Most islands are surrounded by a seabut not all are created equal. Homes on the water, built to North American standards, can be had from $200,000. These are on the top of our short list and we realize October is not ideal but it's the only time that works for us. Most people take the time to stop for a cold drink before making the last leg of their trip home. It was a question we had heard several times during our six-month stay at Marios Marina on the Rio Dulce. Okay, I promised to provide both the pros and cons of living in Scotland. Roatan is a sunny place for shady people. Its diving that first brought the worlds attention to Roatn decades ago. You will usually board a small boat for the ride to the nearby reef where you will follow an anchored line up and down a few times, getting more comfortable. Sundowners Beach Bar is the perfect place to start the night as it closes early. Sitting off the coast of Honduras, the island paradise has something for everyone. Getting through customs is quick and only takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Others, like West Bay and West End, are packed with people, with resorts, condos, beach bars, and vendors abundant, with a soundtrack of Latin music and reggae. 1. Eager for a new cruising adventure, we jumped at the chance to follow our marina mates across the Gulf of Honduras in search of this exotic land. Roatan is a stunning island paradise located off the coast of Honduras. Although living on the beach in Roatan is more expensive than in other parts of the island, it will still likely be cheaper than renting an apartment in Los Angeles or Hong Kong. Re: Renting a car in Roatan pros and cons. The Philippines doesn't disappoint, and most expats can live comfortably on about $800 to $1,200 a month. Next, a trip along the famous Rio Dulce in Guatemala, another dream of ours, came true. I used to own at Sundancer. Scotland is the perfect country for anyone looking to move abroad. Home prices start around $250,000. Great job market. Trip Advisors list of the top 10 beaches in Central America rates West Bay Beach in Roatan as #1. Those looking to live the island life have found solace in the beach towns of Roatan. But with hospitals and medical clinics, banks, larger grocery stores, hardware stores, government offices, and other services, they often visit to run errands. If youre looking to have a late one, stop by Nova for a great DJ and dance music. For a friendly reminder of home, there will be plenty of expats around for you to link up with. And the good far outweighs any inconveniences in Roatn. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Local restaurants offer delicious and filling meals for around $6 a plate. Plenty of entrepreneurs who are searching for a way into the Honduran lifestyle first set up their companies in Honduras and utilize their business as a way to help them get their residency. Expect to see parrotfish, rays, sharks, lobster, tangs, puffers, jacks, eels, conch, damselfish, just to name a few species. I have been coming to Thailand since 1998. It is cheaper to live in Missoula as its living cost is below the average living cost of the state. How to Get to Roatn Stretch out under a shady palapa or enjoy a meal at Lionfish Louies, the on-site restaurant, one of the best places to sample delicious lionfish. Roatan has become extremely popular as a dive destination and the small airport at Coxen Hole services thousands of passengers each week. For expats averse to traffic, driving in Lagos will not be fun. Some people make small talk about the weather, Roatanians talk about how much they hate RECO (Roatan Electric Company). Any other small roads you encounter will most likely be dirt or gravel roads, but as the island grows, conditions are improving. In fact, you may decide that you never want to live anywhere else. Pros And Cons: Arkansas If you are looking for a cheap place to live. From poor roads to limited public transportation, Roatan is still very much a developing destination. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It offers a lot of job opportunities than any other country can. Many expats here live in condos close to the water or up on the hill, with spectacular views, which come with hefty price tag. Still, you can get yourself hooked up to the world wide web for around $50-$60 a month. East End expats are an independent, self-sufficient lot. As its only 30 miles off the mainland, Roatan is rather well-connected. The island has a minibus fleet that can get you from point A to point B. Minibusses have to be flagged down, so dont expect them to stop for you just because youre standing patiently on a corner. Go to the middle of the island and you have larger towns like French Harbour and Coxen Hole. In communities like Sandy Bay on the northern shore, which is mostly residential, as well as those further east you can still find beachfront lots and homes, some with their own dock for your boat. Waiting out the long winters in Ontario, Canada for the too-short boating season each year, had my husband, John, and me dreaming of heading south. $1,904 / month. Oftentimes, locals think that newcomers to the island are taking away jobs and taking food out of Roatanian mouths. U.S. citizens can travel with a passport without the need to apply for a special visa. Living in Roatan includes great food, Welcoming and friendly people, Low cost of living, natural beauty, and Great weather. In a real sense, Roatan is a prime example of an ancient observation: We do without doing and it all gets done. Lets start with housing. Luckily, down South, the value of a dollar still goes a long way. You can snorkel a reef full of tropical fish right from the beach. While living in Roatan is considerably more affordable than living in big cities in the US or Canada, there are some facts youll have to face. In general, real estate prices are quite affordable compared to other Caribbean destinations. Local restaurants offer affordable meals for as low as $6 per plate. In a beautiful state. Cons: Bad roads with huge holes, unsigned speed bumps that can launch you into space, no awareness by locals of traffic rules or driving behavior that you might expect or anticipate, total and complete liability that can drain your wallet and easily get you in jail, marginal and . The opinions expressed by guest contributors are theirs alone. There are plenty of flights coming into Roatan from all over the world. The regular crowd was out to enjoy music. The Honduras Bay Islands, a fellow boater said. If you want to plan a private trip around the island, several companies will sail you around the Bay for a fair price. Roatan is a part of the Honduran Bay Islands. The cost of living in Houston is lower than the national average, overall. Many dive centers offer the opportunity to become certified while enjoying a diving vacation. The Island is an amazing place to make great friends for life and take in the Caribbean culture. Watch the children swim and play in the sea while you savor a cold rum punch or margarita. Copyright 2012-2023, Nomad Capitalist Limited. However, be