Moving To Barbados As An Expat – that will be the topic of today’s article.
Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance, and mortgages, you can contact me here.
The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.
Introduction
The complexities and uncertainties of COVID-19 have resulted in why many expat move around the world. And with this, a lot of people still want to live on the island paradise in the Caribbean. Why do you think people love that? Well, somehow, the beaches, the sun, and the climate are of major draws.
Meanwhile, the cultural aspects, cuisines, and music are one of the essential things to expect. While much of this is true, there are many factors that could make you think twice about this country. Of course, if you’ve thoroughly considered moving to Barbados, it’s something you should be happy about.
Although some could decide to live in this country all year round, while others live there during the winter months to escape the cold dark days at home. Regardless of the reasons you’d love to relocate to Barbados, there are few things to consider. The location, cuisines, cost of living, and many others are crucial!
Have you been thinking about relocating to the Caribbean in 2021? Or you’ve been longing for a change of pace and dreaming of quiet mornings by the beach? Look no further as you’ve landed on the right platform. All you need now is to read this guide with full concentration and avoid misleading information on the internet. This is because; teams of experts in the field compiled this article.
However, we will walk you through the concepts of moving to Barbados in today’s 21stcentury. In this guide, you’ll understand the pros and cons of living here. Not only that, but we have compiled some of the things to know before moving to Barbados. Would you love to check it out? Read further for more!
Things to Know Before Moving to Barbados
Whether you want to add a second home or turn your Caribbean beach dream into a reality, it’s quite possible to move to the Caribbean. While relocating to this country could mean different things to different people, you still need to understand certain things before planning your move. In a way to make your relocation easier, below are the things you need to keep in mind while relocating here.
Densely Populated Island
While we describe it as a densely populated island, some would term it as a crowded and even overpopulated place. Notwithstanding, this small island nation, with an area of about 430 square kilometers, is home to around 280,000 people, making it the most densely populated country in the world. With that being said, you should know that it can be quite difficult to find a spot that you’ll enjoy.
An Extremely Expensive Place
If you’re willing to adapt to change, Barbados can be quite comfortable for you to live in. On the other hand, if you’re not, the cost of living can be prohibitive, thereby affecting your relocation to any part of this country. Since it’s an island nation, a lot of its needs must be met by import, and it can increase the cost of goods in the long run.
Life is Slower in the Caribbean
Of course, you might have heard people saying life is slower in the Caribbean. Yes! Barbados isn’t an exception today. And this is due to the fact that government documents, being billed at a store, and more could be extremely frustrating. This way, if you’re from the western world, you may find it difficult to adapt to this kind of environment.
Barbados Weather Isn’t Fun
It should be noted as an expat that this country’s weather isn’t fun. Admittedly, lots of expats love the Barbados weather, but there are also many who don’t find it friendly. Moreover, the country has two seasons, and the temperature throughout the year could go as 20˚C and 30˚C. Besides, the only difference between the two seasons is that rain could go from June to November and tiresome.
Know the Suitable Place
If you’re considering moving to a new place, one of the first things to consider is the right place for expat to live. Barbados is nature heaven, and there are lots of amazing places to visit. While you can visit the wonderful beaches, forests, parks, museums, and other places, consider the best cities suitable for you.
Home to the Best Nightlife
If you’re a fan of going out to clubs and enjoying the nightlife, Barbados is one of the best countries to offer you this cruise. The nightlife is mostly located in St. Lawrence Gap, and they offer live entertainment during the week and on the weekends. So, be rest assured of endless enjoyment here.
Unique English Language
This contributes to one of the most interesting things to know before moving to Barbados. Surprisingly, the official language is English, but it is quite different from British and American English. In fact, it’s called Bajan Creole or Barbadian Creole, and it’s a spoken language. So, if you’re coming from a Western nation, expect a slight change in the language.
Best Places to Explore in Barbados
Before we walk you through the pros and cons of moving to this country, it’s quite essential to know the best places to visit. However, most travelers relocating to Barbados don’t experience any problems because it is safe. Now, we have selected the best places to explore in Barbados. Take a look at it below.
Visit George Washington House
This historic structure was better known in Barbados as the Bush Hill House. This place is home to plantations where crops were grown in the olden days. Meanwhile, research made it known that in 1751, a young gentleman named George Washington and his half-brother Lawrence spent a short stay here. In the long run, they became the first president, and Barbados was the only place they touched.
Folkestone Marine Park
This is another place to visit during your stay in this country. It is located in Holetown, near St. James’ Parish Church, and you can easily identify the place when you get there. In addition, Folkestone Museum is a huge aquarium with sporadic forms of marine life with plenty of things to see about the country’s historical background.
