Joanne Daubney - Contributor - Caribbean Living Lifestyle Blog

Will you move to the Caribbean?

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:09:37 -0500

As my jeep rounded the cliff on North Shore Road the Sir Francis Drake channel advertised itself to my virgin eyes for the first time and the two instantly fell in love. This Kansas native could barely take it all in without driving off the road. Pinching myself didn’t seem like such a cliché.

Has this happened to you? Have you had that moment that sparked a life change? The question is what did you do about it, let it pass as fantasy or grab it with two hands and make it reality?

They are two types of people in this world. Nesters and Explorers.

Nesters like to nest. They most likely live in the same town they grew up in. They’re creatures of habit and fear change. They devour fiction books that take their minds to far off places. They are happy and content and make up the majority of the population. There’s nothing wrong with this type of person, the world doesn’t work without them.

Explorers were born to explore. They open our eyes to new frontiers. They dare us follow and embrace change. They devour biographies, maps and science books. They throw caution to the wind and push forward when others say stop. A lot fail, some succeed. The world needs this type of person as well. Can you imagine where we would be without them? No America. No space program. No leaving the cradle of civilization. They are risk takers, but that is a prerequisite of being an explorer.

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Introduction to Commercial Property

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

We are all familiar with the concept of residential property investment, however, commercial property investment is something that most of us do not have much knowledge on. There are number of advantages to this form of investment, and it is performing a lot better than the stock market currently. Don't be put off by the relatively high cost of commercial property as it is possible for syndicates to buy them now.

Commercial real estate investment has a number of advantages, so here's an introduction to this topic so that you can keep this in mind when considering your next investment. Let's start at the beginning...

What are commercial properties?
The following property types are defined as commercial property:

Office spaces

shopping malls and retail units

restaurants

warehouses

factories

any building that is used for commercial purposes including service stations, bakeries, breweries or gyms.

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Take it Easy in Belize-y

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:56:41 -0600

You better Belize it! This is one of the slogans utilized to promote the country of Belize. It is fitting; it is rather unbelievable how easy it is to live in Belize. Living in the smallest capital of the world, Belmopan, which is not exactly the entertainment centre of the universe, was not something I had ever envisaged. In fact, before we moved here from Sri Lanka, my husband did not think I would like to live in this village. People often get offended when I use the word ‘village’ because Belmopan, as the capital of the nation, has city rights.

When we first arrived in Belize a year ago, my husband drove me straight from the airport to Belize City. But I was not impressed by the city, with its run down roads and buildings. Belmopan on the other hand, is quiet, green, relatively clean, and it has a friendly atmosphere. The same atmosphere you can find in San Ignacio, Placencia, Hopkins and Caye Caulker.

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Dear Consultant - I want to move to the Caribbean

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:56:03 -0600

I want to move to the Caribbean, but I don't know which country or island. I just want to live in a warmer climate. What do you suggest?

Michelle

Dear Michelle,
That's great that you want to live in the Caribbean, it's such a refreshing place to live. I really enjoy it myself; being able swim on a Caribbean beach, to be free of some of the stresses and pressures of modern life and escape from the cold at winter, really makes it a joy for me. I expect you can imagine how that could be for you too.

I suggest that you start off by using the internet to research the various Caribbean countries, so that you can narrow your focus and know which country will best meet your needs when you are ready to buy. Each country has a different flavour and different facilities available.

You might want to make a list of what you are looking for in your new lifestyle . . schools, groceries, health care, entertainment and socialising needs, could feature on your list. With a series of internet searches, you can discover what each country can offer in terms of your important factors.

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Build Your Own Home in the Caribbean on a Budget

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:49:00 -0600

Do you want to build your own home in the Caribbean on a tight budget? Well, if you keep these points in mind, it could well be possible to build for less than you think. Quality doesn't have to be compromised and you can still decide what you want in terms of design, but it is key to keep a tight hold on your budget and try to make decisions based on facts as opposed to emotions.

Wise Plot Selection
Even if you are in a hurry, be selective about your plot. If something is being offered at a lower price, take a look at what is on the plot. Are there a lot of trees and rocks? Removal of these could cost you more money, as it could if the land isn't flat. However, many homes in the Caribbean are built on stilts/piles as this is an easy and frugal way to overcome any sloping of the land. You also need to ensure that utilities are close by if they are essential to you, as it can cost a fair bit to install if not. If you want to build an eco-home with solar power and collection of water from your roof, then this can further cut down the costs.
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How to Prepare Your Home for Sale

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:49:13 -0600

In the UK, there used to be a television program named 'House Doctor'. The House Doctor was Ann Maurice and she would video unsuspecting buyers as they toured an unprepared house on the sales market. Taking into account any negative remarks that these buyers candidly made, Ann would set to work performing low cost visual miracles on the home and many of the potential buyers would then want to change direction and buy the home. The one downside was that some of the sellers then wouldn't want to move house!

