DAILY POSTCARD | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026 |
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Dear International Living reader, At 55, a painful divorce pushed this lifelong ocean lover to search for a fresh start in the "New Caribbean." Paradise healed his spirit—but not his budget. A short ferry ride revealed a laidback beach town with volcano views, legendary surf, and big savings. Now he lives richly on $1,200/month—caviar lifestyle, cheeseburger budget. | |
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A Caviar Lifestyle on a Cheeseburger Budget |
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| Born and raised in Salinas, California, I've always had an affinity with the ocean, be it surfing, sailing, or diving. So much so that I dropped out of college and took a job in a yacht repair and refurbishing company, where I spent my career. After 22 years of marriage, my wife and I decided to call it quits and we divorced. It was an incredibly emotional time of life, memories everywhere and I knew I had to get away. My love of the ocean brought me to a tropical, wave-lapped island. With great surf and sailing, it was all I hoped for and more. I began a much-needed renewal of mind and body. Thanks to the island's vibrant culture, friendly people, and delicious food, I was constantly engaged and soon forgot the trauma of my divorce. It was almost perfect. In fact, there was only one problem—I was draining my savings. The divorce lawyers had left their mark, and at the age of 55, I had $46,000 left in my bank account. The sale of my beloved pickup took this amount to $63,000. My new haven was cheap compared to the States, but it is a tourist island and therefore more expensive than I could afford. If I were to keep living in paradise with all the little things that make it special, I was going to have to do something drastic. A Canadian friend, Sandy MacGregor, who owns a popular coffee kiosk, suggested I try a beach town on another island, a 25-minute ferry ride from the first place I had settled. When I visited, I quickly realised the answer to my financial dilemma was hidden in plain sight. With its proximity and easy access to the first island coupled with a lower cost of living, I'd discovered the best of both worlds. |
The town itself is well-kept, surrounded by vistas of looming volcanoes, hidden beaches, untouched beaches, national parks, and the legendary surf break —which was discovered by a fellow Californian surfer, who spotted the break from his airplane window in 1972. There are some good places to eat, like the Seafood Sobo, which is at least five times cheaper than California. There are also some tasty Western eateries such as Baron's Steak and Burgers and several excellent Italian restaurants. The local food is fresh and healthy. The chicken you eat was scratching around in the yard an hour ago and is not laden with growth hormones. And the tropical drinks are amazing! One saving grace was that my ex-wife and I had agreed to rent out the house back home, which brought me $1,200 a month in income. I get by very nicely on this without breaking into my savings. I rent a one-bedroom house in a gated community for $360 a month, utilities are $60, my cable TV is $60, medical insurance is $80, and I only spend $250 on food, and toiletry shopping and eating out—this includes a few beers. I rent a small motorbike which is another $120 including gas. This leaves me with over $250 wiggle room, some of which I use to splurge on an $8 hot oil or hot stone massage… Heaven. During the high season, I have been getting some work with a British company carrying out yacht charters. I get between $250 to $500 depending on the distance. This certainly helps the finances and I'm doing something I love, seeing tropical islands I never imagined I ever would. Therefore, I can afford a couple of long weekends every month visiting friends and enjoying the delights of this special part of the world. Since I arrived two years ago, I have seen over 50 retirees/expats move to this town and call it home. It has a certain vibrancy, which keeps people coming back. I have even talked with Sandy about opening a coffee kiosk, as the locals have embraced Western-style coffee culture. I'm content and happy here, living my caviar lifestyle on a cheeseburger budget, reveling in my unhurried but adventurous new life. |
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Discover why US retirees, especially veterans, are flocking to a place we like to call: The New Caribbean. Click to learn more… |
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