Crane Beach and Resort
The crane beach and resort also made it to one of the best places to visit in Barbados. This beach, with its pink coral sand, was a boat nation and also surrounded by rocks since its inception. But as of today, it has its name as of the best beaches in Barbados. Moreover, you can visit this place if you enjoy sunbathing in the sun, surfing, and many others, to mention a few.
Harrison’s Cave, Barbados
Harrison’s Cave is a natural attraction in this country, and it’s also listed among the best tourist attractions in Barbados and the seven wonders of the island. This beautiful cave opens a wonderful world of stalactites and stalagmites, the oldest emerald lakes, clear water, and a small waterfall. This way, it emerges as one of the popular places on the mysterious island and throughout the Caribbean.
Exploring the Morgan Lewis Windmill
This beautiful arena was founded in 1727 in the northern district of St. Andrew, near the island’s eastern shoreline, where the last surviving sugar mill in Barbados found its place. More so, it’s among the list of the 7 wonders of the island. Not only that, but it has emerged as the only windmill in the world to grind sugar cane. So, if you’re looking to explore the best outdoor activities in Barbados, this is one of a kind.
Visit Emancipation Statue
The statue of emancipation is another must-see place in Barbados. This incredible statue is an iconic Barbados landmark created by Karl Broodhage. In literal translation, research made it known that this sculpture symbolizes the breaking of the chains of slavery. As history disclosed, the complete liberation of the subjects took place in 1838, with more than 70,000 local and African Barbadoses jubilating.
Visit the Carlisle Bay
A visit to Carlisle bay is another thing to put into consideration when you found yourself in Barbados. Besides, this place is perfect for all kinds of water sports and diving. Not only that, but the entrance is free, and all the beaches are open from sunrise to sunset on any day of the week.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Barbados
As we’ve disclosed earlier, Barbados is the most easterly island in the Caribbean, with a growing population of about 280,000 people. Limestone rocks form this island, and you should know that there are many things to enjoy here. While keeping what to want in mind, you should also consider some disadvantages of living in the country. Without further ado, below are the pros and cons.
Pros
1. Enjoy Stunning Island Beaches
If you’re just visiting the island for the first time, we’re sure this wonderful place’ll carry you away. Barbados may not make the top list often when it comes to beaches but compared to other destinations, the beaches are easy to access, and they’re never too crowded. In fact, parking regulations are easy-going, so you can easily park somewhere and access many beaches in the country.
2. Weather in Barbados
We can tell you that you’ll never have a bad vacation in this country because of the weather. This means sunny days and bright blue skies are generally the norms here outside of hurricane and rainy season. On the flip side, we advise that you wear a rash guard if you plan to swim a lot. And this is due to the fact that the sun is very hot, and sunscreen may not keep you from getting sunburned.
3. Excellent Infrastructure
The beautiful and excellent infrastructure in Barbados is why a lot of people want to make it their next destination. In this country, you can drink tap water and not be as cautious about what it could result in the long run. While the island is made up of coral limestone, research revealed that the water is of high quality due to natural filtration. More so, you can rent a car and drive fairly easily on the road.
4. No Language Barrier
One special thing you’d like about this country is the language aspect. Here in Barbados, the English language is widely spoken. This means you don’t need to stress out and learn a new language. However, you’ll see a lot of locals speaking conventional English but don’t be surprised if you hear the Bajan dialect, made up of sayings that are slightly different from how you pronounce English letters. That’s why we advise you to do thorough research and brush up on Bajan to be pompasettin to the locals.
5. Development is Limited
It’s no doubt that development is limited in this country. And this is because the government would like to protect the environment. Compared to other places like Bali or Mexico, there aren’t new hotel development, and this also means less room inventory which keeps prices high and the island from being overrun.
6. Security Measures
As of today’s digital age, we can tell you with full confidence that Barbados is pretty safe. Meanwhile you need to exercise precautions in some parts of the country as an expat. Moreover, people will try to sell drugs in some spots, but they’re not too pushy. On the flip side, violent crime is present but not very common because the locals are friendly, even after you bust them of trying to scam you.
7. Incredible Tourist Attractions
If we’re talking about tourist attractions, Barbados is one of a kind. And this is because; there are many tourist attractions like Animal Flower Cave, Harrison Caves, sporting events, Rihanna’s House, and many others, to mention a few. So, if the beach is not your thing, there are many places to keep you busy.
Cons
1. Airport Problem
Since no place is perfect, you should know that the Barbados airport can’t absorb all the passengers who arrive within a 3-hour time frame. This means you’ll need to plan to spend at least 1 hour going through the customs and immigration process. This same process can be done when you return to the airport to catch your flight back home. Also, be mindful that Saturdays could be the busiest days, and we’re unsure how this would be regarding the COVID-19 update.
