Living in Grenada (Caribbean) – Interview With an Expat

What is it like to move to and live in Grenada, in the West Indies?

I’ve spent several months sailing in Grenada and really loved the island. With its stunning nature and friendly people it’s one of the best Caribbean islands to visit. But is it also a good place to live?

To find out more about life in Grenada I interviewed Tiffany who moved here from the USA.

This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips about moving to the place the expat now calls home, and information about what to see and do here.

Life in Grenada, Caribbean

Name: Tiffany
Age: 27
Home town: Morgan Hill, California, USA

Her Story:

”I was born and raised in beautiful California, USA. The sunshine and nature have always been central to my being while soccer (football) was my main identity through college.

I played Division I Women’s Soccer at San Diego State University and studied Communication with a minor in Psychology.

Off the field, I loved exploring nature, learning about humanity, traveling internationally, and giving back. In 2015, I got scuba certified in order to explore the other ~71% of our planet. My family are all scuba divers and I was the last one to embrace the magic of the underwater world.

The experiences of scuba diving around the globe opened my eyes to a loving, alien-like planet, right here on planet Earth.

I began researching about the ocean and the creatures that called this space home. With this research, my love for the planet grew immensely and I quickly became an environmental activist, speaking up for the unseen world.”

Also Read: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Seashells or Take Them From the Beach

Why Did You Move to Grenada?

”Roughly 6 years ago, my dad and brother became PADI SCUBA Instructors so they could share the beauty of the underwater world with others.

They found their passion: to empower people to scuba dive.

They decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives diving, my mom wanted to live in a tropical climate with her family doing what we love, and I wanted to inspire a generation to protect our planet. Together, we collaborated on the idea of owning our own scuba shop with a mission to create “Ocean Engagement for a Healthy Planet”.

From California to Asia to the South Pacific to the Caribbean, we traveled around the world for a few years looking for our new “home”.

In 2020 a scuba shop went for sale in Grenada. Despite the challenging times my parents eventually managed to get on a flight to check out the island. With two thumbs up, my brother and I alongside our significant others traveled to Grenada to check it out for ourselves.

In January 2021, we were beginning the transition of owning our own scuba shop in the Caribbean, Aquanauts Grenada. :)”

What Do You Like About Living in Grenada?

”The people are SO kind, the nature is vibrant, and the weather is warm.

It’s less developed so it looks and feels a lot different than other islands. The true Grenadian charm is the colorful buildings around the island and the character of the people.

If you ever leave the island for a quick trip, when you return you will be greeted with so much kindness and warmth. People you didn’t think would miss you will give you a big hug upon your return and be genuinely curious about your trip.

Every time you return, you know you’re home again.”

What Do You Dislike About Living in Grenada?

”There are quite a few potholes on the roads, there isn’t a recycling center set up on the island as of yet (except for Grenadian-made bottles), and processing paperwork with the government can take 2 – 3 times as long as it would in the US.

“Island Time” is a thing to get used to when living in Grenada and it’s a little more challenging when you’re trying to run a business.

Patience is key when you live in the Caribbean.”

Is Grenada Safe as a Place to Live?

”Yes!

There is rarely any crime, some opportunistic petty theft, but nothing to be seriously worried about, especially if you’re street-smart.

The island already has a semi-large expat community including a well-established Medical / Veterinary school called St. George’s University. Locals are accustomed to foreigners living and working on the island.”

What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Grenada?

Scuba diving. 🙂 Grenada is STUNNING underwater.

I never get tired of the reefs, wrecks, and underwater sculpture park here. Grenada is the “Wreck Capital of the Caribbean” with over 18 wrecks. And the reefs are vibrant with fishes and corals flowing with the ocean.

The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other so there’s a wide variety of experiences to be had. Day or night, my favorite dive site is Veronica L Wreck. I’ll never get tired of exploring her.”

What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Grenada?

”Magazine Beach, for sure.

