Transitioning Into A Luxurious Caribbean Lifestyle
August 1st, 2009 by Chris Channing, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Considering moving to the Caribbean islands? There is a cultural gap that you need to be made aware of. The transition to being a United States citizen to becoming part of the Caribbean lifestyle won’t be too tough, but to save you some trouble there are a few tips to take heed to.
All foods on the island are not fresh as you would see in areas of the United States. Sometimes you will notice that foods you see one day will be gone for several others. This is because most of the food you see in the store will be delivered. As a result you will also probably pay a bit more than what you are familiar with paying due to the costs of delivery.
Even when you are living in luxury in your own personal paradise, there is a condition of feeling claustrophobic while on the island that visitors commonly experience. While in the United States you are able to travel as you please, yet while on the island you are more constricted in your options. Taking an annual trip can offset this feeling. Having a second home, if funds permit, is also a good solution.
Living in a big city such as New York has probably put the sense of urgency in your everyday life. You like to arrive at destinations quickly, may not make small talk or not frequently, and generally like to get things done. This is in somewhat conflicted with the way of life the locals lead their life. Expect traffic jams involving animals, more friendly talk than you remember, and a slower pace of life.
The locals are usually considered very polite. They are not rushed individuals, and instead like to engage in friendly conversation- even if it’s just a shop worker talking to a customer. It even goes as far as a driver stopping to say hello to a friend- potentially holding up traffic. It’s times like these where the hustle and bustle lifestyle needs to go, and a new appreciation for friendliness and relaxation needs to come about.
The amount of real estate in the Caribbean island is vast- you have plenty of luxury homes to choose from. If your budget is limited you can also find plenty of lower-priced homes and sections of land to live on. Islands can have different general characteristics that make the containing land more or less expensive. Talking to a real estate agent is a good idea to cut down on time looking for your ideal real estate.
In Conclusion
You could benefit a lot from checking out a book about the Caribbean islands. It’s always best to learn about the area you wish to live in before actually taking the plunge. Also consider going to the islands for a vacation first to get a feel for the islands and what they offer.
