I don't want to be a killjoy but unless you get a job in France and you can relocate in Guadeloupe/Martinique (keeping your French-based salary), salaries are sadly lower than in continental France and everything is more expensive. We also have a lot of water distribution issues. Life is not too bad but it's not all shiny either.
As someone living in Guadeloupe, I can confirm the water problem.
For the salaries it depends. In the public sector salaries are actually higher than in continental France, but in the private sector it varies a lot. However life is also a lot more expensive and purchasing power is lower (mainly because a lot of people live in poverty).
Overall is you have a high paying public job (like being a doctor) you will have a very good life but I could say that for anywhere else really.
Also public transport is shit, do not even think about it if you don’t own a car, which is wild because a lot of people don’t drive here.
But we have a lot of good things too. Outside the beaches and cool landscape, we have a neat culture, people are generally pleasant and helpful, and life is really enjoyable if you find a good circle.
Purchasing power is lower due to high prices, but salaries are the same or equivalent. Unless you work in the public sector, where the government gives you a cost-of-living allowance. You can offset this by buying local and limiting imported goods.
The main problems, in my opinion, are youth unemployment, limited career prospects, and the fact that everything is done by car.
I was referring to the minimum wage especially. But yeah I've heard of the almost double price of everything like groceries or rent, that's insane. How do people manage especially if they're not qualified workers?
I moved to the French Caribbean as an EU citizen. I did so as a self-employed consultant (working remotely for an entity based elsewhere). The process involved a lot of queueing at the prefecture, but I got my 5 year residence card eventually.
The tax system was quite good when I did it (auto-entrepreneur) but I think that is no longer available. Also, I never got my healthcare card so that was super disappointing.
I have since moved to Barbados where the “Welcome Stamp” programme is available to remote workers and is essentially a flat annual tax of a few thousand USD and you can keep any income derived from outside. It includes access to healthcare and schooling for kids so in some ways is the same as EU free movement. Highly recommended as an alternative to the French Caribbean for remote workers, especially if you don’t speak great French
If Trinidad could get their crime under control, this would be one of the best options. You have the best of both worlds with Trinidad AND Tobago. Otherwise, I'd say Puerto Rico. Barbados is lovely but too expensive to live permanently.
Man, I’d love to visit one day but the talk of crime there has me nervous. But every country has crime and it’s not like crime is going away anytime soon
Totally hear you. The crime is definitely not great. But I'd say just be aware and don't take any unnecessary chances that you might take in other countries. Carnival time is also one of the safer times to visit. They boost security quite a bit because of the number of tourists who visit. Tobago is also a gem. Much, much safer and more chill than Trinidad.
Barbados. Love the nature, the scenery, the island in general, it's a real beauty. I'd also do it for business, as I'd want to open up a Surinamese themed restaurant there, as well as look for partners to import goods from Suriname to the island. The latter part Suriname and Barbados have some agreements to send products, and Barbados wants more imports from the region.
The other island would be Curaçao. Also, for similar reasons, but I would not open a Suriname themed restaurant there, as there are many already. Or if I would, it would be one of the cultures of Suriname themed restaurant, that is maybe slightly more upper scale than most Surinamese restaurants/food shops on te island. I'd also maybe just go in tourism, but more the real-estate side lol. But other than that, I'd also do business there, similar to that of importing goods from Suriname to there. The island is beautiful, and its legal system is very similar to Suriname.
I'd also choose French Guiana for a short while. Short, because the place is a bit boring, but it has some nice perks. Not necessarily EU benefits, if I want that I'd just move to the Netherlands, enroll in a university there - Surinamese pay "lower" price than other non-EU locals - and live there until I get the nationality after 5 years. But French Guiana has something quaint to it, I'd also open up a restaurant there, maybe Surinamese themed, but similar to Curaçao a specific sub-group of Suriname themed. Maybe also go in tourism, but more so offering tours on both sides. Surinamese like going to FG for a day or three, it's a popular destination for quick shopping, and just a day out. And similarly French Guianese and French people, love vacationing in Suriname because it's the most touristy of the Guianas and shop here because it's the cheapest of the Guianas.
Lastly, maybe I'd do short periods in Martinque, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Aruba, Sint-Maarten and maybe Guadeloupe.
