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Saint Lucia Expat Forum

Expat lifestyles and ambitions.

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roanin

7/27/2014 12:25 EST

As some of you know, I am new to the forum, and have spent the last few days contemplating this post. Here, I am simply going to state my views and concerns, with regard to why the Expat "movement" is growing, and the ramifications of the direction we all seem to be moving in.......
I see three Expat mainstream groups emerging worldwide. Firts, I see the "moneyed" types, who are simply enjoying all of the good things in life associated with the finer places on earth.
Secondly, I see a group of what I would describe as "dreamers". They come, they see, and they instantly want the "perceived" lifestyle. This is the group who try it for a while, realize that it's not really what they need in life, and move on. Thirdly, I think there are those who are simply tired of the old world ways, commerce, politics, careers etc, and they just want to settle somewhere warm, quiet and hopefully affordable. It is the second group that mainly concern me, and their impact on the third group of people.
Having spent the last five or six years trying to decide where I want to spend my retirement years, I have formed a "must have" list, and in pursuit of the ideal place to really settle into, I have learned that there are many, many barriers that stand in the way. What I am trying to achieve is not so much the "best" place to retire but, the "optimium" place. This will be based on my willingness to adapt to another culture instead of insisting on more of what I am used to here. I see an irony in those Expat groups throughout the world, where in their numbers and proliferation, they have taken it upon themselves to "organize" in order to effect change, to suit their needs etc. Many of you will have noticed the simple facts that are emerging due to Expat activities in different places. There is no doubt in my mind that we Expats have contributed to huge changes in local economies, due to our requirements and spending habits. Unfortunately, these cash infusions do nothing to very little for those in the local poverty groove. In fact, when it comes to real estate acquisitions and developments (by Expats), indeed the economy usually becomes distorted. The effects of this are that many of the group two players have bolted back from whence they came. Their over-priced properties are on the market for eons, until some new group two mug comes along and pays the distorted price for the property. Many of the places I have looked at are suffering the same problems, a glut of homes that are not selling, and usually not renting either. Simply put, I would not buy a property for say $200,000 in any third world country, knowing that it could be decades before it sits at a "realistically" sell-able price.
Having floated my thoughts on other forums, and received a fair amount of feedback, I am of the opinion that there are going to be some real "corrections" happening in the world of Expat activities. As I said at the beginning of this post, these are some of my concerns with regard to our future as Expats. I would be very interested in your views and concerns before I post again on this subject. I trust that now that this particular forum is "on the map" (right Bobby?), it will begin to flourish and provide all of the insights that many of us can contribute to. This is what make a good forum worth it's weight in gold.

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bobbyveee

7/27/2014 15:00 EST

Hi Roanin.
Its kinda funny, that i moderate an expat forum, but the reason for chosing St L was to get away from the expat culture !!!! The last two evenings ive spent in the delight company of local friends, no chips on shoulders, no im black your white complex, just a slight difference in cultures. so refreshing. Id never go on holiday to Spain and complain theres no beer or fish'n chips!!! said as a Brit. Im not one for staying in hotels either, far prefer B&B's in other countries and get to know the locals. As a couple we are both retired, own everything we have, have pensions and investments weve worked hard all our lives for and live life within our budget, and are very prudent , but not penny pinching. So St L is our fav. wintering spot, US and Europe for summer, although we are staying here till April , bar two 3 wks trips to USA and UK. So not quite sure what we conform to, i was never a follower, always made my own path in either biz or private matters.

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roanin

7/27/2014 21:44 EST

"To get away from the Expat culture". Could not have worded it better myself! Although it is great to have the ocassional company of a fellow countryman, I do prefer to live as the Romans do, when I am their guest, so to speak. Our backgrounds are very similar, so you will know what I mean when I refer to the waves of emigrants from the UK to Australia, back in the late 60s and 70s. Again, the exidous from the UK to Spain. Just look at the ramifications that have been brought about by the Expat culture. What were interesting, welcoming and very low-cost places to visit and indeed, settle down in, have in fact been ruined by the very culture you describe. I have known several of our local trades oriented business people here, to have gone to numerous Latin American country's, greased the local officials and jointly proceeded to rip off their own countrymen. Realtors, in my opinion have and always will be, the major facilitators of the distortion I have mentioned. Many of the so-called Expat forums have been created by realtors and insurance companies, and one should take much of their hype with a pinch of salt. I find it very refreshing to come across an individual (and there are several good ones) who write excellent blogs on the realities of retirement ventures, and it is these folks who have guided many of us through the smoke and mirrors of the hypsters. This is why I am such a proponent of the individuals who sincerely want to do the right thing the first time around, do as much independent research as possible, and try to read between the lines of the so-called specialists. If there is an "angle" you will soon find it, if you know how to look. Anyhow, don't want to sound like a stick-in-the-mud, but I do want folks to really succeed in their endeavors. On the subject of getting this forum listed here. I did notice that although St Lucia is listed in the drop-down panel of countries, it does not appear in any of the other Expat Exchange lists. Hopefully this can also be corrected, and result in an increase in site traffic. In closing, I would like to inquire of anyone, how has the Island fared with the clean-up from the Dec 24th 2013 storm damage. I checked this out, and was saddened to see the suffering. I just wondered how it has all turned out?

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bobbyveee

7/28/2014 07:48 EST

Hi Roanin. Ive told Betsy a couple of times about our lack of of listing on here, at one time St L didnt come upm anywhere, i'll email her again.
In the meantime ive some Brit/American, being totally obnoxious on the Belize forum, just because i told him to read some past topics. Sounds like hes a misfit, We can certainly do withour rubbish like that going on.
They've done pretty well clearing up on the island , some of the bridge rebuilding is still going on , slow but sure. Im sitting here on the very end of Trouya Pointe looking out over a ery beautiful sunrise over Rodney Bay. Doesnt get much better. Weve found our wintering paradise, problem is we summer just south of Houston, hot and humid as Hell, gotta sort that out next LOL

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