When we decided on Aruba for our condo purchase property taxes was at the bottom of our list in making the choice. We were looking for a place to escape our harsh/long Upstate NY weather, so being outside the hurricane belt was our first consideration. We didn't want to take a chance on owning something far away from our home in the states that could be destroyed by something that was out of our control or pay higher home owners insurance for the same reason. Next we looked at relative safety and and crime rates, Aruba checking that box as one of the safest in the Caribbean. Next on the list was the friendliness of the locals, and for those that travel there we think that speaks for itself, as it's really tough to not feel welcomed on the island. Since we had planned to stay on the island for longer stretches of time, we also wanted a location that was a little Americanized, yet diverse in it's landscape and Aruba checked that box too. So then we spent a number of years looking at properties in different locations that fit our budget, and finally ended up where we are today. Initially we thought that we would never rent our property, but after furnishing it locally and getting a feel for how the management company functioned, we gave it a try and after two years running we've yet to have an incident and the income is a nice perk. We have enough storage to leave our belongings locked away and at our age traveling for weeks/months at a time with only a carry on makes it so much easier. At this point we have no regrets, and would do it again in a heart beat.
Now to the property tax situation, which is the topic. It is safe to say that we all pay property taxes in some fashion, whether through ownership or renting, be it thorough our primary residence, vacation home, income property or business, to name a few. Aruba in comparison to where we live in the states, is a bargain and with the tax increase is still a bargain in comparison. Where the government is making a mistake, IMHO, is that that they are charging a higher rate to the hand that feeds them and I think that it gives the wrong impression to foreign investors. It's similar to the same mind set for the booting and towing of tourists when they initiated the paid parking system...well sort of. If you want to deter the tourist from visiting or investing in a foreign country, then either piss them off or segregate them with higher fees and you'll be successful at doing so. Has all of this changed our thoughts of purchasing there...not yet. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the long run, just like the paid parking. Maybe the government will notice a shift in foreign investment and make adjustments and maybe they won't. All in all we're very happy with our purchase and look forward to many years of usage, and that's what it's all about...for us
