If, like Johnny Depp, you’re looking for a slice of Caribbean heaven, it’s time to discover St Vincent & The Grenadines, says Jane Wright
A small group of lesser-known Caribbean islands, St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is made up of 32 little islands famed for their sparkling turquoise waters and pristine white sandy beaches, sitting to the south of St Lucia and to the west of Barbados. This is a very stable little Commonwealth country of around 120,000 people, where English is widely spoken and visitors are warmly welcomed by friendly locals.
And despite the exposure brought by the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, which were filmed around these lush islands, they are still unspoiled and not overrun with tourists like nearby Barbados. If you’re looking for somewhere quieter, chasing the exotic Caribbean paradise where life is slower, gentler and more in tune with the rhythms of nature, then these breeze-cooled islands with year-round sun may fulfil that dream.
Property prices have been steadily increasing over the years, and haven’t dipped even during the recession. However, there are still excellent-value deals to be had, particularly on the more affordable island of Bequia, whether you are interested in developing a piece of land to build your own home or purchase an existing property. And with a new international airport under construction (due for completion in 2011), getting there will become even easier.
Buying property in St Vincent & The Grenadines is straightforward, provided lawyers with good working knowledge of the local regulations are used and due allowance is made for relaxed Caribbean timescales. An Alien Landholding Licence (ALHL) is required, but this is a fairly simple procedure. Once the ALHL has been obtained and a property bought, residency is granted pretty much automatically – so there are no restrictions on the number of weeks you can use your island home. The tax regime is quite relaxed and there are generous import tax exemptions for new residents setting up home.
Read more about Caribbean property in the January issue of Living Abroad magazine