Before your home is put onto the market, it is always wise to prepare it well. To do this, it's best to look at your home like a buyer. You'll need to make a list of what needs to be done in terms of taking care of minor repairs, giving it curb-appeal and making it irresistible to the largest audience possible. This could result in a faster sale with less negotiation and a larger profit.

You might not like changing your home to suit others, but remember this is purely to sell your home faster and to make it less likely that you will be haggling over the asking price with the buyer. You won't always have to live with this new style, it is just until you achieve the goal of getting it sold.

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A to Z Caribbean : Belize

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:26:32 -0600

Lush and green, Belize is a nature lovers paradise with blue skies and blue waters lapping at it's thousands of cayes. The 185 mile long coral reef is the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world and makes Belize a popular destination for divers and snorkellers.

The country is on the northern coast of central america and is 8,867 square miles with over 200 miles of coast to explore with white sands, mangrove swamps and lagoons all contributing to the abundant flora and fauna. The interior has a jungle and jaguar and maccaws can be found in their natural habitat.

Foreign ownership is encouraged by the government and Belize's Retirement Program has been so successful that the government recently reviewed whether it should undergo a revamp. Not only that, the cost of living is fairly low. For example water supply for one month is likely to be around US$20 and your electricity bill is likely to be US$120 and up, with internet quite a pricey US$70 per month. However the weekly food bill can be as low as US$30 per month. If you don't own a car, it is possible to live there fairly comfortably for approximately US$1000 per month. This figure is taking into account that a house has been purchased to live in.
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Living the Dream in Costa Rica

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:26:00 -0600

Guest post submitted by Maggie Jacobus in Costa Rica.

Do you dream of living abroad? If so, what’s holding you back from pursuing that dream?

Many people think they need to wait until retirement, when the kids are out of the house, to pursue that foreign living experience. In fact, doing it with your children just might be the most rewarding, enriching experience of your life…and theirs.

In September 2005 my husband and I packed up our kids—then ages 7, 8 and 10—and moved from the ‘burbs of Wisconsin to the jungles of Costa Rica. We came for a two-year adventure and, 4.5 years later, we remain here for the lifestyle.

Costa Rica is one of the most amazing places to live and raise a family. A tiny country about the size of the US state of West Virginia, Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse places on the earth. What does that mean? A vast variety of incredible nature as well as gorgeous topography that ranges from mountains to oceanfront, tropical rain forests to misty cloud forests. Imagine the explorations to be done together as a family!
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Changes to Costa Rica Immigration Policies

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:07:26 -0600

Several Caribbean countries offer residency in exchange for good police records and proof that you will be contributing to the local economy. An acceptable proof in some cases is a guaranteed monthly income ie a pension income or other guaranteed income.

Costa Rica is one of these countries. However, on March 1st 2010 they will be changing their immigration model, and the minimum income that was set at US$600 per month to qualify for the 'pensionada' residency status will be increased to US$1000. There is also a 250% increase on the minimum for the 'rentista' residency – which will be increasing from US$1000 per month to US$2500.

Apparently this is due to the inflating numbers of migrants coming into Costa Rica from El Savador, Nicaragua, USA and Canada. Costa Rica has one of the highest levels of migrants with 1 in 10 of the population being from another land.

Costa Rica now feels that it has to get a hold on it's immigration situation and has started to add new residency stickers to the passports of 16,000 people who are entitled to stay in Costa Rica. There will also be more focus on investigating new marriages to understand whether they are based on love or passport acquisition.
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6 Advantages of a 2nd passport

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:47:43 -0600

The advantages of 2nd passport are many. They can bring much more freedom than many people realise. Unless your spouse or another member of your immediate family are of another nationality, you will most likely have to make a respectable payment for it, but in some cases it can be worth it. If you are having to bear the weight of being born into a country that does not have a passport that is widely accepted, then it's a small price to pay.

Here are the top 6 advantages of having a 2nd passport:

1) Ease of travel through ports– Apparently the most convenient passports to hold are those from the US, Finland and Denmark. According to a study by Henley & Partners, these passports can gain you entry to 130 countries without needing a visa. The most unfortunate passports to hold will allow the holder to pass the port of only 12 countries without a visa. 2nd passports that are available through the program will allow you access to over 100 countries without applying for a visa
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A Day in my Life in the Dominican Republic

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:21:13 -0600

It didn’t require much thought. I hate winter. I hate cold. I hate big, heavy coats and scarves and gloves and hats. I was young. And the economy was not-so-nice to just out of college English majors with no experience in anything except menial office labor.

I spent the four months directly out of the university in Florida. There’s only so much a young person not from Florida can do in Florida. In October of that year, I boarded a plane with the intention of staying out of the states for a year. Two at the most.

What was I thinking? This culture is contagious.

Here I was, an American girl with a good, solid degree ready to conquer the world. I would travel. I would love freely and muchly. I would fly. I would make money. I would be successful. And perfect. Don’t forget that I’d be perfect. Perfect and rich. And happy. Oh, and I wanted a BMW.

Flash forward five years. I’m still here. Still here in this paradise called the Dominican Republic. The land of no winter called me, seduced me, beckoned me to stay. Convinced me to give up that dream of rich success that meant 9-5 workdays, late night meetings, stress and headache.

