I’ve dipped my toes in the warm Caribbean Sea more times than I can count. There are numerous locations on my international real estate beat that touch this vast sea…Mexico…Belize…Nicaragua. And I’ve found some incredible real estate deals in these places.
But for lots of people, the idea of living on a Caribbean Island is the ultimate dream…a home steps from the soft sand, sundowner cocktails as the waves lap at your feet, and your own little piece of paradise.
It’s a lifestyle we associate with billionaires and Hollywood celebrities likes of Richard Branson, Johnny Depp, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
In other words, it’s out of reach for most regular folk…
Or maybe not…
The Caribbean is a vast sea…with many attractive islands that offer the same dream-inducing qualities of the more famous (and expensive) locations that have long attracted the world’s affluent people.
As you’ll see with the properties my researchers found below, living on a Caribbean island isn’t reserved for the wealthy…in fact, it can be very affordable if you know where to look.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Listing Price: $90,000
Belize is made up of over 200 islands (cayes) with Ambergris Caye easily being the most popular. This is quintessential Caribbean island living, but without high price tag. There’s everything from trendy beach bars to some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving to powder white-sand beaches to keep you entertained. And the only mode of transport here is the golf buggy.
This 1-bed, 1-bath condo is located within the Sapphire Beach Resort and is about 9 miles from Ambergris’ main (and only) town of San Pedro. There are views over the community pool from your balcony and beach and the Caribbean Sea are on your doorstep.
Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Listing Price: $148,500
Cabarete, on the Dominican Republic’s north coast, is a haven for kite and wind surfers. And due to its close proximity to the U.S. it’s also become a snowbird haven for North Americans escaping the harsh winters at home. Cabarete has a small-town vibe with one main street where you’ll find all the amenities you’ll need. The beaches are, of course, the big draw but there is also a big wellness scene in town if you’re looking for something less strenuous.
Just under 2 miles from the center of Cabarete is this 1-bed, 1-bath condo. Comprised of an open-plan kitchen/living area and a small terrace, it has views over the shared pool and of the Caribbean Sea.
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Listing Price: $135,000
St. Croix is the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean and was once one of the wealthiest islands in the West Indies, mostly due to its sugar and rum industries. Today it’s a mix of sugar plantations, old forts, and rainforest. St. Croix was bought by the U.S. in 1917 from the Dutch. Today, it’s an unincorporated U.S. territory and the people of the island are U.S. citizens, meaning buying real estate here will be a familiar process if you’re from the States.
On the northern coast of St. Croix is this 1-bed, 1-bath apartment just steps from the beach. It has an open-plan kitchen/living area that opens out to a large patio. There’s a community pool and you’re a short drive from the large town of Christiansted.
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