| When I returned home from a business trip my | | | | barbecuing on one of these Robinson Crusoe islands. |
| youngest son said "What's Daddy doing here" and | | | | This is where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed. |
| that was my sign on the wall that my business life | | | | Whale watching is offered year round with best |
| had overtaken my personal life. During a Sunday | | | | chances during the migration season (December |
| morning walk my wife urged that living in a heather | | | | through April) from about 8 miles outside Grenada's |
| shack would be better than having no time for the | | | | West Coast. But, you need to be lucky; I have had |
| family. So I decided to give up my well paid | | | | times when we did not even see a dolphin and also |
| executive life and started to research the ultimate | | | | when there were so many whales that we lost |
| destination. Main considerations where: a nice climate, | | | | count at 38, with one after the other jumping. |
| safety, natural beauty and nice people. While I | | | | Dolphins are playful and often swim with and jump in |
| checked out the world my oldest daughter saw a | | | | front of the boat. |
| feature on Grenada on Dutch TV and enthusiastically | | | | Sport fishing is also a big thing in the Caribbean and |
| proposed it as a potential destiny. | | | | Grenada is one of the better places as it has deep |
| Checking out the globe | | | | water close to shore; fishing starts after 15 minutes. |
| I almost scientifically approached my mission to check | | | | Several small charter boats operate from Grenada. |
| out the ultimate place to live. I evaluated political | | | | Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna and Dorado are |
| stability, safety and [lack of] discrimination by talking | | | | common game fish, in addition to the widespread |
| to people that lived on my short list destinations. | | | | Barracuda and other smaller species. Carriacou also |
| Grenada scored highest on all points, so I decided on | | | | offers sport fishing with typically smaller fish caught. |
| a visit -during which- I was completely sold. I even | | | | Culture |
| decided to check out potential properties for our | | | | On a small island one cannot expect the same |
| dream: to build a small, sustainable resort. Five months | | | | options as in a metropole. But, there are some nice |
| later we came to Grenada and finalised the purchase | | | | cultural activities. Steel bands which usually play in |
| of eight wonderful beachfront acres on the | | | | groups of several dozens -some of them surprisingly |
| Southeast cost of Grenada and decided to call it | | | | young children- are not to be missed. A good place |
| Paradise Bay. The government appeared to be very | | | | to see them is the weekly festival Fish Friday in |
| responsive to our plans to build a resort and | | | | Gouyave at the North West Coast, where fishermen |
| committed to cooperate in all aspects. Paradise Bay | | | | sell anything from fish cakes to lobsters. But the |
| Resort opened in 2007. | | | | cultural highlight of the year is definitely Carnival in the |
| A true democracy | | | | second week of August. While it may not compete |
| After the island was liberated by the USA from a | | | | with big carnivals such as in Rio de Janeiro it has an |
| communist coup and democracy was restored in | | | | atmosphere that many prefer. When you want to |
| 1983 the island developed positively and is now | | | | come and see the Grenada Carnival, make sure that |
| considered to be one of the most stable political | | | | you make flight reservations early as many expat's |
| climates in the region. More than corruption, | | | | come home then. |
| favourism is the milder version that rules here -like in | | | | I often bring guests to local bars what gives them a |
| many other places in the world knowing the right | | | | good idea on how people live and think. One bar is |
| person always helps to get things done-. Grenada and | | | | located in a welding shop where they also bake |
| the sister islands Carriacou and Petit Martinique have | | | | bread and show movies to their clientele from time |
| about 98,000 inhabitants but have ministries on all | | | | to time. Another interesting thing is going to a |
| vital aspects. The government welcomes foreign | | | | "Bloggo", an informal party that can be organised by |
| investors and grants special facilities such as tax | | | | anyone at a shop or on the street with this recipe: |
| credits (usually 10 years no income tax) and duty | | | | loud Soca and Calypso music, rum, beer and |
| free concessions on building materials and equipment | | | | barbecued chicken. Simple, but nice. |
| for approved projects. The Grenada Industrial | | | | Economy |
| Development Corporation (GIDC) handles all inquiries | | | | Before the economic depression, Grenada seemed to |
| in a professional and swift way. | | | | be in good shape. Wages were rising and almost |
| Nice people | | | | everybody can afford to have a TV. Construction |
| Life in Grenada reminds me to how people dealt with | | | | was booming with new hotels and second home |
| each other in small Dutch villages decades ago, People | | | | resort communities under construction. Grenada was |
