Expat Aruba

Aruba is one of the more popular destinations for those seeking sun, sand and surf. Aruba has long been a high quality island for those on vacation, however for a few that visit, they choose to stay for a few months or for years as an expat. Aruba's economy focuses on the tourist industry for a bulk of its revenue, but a few other industries are present. While Aruba is not a tax haven, for those that love the sand and sea, it is a wildly popular destination for expats.

Climate

The climate on Aruba is extremely pleasant and comfortable. Aruba is considered a tropical island with a marine climate. There is little change in temperature year round, which usually stays constant from the mid to upper 70's to the low 80's. Trade winds are apparent year round and many find them to be refreshing giving the island a gentle breeze. It does rain in Aruba, but far less than many other Caribbean islands. The average precipitation is usually less than 20 inches and most of this rain falls in the late fall time.

As far as the water conditions go, Aruba is perfect for boating, fishing and water sports. The water is warm, blue and clear. For those that love the water and the beach, Aruba should not be missed.

Government

The government of Aruba is considered a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There is a parliament and an eight member's cabinet, along with a governor that is appointed by the monarch. Aruba along with the State of the Netherlands Antilles forms a commonwealth.

Aruba is very stable and extremely secure. The country is very developed and has plenty of facilities for tourists, residents and expats. The currency in Aruba is the Arubian Florin. It should be noted that the length of stay for Americans is two weeks; however you can easily extend your stay to 90 days by submitting a form to the office of immigration on the island. In order to enter the country as an American citizen, you will only need a passport (a visa is not required). You can find out more information regarding visa and entry requirements at The Royal Netherlands Embassy in the United States of America.

Tax System

Taxes in Aruba are usually classified as moderate to high. Aruba is not a tax haven as many other Caribbean islands. The individual income tax can reach as high as 38.9%. Besides income tax, other taxes are levied on individuals including a property tax, gift tax, etc.

For corporations, there is an income tax, however each industry differs, so it is best to consult with an Arubian accountant or you can visit Aruba Offshore Legal and Tax Regimes.

It should be noted that for some professionals and companies looking to relocate or do business in Aruba, there can be quite a few tax incentives available.

Medical Care

Medical care in Aruba is quite good. There is one main hospital on the island and it is comparably equipped as you may find in the US or the UK. Depending on your insurance, will determine the class of care you receive. For those well insured expats or tourists, you will find individual accommodations available. If you have basic insurance, you might find yourself rooming with two or three other occupants. For those without insurance, care will not be refused, but your accommodations will probably be crowed and less comfortable.

Before leaving for Aruba, make sure your health insurance covers medical costs in Aruba, if not, you might want to purchase a private insurance plan for healthcare on the island or for those with a limited budget, you might want to purchase travel insurance with a health care component included.

Real Estate

Surprisingly, real estate on the island can be affordable, but prime locations can be astronomical -- ranging in the millions of dollars for a beach front home. However, if you are looking for a condo or smaller two bedroom house, you can usually find a high quality home in the 300K range and bargain hunters can find homes for even less.

If you are looking to live in Aruba for a short period of time (less than a year) or if you don't have a large budget, you might choose to rent a condo or apartment. While most apartments are geared toward tourists, you may find some apartments with rental fees about the same as the states.

Shopping

For those that plan to stay on the island for long periods of times, you probably will be a little disappointed with the shopping on the island. While necessities are easy to find, household goods and non essential goods are harder to find and usually cost much more than in the United States or in Europe. However, if you are a tourist or staying for a short period of time, you will have lots of fun shopping at the many small boutique stores and markets.

As far as entertainment goes, Aruba has plenty of great restaurants, bars, nightclubs and activities. Aruba is known for its wonderful high end restaurants and excellent nightlife that has made it world renown as a top tourist destination. For those looking for plenty of outdoor activities, Aruba definitely delivers with many water based activities such as scuba diving, fishing, boating and snorkeling. There are many beaches and they are some of the most beautiful in the world. Aruba is known for its wonderful pink beaches and sideways growing trees.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Aruba is considered to be moderate to high. While housing costs tend to be moderate to high, costs for normal goods can be higher than what they cost in the states. Unfortunately, Aruba has only a few tax advantages and the large tourist population makes finding relief from high prices in restaurants and nightclubs slim. However, for those that are looking for true paradise, Aruba is definitely the place.