2. Lack of All-inclusive Accommodation
You can travel to Barbados on a budget, but research made it known that it’s not easy as other places because of its all-inclusive accommodations. And again, the local currency, Barbadian Dollar (Bds$), is pegged to the US dollar. However, this makes it a lot more expensive for food, car rental, and accommodation compared to other places.
3. Expensive Food Scene
While Barbados is known for having a good and being called a food destination, don’t be surprised that you can be charged a different price for the exact same meal that was better the first day. However, if there’s one thing that has improved in Barbados as of today, we can tell you that it’s the availability of wine at various price points, and it’s always expensive.
4. Cost of Living
While many services on the island are cheaper compared to the United States, things like imported goods might be expensive in Barbados. In the long run, we will walk you through the cost of living in our next blog post. Until then, always know that the cost of living in this country might leave you surprised.
5 Reasons You Should Leave in the Caribbean
Are you tired from the hustled bustle of city life, dealing with noise pollution, and the smell of carbon monoxide in the morning? Well, one of the ways to get away from this is to live in the Caribbean. Although we may picture this as a vacation, but it’s far beyond what you could ever imagined. Now, let’s quickly walk you through the ways or reasons you should live in the Caribbean.
1. Enjoy a Subtropical Environment
One reason you should live in the Caribbean is because of the environment. And this is because it allows you to enjoy more time in nature and away from all the development and pollution of city life. Not only that, but you’ll enjoy the chirping of nighty crickets, interesting wildlife, and the mischievous green monkeys. On the other hand, you need to be careful while living in the Caribbean as an expat.
2. A Unique Change of Pace
City life is usually fast-paced, the hustle and bustle, but in the Caribbean, the case is different. And instead, the pace here is slower, and the islanders take it one day at a time. So, if you’re coming to this country hoping things would get fast, you might have to think again, and don’t be surprised if things get delayed or stay longer than you expect.
3. Promised a relaxed Lifestyle
A good way to enjoy the Caribbean is when you have a relaxed lifestyle. And this is one thing you’ll hardly get in the western world. Moreover, those retiring in the Caribbean can find all kinds of things to do here, including enjoying water sports, exploring the markets, and many others, to mention a few.
4. Enjoy Lot of Outdoor Activities
If you love outdoor activities, the Caribbean is one of the best places to explore. Moreover, did you know that the world’s second-largest barrier reef is based within the Caribbean? Well, don’t be surprised because the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, known as the Great Mayan Reef, attracts a large number of tourists to the islands almost every year.
5. Opportunity for Expats
We’re sure you’d be wondering what the golden opportunity could be? Well, we can tell you that the Caribbean is among one of the best places suitable for expats to retire. However, those who still have time before their retirement can find ample job opportunities across the islands. Also, you’ll enjoy tons of festivals all through the year, and this is one of its kind experience you can enjoy being an expat.
Frequently Asked Questions about Moving to Barbados
Is it expensive to move to Barbados?
From research and our personal experience, we can tell you that Barbados isn’t expensive to relocate as of today. Moreover, a family of four estimated monthly in this country are $4,132 respectively, without rent. So, be rest assured that the cost of living in Barbados is, on average, 43.67 percent lower than the United States of America.
Is healthcare free for expat in Barbados?
For the locals, they are all covered by Universal healthcare in the country. Also, the country has eight polyclinics throughout the country, 5 Geriatric hospitals for the elderly, and a network of Child Care facilities. This means, expat with the required documents can enjoy these benefits but can also use private hospitals.
How long can a UK resident stay in Barbados?
In Barbados, British nationals do not require a visa to visit Barbados. And instead, you’ll be granted a specified period of stay on arrival, which can only allow you to stay in the country for a maximum of six months. Meanwhile, if you wish to stay longer, you must apply and pay for an extension through the country’s immigration department.
Can I live permanently in Barbados as an expat?
Foreigners who wish to take up permanent residence in Barbados must provide tangible evidence that they’re not likely to become a threat or charge on the nation. Aside from this fact, you may need to go through the required immigration processes before the visa can be given. But, not to worry, the process is quite easy compared to other countries like the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
Can I buy Barbados citizenship?
Unlike other countries, Barbados doesn’t have direct citizenship by investment program. However, the residency by investment program is seen to be a pathway to citizenship by naturalization. On the flip side, we advise you to go through the visa requirement process to understand the Barbados visa process.
Conclusion
With the global pandemic occurrence, there’s a lot of paperwork involved in moving to Barbados. While it may cost you money, it’s quite beneficial to understand the pros and cons of moving to the country. As mentioned above, it’s one of the best countries to retire since it’s a tropical paradise that people dream of visiting. Nonetheless, refer to this guide to understand the process better.
