The prospect of settling on a beautiful Caribbean island with warm temperatures and a laid-back lifestyle is becoming ever more appealing to a diverse array of people, including American retirees and digital nomads.
For those living in St Lucia, the island’s stunning natural beauty, outdoor activities, and annual festivals like the Saint Lucia Carnival add to the country’s appeal as a top Caribbean destination.
St Lucia is one of five countries offering Caribbean citizenship by investment, allowing easy migration for Americans who contribute to its economy. Foreign nationals can gain St Lucia citizenship and a Caribbean passport in exchange for investments such as purchasing pre-approved real estate or donating to the government’s national development fund.
This article presents detailed information about life in St Lucia as a US citizen and how to relocate to the island through St Lucia’s economic citizenship program.
About St Lucia
St Lucia is a small Caribbean country with a population of 173,996 inhabitants, spanning an area of 617 square kilometers. Although a small Caribbean island, St Lucia boasts some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region, including the iconic Pitons.
St Lucia’s capital city, Castries, is full of Caribbean charm, along with a growing expat community and high-quality international schools. Expats living in St Lucia cities like Marigot Bay, Rodney Bay, and Soufriere enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, surrounded by stunning natural beauty and national parks, and immersion in the vibrant culture of St Lucia.
Similar to other Caribbean islands, St Lucia is a popular tourist destination and tourism serves as the central economic pillar of the country. Additionally, the nation has a notable focus on agriculture, particularly bananas, as well as financial services like offshore banking.
Along with seven other Caribbean islands, St Lucia uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar as its official currency. Being a former British colony and member of the British Commonwealth, English serves as both the official and business language; however, 95 percent of the St Lucian population speak French Creole.
St Lucia is not considered a tax haven but offers a favorable tax environment, with no worldwide income tax, capital gains, wealth, or inheritance tax.
St Lucia joined the band of several countries offering Caribbean economic investment programs, allowing foreign nationals to contribute to the country’s economy and obtain citizenship and a St Lucia passport in return.
Benefits of living in St Lucia
- Enjoy permanent St Lucia living from a pre-approved real estate investment of just $200,000
- A relaxed pace of life on a beautiful Caribbean country with stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters
- A low cost of living compared to the United States and other developed countries in the Caribbean
- Avoid paying worldwide personal income taxes, as well as inheritance, capital gains, and wealth tax
- Proximity to the US, with daily direct flights to numerous US cities, including New York, Miami, Charlotte, and Atlanta
- Several festivals and street carnivals to enjoy, including the Saint Lucia Carnival and Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival
St Lucia vs the US Cost of Living
Americans living in St Lucia enjoy a lower average cost of living than the United States. Although prices for imported consumer products are higher, St Lucia offers abundant amenities, including a few international schools and high-quality medical services, which justify its value as a Caribbean destination to move to from the United States.
The cost to rent property in St Lucia is cheaper than in the US overall. Here is a comparison of the average cost to rent property in St Lucia vs the US:
Property Type | Average Monthly Rent in St Lucia | Average Monthly Rent in the US |
One-bedroom apartment in the city center | $510 | $1,770 |
One-bedroom apartment outside the city center | $325 | $1,450 |
Three-bedroom apartment in the city center | $890 | $2,960 |
Three-bedroom apartment outside the city center | $650 | $2,400 |
While some food items are more affordable in St Lucia than in the US, others have a higher price tag. For example, a one-liter milk carton is more expensive in St Lucia, but a loaf of fresh white bread, rice, eggs, beef, and chicken is cheaper.
When it comes to the best islands to buy Caribbean real estate, St Lucia stands out as one of the prime Caribbean destinations, featuring residential properties in coveted towns like Rodney Bay and Castries, boasting breathtaking beachfront apartments and luxury villas.
Life in St Lucia as an American Retiree
Living in St Lucia as a US senior citizen has become increasingly popular. There’s no shortage of things to do in St Lucia, from hiking through the lush rainforests of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gros Piton, and mountain biking on the island’s numerous trails to enjoying the island’s relaxed lifestyle and gorgeous Caribbean beaches like Anse Mamin Beach and Reduit Beach.
For American retirees fascinated by the history of the Caribbean nation, iconic sites such as Pigeon Island National Park and Morne Coubaril Estate provide captivating insights into the island’s rich cultural heritage.
St Lucia’s largest medical facility is Victoria Hospital, offering state-of-the-art care and medical facilities. In total, the country has three public hospitals and one private hospital that provide quality healthcare. Senior citizens can opt for a comprehensive health insurance policy from globally renowned insurance providers, including Bupa and Cigna Global, as well as a US insurance provider that covers treatment abroad.
The St Lucia government does not offer a dedicated retiree visa to obtain permanent residency; however, the St Lucian economic citizenship program allows American retirees to obtain Caribbean citizenship and permanently reside in St Lucia, with the added benefit of obtaining a Caribbean passport.
