Retirement. No more daily 9 to 5 schedule, an entirely new approach to life. The thing we've all known will inevitably happen someday, but what if that 'someday' was actually today. What if that today is actually on an island in the Caribbean at your beachfront property where you relax, take in the sunshine, and feel the warm breeze sweep across your face. Now, we all want to know what living your best-retired life is really like, what you can expect when moving to Aruba and how you can turn your dream life into reality. We're blessed with more sunny days in Aruba than any other island and only get on average 18 inches of rain per year.
The island itself is small, diverse and a melting pot of different cultures. With an average temperature around the low 80's year-round, clear skies, and warm sunshine, it's not surprising why so many choose Aruba as their retirement destination. The scenery speaks for itself, from white sand beaches to tropical plants and greenery all over the island. It so happens to be that Eagle beach was also named the 3rd best beach in the world (2019). What could be better than that? You can take on a new adventure every day - go for a hike, sign up for a yoga class or go snorkeling with the turtles. At 19 miles long and 6 miles wide, Aruba is a natural playground and so easy to explore without feeling cramped or it being overcrowded.
The good news is you don't have to be a permanent resident to be able to buy a home in Aruba. Stay on the island for a total of 30 days without a tourists visa or 180 days (6 months) with a special tourist visa. Retirees and pensioners are eligible to apply for a special permit when meeting special criteria (age + income). When looking for homes to purchase keep in mind there are two different types of property you can own, either Long Lease Land or Property Land. What's the difference you may be asking? with Long Lease Land (LLL), the land itself is owned by the Land of Aruba and is a lease for 60 years. You pay a yearly fee on the property. A majority of land in Aruba is Long Lease Land and many popular areas such as Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, and a large part of homes built in the Noord area are situated on long lease Land. Property land is owned outright by the deed holder. If you're thinking about financing a property, local financing is available to non-residents who decide to purchase a home in Aruba. Banks will typically lend up to 60% of the property's value.
Low crime rates, friendly people, and helpful locals make the island what is. Aruba has always been known to be "one of the safest places in the Caribbean." Being located well south of the hurricane belt makes it a great place to live all year round. The reason why Aruba makes people so happy is the peace of mind you get to experience while here.
When thinking about safety, we don't always think about life necessities like water. Having clean and safe water to drink is very important. Not everyone knows this, but all of Aruba’s tap water is safe to drink. The water here meets some of the highest standards set by the World Health Organization. Compared to many other Caribbean destinations this is most definitely a luxury taken for granted by many because for the local population, this is the norm. Being able to use water straight from the tap is not easy but super convenient. This will save you tons of money and reduces litter. Locals tend to just use a reusable water bottle when on the go and have a glass canister always filled up when at home. Nothing tastes better than a glass of cold refreshing water after being out in the Aruba heat all day.
Now that you know a little bit more about Aruba, are you ready to take the leap and live your best retired life? Who could say no to warm weather, soft sand beaches, and clear blue skies all year? Whenever you're ready to start your dream home search, you know you can always count on RE/MAX Aruba to help guide you through the process. Our local experts have years of experience and knowledge. For more information, you can send us an email at info@remaxaruba.com
