Hi Mad Les,
if you are considering one of the Out Island I would recommend Eleuthera.
You may want to check the following website:

http://www.discover-eleuthera-bahamas.com/index.html

FYI, My wife and I have been there last september and we literally fell in love with the island. We are now buying a vacant land and will build a home there. The idea is to rent the property and retire there some day.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you need further info about buying land and building in Eleuthera.

Regards,

Roberto
Rome, Italy

Im due to retire in 5 years, looking to relocate out of the UK...is the Bahamas a good location? crime, weather, cost of living and housing...
Not being one of those people with millions is it out of my league..
Would be nice to speak to anyone who has an opinion, especially if from the UK.
thanks
Les

Hello Les

Thought you might be interested in my view of living in Bahamas. I have an Uncle who has lived in Exuma for 35 years. I have been to stay many times and love the Island, the people are so warm and friendly. My husband and myself are hoping to move there next year. we have had enough of this government and the way it pretends to look after us! We have done a fair amount of research, but my Uncle is our advisor mostly.
We will also be taking our 2 dogs! Cost of living is definitely cheaper. (no heating bills etc.)

GLADLY KEEP YOU UP TO DATE
ROSA

Im due to retire in 5 years, looking to relocate out of the UK...is the Bahamas a good location? crime, weather, cost of living and housing...
Not being one of those people with millions is it out of my league..
Would be nice to speak to anyone who has an opinion, especially if from the UK.
thanks
Les



If you are looking to escape, then where ever you go your devils and angels will be with you. The bahamas like any place is what you make it, just dont come here empty handed is all i ask we have enough block heads here already:hammer:

Hello,

New guy here! :)

I've read this thread with interest as I'm also interested in retiring on one of the Caribbean islands. My questions are similar so I thought I'd post them here rather than start a new thread.

I'm not going to be able to retire anytime soon, I'm sadly looking at working another 15 to 20 years. Even when I do retire, I only plan on living on whatever island for no more than 7 months out of the year (spending the remaining time at my house in Connecticut). Since real estate continues to escalate, I'm starting to consider it might be smarter to buy now on a lesser developed island (such as Long Island) while prices are still somewhat affordable. Going this route would also allow me a vacation home as well. About the only way I think I could do this now (and still save a good amount of money for retirement), would be for me to occasionally rent the island property out to help offset at least some of the cost. While I don't have any illusions of having a property rented 100% of the time, anything would certainly help.

Based on the above, here are my questions and concerns... What should I expect insurance to cost for a $350,000 concrete dwelling on the waterfront? Taxes? Would squatters or even vandalism be something I'd have to worry about on one of the more remote islands such as LI? Would me being an foreign owner be a concern, and if so, in what way? If I did buy a property and wanted to rent it out (either weekly, monthly, or even yearly), would I have problems finding someone reliable to look over the property in my absence? Any idea what it would cost to have someone do this? Any other major concerns regarding this plan?

Lastly, in todays dollars, how much would you say is needed to comfortably retire in the Bahamas (yearly)?

Thanks for your help! :)

I was born in Connecticut and now live permanantly in New Providence.

One can get by, not living "high on the hog" on about $30,000 a year, above that allows one to go out and enjoy life.

Housing and utilities runs us about $1,500 a month. Food, easy $400 a month. Fuel is the same $400 a month, on the low side. Medications as wife is diabetic at $100 a month.

That leaves about $200 a month for the sweetheart...just kiding, they cost more than that.

Hope this helps

opps forgot, car license, insurance and registration, thats $1,000 a year.

I was born in Connecticut and now live permanantly in New Providence.
One can get by, not living "high on the hog" on about $30,000 a year, above that allows one to go out and enjoy life.
Housing and utilities runs us about $1,500 a month. Food, easy $400 a month. Fuel is the same $400 a month, on the low side. Medications as wife is diabetic at $100 a month.
That leaves about $200 a month for the sweetheart...just kiding, they cost more than that.
Hope this helps

Where in CT? I'm from New London and married to an Island girl.
I like it here in the winter,but I would never miss a New England summer...hot days... cool nights.:)

Thanks for the info NetConnect! :)



What should I expect insurance to cost for a $350,000 concrete dwelling on the waterfront? Taxes? Would squatters or even vandalism be something I'd have to worry about on one of the more remote islands such as LI? Would me being an foreign owner be a concern, and if so, in what way? If I did buy a property and wanted to rent it out (either weekly, monthly, or even yearly), would I have problems finding someone reliable to look over the property in my absence? Any idea what it would cost to have someone do this? Any other major concerns regarding this plan?


Can anyone help regarding any of the other questions?




BTW, Biggy, I live in Clinton, CT (near Hammonasset State Park), small world! And I share your thoughts regarding New England summers. ;)

Hi to everyone who has taken the trouble to write in..
Well I have taken the plunge and my flight is booked, house hunting from the 15th June.. spending about a week on NP and a week on GBI. I will see what takes my fancy, there are a lot of factors involved so i will see if one place stands out..
Will let you know when I get back.
regards
Les

oh yes, while I think of it....I remember reading somewhere about not being able to import vehicles into the Bahamas if they are over a certain age...is this right or am I getting confused..

Hi to everyone who has taken the trouble to write in..
Well I have taken the plunge and my flight is booked, house hunting from the 15th June.. spending about a week on NP and a week on GBI. I will see what takes my fancy, there are a lot of factors involved so i will see if one place stands out..
Will let you know when I get back.
regards
Les
oh yes, while I think of it....I remember reading somewhere about not being able to import vehicles into the Bahamas if they are over a certain age...is this right or am I getting confused..


I dont know about that....how old is it?

I don't know too much about the composition of NP but I know there is a good British/European expat community in GB..Freeport mostly. Mostly in the catholic church, two were my teachers in High School, so along with Bahamian neighbours there will always be somone people from home there to commune with. And your money may get you two different things as one island is more expensive than the other. in NP it will get you perhaps a condo on the beach,or not far from it. In GB you may get canal front or beach of larger acreage or a high rise condo on the beach if available.

So yes tell us about your opinion when you get to take it all in.