We’ve still got 3 weeks left until we leave Grenada but having now been here for what feels like months, I think we’re in a good position to review it…
So how does Caribbean-living in Grenada live up to our usual LIP standards?
Based on our original list of criteria below, here is how it measured up…
1) Has a lower cost of living
2) Is English-speaking, or at least we could get by in English
3) Is a bit more ‘exotic’ and different from the usual expat places
4) Has good internet & telecoms structure
5) Is politically stable & safe
6) Has a decent infrastructure that wouldn’t require us to ‘rough it’
1)
The cost of living in Grenada is both high and low. It can be as expensive as a major city if you choose to buy the brand-name, imported goods from the supermarket, eat out all the time (especially at the more upscale places like the Calabash) and hire a car for the whole time.
On the other hand, it can be a very reasonable place to live if you choose to eat & shop more locally – buying local fruits & veg from the market & stalls, eating locally-caught fish and staying away from the popular US/UK brand named goods.
In this respect, I think Grenada is a great L.I.P place because it gives you this wide range of choice and you can mix it up depending upon how flush you are feeling. Basically, whatever you want, is pretty much available (at the right price).
The only thing that isn’t perhaps a ‘lower cost’ than the UK is the accommodation – but it is affordable and we are living in the Caribbean. Given the choice between paying the same amount for a flat in Nottingham or an apartment in the Caribbean, I know which I’d pick!
2) Definitely English-speaking, although sometimes the strong local accent can be a challenge to understand. There is also a contingent of Europeans here (Germans, French, Italians).
3) Grenada is lovely, exotic, tropical paradise. Most definitely a little more exotic than typical expat places in Majorca, France etc. and there is of course, that laid-back, Caribbean vibe to the place which you just don’t get anywhere else.
4) High speed internet access is fine – no better or worse than anywhere else we’ve been. Our apartment has high speed wireless internet (although frustratingly my P.C. doesn’t seem to work but Jonathan’s MAC does – it has been the other way round before any of you MAC-addicts use this as another reason to trump up a MAC over a P.C.!!). We’ve had just one power cut so far and it lasted about 20 minutes.
There are a couple of internet cafes too for emergencies (including a new one just opened up in the complex behind Spiceland Mall – the Marquise Complex, I think it is) but we have so far not needed to use these.
5) Politically stable & safe – the locals are generally good-natured, friendly & peaceful and too busy “limin” (chilling out!). The biggest hazard here is the weather – although outside the hurricane belt, the island is still recovering from the effects of Ivan & Emily in 2004/5 and it is the financial repercussions of this which are still dominating the political scene.
6) Apparently one of the more developed islands of the Windward chain, Grenada isn’t quite a 1st world country but it is certainly not 3rd world. Whilst you do see poverty & other signs of under-development (pot-holed roads, dogs wandering about everywhere, rubbish dumps), these are minimal and the backward nature of the island has a real charm about it. In addition, there are some very-much 1st world aspects of the island which again give you the ideal choice.
In Summary
Grenada is a fantastic place – I don’t think it’s much of a secret that we’ve loved our time here.
As a L.I.P location if Caribbean/island living is what you are looking for, then you can stop looking – it’s almost perfect.
There is an abundance of affordable accommodation, great local food, friendly (except in most restaurants, cafes & shops) people and of course the beautiful beaches & azure ocean to keep you amused when you’re not working. Technology-wise you can also stay connected easily.
As far as getting ‘island fever’ goes, I think that’s a personal preference as to how much of a variation you like in your environment. One of the only drawbacks about Grenada is that it isn’t the most easily-accessible island to get to – usually requiring a stop-over or change of plane from most places.
And the best measure of Grenada as a L.I.P location?….we will be coming back!!
