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I do NOT want a winter home in Florida. I want a winter home in the Caribbean. I was responding to someone who asked why I do not want To MOVE to Florida. But I have rounded it down to 3. Barbados, Grand Cayman and Aruba. Thank you.
I have always thought that San Juan Puerto Rico bears a strong resemblance to Miami. The buildings, the architecture, the mix of different nationalities all remind me of Miami.
Personally, if I had a choice of having a second home in the Caribbean or Florida, I would choose Florida any day. The crime rates in some of those Caribbean islands are off the charts. Of course the tourist brochures won't tell you that, and the people down there in those islands will also give you no hints to that effect as they want your business. For that reason, I have never understood the attraction people have to those islands.
[quote=james777;33602198]I have always thought that San Juan Puerto Rico bears a strong resemblance to Miami. The buildings, the architecture, the mix of different nationalities all remind me of Miami.
Personally, if I had a choice of having a second home in the Caribbean or Florida, I would choose Florida any day. The crime rates in some of those Caribbean islands are off the charts. Of course the tourist brochures won't tell you that, and the people down there in those islands will also give you no hints to that effect as they want your business. For that reason, I have never understood the attraction people have to those islands.[
Thank you James777,
I remember looking at videos on Youtube of Puerto Rico and you're right. Unfortunately, there are other family members buying winter homes as well and they do not want it in the United States. I must admit, I love the islands and Florida too.
I have two children and assuming it is not easy to get permanent residence in the US.
Well first of all none of the islands are going to be even remotely similar to Florida as far as culture and lifestyle is concern. That being said though if you are just looking for some place with warm weather than I would look at Costa Rica or Panama in Central America. The thing with living in the Caribbean is that on many islands you have sky high poverty and crime rates in places such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and on the wealthier islands such as Aruba or the Cayman Islands the cost of living for everyday items will be extremely pricey because virtually everything has to be imported in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by james777
I have always thought that San Juan Puerto Rico bears a strong resemblance to Miami. The buildings, the architecture, the mix of different nationalities all remind me of Miami.
If Florida is out of the picture due to US immigration concerns then anywhere in Puerto Rico is too since it is a US territory which is covered by US immigration and customs laws.
Well first of all none of the islands are going to be even remotely similar to Florida as far as culture and lifestyle is concern. That being said though if you are just looking for some place with warm weather than I would look at Costa Rica or Panama in Central America. The thing with living in the Caribbean is that on many islands you have sky high poverty and crime rates in places such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and on the wealthier islands such as Aruba or the Cayman Islands the cost of living for everyday items will be extremely pricey because virtually everything has to be imported in.
If Florida is out of the picture due to US immigration concerns then anywhere in Puerto Rico is too since it is a US territory which is covered by US immigration and customs laws.
Thanks Diablo234,
As I was doing research, I realized that some islands import most of food. I agreed that San Juan resembles Miami. I did not say I was going to move there, or move to Florida, I was responding to a question. I want a winter home in the Caribbean. I am leaning towards Aruba, which reminds me of Arizona. I will obviously visit a couple islands before purchasing.
Aruba is pretty nice but the island itself is pretty small so housing would be in very short supply and thus very expensive. However if money isn't a concern than I would honestly recommend it since the crime rate tends to be very low. Not sure what the entry requirements/property taxes are but given that it's a Dutch protectorate I am sure they are on par with other developed countries.
Aruba is pretty nice but the island itself is pretty small so housing would be in very short supply and thus very expensive. However if money isn't a concern than I would honestly recommend it since the crime rate tends to be very low. Not sure what the entry requirements/property taxes are but given that it's a Dutch protectorate I am sure they are on par with other developed countries.
Not technically the Caribbean, and also very expensive, but Bermuda would also fit the criteria.
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