What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Barbados

Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island which is a favorite of many tourists looking for sun, sea and sand. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of living in this beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados.

The pros of living in Barbados are that the island is beautiful, it’s currency is stable and it’s history rich. On the other hand, the drawbacks are the threat of natural disasters, high cost of living and there could be a loss of privacy.

Pros of Living In Barbados

Barbados Is A Beautiful Island With Rich History

The island is well known for its beautiful beaches and tropical weather. Oistins Beach and Miami Beach are well loved by visitors to the island. The island has a dry season and a rainy season annually.

Hereunder are some attractions that are unique to each island:-

Harrison cave is a unique spot on the island where you can enjoy a tour inside where you can see stalactite and stalagmite formation. There is a bar and a gift shop on the property for added entertainment.

Bridgetown and its Garrison have been designated as a UNESCO Heritage site due to its excellent architecture.

These buildings were constructed in the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries and were well preserved until today. Some of the 30 sites and attractions include:-

• Barbados Museum & Historical Society
• National Heroes Gallery & Museum of Parliament
• George Washington House & Museum

Excellent Access To International Cities

There are several airlines from major cities in both the USA and Europe that provide direct and non-stop service to Barbados. The table below gives a list of the airlines and the country of origin of flights to the island.

Stable Currency

The USD $1 is equivalent to BBD$2 and is also pegged to the US Dollar. The Barbadian currency is managed by Barbados’s own local central bank. The US dollar is generally accepted at most business places on the island.

As with other countries, businesses at times may be skeptical accepting foreign notes of higher denominations. US notes that are tattered and worn may be declined by businesses.

The island is Safe

According to the US Department State, Overseas Advisory Council based on a 2018 crime report per 100,000 citizens, Barbados had 10 murders and 1 kidnapping per 100, 000 citizens.

Barbados is an excellent vacation spot for solo female travellers for this reason. Visitors can walk and take public transportation safely. I am comfortable walking safely and taking public transportation on the island.

Nevertheless, due care must be taken as in any other country. Visitors should avoid walking in secluded areas at nights and take only taxis authorized by the Taxi Associations.

Greater Opportunities

In terms of job opportunities, Barbados usually has better prospects than other Southern Caribbean islands

As an example, if a company is coming to set up operations in the Caribbean, and they are looking for an island as a head quarter, Barbados is usually the selected choice.

Smaller offices or branches are usually set up in other Caribbean islands which may mean less opportunities if you reside in those islands.

Advanced Medical Facilities

When compared to other islands in the Southern Caribbean such as St Vincent, Grenada and St Lucia, the medical facilities are better. Nationals from other Southern Caribbean islands usually seek medical treatment in Barbados regularly.

There are more modern medical facilities such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) service provided by Barbados Fertility Clinic which attracts persons from around the world.

See Also: What Are The Pros & Cons of Living In Grenada And What Are The Pros & Cons of Living in St Vincent

Cons of Living in Barbados

High Cost of Living

The cost of living in Barbados is high. As an example, for a family of 4 the cost of electricity is about USD$80 for electricity, USD $65 for water and USD$75 for internet, landline phone and cable TV.

Most of the food consumed on the island is imported and thus the prices are higher when compared to the USA. The table below shows costs of some staple items in Barbados to give you an idea of the prices.

Threat of Natural Disasters

Barbados is located outside of the hurricane belt. Despite this, it has not been spared of the effects of hurricanes.

The last storm that made landfall was Harvey in 2017. Tropical storm Gonzalo in July 2020 passed 12 miles to the southwest while hurricane Elsa passed south of the island in July 2^nd, 2021.

There Could Be A Loss Of Privacy

While there is a great sense of community which can be helpful in smaller island societies, the drawback to this is that there is a loss of privacy.

In small villages and communities where everyone knows everyone, people may tend to overstep which can be detrimental to relationships and families; hence a measure of privacy could be loss.

Final Thoughts

The pros of living in Barbados are that the island is extremely safe with amazing beaches, interesting history and easy access to international cities. Alternatively, the cons are the high cost of living, there could be a loss of privacy and the threat of natural disasters.

If you are contemplating traveling to Barbados or the rest of the Caribbean, cruising is an affordable option to consider. I have recently completed an informative course by cruise specialist, Emma Cruises which you should check out titled How To Cruise For Less.

This course provides detail tips and techniques on how to save money while cruising onboard, onshore as well as the importance of insurance. So if you if you are considering a cruise for your next Caribbean vacation, check out How To Cruise For Less.

Need More Information?

Feel free to browse our website for more content on Barbados and the Caribbean by using the search bar located at the top of this page. The following are some of our articles which we believe may be suitable for you.

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Grenada Vs Barbados ( Which Island Is Better For A Vacation)