Internationally renowned for stunning beaches and azure blue waters – as well as being the hang-out of the rich and famous – the Bahamas, a former British colony, is an extensive chain of 700 islands bordered by Florida and other Caribbean islands.
Article written by The Overseas Guides Company
The Bahamas remains a popular choice with expats thanks to the ease of property ownership there and freedom from capital gains, income and inheritance taxes. Buyers immediately qualify for permanent residency by investing $500,000 or more. Property prices in the Bahamas are generally quoted in US dollars, and there is something to suit just about every budget. You can pick up a fully-furnished two-bedroom condo for under $300,000, or splash out and buy hundreds of acres of land for more than $24 million. If you’re tempted, here’s a guide to three most popular – and populated – islands.
New Providence is the main island and home to the nation’s capital, Nassau and its international airport. The island is very cosmopolitan in nature, and offers a rich blend of history and modern convenience. Here you’ll find an array of restaurants, museums and shopping, as well as a casino. New Providence is also linked by two road bridges to tiny Paradise Island, which is home to the Cable Beach Golf Club and the popular dolphin encounters. Both islands provide access to the renowned Atlantis Waterscape – the world’s largest open-air aquarium. The Baha Mar Cable Beach development, a joint venture between the Bahamian and Chinese governments, is attracting plenty of attention at present, with townhouses, land parcels and boat moorings available for purchase. Apartments are also a popular choice in and around Nassau.
Due east of West Palm Beach in Florida lies Grand Bahama. The island is a mecca for tourists from around the world, with its five star holiday resorts and picture-perfect white sandy beaches. The island is also popular for its scuba diving, with an abundance of wildlife and one of the world’s largest underwater caves systems. Grand Bahama is home to many sprawling villas, offering a more spacious, relaxing environment for expats and larger holidaying families.
Nestled alongside are the Abacos Islands – a series of 120 islands surrounding the large, central island of Great Abaco. Home to family-run hotels, local nightspots and popular restaurants in the chain’s capital city, Marsh Harbour, the Abacos Islands are a prime base for sailing enthusiasts to caress the coastlines of these pristine islands and their crystal clear waters.
To see a range of properties in the Caribbean visit the Caribbean listings on Rightmove Overseas. One way to save money when buying in the Caribbean is to use a currency specialist when transferring your pounds into dollars or other local currency to complete the purchase of your property. For more information about this, contact Smart Currency Exchange or visit the Currency Zone.
To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in Caribbean, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘Caribbean Property Buying Guide’
The views and comments herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Rightmove Overseas, Rightmove Group Ltd or Rightmove Plc