| always greet one another and when they ask how | | | | mentioned in the 2008 Annual Wealth Report by high |
| you are they really mean it. When I come back from | | | | end property consultant Knight Frank and Citibank, |
| a trip abroad people ask how it was and welcome | | | | listed Grenada as one of the top ten second home |
| you back wholeheartedly. When I organise tours for | | | | markets being prime suspects for future growth. The |
| visitors I always include showing how people live; it is | | | | reasons can be found in this article... moreover the |
| an eye opener for many that have been living in a | | | | real estate prices are far lower than on other islands |
| cold, impersonal environment for too long. Grenadians | | | | that have far less to offer than Grenada. |
| are very keen to talk to visitors. It is no surprise that | | | | As all other tourism destinations Grenada also suffers |
| several of our hotel's visitors started thinking of | | | | from the decline in the number of tourists and the |
| retiring here and/or having a second home in | | | | average money spent. The construction also faces a |
| Grenada. In Grenada there is absolutely no | | | | slowdown due to halted projects. As tourism and |
| discrimination: all races live together in perfect | | | | construction are the two main motors of the |
| harmony. | | | | economy the depression is clearly felt here by most |
| Caribbean people are laid back which is a charm on | | | | people. This may however be an opportunity to |
| one hand but if you have to work with them it can | | | | revitalize agriculture as currently much of the produce |
| be less charming. When people promise to come to | | | | and most chicken and meats are imported. Obtaining |
| work on a particular day or time you should not be | | | | financing to realize such projects will be a decisive |
| surprised if they don't show up: they may had | | | | factor. |
| something more important to do and would even say | | | | Being a small tourism destination it is an option to |
| that afterwards. When it rains they would show up | | | | focus on niche markets. In example, we recently |
| later at best. They will rarely call: "my phone giving | | | | bought a small sailing yacht and now offer All |
| me trouble". The average work speed is at least half | | | | Inclusive guests not only walks, hikes and excursions, |
| of Western standards. Sometimes workers try to | | | | but also a mini cruise to the Grenadines, without |
| "speed up the work" by doing their job different -and | | | | extra cost. Another market with opportunities is the |
| less good- than ordered; especially construction | | | | honeymoon market, where Grenada is putting more |
| workers have this habit which can cause big | | | | and more focus on. Grenada is also a great place for |
| problems. | | | | destination weddings where the personal attention a |
| Low violent crime | | | | big resort (a.k.a. wedding factory) cannot offer is a |
| Theft is an issue here -like elsewhere in the | | | | big plus. |
| Caribbean-: offer the occasion and thieves will grab it. | | | | The government's main income comes from duties |
| Violence however is very rare in Grenada; I have | | | | on imported items. Income tax starts at about 2,000 |
| never heard of armed robberies of gas stations or | | | | US$ per month and is levied at 30% over the |
| shops. Violence towards visitors is also unheard of. | | | | excess. Only few people pay income taxes; the |
| With violent crime on the increase in many Western | | | | average income is about 850 US$ per month. The |
| countries it comes as no surprise that people are on | | | | prices of imported products are therefore rather high. |
| the lookout for a safe haven. Grenada is definitely a | | | | Cars and gas are about double the US cost. Local |
| great, save place to live. | | | | produce, fish and meat are quite affordable. Most |
| Hard drugs are very rare here, but marijuana is rather | | | | people have no problem making ends meet because |
| common; many people on the countryside simply | | | | their expectations are not as high as their Western |
| grow it in their backyard. Although formally forbidden, | | | | counterparts, who are generally, less happy. |
| smoking marijuana is generally not seen as a crime | | | | Infrastructure |
| and consequently there is also no related violence. In | | | | Grenada has a modern airport in the South West |
| my observation, problems caused by alcohol are | | | | part of the island and a cruise terminal that can |
| more severe than smoking marijuana. | | | | handle 3 ships at the same time. The main roads are |
| Gorgeous nature | | | | good for Caribbean standards and are fairly well |
| The Caribbean has the image of being a beach | | | | maintained. There are however almost no road signs |
| destination. Not surprisingly as the beaches belong to | | | | so combined with fuzzy explanations by locals renting |
| the most attractive in the world. Some islands have | | | | a car -although widely available- is not always the |
| indeed little more to offer than the beaches, sailing | | | | best option; taking tours is better and can be less |
| and snorkeling. For most visitors, this is enough. But | | | | expensive. |
