In general, the BVI doesnt have the same system of named streets and addresses as in the States, and Amazon wont deliver. It is also important to note that wages tend to be lower than in other parts of the world, due to the cost of living in the Virgin Islands. Because the island is so quiet you become one with nature. "Tax haven" of the Caribbean 9. The Virgin Islands also has a number of laws in place to protect visitors and residents alike. I am very familiar with most of what you have written as my daughter and her family live in Cane Garden Bay and has done for years now. What is the average cost of housing in the British Virgin Islands? Population of Christiansted, St. Croix: About 3,000. The British territory consists of 4 larger islands ( Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke) and 32 smaller islands and islets, of which more than 20 are uninhabited; lesser islands include Great Tobago, Salt, Peter, Cooper, Norman, Guana, Beef, Great Thatch, Little Thatch, and Marina Cay. Cape Air provides direct and connecting flights between Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Croix and Tortola. He surfed the left side of Apple Bay and he was never alone, his turtle friend would regularly pop up giving him the thumbs up when he scored a great wave, There are various spots to learn how to surf. At times individuals may overstep which is a challenge that you will not face in a large country. The pros of living in British Virgin Islands are its low crime rate, the ease of island hopping, stable currency, and awesome beaches. The Virgin Islands is generally considered to be a safe place to live, though visitors should still take caution when it comes to their personal safety. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of living in the Virgin Islands in detail, so you can make an informed decision about your future. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are a group of 60 islands located East of Puerto Rico. Youll also find a perfect balance between a sleepy-island vibe and modern conveniences, so youll hardly be roughing it, especially the biggest island, Tortola. These are the downsides of living in Cayman. Please visit caribbeantravelupdate.com for updates. Additionally, there are several car rental companies located on the islands, making it easy to find a car that fits your needs. A two-bedroom house costs at least $285,000. Additionally, visas are discretionary and not because ones case may be an emergency that entry is guaranteed. There is no evidence backing up if this really happened here but it is still a neat story and a cool name for an island. Or visit one of the luxury resorts on Cooper or Peter Island. For example, it is illegal to carry firearms or other weapons, and the use of drugs is strictly prohibited. Actually I do have a rough idea on the cost of living at BVI like for example: Rents $800-$1,200, one month deposit, 6 to 12 months Utilities initial deposits: $300 telephone, $100 electricity, Utilities monthly bills $20 telephone, $50 electricity 4x4, cost $5,000 to $8,000 for good car, $50 a week for food There is custom duties however levied on goods imported and the rate is dependent on the item. . At the moment, you should treat them only as a best guess. The British Virgin Islands geographically present a part of the grandiose Virgin island archipelago set on the boundary of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Residents of the British Virgin Islands pay no tax on income, capital gains or inheritance, though stamp duty on property purchases by foreigners is 12 per cent. Let's continue. All rights reserved. Locals and visitors to the island therefore should be extra cautious with their valuables. Especially at places like Nanny Cay or Bitter End Yacht Club, Every island is different, try to visit them all. The area has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round and low levels of humidity. Neighbouring St Thomas adopted the pirate theme a lot more where its a real tourist thing. That said, FedEx does deliver, albeit at somewhat exorbitant rates. Pros of Living in the Cayman Islands 1. Therefore, the currency used in the territory is the US dollar. This 190-page reference book has a 25-year history and updates periodically. The pros and cons of living in each state brought together in one place. As part of the Caribbean, the BVI are susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes. One amazing benefit of living in the BVI is ease of island hopping. Many of the pros to island living can at times be the very cons (spoiler alert: the pros are pretty awesome! The Caribbean climate allows year-round sea swimming, and the territorys 60 islands collectively offer every watersport going. