ParkerL
2/24/2016 16:01 EST
Greetings,
3 of my friends and I are planning to live abroad for 6 months to a year after we graduate from our respective colleges (and the 4th friend finishes his tour with the marines) before we sign our lives away to the American dream. We've been dreaming the Caribbean dream for some time and are now trying to make it a reality. I was wondering if Saint Lucia would be a good location to make our temporary homes. We understand moving to another country is not a trivial task and plan to approach it with full commitment. We are 4 young men, college educated at reputable universities (and a veteran), would be looking for professional work but are willing to do any job we can get, able to live on extremely meager means, well mannered and respectful, planning to save money before the trip. I've noticed it's an older expat's majority. So my questions are:
Would it be difficult for young foreigners into integrate into society?
Would it be extremely difficult to find work (even as a bartender or cashier) on Saint Lucia?
Is there a lively night life year round?
Is there a way around the expensive work permits?
Can you buy and own a motor vehicle as a foreign national?
Also for future reference, should a post with several lengthy questions like this be split into subposts? Shouts out to bobbyv and the regulars on here, I admire all of your good-natured willingness to help others.
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JoeyThompson
2/24/2016 17:44 EST
Hello Parker,
Good to know you.
St Lucia is a great place for you guys. Lots to do here. Great night life, IMO. Very good restaurants. Malls, Supermarkets and the housing is good as well. You can buy a good used car, no problem. Cash is king.
As far as young people, there is no a lot of Ex-pat 20 something people here. My son is 27. My daughter is 19. I'm a very young 50 and My wife is 50ish as well.
Working here would be difficult in the service industry. Those jobs usually belong to locals and you'd be taking someone's job if anyone hire you in that field.
I own a commercial refrigeration company. If any of you guys have a mechanical mind, it would not be out of the question to work with us. We need good people here. Lots of work, not a lot of technically minded people.
Computer service is another possibility here.
I love to play pool, I have a good table in my home here and there's a couple other places to play as well.
Let me know if I can help you in any way whatsoever.
Blessings to you,
Joey
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JoeyThompson
2/24/2016 17:44 EST
Hello Parker,
Good to know you.
St Lucia is a great place for you guys. Lots to do here. Great night life, IMO. Very good restaurants. Malls, Supermarkets and the housing is good as well. You can buy a good used car, no problem. Cash is king.
As far as young people, there is no a lot of Ex-pat 20 something people here. My son is 27. My daughter is 19. I'm a very young 50 and My wife is 50ish as well.
Working here would be difficult in the service industry. Those jobs usually belong to locals and you'd be taking someone's job if anyone hire you in that field.
I own a commercial refrigeration company. If any of you guys have a mechanical mind, it would not be out of the question to work with us. We need good people here. Lots of work, not a lot of technically minded people.
Computer service is another possibility here.
I love to play pool, I have a good table in my home here and there's a couple other places to play as well.
Let me know if I can help you in any way whatsoever.
Blessings to you,
Joey
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00abuse
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JoeyThompson
2/24/2016 17:44 EST
Hello Parker,
Good to know you.
St Lucia is a great place for you guys. Lots to do here. Great night life, IMO. Very good restaurants. Malls, Supermarkets and the housing is good as well. You can buy a good used car, no problem. Cash is king.
As far as young people, there is no a lot of Ex-pat 20 something people here. My son is 27. My daughter is 19. I'm a very young 50 and My wife is 50ish as well.
Working here would be difficult in the service industry. Those jobs usually belong to locals and you'd be taking someone's job if anyone hire you in that field.
I own a commercial refrigeration company. If any of you guys have a mechanical mind, it would not be out of the question to work with us. We need good people here. Lots of work, not a lot of technically minded people.
Computer service is another possibility here.
I love to play pool, I have a good table in my home here and there's a couple other places to play as well.
Let me know if I can help you in any way whatsoever.
Blessings to you,
Joey
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bobbyveee
2/24/2016 18:44 EST
Hi guys. You would love St L, its a vibrant 'friendly place, has everything for any age. But .... There's no way you will get work of any kind. Firstly you need work permits, an employer needs to prove you can do work no one else can do, and part time work , you have no chance. Sorry, but that's how it is.
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ParkerL
2/25/2016 12:16 EST
Thank you!
My studies are in the field of business and economics but technical work is a something I could do. I would like to work while Im overseas to lessen the amount of money we would have to save before hand. Another country we had in mind was Belize (though I've read about safety issues). Would you recommend there for us? Are there any other caribbean destinations you could recommend that match what we're looking for?
Great thanks!
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bobbyveee
2/25/2016 14:04 EST
Hi Guys.
Forget Belize, we had a beach front bungalow on Ambergris caye, we left because its overcrowded and crime ridden and theres not a hope you'd get any work, Even here in St Lucia unemployment amongst the younger generation is 54% !!!! and thats better than many Caribbean countries. If you cant afford to keep yourself for 6 months the Caribbean isnt the place for you. My home's Fl' you cant beat it LOL
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ParkerL
2/25/2016 16:08 EST
Thanks for the advice and please don't be offended if we aren't deterred! haha
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bobbyveee
2/26/2016 06:11 EST
Hi guys. For sure don't be deterred, just be aware. In St Lucia you need an address, plus after 6 wks its $200ec for every 30 days you stay. In Belize you will also need an address and after 30 days you pay $25usd every 30 days to stay. If your caught moonlighting in either country they will deport you. Local pay in both these countries is 'peanuts' anyway about $150usd per wk. if your lucky Good luck guys.
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