Retirement is not just a time when there is nothing left to do. And it seems that my whole life has passed. The main thing here is where and how to spend this time. And Saint Lucia can be called an ideal place for this. Comfort, tranquility, high standard of living and high – quality services – what else can you wish for. Just imagine, huge sandy beaches, scenic views, well-developed infrastructure, comfortable housing, and all this can be obtained in one place. And there is only one requirement that must be fulfilled in order to get all the advantages at once. This is St. Lucia permanent residency. And then again, you can find advantages, since it’s not difficult to get permission. Let’s take a closer look at every aspect of what you can get in the country, and how to do everything right to fully get all the benefits.
Why consider retiring in St. Lucia
One of the choices that stands after the career path is completed is to spend this free time. And here it is worth considering such an option as retire in St. Lucia. It is a beautiful, peaceful place where everything is set up for a comfortable lifestyle. The climate is mild, there are beautiful views everywhere, and the living conditions themselves are also comfortable. This is exactly what you need when you want something relaxing, something that will have a beneficial effect on your health and nervous system. But speaking of the advantages, it is hardly possible to name only comfortable natural conditions.
Natural conditions
The island nation is worth a bird’s-eye view, as it offers the full range of natural beauty. Everything is covered with greenery almost all year round. One has only to take a look and realize that this is an ideal place where the balance between modern life and nature is strictly maintained. Local people protect the local flora and fauna, so you can even find places untouched by man. And there are places where human achievements and landmarks created by nature are harmoniously combined.
What is the difference between the nature of this place?
- Mountains and volcanoes. There is a volcano on the island. And it is he who is of the greatest interest to tourists and travelers. Sulphur Springs is an amazing place that is definitely worth visiting at least once in your life. But even the volcano itself is not the only interest. There are many thermal pools and volcanic springs around, which are used not only as a visual attraction, but also as a place where hundreds and thousands of tourists come to relax.
- Almost the entire island is covered with sandy beaches, and you can swim almost all year round. The infrastructure on the beaches is well developed, so tourists can get everything for comfort. And locals can relax after hard working days. For pensioners, great entertainment will be not only swimming in the sea, but also just relaxing walks along the beaches, where there are also magnificent views, especially at sunset.
- Tropical forests. The local flora is diverse. Even rare representatives of the plant world can be found here. Since the locals are attentive to the preservation of nature, there are several protected areas on the territory where you can walk and observe, but you can not spend anything.
What about the climate?
The climate in these places is always mild. Warm weather throughout the year. Even in the rainy season, the temperature ranges from 25 degrees. The rainy season itself is not as dangerous as in some other regions. It rains only for short periods of time, and this does not affect the temperature regime in any way. The humidity level does not increase much, so the overall background is pleasant, comfortable and soft. For those who plan to move here permanently, there is no better place for the climate, since there is no cold, no strong constant winds and there are no conditions that can disrupt a peaceful stay.
Safety
The country is small, so it’s a safe place where almost everyone knows everyone. This greatly affects the level of security. It is safe not only to come here, but also to live safely on a permanent basis. A calm and favorable atmosphere is what influences the standard of living of the local population.
The first thing that distinguishes the local situation is the low crime rate. The situation in the region is not the calmest, but Saint Lucia is not affected. According to crime statistics, there are not so many, these are more isolated cases. So the overall stability is not disrupted.
And there are certain areas, and there are many of them, where the crime rate is practically zero. As a rule, these are tourist areas where security services operate around the clock. Besides, there is not much population. In total, about 180,000 people are constantly registered in the country, which makes this a peaceful place. For those who seek solitude in retirement, this is almost an ideal option. It has a low crime rate and a favorable atmosphere for retirees who are looking for a quiet place to live.
Quality of life
In a country where tourism is so developed, there simply cannot be a bad service, because the popularity of the place depends on it. But also for local residents or those who have recently moved or are just planning, a high standard of living. What does this mean for retirement?
- High-quality services are not something exclusive and premium, but accessible to everyone.
- The higher the standard of living, the more comfortable your stay, as almost everything is at hand.
- There is a huge amount of entertainment and places where everything is arranged for a comfortable stay. There are also constant celebrations, festivals and lots of music for those who like to spend time having fun.