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight As an example, if someone needs medical attention urgently in another Caribbean Island, at times visas may be required which involves time and red tape. The Virgin Islands are also known for their spectacular sunsets, which can be enjoyed from many of the beaches and resorts. Additionally, the limited job opportunities and the lack of a vibrant nightlife may be a downside for some," This course provides detail tips and techniques on how to save money while cruising onboard, onshore as well as the importance of insurance. Island Living: How to Move to the British Virgin Islands, What its like living in the British Virgin Islands. start here Editors Note: Some of the information below may be out-of-date. This beach has massive boulders which forms sea pools. Pretty amazing right? It's not possible to just jump in your car and get away for a weekend like you can while living on the mainland. Price of a local beer: $3 for a Blackbeard Ale at Fort Christian Brew Pub. Not everyone can afford health care on the U.S. Virgin Islands. The last discovery of pirate gold actually wasnt that long ago. It sounds depressing now because there were many times I made an effort to enact change but never made the impact I hoped for. There is an underwater trail that you can follow if snorkeling. I hope you like my site. The turquoise bays around these islands are the promise of a new pleasant and authentic lifestyle. Additionally, the local culture is heavily influenced by the Caribbean, and expats may find it difficult to adjust to the different customs and traditions. Nevertheless, according to, Nevertheless, individuals on the island can shop online and use a service such as. Fly from Pennsylvania on American Airlines, United Airlines and more. Thankfully, no major illness has befallen anyone in her family, but should that ever happen, Meyers says theyd travel back to the States, as she did when she gave birth to her twins. It was just my twins birthday and I wanted to make them cookies, and the store was out of chocolate chips. Citizens of the British Virgin Islands since 2002 have full British Citizenship. It is important if you are visiting the BVI to plan your travel plans carefully as you may have to overnight due to the lack of direct flights. You can find ferries daily from the islands to the main US Virgin Islands being St Thomas, St Croix and St John. Citizens receive direct support from a large country which has its positives. By some quirk of British colonial history, Virgin Islanders drive on the left side of the road, British style, but use left-hand drive cars (American style). An expat answers questions about day-to-day island living in the BVI. By following these laws and taking the necessary precautions, visitors and residents can enjoy a safe and secure experience in the Virgin Islands. In the Caribbean there is a Low Season and a High Season. Living in the Virgin Islands can be a dream come true for some, while others may find the experience to be less than desirable. However the UK government has extended the deadline for overseas territories to introduce public registers of company ownership from 2020 to 2023. BVI and Dutch West Indies islands are all dream destinations for me and my family for all the reasons you state. Meyers and her family simply loaded up their sailboat in Chicago and sailed south, but they dont have any furniture. All this peace and quiet actually also has its downsides. Learn how your comment data is processed. You can start using Nomad List's member-only features now! Nevertheless, USPS treats the island is as US territory. The pros of living in US Virgin Islands are that the island safe, has friendly people, beautiful natural scenery and amazing beaches. Because of all these islands, the ocean swells are pretty much blocked, making it fairly smooth rides from one island to another. Trunk Bay is the most popular location especially with visitors to the island. said one person in Brit. The pros of living in British Virgin Islands are its low crime rate, the ease of island hopping, stable currency, and awesome beaches. Virgin Isl.. Copyright 1997-2023 Burlingame Interactive, Inc. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Now Health International's insurance plans. I hope this article helps you a little in your decision making. Anegada has some spectacular beaches, it is about an hour and 30 minutes away from Road Town. In terms of snorkeling, Coki beach is one of the best options in St Thomas. The cost of living in the U.S. Virgin Islands is higher than on the U.S. mainland. I loved being out on the water. Ezone in the British Virgin Islands is located in Romasco Harbour House Building in RoadTown, Tortola. And the BVIslanders sure like to keep it that way. Enjoyed reading about your BVI experiences. Alone. She says that the best way to get a gig is to research jobs and companies that fit your skills, then email to apply. Priced at just $16.95. If its a match, the next step is waiting out the three-month process. Contribute The airport is located in the capital city, Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas. During the dry season, visitors can enjoy the sun-kissed beaches, snorkeling and swimming, and other outdoor activities. One is to set up an account with a company called Aeropost, which provides a