Live or Retire in the Affordable Secret Caribbean

The Caribbean is synonymous with hedonism -- from the mass tourist Mecca of the Bahamas to theoff-the-beaten-path divers' paradise of Bonaire. What you might not know about the Caribbean,however, is that it's also home to one of the most appealing -- and inexpensive -- expatriate andretirement havens in the world. This little-known gem, though off the well-trodden path taken bymost travelers, has a lot to offer. So if you're longing for the good life in a tropical haven, duckthe crowds and head to Dominica.With no direct flights from North America or Europe, Dominica is welcome retreat of peace and quietin the Caribbean's sea of mass tourism. Roughly halfway between Martinique and Guadeloupe, theisland is splendidly underdeveloped. A land of waterfalls, rivers (365 of them), hot springs, andlush rain forests, Dominica is the Caribbean's most rugged isle. Instead of luxury resorts and longstretches of crowded white sand beaches, you'll find volcanic mountains, intimate beaches,little-explored reefs and small hotels.If you think that living in the Caribbean full- or part-time is a luxury only the rich and famous ofthe world can afford, think again. Unlike most of the Caribbean's islands, which cater to touristsand the high-end market, Dominica's prices are refreshingly down-to-earth. For example, right nowyou'll find:A beautiful private 1.7-acre lot with ocean views for only $37,000, and a 1/2-acre lot with oceanviews located only 15 minutes from the airport: asking price: $50,000 (located just an hour from thecapital), both perfect places for your dream home (which can be built for as little as$24,000-$40,000).A 4-bedroom fixer-upper overlooking the ocean for $97,000 or a stunning 3200-sqare foot home with4-bedrooms and 3.5 baths on 1/4 acre lot with ocean views for $229,000.A 2.15-acre riverfront lot with cocoa, coffee, grapefruit and bamboo trees on the property waitingfor your dream home for $105,000.A nice 2-bedroom home with fruit trees (pineapple, avocado, etc.) on the property, close to beachesand waterfall can be yours for only $100,000 or best offer.A fully-furnished 2-bedroom, 1-bath starter home renting for $562 a month, with stove, refrigeratorand a comfortable hammock for relaxing on the patio. Only a 15-minute drive to the capital.Outside of the costs, there are other reasons to consider Domnica, including:Fishing...snorkeling...diving in the ocean...swimming and bathing in or any of the hundreds of arearivers, waterfalls and natural hot springs...and exploring lush tropical mountains and valleys asbeautiful as anything you've seen anywhere in the world.Exotic cuisine and some of the best seafood in the world for as little as $5 per person. You canhave a variety of downright cheap fresh fruit juices and the best rum in the Caribbean for pricesstarting at $4 a bottle (a big one).First-class communications: residential telephones and cell phones are reliable and high-speedInternet access is readily available.Peace and privacy! This place has no enemies, good international relationships, some of the world'sstrictest banking secrecy laws, and is almost crime-free.Long stays as a tourist without bothering with fussy immigration, straightforward residencyrequirements and relatively simply process for obtaining citizenship and a local passport.Easy-going and friendly English-speaking neighbors, and small, intimate hotels, restaurants andbars.All this makes little-known Dominica well worth investigating.More information about living in Dominica is available in the eReport,The Caribbean's Best KeptSecret, available at: www.thegloballife.net.Phillip TownsendPhillip Townsend, an international consultant, has assisted clients with expatriate moves to over 60countries. A former correpsondent with Money magazine, he most recently wrote reports on living andretiring in Panama, Cuba and the Caribbean and is the author of the e-Book "Passport to Canada: TheComplete Guide to Living and Retiring in Nova Scotia." He edits The Global Life, a newsletter oninternational living, retirement, and travel matters. For a free sample copy, visitwww.thegloballife