I would say Barbados actually has one the best qualities of life in the region, and it's politically quite stable and safe, but Aruba might be slightly better since it experiences fewer tropical storms.
Overall, I would choose to live in the DR since I wouldn't be as bored out of mind, though corruption and petty theft is a bit of an issue I hear.
I thought about Bahamas but I think Belize is more my speed with the mixed Latino, Anglo, and Carribbean culture it reminds me of home in Miami minus the big city life.
Retired, but Guadeloupe - still off the beaten path, safe, and European standards.
What is expensive is when you insist on eating the same foods as at home. Shop where the locals shop and buy what they buy to keep your costs down. Buy imported strawberries at the Monoprix and you will be in for a nasty shock at the checkout. If you buy your vegetables at a tourist market such as the round market in St. Francois you will pay through the nose.
Other costs disappear. Don't need a $500 winter coat. Don't need separate footwear for winter. Don't need snow tires for the car in winter. Don't drink much but if I did booze costs a lot less than at home. Cheese is a fraction of what it costs in Canada, with far more variety.
I am also fortunate to live only an hour and a half from the Montreal airport which has decent air service to PTP. Easy to come back to Canada.
However I would have to improve my French, which is good enough for a two month visit but not enough good enough to regularly deal with the bureaucracy and medical system.
Regarding Guadeloupe and Martinique and their salaries, I feel I should warn you (I'm from Martinique). The best salaries, unless you're a doctor or engineer, are for civil servants (40% more than in mainland France, the country that occupies the islands). The cost of living is high there, even though there's a strong incentive to consume. The majority of the local economy is controlled by the descendants of slave-owning colonists who have been enriching themselves for centuries. The drinking water management is catastrophic, crops are poisoned by chlordecone, there's sargassum seaweed, insecurity, and unemployment. The situation is difficult. Of course, our islands are beautiful, but being French departments isn't idyllic (more and more people want greater autonomy or even independence). Ultimately, it's up to you... come and stay and talk to the locals.
You would deal with the discrimination of colorism. Super loud on la isla. Dominicans are going to downvote me bc they are not living in the modern world. 😬
A bunch of them don't consider themselves black for good reason. Recent surveys show they have more European genes in them than African genes. The ones I have worked with here in the Caribbean... They just identifiy as themselves.
You ended up going to what we consider the blackest regions in our country , one mostly dominated by Haitians , and the other by descendants of African-Americans.
I mean I know why. Obviously. But, perhaps, for others that may not, maybe you elaborate for those poor fools. I thank you in advance on their behalves.
Of course I LOVE The Bahamas to death!! :) However, my in-laws are Jamaican and I absolutely LOVE Jamaica! Even though the roads in the non-touristy areas are full of pot holes, I just love the natural scenery, mountain views (in-laws live in Stony Hill), and the food!! If I had the money to live a comfortable life without working, I would definitely live there!
I don't want to be a killjoy but unless you get a job in France and you can relocate in Guadeloupe/Martinique (keeping your French-based salary), salaries are sadly lower than in continental France and everything is more expensive. We also have a lot of water distribution issues. Life is not too bad but it's not all shiny either.
As someone living in Guadeloupe, I can confirm the water problem.
For the salaries it depends. In the public sector salaries are actually higher than in continental France, but in the private sector it varies a lot. However life is also a lot more expensive and purchasing power is lower (mainly because a lot of people live in poverty).
Overall is you have a high paying public job (like being a doctor) you will have a very good life but I could say that for anywhere else really.
Also public transport is shit, do not even think about it if you don’t own a car, which is wild because a lot of people don’t drive here.
But we have a lot of good things too. Outside the beaches and cool landscape, we have a neat culture, people are generally pleasant and helpful, and life is really enjoyable if you find a good circle.
Can confirm the water problem. I live in one of the worst-impacted neighbourhood in gosier.
Purchasing power is lower due to high prices, but salaries are the same or equivalent. Unless you work in the public sector, where the government gives you a cost-of-living allowance. You can offset this by buying local and limiting imported goods.
The main problems, in my opinion, are youth unemployment, limited career prospects, and the fact that everything is done by car.
I was referring to the minimum wage especially. But yeah I've heard of the almost double price of everything like groceries or rent, that's insane. How do people manage especially if they're not qualified workers?
By buying local/cheap and living in social housing. The "sharing is caring" mentality is also very present.