This morning I went to the market. I wandered around, baby strapped in her snuggly carrier, looking for fresh fruit. “Ay que linda esa princesa!”Are they talking about me or the baby? Does it matter? Stacks of vegetables, piles of fruit lined the streets. It’s late January and I’m in shorts and a tee-shirt walking around an outdoor market buying fresh, locally grown food. I brought home at least 15 pounds of produce for less than 10 dollars. And to think my friends at home pay top dollar for this.
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Belize Retirement Program - Sign Up Now

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:08:05 -0600

Belize (formerly known as British Honduras until 1974) has the lowest density population of the South American countries and of the world. It is also the only South American country with English as the official first language and with a British colonial heritage.

In 1999 Belize announced a new initiative in the form of a tourist/immigration program to be run by the Belize Tourism Office to attract new blood to the 8,867sq mile country.

After 10 years of successfully running the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program, the government of Belize is ready to change the rules. The program was created to incent retirees over 45 with a monthly income of at least US$2000 to move to Belize.

A cap of 20,000 retirees was determined, that limit has now almost been reached and a less generous program is expected to be introduced in early 2010. New retirees from Canada, United States and United Kingdom wanting to take advantage of the benefits offered are encouraged to apply now before the new rules are announced.
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A to Z Caribbean : Barbados

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:00:25 -0600

Located 99 miles from it's nearest neighbour, and the most easterly of the windward islands, Barbados is a coral island that was created when two of the earth's plates pressed together and pushed it up out of the Atlantic Ocean. The highest point of this 166sq mile land mass is Mount Hillaby at 1089ft above sea level

The island comprises of large sugar cane estates, wide gently sloping pastures and fantastic white sand beaches that draw thousands of tourists every year from Europe and North America. The eastern side of the island is battered by the Atlantic waves and is rocky. Gullies and caves abound and pure drinking water can be found.

Bridgetown, the capital, is located in the south of the east coast with the 2nd largest town, Speightstown in the north on the east side. There are 11 parishes across this country that lies just outside the principal hurricane zone and does not usually have to contend with the storms that the other windward islands have to endure.

Ranked 3rd in the Americas after the US and Canada on the Human Development Index for it's life expectancy, education and standard of living, Barbados is ranked 5th globally for it's literacy rate. The population of 270,000 is made up of mostly afro-Caribbean people with some Indian, Chinese, Syrian, and English/Irish.
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Costa Rica Properties

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:02:09 -0600

Costa Rica properties are getting a lot of interest from potential buyers. Costa Rica is the flavour of the month with Google's search results for 'costa rica real estate' with up to 90,500 searches for this term per month.

According to Costa Rican newspapers and realtors, there is 'guarded optimism' that the valley of the economic crisis is on it's way behind and out of view for real estate affairs.

A program named Happy Planet Index, which was introduced by the New Economics Foundation - measures 'happiness' in terms of human well-being and satisfaction and the environmental impact caused by the country. Costa Rica was No 1 of 143 countries measured in 2009. That isn't an easy success I'm sure. The country is planning and working it's way to becoming the first country to be 'carbon neutral'. This is planned for 2021.

A 1987 Nobel Peace Prize is held by the president of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, for his work towards bringing peace to Latin America when it was going through a period of turmoil. He has also changed the economic focus of the country onto a more modern agricultural focus (flowers and exotic fruits) and tourism as opposed to coffee and bananas. However, production of gourmet coffee beans is bringing an income for the country.

That isn't all for Costa Rica to bring to the party though.... in terms of tourism, Costa Rica is known for it's great surfing opportunities and it's ecotourism. It rates 2nd in the Caribbean, just behind Barbados and 1st out of the Latin American countries on the scale of attractiveness for developing a travel and tourism business (Travel & Tourism Competitive Report – 2009).

With all of these factors combined, does this mean that Costa Rica is one of the first to emerge from the world's downturn with it's real estate focus...? We will have to wait and see, but it seems that Costa Rica properties are under the spotlight for investors right now.

If you would like to know more about Costa Rica properties, please visit our page on Costa Rica Properties or contact our sales agents.

Caribbean Property Market Season is Open

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:47:51 -0600

On November 30th hurricane season is officially over and the winter season
will commence in the Caribbean. Hundreds of thousands of tourists will make
their way to the Caribbean to escape the cold and dreary weather of North
America and Europe for a week or two. When it's time to go home, they will
wish that they could stay there forever... or at least until the end of the
winter season!

November is also the time when potential property buyers start taking a
serious look around the islands, to see what properties are for sale in terms
of either permanent homes, or holiday homes.

Due to the Caribbean becoming more popular and the need to carry more
passengers, British Airways have increased the number of flights this year to
Trinidad, Barbados and St Lucia. Jamaica and Punta Cana in the Dominican
Republic will also see new flights from the end of October. In Antigua
further expansion of the airport is under-way to cater for the thousands of
passengers that pass through, on their way to Antigua and the surrounding
islands.

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