Miami address, then ships the items to you from Florida. The US Virgin islands are extremely safe. It's rare to find BVI incorporation fees under $1,000. It opens up a whole other world! In these islands, every sun exposed part has a kind of hot and dry-semi to dry microclimate with some organ-pipe shaped cactus mixed in. The country is safe, welcoming and ideal for raising kids. Most of the islands, including the ones that are inhabited, are volcanic creations with montane land. Another con of living in the US Virgin Island is the threat of natural disaster. These businesses only have branches in St Croix and St Thomas. Any of the Virgin Islands will prove to have a slower pace of life, easy access to the tropical outdoors, plentiful waterfront activities, and year-round beautiful weather. Nevertheless according toThe St Thomas Source, in an article published August 17th, 2021, the police department on the island of St Croix indicated an increase in armed robberies and carjackings. Victims were threatened at gunpoint and valuables such as cash, cellphones and vehicles were demanded. The sailing community of the British Virgin Islands holds big appeal for U.S. citizens hoping to expatriate but thats not all these Caribbean islands offer. Surf season is from November until April. 1. Recent years have proved challenging, however: though last years Hurricane Dorian left the islands relatively unscathed, in 2017 they were hit by hurricanes Irma and Maria, which damaged 80 per cent of the territorys housing stock. For starters, every dog and cat must be microchipped. Island life takes adjustment. When you are a resident of the Virgin Islands, then you are under the status of a U.S. protected territory - unless you are moving to the British or Spanish Virgin Islands, that is. We saw stingrays jumping, sharks and turtles right from our porch, The Painkiller at Tonys Bar, Cane Garden Bay, The Bushwhacker at Saba Rock, North Sound, The Rum Punch at Pussers, Sopers Hole, West End, Sebastiaan made a very special friend during his surf sessions. The British Virgin Islands were heavily impacted by Hurricane Irma. Additionally, there are no gift or wealth estate taxes on the island. While there are many good reasons to live in Cayman, there are also some cons. Dosing info - Hep B. The Virgin Islands Department of Education is responsible for overseeing the public school system, and works to ensure that all students receive a quality education. It made me feel like I woke up to the perfect vacation every day, Set your alarm when it is a full moon and see it light up the ocean and eventually set at the horizon, Keep on the lookout for active marine life. After that, it pretty much goes flat (except for hurricane swells) but that opens up amazing paddleboard trips along the coast. Well raise our glasses to that! What are medical services in the British Virgin Islands like? There are shops there which you can buy food and rent snorkeling equipment. Living the Caribbean lifestyle includes drinking lots of cocktails. Its an amazing beach for water activities such as kayaking, snorkeling and jet skiing. Photographs: Getty Images; Dreamstime; Rainbow Visions; Alamy, Soldier's Hill, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Apple Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Lambert Beach, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, Lormer Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Paraquita Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, West End, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Josiah's Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Oil Nut Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Bradie Ghut, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, See More Virgin Islands (British) Listings, Fantasy home: a kitchenless house in an entire city inspired by a century-old utopian dream, The Minneapolis landmark that is the epitome of Streamline Moderne design, Interiors expert Annabel Karim Kassar on being bold with bathroom design, Fantasy home: taking up residence in the Grand Budapest Hotel, The four-storey atrium home waiting to be built beneath a strangely unfinished Barbican tower, Five of the worlds best homes for sale in isolated places, Five of the worlds best homes for sale with a cinema, Five of the best homes for sale in Europe for winter sun, Five of the worlds best homes in the mountains, Five of the worlds best homes for sale for music lovers. Answer (1 of 5): > What is it like to live in the US Virgin Islands having grown up in the mainland US? It is actually almost impossible to find a place without a stunning ocean view. The relaxed pace of life and the lack of hustle and bustle are also appreciated by expats, who find it a great place to relax and unwind. Therefore, if you are considering relocating to the island, the risk of losing money due to foreign exchange conversion should be relatively low. Transportation in the Virgin Islands can be tricky due to its small size. 2. Utility costs are also higher than in many other places, as