You Can Afford to Retire by the Beach in the Caribbean

Relocating to a tranquil seaside location is a common aspiration for many Americans and individuals globally. The past three years of turmoil due to the pandemic and political landscape may have amplified the desire to escape the routine hustle and establish a new life in a perfect location. For many, beachside living represents that perfection.

Americans are aware that in the majority of the United States, acquiring a beachfront property is associated with a higher price tag, making it difficult to afford for many retirees. However, Caribbean islands such as Sint Maarten, can give you stunning beach properties at more reasonable prices, lower living costs, and appealing lifestyles. This makes the friendly island of St. Maarten a cost-effective destination for those who dream of living by the beach.

Retiring in Sint Maarten offers many advantages for U.S. citizens, starting with being able to purchase property at a lower cost than what it would cost in the U.S., the option for permanent residency with no renewals required, a big U.S. expat community, beautiful beaches, a vibrant culture, laid-back lifestyle and quality of life. For many Americans, retirement in the Caribbean is possible, and a smooth process when you do it with BrightPath.

Permanent Residency in Sint Maarten

Why you should consider it

Sint Maarten is considered by many Americans who are moving abroad to be the best island in the eastern Caribbean. But why? It’s not only the fantastic views, amazing people, top-notch restaurants, great weather all year long, business opportunities, and a relaxed style of living.

While it’s not the lowest-cost option for retiring on the beach, St. Maarten offers many advantages. Let’s start with the magazine-worthy views, and for a change of scenery, there’s an array of entertainment all along the oceanfront. From cozy burger joints to amazing local Caribbean cuisine, jumbo lobster grills, a wide variety of live music performances, and resident deejays – living the retiree life in St Maarten can be both restful and lively all at the same time!

The overall cost of living is about 28% lower than in the United States, and rent can be as much as 40% lower depending on the state with which you measure up. Residents speak English, and both local currency (NAF) and the U.S. dollar are accepted. The Penshonado Residency Program, an easy way to establish residency, requires an income of at least $20,000 annually along with a background check and accepted medical insurance.

Let us answer the most frequently asked questions many Americans ask on our consultations, and get to know the benefits of moving to Sint Maarten with the assistance of BrightPath Caribbean today!

Americans Moving to SXM – Top 6 Questions Answered

🔹Do I need to purchase Real Estate to become a permanent resident of Sint Maarten?

The short and sweet answer for Americans looking to obtain residency in Sint Maarten is, no. Purchasing real estate is not a requirement, although many Americans do so mostly as an investment opportunity. Sint Maarten does not have property taxes and property value is continuously increasing.

🔹What is the legal currency in Sint Maarten?

The US Dollar is one of the two legal currencies in Sint Maarten. This is a great advantage for those moving to Sint Maarten from the USA. Not having to worry about exchange fees, always trying to do the exchange rate math in your head, and being able to keep and understand your finances just like at home, is a relief and a great advantage.

🔹What language do they speak in Sint Maarten?

English and Dutch are the two official languages of the Country. You don’t have to worry about getting lost in translation and you will navigate your days just fine. Although English and Dutch are the official languages, Spanish is widely spoken as well as French. In Sint Maarten, you can have fun either learning new languages or putting in practice your Spanish or French from your school days.

🔹How long does it take to obtain permanent residency? 

Processing your residency request with the assistance of BrightPath Caribbean can take you from 90 to 180 days, in some cases the team has been able to obtain residencies in as little as 60 days. With BrightPath by your side, the process of your residency request can start today from the comfort of your home in the USA, and our team will handle everything, from assisting you with your documents to filing and following up on your file in Sint Maarten, all while obtaining contact updates from the team.

🔹How do I start the process of obtaining residency in Sint Maarten?

The first step to starting the process is as easy as 1, 2, 3, simply by engaging services with BrightPath Caribbean. When you decide to move forward, the team will prepare your agreements, and authorizations for us to proceed on your behalf, process payment and send you status updates to start your document ordering, all in one day. When you are a client of BrightPath, the team will move, find solutions to hiccups, and monitor your whole application while you focus on what’s more important; getting ready to enjoy your life in the Caribbean.

🔹Do I get tax incentives for retiring in Sint Maarten?

Yes. There are programs for retirees, asset protection options for your real estate investment (Private Fund Foundation), and in some cases tax exemptions for employees. Knowing how to qualify for a special tax regime or creating the best tax structure for your business or real estate investment should be done by the expert team at CaribTax. If you have more questions about taxes contact them at info@carib-tax.com.

Do you have additional questions?

Contact us today for a free consultation and let us guide you throughout the process!

Picture credits to: Astra Seafood Restaurant