The Best Five Caribbean Islands To Live On

Islands Magazine created a fun criteria for this list

How awesome that five of the 20 islands that Islands Magazine picked as their “Best 20 Islands To Live On In The World” are in the Caribbean! The criteria that Islands Magazine used was not only interesting, but it was also fun that they used the price of a beer in the local bar as part of their decisions.

1) The flip-flop quotient – casual living.

2) Deductions for rainy or cold days, and fierce tropical weather.

3) The expat ratios to local citizens.

4) Language spoken.

5) Getting their from the U.S.

6) Closest hospital.

7) Ease of immigration.

The price of a beer.

Here are the five islands for your review with links that will allow you to explore them further:

• Dominica: This island is tucked between Guadeloupe and Martinique. It is made up of mostly national parks. It has the flavor of French, British and Creole all mixed into the culture. It is probably the most ecologically conscious of the Caribbean islands. It has fabulous beaches, 365 rivers, a wide variety of tropical parrots, snorkeling with the humpback whales, and Friday night happy hour at the Fort Young Hotel on the waterfront of Roseau. Homes are range in price from $250,000 to villas priced at $680,000. A Kubuli beer costs $1.10!
• Aruba: It is 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. It is a Dutch island, however it is looked upon as the most diverse population in the Caribbean with 79 different nationalities as permanent residents. It is a totally laid back island with beautiful beaches, but it does have some of the glitz of casinos and nightclubs. There are four main languages spoken – Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish. The housing costs are from $100,000 to $2.5 million. A Balashi beer cost $2.00!
• St. Kitts: This mini-nation is just half of St. Kitts & Nevis. It hasn’t been overrun by development. And in certain areas, the building cannot be higher than a coconut palm. “Liming in Paradise” is the vision I would want you to get when thinking about this island. Whether it is at one of the beautiful mash potato sand beaches or hanging out at the Sunset Beach Bar at Frigate Bay playing dominos, you will spend your time “liming”. English is the main language, but there is a wide variety of cultures that will add to your tropical experience. Housing ranges from $370,000 to $2.65 million. A Carib beer cost $1.00!
• Union Island, St. Vincent & The Grenadines: Personally, this is one of my favorite secret island paradises. It is a part of the chain of islands that make up The Grenadines. You can learn more about this chain of islands on my past posting regarding Buccament Bay. This is where the definition of SLOW living was invented. It is a very small island with colorful homes sprinkled around it’s lush vegetation, and little villages following each other down to the perfect beaches. The SCUBA and snorkeling are out of this world. The housing prices range from $245,000 to $900,000. A Hairoun beer cost $1.50!
• Isla Colon, Panama: The island is the largest of Panama’s Bocas del Toro archipelago, on the Caribbean side of Panama. This paradise is one laid-back island! The language is Spanish and English with just a few nice bars and restaurants. The BIG draw is overwhelming amount of Nature on the island and under the crystal blue Caribbean waters surrounding this tropical paradise. Houses range in prince from $250,000 to $500,000. A Soberana beer cost $0.65!

The only one on this list I have not visited yet is Isla Colon. I look forward to hearing about your discoveries. Keep me posted! Until next time…