I moved to the French Caribbean as an EU citizen. I did so as a self-employed consultant (working remotely for an entity based elsewhere). The process involved a lot of queueing at the prefecture, but I got my 5 year residence card eventually.
The tax system was quite good when I did it (auto-entrepreneur) but I think that is no longer available. Also, I never got my healthcare card so that was super disappointing.
I have since moved to Barbados where the “Welcome Stamp” programme is available to remote workers and is essentially a flat annual tax of a few thousand USD and you can keep any income derived from outside. It includes access to healthcare and schooling for kids so in some ways is the same as EU free movement. Highly recommended as an alternative to the French Caribbean for remote workers, especially if you don’t speak great French
Do you mind telling me how life is in Martinique?
I wasn’t in Martinique but Saint-Martin.
I'm Jamaican. Trinidad and Tobago for the culture and the food 🤏🏾
Aruba looks interesting, their language and economy. Also it's out of the hurricanes path mostly. Also PR since it's similar to DR but more developed.
If Trinidad could get their crime under control, this would be one of the best options. You have the best of both worlds with Trinidad AND Tobago. Otherwise, I'd say Puerto Rico. Barbados is lovely but too expensive to live permanently.
Trinidad has the best music.
And arguably, the best food in the Caribbean. The mix of people in Trinidad has made for some spectacular dishes.
Man, I’d love to visit one day but the talk of crime there has me nervous. But every country has crime and it’s not like crime is going away anytime soon
Totally hear you. The crime is definitely not great. But I'd say just be aware and don't take any unnecessary chances that you might take in other countries. Carnival time is also one of the safer times to visit. They boost security quite a bit because of the number of tourists who visit. Tobago is also a gem. Much, much safer and more chill than Trinidad.
Barbados. Love the nature, the scenery, the island in general, it's a real beauty. I'd also do it for business, as I'd want to open up a Surinamese themed restaurant there, as well as look for partners to import goods from Suriname to the island. The latter part Suriname and Barbados have some agreements to send products, and Barbados wants more imports from the region.
The other island would be Curaçao. Also, for similar reasons, but I would not open a Suriname themed restaurant there, as there are many already. Or if I would, it would be one of the cultures of Suriname themed restaurant, that is maybe slightly more upper scale than most Surinamese restaurants/food shops on te island. I'd also maybe just go in tourism, but more the real-estate side lol. But other than that, I'd also do business there, similar to that of importing goods from Suriname to there. The island is beautiful, and its legal system is very similar to Suriname.
I'd also choose French Guiana for a short while. Short, because the place is a bit boring, but it has some nice perks. Not necessarily EU benefits, if I want that I'd just move to the Netherlands, enroll in a university there - Surinamese pay "lower" price than other non-EU locals - and live there until I get the nationality after 5 years. But French Guiana has something quaint to it, I'd also open up a restaurant there, maybe Surinamese themed, but similar to Curaçao a specific sub-group of Suriname themed. Maybe also go in tourism, but more so offering tours on both sides. Surinamese like going to FG for a day or three, it's a popular destination for quick shopping, and just a day out. And similarly French Guianese and French people, love vacationing in Suriname because it's the most touristy of the Guianas and shop here because it's the cheapest of the Guianas.
Lastly, maybe I'd do short periods in Martinque, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Aruba, Sint-Maarten and maybe Guadeloupe.
Dominica is a gem.
Puerto Rico, súper similar culture to my own, I’ve been there for an extended period of time and really enjoyed it.
DR or PR. family is from La Ceiba Honduras. I would live in Panama or Barbados as well
I’m from Roatan and I’d also go Barbados or St. Vincent
I would say Barbados actually has one the best qualities of life in the region, and it's politically quite stable and safe, but Aruba might be slightly better since it experiences fewer tropical storms.
Overall, I would choose to live in the DR since I wouldn't be as bored out of mind, though corruption and petty theft is a bit of an issue I hear.
So I would say: DR, then Barbados, then Aruba
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Bermuda is not geographically in the Caribbean. It's just culturally similar
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I think it's a little different given proximity. It's about 1,000+ km away, so that takes it out of the equation for me in any case.
Also, by my metric, I was thinking of countries geographically in the Caribbean, not culturally. Do calm down.
