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Anguilla is an overseas British Territory which is 16 miles long and 3.5 miles wide.
Having worked on this beautiful island a few years ago, I am sharing all the pros and cons of living in Anguilla in this post.
The advantages of living in Anguilla are that the island is beautiful and sunny with world class cuisine and a stable currency. On the other hand, the drawbacks are that the island is small, prone to hurricanes with no public transportation and no international airlines flying to the destination.
Read on for more details on the pros and cons of living in Anguilla. First let us begin with the advantages.
Pros of Living In Anguilla
Anguilla’s Currency Is Stable
The official currency of Anguilla is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, however the USD dollar is popularly used on the island for most transactions.
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar has been pegged to the US (United States) dollar since July 7th, 1976 at a rate of USD $1 to XCD $2.70.
This currency is also shared by seven other Eastern Caribbean islands and is managed through a regional central bank which is based in St Kitts.
If you are considering moving to Anguilla, then there is no need to worry about huge currency translation losses.
The Island Is Safe With Amazing Beaches
Anguilla is a stunning, peaceful and safe island with wonderful beaches and a great diving experience.
One of the most popular and well- loved beach on the island is Shoal Bay East Beach.
This beach is long strip about 2 miles with perfect white sand and clear blue waters.
Other well-known beaches on the island are Sandy Ground Beach and Rendezvous Beach. Crime on the island is very low and I felt safe moving around the island in the day.
As with every other destination, precaution must be taken at night. In addition, it is very easy to drive on the island due to its flat terrain.
Anguilla Has Amazing Restaurants
This point deserves a category all by itself. When it comes to food, Anguilla definitely has some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean.
If you are a foodie at heart you will love Anguilla. There are several high end restaurants on the island where the cuisine is top class.
Even lower end restaurants have excellent food. So if you are visiting the island, explore and try the many dishes at the restaurants.
Veya Restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants with a unique tree house setting on the island.
Easy Access To St Maarten/ St Martin
Even though it is tough to find certain specialized items on the island, Anguilla has easy access to neighbouring island St Maarteen/ St Martin.
In St Maarteen/ St Martin, it is easy to find a large variety of goods and services.
Feel free to click on the upcoming link The Government of Anguilla for the website to check times and schedules of the ferries.
Be sure to verify visa requirements.
As an example, I was only able to take the ferry on the Dutch side and not on the French side even though I was able to go to the French side while I was on the island.
However, for immigration reasons I was only able to enter the island on the Dutch side.
Sunny Weather Is Almost Guaranteed In Anguilla
While Anguilla has a rainy season as other Eastern Caribbean islands which coincides with the hurricane season.
This season begins from June to November annually, the amount of rainfall that Anguilla gets is significantly less.
This means that if you are planning for a vacation, sunshine is almost always guaranteed which is easier for an exciting beach day.
Cons of Living In Anguilla
Limited Direct International Flights
The only international airline that currently serves the island is American Airlines which currently has daily flights from Miami International Airport.
Therefore, international travelers from various cities may consider flying to Antigua or St Maarten and transfer unto smaller airlines such as Seaborne or Winair to Anguilla.
If you are travelling to the island, ensure and have some necessary items in your carry on bag via the smaller carriers.
There is No Public Transportation System
Unfortunately, there is no public or private bus transportation system on the island.
Therefore, if you are relocating to the island, buying a vehicle should be considered for ease. There are private individuals who provide taxi service on the island but this can be expensive.
The Cost Of Living Is High
Anguilla is an arid and dry island and as a result the soil is not suitable for growing an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
As a result, much of the food that is consumed on the island is imported. This makes the costs of goods and services much more expensive.
The Island Is Situated In The Hurricane Belt
Despite having lower levels of rainfall than other Caribbean islands, Anguilla is located in the hurricane belt and had its fair share of catastrophic storms.
The last devastating storm to hit the island was September 6th, 2017 when a category five hurricane Irma caused significant damage to hotels, restaurants, homes and other buildings on the island.
Final Thoughts
The pros of living in Anguilla are that the island is extremely safe with amazing beaches and excellent cuisine. Alternatively, the cons are that island is situated in the hurricane belt with no public transportation system and no direct and non-stop international flights to the island.
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