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| Caribbean Property Magazine Home / January 2009 / 'Caribbean Relocation' | SEND THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND  |
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JANUARY  2 0 0 9Issue 24
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CARIBBEAN RELOCATION Certainly, there were various assisted passages that for the UK applicant at least - with itchy feet and limited funds - allowed access to the farthest corners of the Commonwealth, as we knew it, with the emerging economies of Australia and New Zealand probably at the top of the list; can you believe for the princely travel sum of ten GB pounds per passenger? The downside of these adventures was that relatives and friends of the people leaving, considering distance and visiting costs, had no real knowledge if, or when, they would ever see their loved ones again. Since then, air and boat travel has come on in leaps, bounds and wakes of white water, so much so that “picking up sticks” and moving out to more exotic and less stressful locales is now commonplace – and indeed, many ex-pat communities underpin the economies of the piece of rock they have selected; but there are a few wary caveats when one is choosing his, hers or their piece of “paradise.” Someone, far more eloquent than I recently pointed out that: “More people have moved to ‘paradise’ - only to leave disenchanted within months - than those who have relocated successfully. The reasons are many. For one, ‘paradise’ is a misconception: ‘paradise is not a place, it is a frame of mind and one person’s paradise is another’s empty lot.” The fact remains that more 21st century adventurists are on the move than within any abacus time frame before, but many without the research needed to prepare for all the readjustments that inevitably will kick in as the move takes shape. Whether it is Siberia or Vanuatu, (South Pacific) - someone’s vision of a better way of life needs to be tried and tested before taking the financial and emotional plunge. For my part, I have been in the Eastern Caribbean for twenty years and of course feel a little more than familiar with the region and its various attractions/shortcomings, so having not being to Siberia, my reference point through this article is pretty much directed to this wondrous Calypso piece of Earth’s pie. A sizeable amount of travellers are presented with their first view of the Caribbean from the deck of a floating town, a.k.a. the transient cruise ship. From the time spent, albeit short in each port, it’s still possible to get a sense of what makes some islands tick and why others don’t even tock. One, on a trip like this gets to see six or seven separate territories per cruise, all with slightly different cultures and economies, for a fraction of the cost – and time - that would be incurred through alternate travel.  The impressions that linger then can be, at a later date, followed up by an extra few days stay on the slice of heaven you’ve chosen as some serious homework is no doubt in the offing. Images and information of the islands on the Internet can’t match being there in real time. Would anybody in their right mind say, buy an “old masters” work of art on e Bay – without some appreciation of the texture and latent hues? I don’t think so. My “relocation” from the UK was initially a semi-relocation process. As I was involved in the tourism industry, the summer (high) season from May in those heady days, was to work and languish in picturesque Cornwall waiting for the home straight month of October to close and then prepare for the winter (high) season in Antigua and reggae. This regular Caribbean round trip went on for about 6 years, so it’s obvious that I had a “hands on” experience with this particular island. Here, wise choices were made: as to which area(s) of the island to live in, quality of housing (let’s rent first!), and medical insurance in line with that part of the world, plus general networking and so on. A good lawyer was contacted and retained even though there wasn’t a legal obstacle on the horizon. He understood the laws in Antigua and ensured I was covered for all legalities. Applying for your own PO Box a.s.a.p. is advisable. Even better, call ahead and set up an address with a local mail service on the island you are moving to. Then forward items to yourself at your new locale. It can work out cheaper than excess baggage through the airlines. RETIREES WERE THE PEOPLE SEEKING A NEW LIFE ABROAD UP UNTIL JUST A FEW YEARS AGO. THE ABOVE 35 's HAVE BEEN THE MOST DOMINANT GROUP Into the mix of course, one must remember that retirees were the main group of people seeking a new life abroad up until just a few years ago. Since then, the 35 and upwards have emerged as the most dominant group of intrepid wanderlusters - for one reason or another - which inevitably means that their children, if any, will have to be considered in future plans. This brings up the subject of schools and tertiary education in particular.  Some islands have excellent primary and secondary school set-ups – go private rather than state, the curriculum can be much more interesting - but the next rung on the ladder of learning can prove a fester of frustrating differences between concerned parents and relatives in general. Top quality universities and colleges do not exist within the majority of Caribbean islands, resulting in the families that have relocated to the region taking the return relocation trip to their country of birth for their teenagers’ further development. Other considerations one should look at include on-island health care and the level of crime, or hopefully the lack of it. Island hospitals and health care in general can be sensitive issues when it comes to funding and expertise. Each island, presumably, has its main Government administered hospital and some have one or two private clinics that cater for visitors and locals alike. It’s worth checking out the small print in any mainland medical insurance that you’ve taken out closely.  Certain hospitals within the region may not be “recognized” by the issuing insurance company. Consequently, you may find the nearest place to receive treatment within the policy guidelines involves a non-refundable return airline ticket - just a thought. For those in the Eastern Caribbean, the close proximity of Guadeloupe and Martinique - Departments of France – allow access to several highly rated hospitals; in fact, the University Hospital in Martinique is ranked number two in the French medical system. | ||||