prepared to stay somewhere overnight when coming in from Europe. For those who are seeking a sophisticated beach town environment, West Bay is a fantastic spot, but its pricey when compared to other spots. You can either take the modern, jet-set option and fly into Roatans tiny airport. Fourteen years later, were living on the island of Roatn, the best-known of the three major islands that form the Bay Island archipelago of Honduras. There are two main ways to get to the island: water and air. From Glacier National Park in the northern part of the state to the border of Yellowstone in the south (with 3 of the park's 5 . Most of this work was done online, while sitting on Diamond Lil, rocking with the motion of the water below me. And by boring, I mean it is almost perfect every day. For a place right on the water, $800 to $1,000 is the going rate. And full-time residents appreciate the rain and understand its importance. The bottom line is that you have to review the facts for yourself and see if Roatan is your ideal match. Alongside overpopulation and increased car ownership, there are many cars on the road, poor road infrastructure and undeveloped public transport. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The local Rotary Club holds their weekly meetings on-site. The farther you go east, theres less development. In high season, during the North American winter, it hosts multiple cruise ships each day. We dropped our hook in French Harbour, Jonesville, West End, and Port Royal. As far as grocery shopping, you have plenty of choices here. Crystal clear water provides a beautiful setting for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Just because you are on a small island in the middle of the Caribbean doesnt mean that you wont be able to look after yourself. $1,011. 1. If the area youre eyeing has a view of the beach, you can expect to pay $1,000 or more. Expect to pay U.S. prices for staples at the grocery store. Another potential downside is the language barrier. Try your luck catching the saltwater grand slam species bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Unfortunate but true. Its an easy drive from Sandy Bay to the main town of Coxen Hole, or back to the West End, for shopping. Many homes offer water access too, whether its a community marina or dock, or even a private dock. Youll have to plan ahead to make sure youre not left in the dark or without a stove to cook with. The cost of living in Roatan is, for sure, lower than the cost of living in North America or Europe. Thailand is one of my favorite places in the world. Despite that, theres a little something for everyone. A residence visa for retirees, known as the pensionado, requires only $1,500 in income for life from Social Security, a pension, or some other similar guaranteed source. Instead of thinking in general about what makes you happy, think back to your most joyful moments. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Safety. The Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands), a group of 15 small islands about halfway between Roatan and mainland Honduras, is a UNESCO world heritage site. Missing your connection and having to stay in a hotel overnight and pay the transport to and from the airport will end up costing you the same. The world has dramatically changed in the past few years thanks to the pandemic. The permit process with the municipality was laidback and inexpensive. All electricity on the island comes from diesel generators that are run by an electric company. Of course, there are still those Caribbean classics like fresh coconut water to quench your thirst and fried plantain, or tostones, to fill your stomach. Delicious Vietnamese cuisine Pros and cons of living in Laos 2. Photos may be taken with personal cameras or purchased from professional photographers on site. And then depending on your business model, you will have to pay a fee. The thought of living the Southern California lifestyle can be alluring, but remember to weigh the disadvantages as well before deciding if San Diego is right for you and your family. With perfect weather and beautiful vistas, its obvious why most visitors enjoy the outdoors in Roatan. Dive sites are situated on every part of the island, with each one offering a unique experience. Living in Honduras PROS 1. From my beachfront resort on the west end of the island, I simply waded, waist deep, into the gin-clear water and found myself surrounded by large schools of rainbow-infused fish and sprays of purple fan coral clinging to coral heads. Healthcare. Pros Easy to get to - Roatan is easily accessible from the US. Most centers give you credit for your introductory lesson, so remember to ask about it. Affordable cost of living: The cost of living in Missoula is relatively affordable compared to other cities. Unfortunately, this particular company doesnt let you transport vehicles, so be sure to read over company policies before booking. Once you get there, you become absorbed in the island life. Cons: Public transportation is a huge problem; therefore, you have to own a car. Some are residential and virtually privatebut its a quick walk for you if you live in the community. Reserve your spot ahead of time and save yourself the headache. Cell phone service runs around the same price, about $50 a month. There are lots of excursions that you can go on to discover different areas of the island, such as the charming Oakridge Harbor, the very tropical Buccaneer, or the enchanting Maya Key Mayan ruin replicas. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But some retirees enjoy living here and frequent their own hangouts. Plus, the currents are quite tame, so you dont have to worry about being swept away with the tide. The west side of the island is almost always perfectly calm as it is sheltered from the prevailing trade winds. These rentals are usually on the sea, or have a sea view. There are lots of fishermen around, and one of them may be your neighbor. However, that's 17% lower than Manhattan, New York. The first is whether you ought to choose public or private health care. But remember that peak season means higher prices and plenty of tourists. 5. There is good availability for services related to pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics, orthopedics, dermatology, and much more. Or from snorkeling to settling down in a hammock for a nap, lulled by the warm sun. Public transport is more developed on Roatan than some of the other Bay Islands. Keep in mind that these prices depend on the season and the length of your stay. While many people on the island speak some English, its not nearly as common as Spanish. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Pros And Cons of Living in Orlando: Pros: No snowfall in the winter season . While you are waiting for everything to be finalized, be sure not to overstay your 90-day limit. Snapper, wahoo, tuna, and more are abundant in these waters. Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, and Fort Lauderdale are other big cities that have a good connection to this Caribbean island.