Moving to St Lucia as a St Lucia Citizen
Launched in 2015, the St Lucia citizenship program offers foreign nationals and their family members the opportunity to obtain St Lucian citizenship and live on the island in exchange for investing in its economic growth.
Foreigners are granted Caribbean passports within three to six months, and they can permanently relocate to St Lucia and enjoy island life and the country’s tax benefits.
Below are the four investment options in the program:
- Contribute $100,000 to the St Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF).
- Purchase pre-approved real estate for at least $200,000.
- Investing $3.5 million as a sole investor or $1 million as a partner in a $6 million investment in a new enterprise
- Purchasing $300,000 worth of government bonds
St Lucia offers the most investment options of all five Caribbean countries with citizenship by investment programs, and qualifying investments were further bolstered by the introduction of a new “Infrastructure Option” in February 2024. This new option allows foreigners to invest in infrastructure projects on the island, with a notably lower minimum investment requirement of $100,000.
Investing in St Lucia real estate presents an enticing avenue for Americans relocating to St Lucia. Pre-approved real estate buyers should note that real estate investments must be held for at least five years before they can be sold to maintain dual citizenship.
Take a look at our St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
Other options to move St Lucia from the United States
Several residency permits are available to Americans relocating to St Lucia:
- Permanent residency: After two years of renewing a St Lucia Multiple or Single Entry Visa, Americans can apply for St Lucia permanent residency.
- Citizenship by naturalization: Americans can apply for St Lucia citizenship by naturalization after seven years of residency in the country.
The Pros and Cons of Living in St Lucia
Living in St Lucia pros and cons are essential considerations for anyone considering moving to the island.
Pros:
- Tropical climate: St Lucia offers year-round warm weather by the Caribbean Sea.
- Low cost of living: Living costs in St Lucia are lower than in the US
- Daily direct flights: Americans have the option of direct flights to cities and States across the US, including New York, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Foreigners can also fly directly to other countries, including Canada and the UK.
- English speaking: US expats have no language barrier to overcome, as English is St Lucia’s official language.
- Safety: St Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s safer islands, with low crime rates.
Cons:
- Limited infrastructure: Americans may find that transportation routes and amenities like public and private hospitals lack infrastructure compared to major US cities.
- Hurricane risk: St Lucia is located in the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, making it vulnerable to severe weather events and natural disasters during hurricane season.
- Education system: While there are a few international schools, the St Lucia education system may not meet the standards of some American expats.
- Small size: St Lucia is a small Caribbean country with a small population, resulting in limited entertainment and cultural activity options.
- Island mentality: Some Americans may find St Lucia’s relaxed “island time” and bureaucratic process frustrating.
St Lucia Real Estate
The St Lucia property market is growing rapidly due to the island’s economic citizenship program. The dynamic tourism industry in St Lucia offers lucrative investment opportunities in low-price pre-approved tourist accommodations. Investors have the option to purchase properties such as modern condos, beachfront villas, and luxury resorts, with the dual benefit of obtaining St Lucia citizenship and earning rental income. Two-bedroom luxury villas in a town in the northwest part, like Rodney Bay, can be secured for as little as $200,000.
Discover why you should explore Caribbean Real Estate Investment
St Lucia Expat Community
Through the popularity of the St Lucia citizenship by investment program, the island has established a large expat community, offering a diverse cultural atmosphere and the opportunity to build connections with like-minded foreigners. Rodney Bay, Castries, and Marigot Bay are the most popular destinations among Americans living in St Lucia.
Get in touch with a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment specialist
Frequently Asked Questions about Living in St Lucia
Americans can travel to St Lucia without a visa through various direct flights from cities like Atlanta, New York, Miami, and Chicago.
Can an American live in St Lucia? Yes, a US citizen can live in St Lucia and there are already many Americans living in St Lucia. As a foreigner, a US citizen must obtain a residence permit to reside in the country or obtain St Lucia citizenship by investment.
Americans can buy St Lucia real estate, provided they obtain an Alien Landholding License. Alternatively, purchasing pre-approved property in St Lucia through the island’s citizenship by investment program is another option for buying property legally as an American.
Many Americans already retire in St Lucia through the country’s citizenship by investment program.
St Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s cheapest islands to live on. Estimates from Numbeo suggest a monthly budget of $1,500 to $2,500 is enough for a single person, while a family of four can live on the island with a monthly budget of $2,500 to $4,000.
Living in St Lucia as a foreigner is both enriching and challenging. The island nation welcomes expats through its friendly local population and vibrant culture. Foreigners enjoy the island’s relaxed lifestyle, friendly locals, and diverse outdoor activities. However, adjusting to St Lucian life may present hurdles, such as navigating St Lucian bureaucracy and adapting to cultural differences.