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As far as crime figures go, space in this article doesn’t allow serious analysis, but to put a fine point on it, most offences are locally domestic: linked to affairs of the heart, affairs with hard liquor/drugs, land disputes and petty theft. The “have” and “have not’s” syndrome is global, but from an East Caribbean perspective, very few incidents pro rata target ex-pats, tourists or outsiders in general.  For those fortunate enough to land a job with an established firm on their island of choice, the relocation should be seamless. Depending on the package offered, most obstacles will have been sorted, work permits, residency, housing, even gym and golf membership thus downsizing any unwanted stress levels. But for the self-employed/ freelance person – soon to be entrepreneur – the journey can be more of a cross country race than a 100 metre dash. And, starting with work permit application, each island is pretty much in agreement. If you have a special skill or talent you have much more likelihood of your application being accepted than if you’re applying for a position that a local could fill. So much so that any job on offer is usually required to be advertised for three consecutive weeks in the country’s newspapers or on island radio to give everyone a chance of submitting their resume.  With the work permit in place and a suitable time in rented premises, the future may start to look more than promising than you once thought; the idea of cementing your place – literally with bricks and mortar – in the community now seems more plausible. From here, the purchase of your own property is the most sensible move you could make and there is a myriad of real agents out there to guide you accordingly. Whether it is land to build on or a ready constructed house you require, the bona fide companies make it easy for you to access their various listings on the Web from whatever armchair you feel most comfortable in. For others, with bigger fish to fry, there are commercial businesses that come on the market from time to time. There is no defined pattern, mostly an irregular regularity if you get my drift. Some enterprises have been founded and nurtured by five generations of the same emigrant or local family, with toil and passion. And, many probably won’t see the light of day on the property market any time soon. Others can be recent outside ventures that, for the lack of research into feasibility and sound marketing ideas, have foundered by the wayside and now seek a breath of fiscal wizardry to stay afloat. Then, there are certain businesses that decide to sell at the top of their game and profitability, that sounds like an upside subject, so let’s go down that road…. I re-relocated to Dominica from Antigua in 2007 simply to enjoy the holiday home that my partner and I had built 2 years before. The zest and freshness of this climate has to be ingested before any comments are made; suffice to say that it’s the healthiest and most peaceful place on the planet. Other outsiders that came before us have become well established and prosperous with some deciding to expand their operations and/or put the whole enchilada up for sale – or lease - and move on to a new challenge. One stunning example of this is the Cocorico set up situated in the heart and bustle of downtown Roseau, the capital of Dominica. Cocorico consists of a sidewalk and indoor waterfront café, gift shop, a duty free licence and boutique. At present, the lease is in the hands of Sidonie and Frederic, a wonderful far-sighted French couple who have seen their business grow from strength to strength in the ten years that they have been in control.  The passion and vision applied to this project has reaped considerable admiration from their peers, especially amidst the active upswing of tourism in Dominica from 2007 through 2008. The lease arrangement is based on a renewal every three years. LOOKING AT COCORICO…IS AKIN TO GAZING AT TAN ARTIST’S PALETTE, SO MANY COLOUR THEMES SET IN A SUPERB LOCATION KNOWN AS THE BAY FRONT Looking at Cocorico for the first time is akin to gazing at an artist’s palette, so many colour themes set in a superb location known as the Bay Front . Here, through the balmy winter season many cruise ships call in on a daily and weekly basis throughout the rest of the year. Forty-six additional liners are confirmed as calling vessels from December, 2008 through April, 2009. People attract people, as everyone knows and many vendors extolling the virtues of Dominican culture are aware of the rewards that volumes of holiday-makers can bring, so there’s a lively atmosphere in this area. CoCo Chic! Is the newest “kid on the block” as part of the Cocorico group and specializes in jewellery, sunglasses and ladies accessories. An adjoining duty free shop selling liquors and cigars, etc. is another attraction that gives this operation an almost “one stop destination” label that attracts many walk-in customers. These types of businesses take energy and imagination to fulfill the potential targets that are there and with most of the hard work achieved in this showcase, Sidonie and Frederic now look forward to new ventures – hopefully in Dominica - and I’m sure we wish them well. To conclude, relocating efficiently is a science as many people only do it once or twice in their lifetime, so it never becomes second nature. Artful? Who knows, but with research and common sense, plus the dream location and lots of luck you’ll find your special oyster, no doubt! Author: Laurie Stevens is a freelance writer based in Dominica and latterly in Antigua for 18 years. While most of his professional life has centered in and around the music business as a studio musician and performer, travel and writing have both played a major part in what is now a nicely balanced career, amidst a magical piece of Caribbean paradise.
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