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Foodfindsasia.com | What is the Caribbean Lifestyle? 6 Things to Expect | Ever heard of the Caribbean lifestyle? Some people think that it’s all about living a relaxed, laid-back life without a care in the world. Others relate it to some misconceptions about Caribbean islanders.
While different people have varying opinions on what this really is, the fact remains that the Caribbean lifestyle is away of life. To help you decide whether Caribbean life suits you, here are six things you can expect if you decide to move to the region:
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Meet a Culturally-Diverse Community
With Caribbean citizenship being offered to people who are willing to invest in the region, the expatriate population in the region continues to rise. This earned the Caribbean a reputation for being the ultimate expat dream.
The increasing population of people born outside the region makes the transition for many migrants a whole lot easier. It is highly likely that you’ll find people who can speak your native language in a place where a lot of different cultures come together. For instance in Antigua, you will meet many Italian and French-speaking people.
The Caribbean Sea covers more than 7,000 islands – most of which are small. And while they may be housed within a single region, no two islands are the same. These numbers alone are proof enough that there’s already a wide variety of different cultures throughout the region. It also explains why the people in the Caribbean – be it tourists, natives, or expats – are used to sharing the space with individuals from all kinds of cultures.
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Get a Reality Check Every Now and Then
When you live on an island situated in the Caribbean Sea, you’ll realize that electricity is overrated.
In other parts of the world, thinking about not having electricity for several hours or days might trigger a lot of anxiety in you. But when you experience this in the Caribbean, you’ll learn that power outages won’t kill you nor does it mean the end of the world. Instead, you’ll realize that these situations offer a chance to redirect your focus grip on what’s more important.
When the power is out, most people would think there will be no means of “entertainment.” But in the Caribbean, this is equivalent to learning how to relax and remembering to just breathe.
You can still use electronic devices in this part of the world, of course. Moving there won’t mean you’ll be living off the grid. However, the Caribbean lifestyle can help you realize the true value of things and that you can have happiness in much simpler terms.
Aside from getting the chance to disconnect and reflect, power outages in the Caribbean also help you get a chance to talk. During these times, people actually set aside their mobile devices and converse with the person next to them face-to-face without any distractions.
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Experience Life at a Much Slower Pace
The island lifestyle also entails living at a much slower pace. This doesn’t just apply to you as a person – it applies to the entire community as well.
When living in the Caribbean, you’ll realize that you cannot have everything instantly. Unlike life in a bustling city, the things you crave for won’t be immediately accessible as they were where you came from. This is because many islands in the region rely on shipments of goods from the US or other countries, which means a lot of things – from poor weather to shipment mishaps – can leave supermarket shelves empty for extended periods of time.
So, when you decide to give the Caribbean lifestyle a go, you had better be prepared to stockpile a few basic necessities.
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Never Have a Dull Moment
A slow-paced life in the Caribbean doesn’t automatically mean boredom. In fact, it is safe to say that there’s never a dull moment if you live an authentic Caribbean lifestyle.
You see, people who live in this region are all about celebrations. Regardless of the time of the year, there will always be something worth celebrating in the islands.
From national holidays and countrywide festivities to family get-togethers and parties with friends, the Caribbean life will definitely leave you with the most colorful memories you’ll ever have.
This varies, of course. After all, not everyone is cut from the same mold and – as established earlier – no two islands are the same. Nevertheless, expect to have longer Christmas celebrations in the Caribbean compared to the US.
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Learn to Eat with the Season
Seasonal eating is another aspect of Caribbean life that you can get used to quite quickly on the islands. Since shipments don’t always arrive on time, residents of Caribbean nations rely on the local produce. This means that you’ll get your fill of native delicacies available during the current season.
Believe it or not, this isn’t a bad thing. Not only does seasonal eating cost cheaper, but iit can also be much healthier compared to the conventional Western diet.
It is far more exciting, too. After all, you don’t always get to eat fresh lobsters, shellfish, and other kinds of seafood direct from the sea or indulge in mangoes and cashew fruits straight from the trees.
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Look at Weekends as a Never-ending Holiday
When you live in the Caribbean, every weekend will feel like a vacation. With plenty of places to visit, this is not surprising in this tourist-magnet of a region.
Antigua alone has 365 beaches for you to visit – one for every day of the year. Although this number remains unverified, you can rest assured that any of the beaches you visit on the island can give you quite an enchanting experience.
If you’re looking for a place to tour on foot, Barbados is the perfect island for you. It is only 21 miles long and 14 miles wide but houses some of the most picturesque natural wonders in the region.
Dominica, on the other hand, has the Waitukubuli National Trail housed within its borders. This trail alone can help you see about 115 miles worth of Caribbean beauty, running through a couple of local villages before ending at the Morne Trois Pitons National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Relish Island Life
Island life in the Caribbean is quite different from what most people are used to. Even so, many still choose to relocate to the region because of the many advantages Caribbean citizenship can offer. Use this article to learn about what to expect from Caribbean living and relish the island life by investing in the region’s economy.
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AUTHOR BIO
Kal Kennard is a Partner at Citizens International, a white-glove specialist firm offering private client services necessary for citizenship 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.
Sources:
https://www.1stdayofsummer.com/15-things-you-learn-when-moving-to-the-caribbean/
https://magazine.keycaribe.com/lifestyle/is-the-caribbean-lifestyle-really-a-thing/
https://eatlovesavor.com/expat-life-expect-caribbean-lifestyle/
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