Is St Martin a good place to retire?

St. Maarten is a great retirement destination. The perks of living here include affordable, high-quality healthcare options and a good cost of living. You also get the ability to head to the other side of the island for amazing French cuisine.



St. Martin (the French side) and Sint Maarten (the Dutch side) offer a high-quality retirement for those seeking a "European Caribbean" lifestyle. The French side (Marigot) is ideal for those who value fine dining, chic boutiques, and a quieter, more relaxed pace, though it carries a higher cost of living similar to France. The Dutch side (Philipsburg) is a tax-haven favorite with no property taxes, no capital gains tax, and no customs duties on personal imports, making it highly attractive for protecting assets. However, healthcare is limited due to the island's size; while both sides have hospitals, serious conditions often require an air-lift to the US or Europe, so comprehensive medical insurance with evacuation coverage is mandatory for retirees. For active seniors, the 37 beaches and stable banking system provide a secure and vibrant tropical playground.

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Some of the safest islands to venture to in the Caribbean include Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, The British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Martinique, Montserrat, and St Barts. Check out our article: Living in the Caribbean – The Pros and Cons You Need to Know.

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There are no restrictions against foreigners owning property in St. Maarten/St. Martin, and the easy accessibility from many major cities in the United States, Canada and Europe has helped to make this island a preferred destination for second homebuyers.

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The most dangerous Caribbean islands. On the basis of crime rates, some of the least safe Caribbean Islands to visit include Puerto Rico, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago. As we noted though, most crime in the Caribbean is an internal problem and is linked to inner-city areas well away from tourist resorts.

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The safest island in the Caribbean is St. Barts. But Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, and the Virgin Islands are also comparatively safe Caribbean destinations. Notably, though the Bahamas are a popular destination, they're also one of the most unsafe islands in the Caribbean.

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DRINKING WATER Tap water on the island comes from desalinated seawater and is drinkable. We do recommend drinking bottled water which is readily available throughout the island.

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Maarten/St. Martin. Tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is recommended. High-SPF sunscreen is essential and recommended for those not used to intense sunlight.

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Based on 2022 data provided by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the ten least Caribbean islands/countries include Grenada, Saint Barthelemy, Suriname, St. Kitts & Nevis, Anguilla, Dominica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St Eustatius, Saba and Montserrat.

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Now with our criteria established and in no particular order, here are the best walking beaches in the Caribbean.
  • Cabbage Beach- Paradise Island, Bahamas.
  • Grace Bay Beach- Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
  • Playa Norte- Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
  • Grand Anse Beach- Grenada.
  • Eagle Beach- Aruba.
  • Jolly Beach- Jolly Harbour, Antigua.


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While the island has a lower crime rate than the Dominican Republic, it is not immune to crime. Visitors should be cautious when walking alone at night, particularly in unlit areas or unfamiliar neighborhoods. Another safety concern for travelers to Puerto Rico is the risk of natural disasters, particularly hurricanes.

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Anyone can own property on St. Maarten. Furthermore, there are no annual property taxes, no personal capital gains taxes and St. Maarten is a duty free port making the owning of real estate here all the more appealing.

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