electricity and water are both expensive. Additionally, large international chain stores are banned on the island in order to protect small local businesses. They also enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the islands, with its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush tropical vegetation. Covid-19 coverage. On the other hand, the cons are there are no direct flights from major international cities and limited access to the amenities and conveniences enjoyed in a large country. Luckily, still few people know about it. High 57F. Because the pros and cons of each of the 50 states must go on A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? The cost of living in the Virgin Islands is higher than many other locations around the world. #1. Virgin Gorda has the magnificent boulders at Spring Bay. While US Virgin Islands is part of the United States, it is treated as an international destination by many companies when it comes to shipping. The US Virgin Islands are comprised of three major islands - St John, St Croix, St Thomas - plus Water Island, the littlest of the US Virgin Islands. The pros of living in US Virgin Islands are its low crime rate, stable currency, beautiful natural scenery and amazing beaches. The territory is nominally home to more than 400,000 companies, collectively worth $1.5tn. Why isn't Nomad List free?. It is best to visit during low tide if you will like to walk across this strip. + PRO: Relaxed island living. When living in the British Virgin Islands, the beach is never very far away. And remember, if you are visiting the beaches on the island, only mineral sun screen is allowed. Its an ordeal, says Meyers, so much so that a lot of folks in the sailing community avoid coming into the BVI because their animals get denied entry. If your pets dont meet the requirements, they can be quarantined, which doesnt make sense for short-term stays. 1. Find flights to the British Virgin Islands from $317. Major airlines such as Continental Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Airlines provide both connecting and non-stop flights to the island. The culture and entertainment options in the Virgin Islands are vast and varied. To visit Water Island from St Thomas you can catch the ferry from Crown Bay Marina. Residents of the British Virgin Islands pay no tax on income, capital gains or inheritance, though stamp duty on property purchases by foreigners is 12 per cent. Club Med 2 is Back with New Elevated Amenities and Exciting Destinations, For Beachy Bajan Beauty, Level Up with a Stay at this Spectacular Barbados Rental, Cas en Bas Offers a Realistic Opportunity to Enjoy a Personal Slice of St. Lucia, Shellona Abaco Beach House Provides an Ideal Setting for a Family Spring Break Getaway. Average prices of more than 40 products and services in British Virgin Islands. The following are some of our articles which we believe may be suitable for you. Sebastiaan loves his beers and cocktails, so he took me to quite a few. Heres the scoop on life in this overseas territory, and what to expect when youre ready to permanently drop anchor. Your feet in the sand every day while living the good life without a worry in the world. Your username is used across the site, for example in your profile URL: https://nomadlist.com/@username. Expect something closer to $1,500-$3,000 with a high-quality, reputable service provider. The Virgin Islands Department of Health is responsible for the oversight of the healthcare system in the territory. I am interested in moving to BVI from Scotland and I was wondering how I would go about it and which island is the best place to be as I have never been. Climate and Weather in the Virgin Islands, Employment Opportunities in the Virgin Islands, Healthcare and Medical Facilities in the Virgin Islands, Transportation Options in the Virgin Islands, Safety and Security in the Virgin Islands, Culture and Entertainment Options in the Virgin Islands, Quality of Life Considerations in the Virgin Islands, Advantages and Disadvantages of Harp Loan. Now Health International's insurance plans offer you access to world-class healthcare facilities and treatment wherever and whenever you need it. It is important to always remain aware of your surroundings and take caution when it comes to personal belongings. In small villages and communities where everyone knows everyone and at times this makes it tough to create and maintain boundaries. I am no surfer, Sebastiaan is, and the best and most beautiful clean waves he has ever ridden were in Apple Bay, Tortola. The capital is Charlotte Amalie which is located on the island of St Thomas. One-time-payment: $29.98 $14.99 2023 NEW YEAR 0% off. If you want the best cocktail drinking location on Tortola, go to the Banakeet Restaurant in Carrot Bay at sunset. This beach is popular as well with visitors and locals on the island so it is best as well to get there early. This place is breathtakingly beautiful, the water turquoise, the sand white. 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