Bermuda has some Caribbean influence as well British and American IMO
I thought about Bahamas but I think Belize is more my speed with the mixed Latino, Anglo, and Carribbean culture it reminds me of home in Miami minus the big city life.
Retired, but Guadeloupe - still off the beaten path, safe, and European standards.
What is expensive is when you insist on eating the same foods as at home. Shop where the locals shop and buy what they buy to keep your costs down. Buy imported strawberries at the Monoprix and you will be in for a nasty shock at the checkout. If you buy your vegetables at a tourist market such as the round market in St. Francois you will pay through the nose.
Other costs disappear. Don't need a $500 winter coat. Don't need separate footwear for winter. Don't need snow tires for the car in winter. Don't drink much but if I did booze costs a lot less than at home. Cheese is a fraction of what it costs in Canada, with far more variety.
I am also fortunate to live only an hour and a half from the Montreal airport which has decent air service to PTP. Easy to come back to Canada.
However I would have to improve my French, which is good enough for a two month visit but not enough good enough to regularly deal with the bureaucracy and medical system.
I would choose to live in Barbados because it is like a smaller, safer, blacker and better run version of T&T.
Puerto Rico, Bahamas or Panama
Saint Barthélémy! 🤩
Trinidad and Tobago or Suriname, the Cultures is kinda similar especially food wise.
Anywhere that would hire me. Things aint easy back home
Regarding Guadeloupe and Martinique and their salaries, I feel I should warn you (I'm from Martinique). The best salaries, unless you're a doctor or engineer, are for civil servants (40% more than in mainland France, the country that occupies the islands). The cost of living is high there, even though there's a strong incentive to consume. The majority of the local economy is controlled by the descendants of slave-owning colonists who have been enriching themselves for centuries. The drinking water management is catastrophic, crops are poisoned by chlordecone, there's sargassum seaweed, insecurity, and unemployment. The situation is difficult. Of course, our islands are beautiful, but being French departments isn't idyllic (more and more people want greater autonomy or even independence). Ultimately, it's up to you... come and stay and talk to the locals.
Wasav
Probably would also be my choice since its culturally the closest. All the others would be a culture shock
Guadeloupe/Martinique for me also or one of the ABC islands.. a different culture would be refreshing.
Suriname, they don't get hurricanes and have more food security. And I love the Indonesian food.
I would try DR. The people seem happy. I just hope discrimination is not an issue I have to deal with as a black person.
Same here I would try DR as well
Lol you will not face discrimination
You would deal with the discrimination of colorism. Super loud on la isla. Dominicans are going to downvote me bc they are not living in the modern world. 😬
Lol the whole DR is black
A bunch of them don't consider themselves black for good reason. Recent surveys show they have more European genes in them than African genes. The ones I have worked with here in the Caribbean... They just identifiy as themselves.
I don’t know man. I am in Punta Cana rn and 99% of population is black. Obviously some are mixed but even them, they look like African Americans.
Punta Cana is full of haitians. Dont say a country is something if you only see 0.000001% of it
I was in Samana in 2020, it was the same.
A place full of black americans descendants 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
You ended up going to what we consider the blackest regions in our country , one mostly dominated by Haitians , and the other by descendants of African-Americans.
They have been fighting this fact since the Spain left the island for dead in 1795 and the African blood just did its dominant allele thing
I’m saying!!!! Funny they can’t see it. It’s a beautiful thing.
I does live in Trinidad and tobago but I'll choose Martinique because you know why.
Why. I want know. If it’s the women then okay.
We don't know. Do tell.
EU passport
I mean I know why. Obviously. But, perhaps, for others that may not, maybe you elaborate for those poor fools. I thank you in advance on their behalves.
do tell
Of course I LOVE The Bahamas to death!! :) However, my in-laws are Jamaican and I absolutely LOVE Jamaica! Even though the roads in the non-touristy areas are full of pot holes, I just love the natural scenery, mountain views (in-laws live in Stony Hill), and the food!! If I had the money to live a comfortable life without working, I would definitely live there!
Let me have a laugh at this as a Guadeloupean 😅 ! I would personally choose Barbados
Guyana should be the only answer here
Puerto Rico!
I have thought about Barbados. I like their leader, Madame Mia Mottley, and their overall politics and policies. Plus, the island is beautiful.