Visa and residency options for retirees
After briefly listing all the advantages, it is worth saying that being a part of such a society is quite simple. You just need a residence permit for the country. And it should be formalized. They provide several options to increase your chances. And here, again, they apply comfortable and simple conditions so that the whole process ends as early as possible, and it ended successfully. Let’s consider each option:
- Lucia retirement visa. This option allows you to live for several years as a full member of society. There are simplified conditions, the main of which is the presence of a stable financial position.
- Residence permit under the investment program. This is an option for those who plan to live in the country and then later apply for Saint Lucian citizenship. It is also easy to get it, the main thing is to invest in the country’s economy. The amount is deposited into the account of the state, and then the receipt procedure is started.
- Long-term visa. If you plan to move for a long time, then it is worth considering long-term options. You don’t even need to invest here, that is, to have a large amount. Only the amount that is enough to provide for yourself will be enough, so as not to ask for some kind of financial assistance from the state.
Programs for financially independent people. This is an option for those who do not plan to look for work in the country in the future. But then again, you need to confirm that they have a stable income, even from other countries.
Cost of living and housing
People who want to receive benefits from the state are not very welcome in the country. This is not profitable because you need to bring money into the country, not take it from it. That’s why income checks are so thorough. And it is worth noting that the cost of living is relatively high, so you will have to confirm that a person can provide himself with housing, food and necessary services.
The cost of housing depends on the chosen location. More logically, the larger and more developed the city, the higher the price of an apartment.
And the rent will also be higher. The rent in the capital or big cities reaches two thousand dollars. And buying an apartment can be for half a million dollars, although you can look at simpler options for about 150 thousand dollars. Utility bills can reach $250 if you take all services to the maximum. The country has developed agriculture, so some products are cheaper than in other countries in the region. But many products are imported from other countries, so the price can be high. But the local products are so diverse that there is no need for vegetables and fruits. In principle, if you lead a normal lifestyle without luxuries and some premium services, then the price is quite adequate, and in retirement you will be comfortable spending time where everything is available and at an affordable price.
Healthcare and medical facilities
We can’t help but mention that in retirement, health care needs to be more thorough, so the level of healthcare is one of the key factors that you should pay attention to when looking for a place to live. And here it is worth saying that in Saint Lucia there are practically no problems in this regard. The first is a fairly large number of medical institutions. It’s not just public hospitals where everything is available for free. But there are also many private ones where you can get even more in-depth procedures and examinations. There are also good doctors and medical staff in the country, which even locals like to contact. Although for some specific procedures you will have to seek the help of doctors from other countries where medicine is at a higher level. You can also get insurance to receive the full range of services. Although they also provide a choice for which you can get an international option in order to seek the help of specialists even from some other countries.
Tax benefits and financial considerations
Another plus worth mentioning is a loyal tax system. This is provided in order to choose this particular option as a permanent place of residence.
- No tax on income from abroad. This can be not only direct income, but also pensions or social assistance from other countries.
- No inheritance or gift taxes. Even if you receive an inheritance, you will not have to pay any additional fees.
Best places to live for retirees
When moving, it is worth considering that you need to choose a specific place where you can live on a permanent basis. It is worth evaluating the infrastructure, the local lifestyle and the level of comfort of the conditions.
Saint Lucia offers a variety of options for retirees, depending on their preferences and lifestyle.
- It is the capital and the most developed city with a well-developed infrastructure. A large number of educational and medical institutions. In addition, there is everything for a comfortable life: from restaurants to museums and theaters.
- Soufriere is considered a resort place with scenic views. This is the choice of those who want a lot of nature around and just have a quiet time.
- Marigot is more suitable for those who want to spend time “like a tourist”, that is, there are many beaches, entertainment and opportunities for outdoor activities.
Lifestyle and community for expats
If you look at all the characteristics, including climate, environment, local lifestyle and quality of life, then this is an option for an ideal lifestyle, especially in retirement. In addition, the local population is extremely friendly. New members of society can easily integrate into local communities. They don’t just live in seclusion, but allow them to become a full-fledged member of society.
So, summing up, it’s safe to say that Saint Lucia is a 100% attractive option for retirement. It’s a high quality of life, it’s a friendly environment, and it’s a lucrative financial opportunity. You can live here simply, comfortably and easily. And most importantly, it’s extremely easy to get a document. Just evaluate and analyze all the conditions and decide whether this option is suitable for you, because there are some nuances here. And then life in retirement will be pleasant and comfortable. And you really have something to get for that.
