7 Things to Love About Living in Antigua and Barbuda
Relocating to the Caribbean is a dream for many, especially individuals looking for a safe home. Because of this, citizenship by investment programs in the region continues to boom.
With this in mind, it’s not surprising that hundreds or even thousands of people choose Antigua and Barbuda citizenship because of the place’s beauty, location, and stability. Available through four investment routes, it is one of the top-grossing programs in the region and remains a prime choice for individuals and families in search for a second home.
1. Beautiful natural scenery
The beautiful natural scenery is one thing that significantly boosts Antigua and Barbuda’s appeal to foreign investors.
If you choose to live there, you can learn whether the country’s largest island indeed has 365 beaches – that’s one beach you can visit each day of the year. Regardless if this is true or not, the fact remains that the island houses some of the loveliest white and pink beaches in the world:
Dickenson Bay: This long and lively beach offers various opportunities for sightseeing. You can even see creatures of the deep by riding a glass-bottom boat. The beach is also a great place to enjoy some of the most exciting water-based activities like jet-skiing and banana boating.
Pigeon Point: Considered the main public beach in the southern coast of Antigua, this beach is the perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
Half Moon Bay: This secluded beach may not be undiscovered, but it does come with the privacy you can’t get on most public beaches in the Caribbean. This is because the beach is often deserted, making it the perfect spot to get away from the stresses of life.
Of course, Antigua has more than just beaches. There are also plenty of other natural wonders found on the island and its surrounding waters, including:
The Wallings Nature Reserve: a great place for hiking and exploration.
The Great Bird Island: perfect for snorkeling and a picnic.
Devil’s Bridge National Park: a geological wonder that holds historical significance for the country.
2. The Carnival
Besides the scenery, people also go to Antigua for the live events held in the country.
Celebrated annually around the latter part of July to early August, The Carnival transforms the island into a vibrant spot where you can enjoy a party filled with music, dancing, and alcohol. During the celebration, everyone wears colorful costumes and joins a parade not unlike the ones you experience in Rio de Janeiro.
While the Antigua Carnival usually involves locals, it is also open to guests who want to be part of the wonderful celebration commemorating the country’s rich culture and history. One can even become “Queen” of a band and wear extravagant costumes while taking center stage during the parade.
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3. Exciting adventures
Antigua is also an ideal second home for people with active lifestyles. Whether you’re a long-time sports enthusiast or just started to love water sports, you will surely be occupied, fulfilled, and happy by many exciting things in this Caribbean nation.
Besides snorkeling, swimming, and jet-skiing, you can also go fishing, scuba diving, sailing, and kayaking on one of Antigua’s gorgeous beaches.
Want something much more thrilling to get your adrenaline pumping? Try Antigua’s zip-lining, rainforest trekking, and organized safari experiences that are becoming quite the attraction for both tourists and locals.
4. Lower cost of living
Another thing you need to consider when living in another country is the cost of living.
While you may not choose to live there permanently, you’ll find that Antigua and Barbuda offers a life to long for. After all, very few countries can offer a relaxing lifestyle and beautiful neighborhoods with a low cost of living.
For one, living in Antigua and Barbuda is 20 percent cheaper than living in the U.S. Though it’s a bit on the high side compared to other Caribbean countries, it does have that luxurious appeal, making the cost of living a lot lower than what you can usually find in such a place.
Though utility rates are almost similar to the U.S., rent in the dual-island nation is also lower. A one-bedroom apartment only costs USD 1,000 in the city center and USD 700 outside the city.
Of course, you can always save on food when you live there, especially since plenty of affordable local food and products are available.
5. Stable currency
The Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) is the official currency of Antigua and Barbuda, as in a few other Caribbean nations. It is quite stable because it has been pegged to the United States dollar (USD) since the 1970s for a rate of XCD 2.70 per USD 1.
US dollars can be used to pay for things all over the country, but if you’re going to live there, you’d better have the local currency on you to fully enjoy the incredibly affordable Antiguan life.
6. Citizenship by investment perks
Another thing you’ll love about living in Antigua is the perks that come with its Antiguan citizenship by investment program.
Whether you choose to invest in Caribbean real estate properties, a government-sanctioned business venture, the National Development Fund (NDF), or the University of the West Indies Fund (UWIF), you can enjoy the following economic citizenship perks:
Dual citizenship: All economic citizens in Antigua can retain their original nationality and still be able to call themselves legal citizens of the Caribbean country, thanks to the dual citizenship advantage.
Visa-free travel: Antigua passport holders also enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival advantages when traveling to ally countries, such as the United Kingdom and Schengen member countries.
Tax benefits: Considered one of the top tax havens globally, Antigua implements no inheritance, wealth, and capital gains taxes on worldwide income. The country also offers tax holidays for qualified company profits that can last up to 20 years, on top of custom duties exemptions.
Citizenship extension to the family: You can also extend Antiguan citizenship to your legal dependents, including your spouse, children, parents, and siblings.
7. Access to key destinations and other Caribbean islands
Whether flying commercial or via private air charter service, you can reach key destinations from Antigua and Barbuda in just a few short hours.
You won’t have any trouble traveling for work or fun from the Caribbean islands, especially if you’re heading to North America and other countries on the eastern seaboard. Major carriers like Air Canada, American, Delta, Continental, and US Airways all have direct flights from the V.C. Bird International Airport to key cities, including:
Toronto
Miami
New York
Newark
Plus, they have seasonal flights to Montreal, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
You can also easily get to other Caribbean islands, thanks to Antigua’s location roughly 400 miles southeast of Puerto Rico and 118 miles from Dominica.
Choose a Beautiful Life
Antigua and Barbuda has one of the most appealing citizenships in the Caribbean not only because of the lower cost of living here but also because of the value-added perks you can’t put a price on. Take the things people love about the country into account, and choose a beautiful life and live it in this twin-island nation.
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