On Caribbean islands, the average temperatures remain around 80 degrees all throughout the year. That, in addition to their killer beaches, is enough for anyone to pack up and move!
Of course, moving to the Caribbean comes with the same concerns as moving to another country, and more. So understandably, you’ll want to educate yourself before relocating.
In this article, we’ll tell you a few key things you should know so you’re prepared for living in the Caribbean.
You Might Need a Visa
Sadly, it’s not as simple as picking up and moving to the Caribbean for some people. While some islands are US territories, others aren’t.
For those that aren’t US territories, you’ll need to apply for a visa to move there. There are also additional residency requirements, which means you’ll need to do some more research beforehand. A great place to start is your local embassy.
You Should Bring All Official Documents
You might think it’s excessive, but bring all the official documents you can. This includes your:
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Medical records
- Marriage certificate
- Insurance policies
- Driver’s license
These documents might be needed for things like applying for a residence permit or applying for a job. It’s better to be safe than to be sorry.
Determine Which Island Is Best for You
Speaking of jobs, not all Caribbean islands are not created equally. Some have better economic growth than others, such as the Dominican Republic.
If you move somewhere with a better economy, there’s a better chance of not only finding a job, but also getting better pay. And the other islands are close enough that if you really enjoy them, you can always island hop.
If you want to read more on the Dominican economy, CFI.co explains it in great detail.
You’ll Need to Make Trips to Miami
Island life might be great, but it comes at a price. Most things need to be imported, and not much of it can be transported in at once.
As a result, you’ll pay much more for goods there than in the US. You might have to wait longer for inventory restocking as well.
It’s actually pretty cheap to fly to Miami and back to stock up on needed items. In fact, this can end up being cheaper than buying in the Caribbean.
So be prepared to visit this city often! Make a day or weekend trip out of it for more fun.
Yes, You’ll Really Be on Island Time
Everyone jokes about the Caribbean having island time. But it’s definitely a real thing!
If you’re used to “hustle and bustle,” then let us tell you now that Caribbean living is the complete opposite. People are casually late, so if they say something like “I’m on my way,” chances are, they haven’t even left their house yet.
Try not to let it aggravate you. Instead, try to adopt some of that laidback attitude for a more relaxing time. It’s probably the reason why you wanted to move in the first place anyway!
Make Moving to the Caribbean Easy
With the information from this article, moving to the Caribbean should be a simple process for you now. So with some preparation, hard work, and some luck, you just might find yourself living in a Caribbean country in the near future!
If you enjoyed this article on moving to a foreign country, then please check out our other blog posts too.
