Jim Walberg’s friend, Tom, just completed a move to the Caribbean this month. Over the past ten years there have been several of Jim’s friends who he has assisted with the transition from the Mainland to the Islands. The results have been a mixed bag. Each had surprises and disappointments. All of them have had adventures of a life time. One of the biggest hurdles has been changing the pace of their daily lives. It is unbelievable the length of our “To Do Lists”, and supposed amenities that we seem to require back on the mainland.
Tom showed up in St. Thomas on August 11th after selling all he didn’t want to bring with him to St. Thomas. He ended a successful career in the world of home mortgages and decided it was time to act out a life long dream. Six months ago Tom and I started exploring what it would be like to completely change his life and move to the Caribbean. Tom decided he wanted a job in St. Thomas in order to accelerate his entrance into a completely different life. Below are some of the keys that I shared with Tom regarding what it takes to move to Paradise. After you review my suggestions, I welcome any of your experiences.
I told Tom that more people have moved to “Paradise” full time, only to leave disappointed within months, compared to those who have successfully completed the transition. The reasons are many. For a starter, the word “paradise” is misleading: “Paradise” is not a place, it is a frame of mind, and one person’s paradise is another’s “empty lot”.
Here are some of the reasons why a transition to living in Paradise doesn’t work:
- Not doing enough research and being unprepared for all the adjustments you will have to make. There are a lot of them.
- Not realizing that each island is unique and picking the wrong one. Dominica is night and day to Aruba.
- Taking way too many of your current possessions. Unless you plan to move with only what fits in your suitcases you will find moving your personal and household items to the Caribbean to be one of your biggest projects, and an expensive one.
Not clearly understanding such things as the amenities of a home requires some adjustments – opened windows and doors, all tile flooring, the impact of going in and out of air conditioning, and even dealing with humidity and bugs.- The setting in of homesickness for your familiar past lifestyle.
- Missing family and friends could also be the culprit, or it could be, and often is, simply that not enough time was given before deciding whether or not it was a move that suited you.
We have made many moves in our lives: from Southern California, to Geneva, Switzerland, to Tornonto, Canada, to San Francisco, and to the Virgin Islands. And, the most difficult one of all these moves was to “Paradise”. It was difficult because of the dramatic change in lifestyle compared to the other amazing places we have lived. AND, we absolutely love it, but we have to instantly go into the “Island mentality” when we get off the plane at Charlotte Amalie.
If you have a list of ten things to get done today, just plan on getting only one or maybe two at the most completed. “Paradise” is just different than any of your world metropolitan centers. The key word in Paradise is “SLOW”! Move slow, sail fast! That is truly the mantra of the Caribbean. It suits us to a tee, but the reality for us is that we are only there part time, because of our other home being in the San Francisco Bay Area. All of our friends who have successfully made the move to the Caribbean take breaks from “island life” several times a year. However, the longer they have lived in the Caribbean the less they leave the islands. So, what are your stories regarding moving to your version of Paradise? Your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty. Until next time…fair winds!