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Retiring and moving permanently?
#205056
09/20/2019 02:57 PM
09/20/2019 02:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 19 Sweden / Saint-Martin
Lars
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 19
Sweden / Saint-Martin
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Dear all,
I’m curious, with the love to the island that is so clearly expressed in the threads: are you planning to move permanently to Sint Maarten / Saint Martin when retiring and die on the island?
(Anette and I, Swedes hence citizens of the EU, find Saint-Martin ideal - and we will move permanently ASAP, i.e. as soon as the budget for living as poor early retirees is in place).
But from, as an example, an US citizen perspective: would it be impossible to become permanent residents on any side of the island?
Why don’t you focus on US Virgin Islands, where I guess it would be easier to move to permanently?
Am I right that there are no major tax relief to leave the US and become a resident abroad?
It seems to me, when reading the threads, that you from North America once upon a time started to visit primarily Sint Maarten, not Saint-Martin - a language barrier once upon a time?
I’m looking forward to your comments and thanks for a great forum with nice members.
Kind Regards, Lars
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Re: Retiring and moving permanently?
[Re: Lars]
#205059
09/20/2019 03:23 PM
09/20/2019 03:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645
Brookfield, CT.
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Lars,
We started visiting at least annually in 1973 and no, there was no language barrier and like so many Americans we are only fluent in English. We did once contemplate retirement to our favorite place on earth but a very wise friend who already owned on the island suggested we think long and hard about all the pros and cons of such a move. He also suggested we should invest no more on an island purchase than we could afford to toss out a car window, and in reality, he suggested the latter would probably be more fun because we might at least see some needy island residents find and benefit from it.
Living in such a wonderful place is like a dream and dreams are good to have, I have to say, though, I’m truly glad we never acted on that dream. No matter where I live, ‘home’ will always be where my family is and we are a close knit family. We considered logistics, costs, medical needs, the political nonsense that has always gone on on both sides of the island, and ultimately decided home will always be somewhere Stateside and SXM, either side, will remain a wonderful place to visit.
And why not the USVI’s or PR? For us they just don’t offer the same vibes.
My best suggestion to you is think long and hard and possibly live there for a year, experience the different layers of bureaucracy and deal with the down-sides of island living before you take the leap. If it proves to be a good year, then go for it, but if not, at least you will have had the full island living experience. We realized, as good as they are, it isn’t all about pina coladas and beautiful beaches.
And the other side of that coin is I know many who have moved there and are totally happy and many who lived there, some for as many as twenty years plus, and ultimately decided home really is where the heart is and returned to the places they came from. Everyone has a different life experience along with goals and dreams so who knows - it might turn out to be your special utopia.
Good luck, whatever your choices.
Last edited by pat; 09/20/2019 07:07 PM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Retiring and moving permanently?
[Re: Lars]
#205063
09/20/2019 03:57 PM
09/20/2019 03:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,715 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,715
Central Florida!
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It's been probably 20 years ago now, since we've been in Florida now since 2006, that we seriously considered moving to the Caribbean. You are right, for Americans, it is a lot easier as far as paperwork to move to the USVI, and there is the thought that the USVI is technically part of the US. We never really seriously considered moving to SXM, as that time, it was extremely difficult for US citizens to get residency that allowed them to work and we knew that we would have to work, unless we hit the lottery! Ultimately we decided that it wasn't for us, for a bunch of reasons. I honestly don't think that I am cut out for island life, in terms of the STUFF that one has to put up with in order to live there. Hurricane season is the least of one's troubles. I don't deal well with stuff that doesn't work the way it's SUPPOSED to and if you can't do that, you don't have the constitution to survive, living in 'paradise'. The thing that cut it for us was medical care. When you get older and you need GOOD medical care, for SERIOUS things, island life can be challenging. We compromised and moved to Florida. I don't regret it for a minute, in terms of the weather. (Now the MONEY sucks in Florida, but that's a whole different issue... ) As always, Pat's advice is wise. If you are considering taking the plunge, rent somewhere for a year and see how you cope with what's required.
Carol Hill
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Re: Retiring and moving permanently?
[Re: Lars]
#205065
09/20/2019 04:13 PM
09/20/2019 04:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575
St Maarten
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We made the move from US to Sint Maarten almost 12 years ago and don't regret it for a moment. (Well, Irma made us pause for a moment) A huge change and I guess difficult for many people, but we've adapted pretty quickly and find we can live here better than we could have in the U.S. Only downside is not being near to family, but they're spread all over now anyway, so everyone has to travel and they certainly don't mind coming here!
Taxes on the French side sort of kept us from looking there. Only tax on Dutch side is on income. Have not found any language barrier here. We're quite happy with our choice.
No matter the side, you must be very patient!
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Retiring and moving permanently?
[Re: RonDon]
#205075
09/20/2019 05:33 PM
09/20/2019 05:33 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575
St Maarten
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Yes, for sure! We get sticker shock when we go back to the US. We also consume a lot less here.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Retiring and moving permanently?
[Re: Lars]
#262979
08/22/2021 10:53 PM
08/22/2021 10:53 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645
Brookfield, CT.
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Lars,
Island living sounds great but there are so many layers to be considered. At the risk of boring you, please let me repeat my earlier suggestion:
My best suggestion to you is think long and hard and possibly live there for a year, experience the different layers of bureaucracy and deal with the down-sides of island living before you take the leap. If it proves to be a good year, then go for it, but if not, at least you will have had the full island living experience. We realized, as good as they are, it isn’t all about pina coladas and beautiful beaches.
Good luck with whatever your decision may be. 🙂🙂
Last edited by pat; 08/22/2021 10:54 PM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Retiring and moving permanently?
[Re: Bahston]
#262982
08/23/2021 05:13 AM
08/23/2021 05:13 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,525 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,525
Ohio
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Correct so I will shut it down as it was also spammed.
J.D.
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