It’s a small beach that mostly locals hang out at and on a calm day, the snorkeling is beautiful. The view of the island is amazing from this spot and it’s a great place to escape the crowds (except on Sundays because locals love this spot too – Sunday is family day so everyone is there with their friends/family).”

What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Grenada?

”The South end of Grenada has a rather large expat community.

St. George’s University is located in True Blue so there are a ton of students from the US and Canada that live in this area.

Just east is Lance Aux Epines where there is also a large expat community, mostly families with kids and/or retired couples.

Grand Anse Beach and Mourne Rouge are also known for having quite a number of expats.

Grenada is south of the hurricane belt so you’ll also find a large yachtie community here year-round. Some sailors stay for a season while others have stayed for years with no plans of leaving any time soon.

Also Read: Sailing in Grenada – Everything You Should Know

A backpacker launched a Grenadian Expat Community Facebook Page in late 2020 so now the expat community is connecting even more too. :)”

Any Tips for Moving To / Living in Grenada?

”Patience, patience, patience.

You will LOVE living in Grenada if you’re up for a slower-paced lifestyle. Release your expectations of what you “think” the process of paperwork/driving/etc should be like and simply embrace it for what it is, without judgment.

When applying for work permits/bank accounts/etc, ask for a checklist of the items you need in order to be approved. If you simply ask an attendant if you need this or that, most likely you’ll be doing a few trips back-and-forth because they’ll answer your question straightforward and not provide more info than you asked for.

Save yourself the hassle and learn from our learning curve… ask for a list.”

Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Grenada?

”For connecting with expats, there are a TON of Facebook pages for specific groups! If you’re a student, search “SGU” and you’ll find at least 2 or 3. If you’re a sailor/yachtie, search “Grenada Cruisers” and you’ll find at least 2 pages.

For expats living in Grenada, here’s the link to their page: Expats in Grenada. It’s set as private so you will have to answer questions and be approved to join the community.

For housing, it’s honestly easiest to come to the island and connect with the community to learn about the best deals. Rent a car and drive around the island to find out which area you love best.

You’ll see a handful of “For Rent” signs on buildings and people are friendly so you can stop by and/or ask a neighbor if they know the owner and, most likely, they can give you their Whatsapp number.

From abroad, a great option is contacting a real estate company and/or checking Facebook pages again. There are a handful of different ones. My personal favorite is Apartment Rentals Grenada.”

Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving Abroad

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Grenada?

”Go to the north side of the island (stay overnight if possible, it’s so peaceful), hike some waterfalls, go snorkeling/scuba diving, and if you’re here during May – June, volunteer with Ocean Spirits to help collect data/protect Leatherback Sea Turtles!

The island tour with Mandoo Tours is AMAZING. He has a wealth of knowledge and can teach you SO much about the island. Do yourself a favor and go for his full-day tour.

Also, if you have time, go check out our sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique! Both are small islands with lots of natural beauty.

The country of Grenada truly is a hidden gem with lots to do. :)”

About Grenada, West Indies

Grenada is an island country in the Caribbean at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain.

The country consists of three larger islands; Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, plus several tiny islands.

Grenada lies just north of Trinidad and Tobago, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Being only about 348 square kilometers (134 square miles), with a population of just over 125,000 makes Grenada one of the smallest countries in the world.

The island nation is famous for its spices and is known as ”The Spice Island”, producing a lot of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and cocoa.

Grenada is a former British colony that only gained its independence in 1974. English is the official language and is widely spoken.

If you love a slower pace of life, friendly people, and beautiful Caribbean islands, you might just love living in Grenada!

Also Read:

• Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
• Living in St Kitts, Caribbean – Interview With an Expat
• Living in St Maarten, Caribbean – Interview With an Expat
• Living in the Dominican Republic – Interview With an Expat
• The Best Caribbean Islands to Visit & Why
• The Best Locations for Diving in the Caribbean
• How to Retire Abroad Early

 

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