| there are islands like Grenada that have a fascinating | | | | Thanks to the presence of a university (primarily |
| hinterland to offer. Rainforest hikes are an experience | | | | medical) with more than 4,000 primarily American |
| that few ever had in their lives. I have been | | | | students and a growing expat population, yacht- and |
| conducting many hikes in Grenada and most visitors | | | | second home owners, the availability of Western |
| saw these as their most interesting experience. | | | | goods is much better than most other Caribbean |
| Our resort is located amidst thousands acres of | | | | islands. |
| gorgeous nature and I warmly recommend visitors to | | | | Living in Grenada |
| walk either North or South from beach to beach; up | | | | When you decide to come and live permanently in |
| the hill - down the hill and every 15 minutes a new | | | | Grenada the most economical option is to buy or |
| beach and different nature: From gently sloping hills | | | | rent a house in a residential area unless you wish to |
| -that remind to Ireland- via cactuses to mangroves. | | | | be in the better -very expensive- neighbourhoods. If |
| These not too strenuous walks can be done by | | | | you chose to live here part of the year it is a better |
| most people. More strenuous are the rainforest walks | | | | option to take a villa or apartment in a resort |
| and hikes, although there is one exception: a walk | | | | (community) as you then have no concerns about |
| that starts at a water reservoir high in the mountains | | | | security (theft) and maintenance (leaking water lines |
| which leads to a rain forest in less than 10 easy | | | | can be very expensive) in addition of getting rent for |
| minutes. Grenada has many water falls to choose | | | | the time they do not occupy their property. Search |
| from, some very easily accessible, some requiring a | | | | villas Paradise Bay Grenada on Youtube to see a |
| walk or hike. (For my article, Google: hiking in | | | | video. |
| Grenada) | | | | If you think of building a house here, think again and |
| And then, there are the beaches. On the leeward | | | | first read my article on this (Google: stop the |
| West Coast the water is tranquil and confirms what | | | | construction carnival). When you still want to build a |
| people have in mind as a Caribbean Beach. The two | | | | house after reading the article, read it again... |
| mile long Grand Anse white sand beach is considered | | | | Good medical care is available from licensed doctors; |
| one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. | | | | there is also a good private clinic. |
| On the Atlantic side the ocean is more rough, yet | | | | Living in Grenada is relaxed and once you understand |
| quite OK to swim in. The scenery of the water | | | | Herman Wouk's statement: "The West Indian is not |
| playing with the rocks is fascinating. And as Grenada | | | | exactly hostile to change, but it's not much inclined to |
| is not overrun by tourist the beaches offer much | | | | believe in it" and do not try to change them you will |
| space. | | | | be relaxed too. Most expats regularly spend time |
| Snorkelling and diving | | | | abroad for shopping, family & friends, theatre |
| The Caribbean is a known snorkelling and scuba diving | | | | and being reminded why they want to go back to |
| paradise and Grenada is growing fast to become a | | | | Grenada. Airlines regularly have specials. |
| major diving destination, confirmed by the fast | | | | Working in Grenada |
| growing hotels with in house dive shops. Sister island | | | | Like most places, when you want to do work that |
| Carriacou is also great for snorkelling and scuba diving; | | | | can also be performed by locals, you will not be |
| many take day trips to go there. There is no history | | | | allowed to work here. For those professions not |
| of man being killed by fish so it can be considered a | | | | competing with locals or in case of a shortage you |
| safe activity. Most dive shops also offer dive classes. | | | | should be able to get a work permit. If you consider |
| A little north of Carriacou are the Tobago Cays, best | | | | to move here and wish t have an opinion feel free to |
| reachable by sailing, which is a top ten snorkelling and | | | | contact me. If you happen to be a good, |
| diving destination. There are weekly 2-day sailing trips | | | | broad-oriented maintenance man and want to change |
| to the Grenadines from Carriacou. | | | | life, I am on the lookout... |
| On the ocean | | | | Income over here is generally considerably lower than |
| Sailing in this area is immensely popular; many hotels | | | | in Western hemispheres, very much depending on |
| offer boats to rent. Grenada's West Coast, Carriacou | | | | the occupation. If you intend to start your own |
| and the Grenadines are the most tranquil waters. The | | | | business and need local staff to run you must have a |
| Grenadines consist of many small islands, most of | | | | lot of patience and be prepared to take over work |
| them inhabited and are considered by many as the | | | | from absent staff on a regular basis unless you |
| ultimate Caribbean sailing experience, let alone | | | | "over"hire. |