a lot of cheap property going on Curacao at the moment.

Remember the tax rules though, French tax laws are appalling and the Netherlands aren't much better.
_________________
Steve.

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SunSeekers
New Member


Dreaming of warmer places

Joined: 17 Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Alberta

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:32 pm

 

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Belize is a lovely country with friendly people. Many good websites with information. Lan Sluder is the "resident expert" and has written books about Belize. Might be worth a look.

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Foxy
Junior Member



Joined: 11 Sep 2008
Posts: 10
Location: Hastings

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:53 am

 

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Hello,

I'm currently residing in Barbados. To live here, we needed work permits. Otherwise we'd be considered tourists/visitors and would have to follow the rules of visitors (e.g. 30-day visitor's stamp at the airport, with possibility but no guarantee of extension via immigration office - which, by the way, is not fun).

Unfortunately I don't know about the deal with buying a place and getting residency. So this may not be very helpful.

Good luck,
Foxy

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