5 Affordable Caribbean Islands To Retire To

5 Affordable Caribbean Islands To Retire To

When it comes to retiring in Britain, the best we can hope for are a few weeks of balmy weather in June through to August and hopefully, not much rain, ice and snow the rest of the time.

With the Government no longer using the triple lock that enabled the state pension to increase every year by the higher of inflation, average earnings or a minimum of 2.5%, it is becoming harder for pensioners to maintain their standards of living.

It’s no wonder therefore that more and more Brits are choosing to retire to sunnier destinations in Europe like Spain, Portugal and Malta, where the cost of living is much cheaper than in the UK.

Not many people think of the Caribbean as an alternative retirement destination for the value conscious, but there are many islands in the Caribbean where you will get not only great weather year round but also great bang for your buck.

The Dominican Republic, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Mexico all have islands that great sandy beaches, blue Caribbean waters and the weather to keep you happy and healthy in your retirement years. And best of all, you won’t have to pay a fortune to live there.

Here are a few of them.

Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

Las Terrenas whilst not an island, is part of the island Hispaniola. It is located on the north-east coast of the Dominican Republic and is known for its scenic landscapes, white sand beaches and clear waters. You can buy an apartment here for under £100,000.

It offers many of the conveniences that you will find at home, with food stores, cafes and restaurants aplenty.
Fresh fish can be bought daily from the local fishermen and it’s just the place to mix your own drinks and kick back for a nice evening meal.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

With English being the official language in Belize, you will have no problems assimulating in Ambergis Caye.
Buying or renting property here is much cheaper than in the UK and with the power supply, water, cell phone coverage and internet being very reliable, you won’t have to give up your creature comforts that you are used to at home.

Access to Belize City is easy with regular water taxis and flights connecting and you will find a good selection of bars and restaurants. Unlike in the UK, you won’t be lumbered with heating costs which is an additional bonus.

Roatan, Honduras

Roatan is another island where English is widely spoken is just the place for a laid-back lifestyle if you are the type of person that likes to snorkel, swing in a hammock or sit with your feet up on a sandy beach.
Roatan is located about 40 miles off the northern coast of Honduras and is around 48 miles long and less than 5 miles at its’ widest point.

With pristine sandy beaches, life in this divers paradise is laidback, with quality food aplenty. There is an established expat community, so you will find it relatively easy to assimilate.

Fresh food is plentiful and cheap, and with rental accommodation being around 70% cheaper than in the UK, you can see why Roatan would be a good place to retire to.

Corn Islands, Nicaragua

If you like Lobster, you will love the Corn Islands, as Lobstering is the main industry here. The two islands, Big Corn which is around four square miles and Little Corn about one-fourth the size of Big Corn are about 50 miles off Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast.

Again the cost of living on the Corn Islands is much cheaper compared to the UK and you will find that the locals speak English which is the official language.

You can get a two bedroom beachfront apartment for around £100,000. You won’t find cars aplenty in the Corn Islands as the only way to get around the island is by foot, bike or horse.

While the Corn Islands aren’t for everyone, it’s a fantastic place to come if you want a laid back retirement.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Isla Mujeres is about eight miles from Cancún in Mexico, with its’ clear, blue waters and white-sandy beaches is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of mainland Cancun.

It’s a great place for coral diving, sailing and swimming with dolphins and the cost of living here is moderate compared to the UK.

With Cancun so close, you are not isolated from the world and will find flights easy to find if you want to travel to other parts of the world.