The Caribbean is one of the top emerging relocation destinations for adventurous high-net-worth singles. It’s a lively region with friendly people, fantastic weather, and incredible potential, especially for new business ventures. And in the West Indies, one of the ideal countries to move to is the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda gains the interest of future-oriented people for being the country with the best citizenship by investment program. Aside from being the most affordable, Antigua and Barbuda citizenship applications are processed faster as well. There have been some occasions wherein citizenship was approved in just 60 days.
Besides the clear immigration investment pathway to become a citizen, Antigua and Barbuda offers other numerous benefits such as low taxes should you become a resident, best healthcare in the region, and more affordable cost of living to mention just a few. Thus, it’s no surprise that its growing expat population is comprised of a significant percentage of single folks.
While you are sure to enjoy many beautiful days at the beach, which the country has 365 of, solo living in Antigua and Barbuda does come with a few challenges. Therefore, if you are considering securing Antigua and Barbuda citizenship and making the country your new permanent home base, you may want to heed the six practical pieces of advice shared below.
1. A luxury condo is perfect for solo living.
There are numerous luxury condominiums to choose from in Antigua and Barbuda. Not only are most of them in strategic locations such as the west coast, English Harbour, and Nonsuch Bay, but they are available through the Antigua citizenship by investment program.
Why is a condo perfect for singles, aside from their location?
First, it comes with all the typical conveniences that foreigners want in a home, such as useful amenities and access to prompt house maintenance services. Second, the community is safe, which is certainly an advantage for single females. Third, luxury condos are always in developed communities, the market value of which may rise in the years to come. And fourth, the units are the perfect size for a single person who upholds a high standard of living.
Overall, it’s a more convenient option for people who live alone.
2. Buy a heavy-duty vehicle.
It may be smarter to opt for a heavy-duty car rather than a stylish one if you’re going to live in Antigua and Barbuda. Although the country is one of the fast-developing nations in the Caribbean region, the roads do still need a lot of work.
Beyond the streets of your beautiful community and the main thoroughfares, you will find smaller streets and highways in rough condition. They either have a lot of potholes or they have not been paved with asphalt or concrete yet. Therefore, driving a luxurious vehicle may not be the best option for getting around.
Additionally, if you frequently intend to go on adventures, a heavy-duty vehicle such as a 4×4 is perfect. You’ll be able to take on difficult terrain more easily.
It’s vital to note that public transportation is sufficient in the country. However, buses and small public utility vehicles typically do not include most tourist destinations in their route, which you may be quite interested in visiting often.
3. Be a savvy shopper.
The country’s public markets are the best places to seek out fresh produce. The variety is impressive, and you can really get the best bang for your buck at the local markets. However, it would be ideal if you learned how to haggle for a better price. According to locals, haggling is Antigua’s public market culture, and if you know the lingo, this will make shopping even more productive.
Aside from the public markets, you can also purchase goods from supermarkets. The supermarkets sell a lot of imported products. So, if you find yourself missing certain processed foods and other items from overseas, supermarkets are where they’re at.
Do note that there aren’t many of these huge grocery stores, so it can be a bit of an effort to shop here because they are some distance away. This means that if you’re more of a supermarket shopper, you should establish your shopping days and stockpile items to get the most out of each shopping trip. By doing so, staying on top of your necessities will be convenient and easier on the budget since you’ll get to buy a lot of things wholesale.
4. Find health professionals and facilities during your first week of living in the country.
One of the typical solo living issues is that you don’t have loved ones who can look after you when you get sick. So, it’s imperative that you find a physician and specialist (if you need one) as soon as you move to the country. This way, should you experience any health issues, you can easily reach the right medical professionals to take care of you.
Likewise, find the health facilities in your area such as hospitals and dental clinics. Visit them as soon as you can to see if they are well-equipped and have excellent staff and an extensive range of services. Antigua & Barbuda has the best medical facilities and services in the eastern Caribbean region, something that makes it all the more attractive to international residents. Use the visit as an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the procedures these facilities implement for check-ups, appointments, and other treatments.
5. Take care of bills right away.
When you’re living in a new place alone, it is always smart to promptly take care of your regular financial responsibilities, such as paying for electricity, water, and other utility bills. This way, you can avoid or correctly address unnecessary complications, such as errors and delays with bank payment records.
Also, if there are transactions that you cannot accomplish online, you can pay early and avoid the traffic in payment centers due to the common inclination of most people to take care of bills so close to the deadlines.
AUTHOR BIO
Kal Kennard is a Partner at Citizens International, a white-glove specialist firm offering private client services necessary for citizenship, residency and investment into the Caribbean, North America, and Europe. Based in the Caribbean for the past 15 years, she is an experienced consultant who works directly with many professional partners and advises clients worldwide.
2018 ·
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