Thinking of moving -- what is Aruba like?

Donnaneedsanewlife · 10-28-2009, 02:25 PM

I know this sounds very silly but I am a girl who loves the carribean beaches and relaxed lifestyle. I have four kids (ranging in ages from 9 to 18). I've never even been there but I would like to move to a tropical location that is off of the hurrican path. What can you tell me about Aruba -- I am a school psychologist in NJ but would easily sell hair clips on the beach or tend bar and trade in my degree for sun tan lotion.

Sunny Beaches · 10-28-2009, 02:50 PM

You go girl, it is my understanding you need to become a dutch citizen if you want to be year around or provide something a Aruban can not, your degree might? You have a lot of research to do. Good luck with the clips & sun tan lotion! P.S. me & dw would love to do the same.

*Arubalisa* · 10-28-2009, 03:49 PM

seriously considering relocating - help!

US citizens / Aruba residents - taxation

Health Insurance

Applying for Residency

Are there restrictions

lizzardo · 10-29-2009, 10:02 AM

Actually you don't have to become a dutch citizen to live here - myth!!!
To tell you the truth living in Aruba has been the best time in my life and
despite it's "warts" - I would live here forever if I could. We are not
looking forward to moving back to the US.

Also - a very good development is the recent election and the new PM
of Aruba is much more "pro american" than the previous administration.
He's a very smart guy and we are seeing improvements already. They
are re-doing the Parliament in town instead of deciding to tear it down
and move somewhere else. It's a beautiful place and we are happy to
see the old girl come back to life. His platform is to slow down all the
over building and he acknowledges the importance of the "american"
influence on the island which is a HUGE step to making this island
even better than it is.

Aruba does have tough employment laws - but I think if you turned
the argument around and asked people from the US if they would like
a law that showed why an american citizen could not fill a job that would
be given to a non-US citizen without some kind of "special skills/qualification" -
they would say "hell yes". As a programmer who worked in the US
for a long time - I know I would love to see that as I have been laid off
from jobs due to outsourcing in India.

It is a place of charm and still has a "small town" feel to it. Everyone smiles
and says "hello" to each other and the people here are the best.

So if I had my choice (but don't due to my 82 year old parents failing health)
I would stay here for the rest of my life!!!

luvsun · 10-29-2009, 10:20 AM

I'm so glad to hear that Liz!

Were coming up on our departure time, email me and let me know if you need supplies for the kitties...

Leslie

Donnaneedsanewlife · 10-29-2009, 08:39 PM

Life in the tropics HAS to be better than this....making new friends, owning nothing but bikinis, shorts, and flip flops is what I'm thinkingl.

lizzardo · 10-30-2009, 11:10 AM

It's true! I haven't worn a long sleeve shirt or closed toe shoes in ages!!
Never on the island. But when I did go to Florida - I was freezing
with how low their airco was everywhere! LOL!

stormshadow317 · 11-04-2009, 11:50 AM

Donna,
I'm with you!! I'm trying to move there too. I'd love to hear how things are going. If you have msn messenger add me at digitaldali or yahoo messenger at oneironaut77 I'd love to keep in touch with someone else that is trying to do the same thing.
Damian

10-28-2009, 02:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Donnaneedsanewlife Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Thinking of moving -- what is Aruba like? I know this sounds very silly but I am a girl who loves the carribean beaches and relaxed lifestyle. I have four kids (ranging in ages from 9 to 18). I've never even been there but I would like to move to a tropical location that is off of the hurrican path. What can you tell me about Aruba -- I am a school psychologist in NJ but would easily sell hair clips on the beach or tend bar and trade in my degree for sun tan lotion.

10-28-2009, 03:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,602 Images: 68	seriously considering relocating - help! US citizens / Aruba residents - taxation Health Insurance Applying for Residency Are there restrictions __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba Back to paradise Trip #19

10-29-2009, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
lizzardo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 402	Actually you don't have to become a dutch citizen to live here - myth!!! To tell you the truth living in Aruba has been the best time in my life and despite it's "warts" - I would live here forever if I could. We are not looking forward to moving back to the US. Also - a very good development is the recent election and the new PM of Aruba is much more "pro american" than the previous administration. He's a very smart guy and we are seeing improvements already. They are re-doing the Parliament in town instead of deciding to tear it down and move somewhere else. It's a beautiful place and we are happy to see the old girl come back to life. His platform is to slow down all the over building and he acknowledges the importance of the "american" influence on the island which is a HUGE step to making this island even better than it is. Aruba does have tough employment laws - but I think if you turned the argument around and asked people from the US if they would like a law that showed why an american citizen could not fill a job that would be given to a non-US citizen without some kind of "special skills/qualification" - they would say "hell yes". As a programmer who worked in the US for a long time - I know I would love to see that as I have been laid off from jobs due to outsourcing in India. It is a place of charm and still has a "small town" feel to it. Everyone smiles and says "hello" to each other and the people here are the best. So if I had my choice (but don't due to my 82 year old parents failing health) I would stay here for the rest of my life!!! __________________ Beautiful house in Arashi for sale! www.arashibeachhouse.com Aruba Kitten Rescue www.arubakitten.org

10-29-2009, 10:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
luvsun Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Playa Linda Resort...and their beach bar! Posts: 75	I'm so glad to hear that Liz! Were coming up on our departure time, email me and let me know if you need supplies for the kitties... Leslie __________________ St. Eustatius Travel Tips

10-29-2009, 08:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Donnaneedsanewlife Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	I cant wait Life in the tropics HAS to be better than this....making new friends, owning nothing but bikinis, shorts, and flip flops is what I'm thinkingl.

10-28-2009, 02:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sunny Beaches Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 276	You go girl, it is my understanding you need to become a dutch citizen if you want to be year around or provide something a Aruban can not, your degree might? You have a lot of research to do. Good luck with the clips & sun tan lotion! P.S. me & dw would love to do the same.

10-30-2009, 11:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
lizzardo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 402	It's true! I haven't worn a long sleeve shirt or closed toe shoes in ages!! Never on the island. But when I did go to Florida - I was freezing with how low their airco was everywhere! LOL! __________________ Beautiful house in Arashi for sale! www.arashibeachhouse.com Aruba Kitten Rescue www.arubakitten.org

11-04-2009, 11:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
stormshadow317 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2	Donna, I'm with you!! I'm trying to move there too. I'd love to hear how things are going. If you have msn messenger add me at digitaldali or yahoo messenger at oneironaut77 I'd love to keep in touch with someone else that is trying to do the same thing. Damian