Kai868
5/7/2017 16:29 EST
That was a long post, and I guess so is this!
Tomorrow, I'll double-check the stipulations with the Immigration Department, but I do believe you may be able to do as you've said. Aruba, Curacao, Bahamas or Barbados may be more cost effective choices.
Regarding rent, it depends on the area. The northwest is the safest, offers the best of everything and is the most diverse. As such, it is also the most expensive.
St. Clair is considered the most affluent region and is home to Trinidad and Tobago's equivalent of the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and Hearsts. Other affluent communities include Goodwood Park, Fairways, Westmoorings, Champs Elysees, Moka, Haleland Park and Ellerslie Park. St. Ann's and Cascade are decent middle-class areas.
Fairways and Westmoorings are popular with expats. The former is strongly upper-middle-class (80%), while the latter is a mix of upper middle class (60%) and middle-class (40%) family homes. Due to the affluence of these communities, the demographics are much different to those of the island as a whole. The 2015 demos break 20% white-Trinidadian; 30% Chinese-Trinidadian; 20%, Arab-Trinidadian (20%); and 10% expats of any race, though the majority are white-American. (The 10% expat population decreases to 2% in the other areas mentioned above).
The median rental for a one-bedroom flat in Fairways and Westmoorings is US $1,500 pcm. The median rental for a two-bedroom townhouse is US $3,000. A four-bedroom detached in these areas is about US $6,000 pcm. You can check out Terra Caribbean and Galt Real Estate. They're the best agencies, IMHO.
You can find a great deal of American name-brand foods at Massy Stores, Westmoorings and Maraval, as well as TruValu, Maraval.
For the organic, gluten free, biodynamic and fair-trade American/Canadian brands, try: Be Free Foods, Woodbrook (my favourite) Adam's Bagels, Maraval Artie's Meats, Maraval; and Brooksfoods, Diego Martin
But do try the local artisanal, slow food, organic (and if you wish, gluten free) produce from: Malabar Farms, Maraval Adam's Bagels, Maraval; Santa Cruz Green Market, Santa Cruz; and UpMarket, various locations.
Because tourism accounts for only 8% of the island's GDP, resorts aren't cheap. According to Booking, a double room costs: @Hyatt from US $169; @Courtyard Marriott from US $149; @Kapok (local brand, but awesome) from US $149; and @Normandie (local brand, also awesome) from US $108.
Best spas: La Mer Day Spa, MovieTowne (BHP Billiton Building) Serrao's Salon and Spa, Woodbrook
There are hundreds of restaurants from which to choose. You should know that local dishes are a mixture of the various groups that immigrated to Trinidad from the 1400s; the Spanish, French, British, Portuguese, German, Chinese, African and Indian. Aside from the fine dining restaurants, there are also several American restaurant/cafe chains from Denny's to Little Cesar's. Of them, Starbucks is the only one that I frequent, though Pizza Hut and TGI Friday's are also good options for casual meals.
I'd say the best fine-dining restaurants are: The Verandah, St Clair (for local cuisine) Aoili, Ellerslie Plaza/Maraval (for international cuisine) Samurai, One Woodbrook Plaza/Woodbrook (for Japanese) Joseph's, Maraval (for Arabic) Prime, MovieTowne/BHP Billiton (for American/steak) Angelo's, Woodbrook (for Italian) More Vino/More Sushi (for wine and sushi)
Also, there's... Dianne's, Maraval (for afternoon tea) Adam's Bagels, Maraval (for local breakfast) Cocobel, Woodbrook (for local chocolate)
Other activities: Yoga at Akasha Yoga, Maraval Weekend in the woods/pine forest and horseback riding (visit The Pines/Knullebu, owned by an American), St Ann's Bicycling, walking, hiking, kayaking in Chaguaramas Surfing/kitesurfing in Toco (3hr drive from POS), or Tobago (3hr ferry ride).
The temperature fluctuates between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius, with the cooler temperatures coinciding with North American winter months.
Due to the weather, and unfortunately, the fact that affluent communities are located in close proximity to working class communities, it's advisable that you travel by private vehicle. Uber's the next best thing. Traffic is an issue; with peak hours between 6-9am and 2-5pm.
Hope I've answered all your questions. If not just shoot me a message.
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