I should probably start charging a by-the-hour consultation fee for this service of people seeking advice on matters such as what it would take to relocate to an island, but the truth is it makes for such an interesting part of my job that I end up spending hours discussing everything with the “non-clients.” In fact, I get asked about this so much that I’ve decided to just compile the information into one concise post I can then refer everyone to.

Permanent residence by investment

This ought to make for some great news for anyone whose visit to some tropical island destination had them contemplating whether that environment could perhaps make for a permanent home as opposed to just a periodic exotic escape. You’ll be happy to learn that moving to an island is sometimes just a matter of investing in that island’s local economy, a step which effectively buys you permanent residence and in some instances even buying you citizenship!

It gets better though – merely buying a property at a certain set price qualifies as an investment in the local economy, so if you have the money then the island life is a perhaps just a property purchase away (there is quite a process involved though as far as the official terrace goes).

Some island nations which come to mind, offering citizenship by investment include Dominica and Saint Kitts & Nevis, amongst others like Malta in Europe.

Cabin fever

Cabin fever is a very real fear for people who’ve lived in a mainland country all their lives and upon making the permanent move to an island, they start to get overwhelmed by how small the island actually feels. You start feeling that there’s a bigger world out there waiting for you…

You’ll probably love it

Fortunately though if you ever find yourself being drawn to an island as a place to possibly relocate to permanently, chances are you’re an islander at heart and you’ll end up loving your new life. You might have to get over the onset of cabin fever, but usually it blows by and you start seeing the life you were drawn to for what it is. Many of the locals themselves don’t want to leave their home forever, which should be taken as a sign.

Try it out first

Lastly, as much as you might enjoy your Wakoloa Beach stay if you’re visiting an island such as Hawaii, remember that everyday life proper on the island will likely be different to that which you experience of it while you’re in your resort. You will be faced with the daily realities of what island life is all about – slow and oftentimes frustrating to those who are not quite entirely in tune with island life.

Things generally tend to be more expensive as well, if you can find them that is…

So what you need to do is first try it out, even if you’re convinced you’ve always been an islander at heart. Live on the island for at least a week and see how it really is.