what are the pros and cons of becoming a resident of Bonaire ? what does it involve ?

The question can only be answered if you live here a while...The pros....the people...the cons...no Sunday times (at least a current one) Oh yes, fresh strawberries...

You just have to be very quick for fresh strawberries. Consales very early on Thursday morning. I love them too and just have to have them once and a while.

For becoming a resident, it really depends on whether you plan on retiring (have enough money to live on) or if you need to work. If retiring, you present proof that you can support yourself and provide lots of documentation about who you are: Birth Certificate, Marriage certs, Police report, etc. and than you wait about 3 months for your permit. Check with an accountant about your tax situation. Medical insurance maybe an issue too.

For work, you really need to get the job first and then your future employer files for your work permit. This may take a couple months or more. It all depends on the type of work and luck, I think. Once that is approved you go through another couple weeks for the resident permit.

We started a business, which gave us work permits, etc. It took us over a year to complete the process which is considered a very short time. We managed to connect up with friends who had friends and we were very persistant.

Other quirks of Bonaire: many private homes do not have hot water heaters, electrical is 50 cycles not 60 cycles, some houses have European type outlets, no real American network TV, ants.

The good stuff: fresh air, sunshine, nature, friendly people, time, outdoors 365 days a year, less stress, no killer commute to work, local food is pretty good, sense of community, long lunch hour.

Hello,
I live in Florida, my wife and I are offically retired. We have and income of approxiamately $3000 US per month, and must find a more apreeable/consitent and drier climate for our health. We wish to visit for a period of six months to one year, and then if the weather is agreeable to move there permantly. I need some advice as to cost and availability of renting a house for my wife and I and three grandchildren who live with us. Schooling for a 6,12,and a 12 year old must be a consideration. We like to eat out. We do not use alcohol or tobacco, and live quiet but active lives. We wish to do some volunteer work. I have an earned Dostorate in Education and my wife has a Masters in rehabiltaion counseling. We are practicing christians and would consider some work with a private school in exchange for tuition and or housing. Any information regarding housing, residency, schooling, long term rental or purchase of a car, etc will be very much appreciated. I await your repsponse(s) with anticipation. Dr. Bob!

Bonaire is a great place to live and your income sounds like it would be more than adequate. I am afraid we not have higher levels of education for the kids and what we do have is in Dutch. You really need to check it out very carefully.If they were brought up in the system it would be less of a problem...all of them speak 3 or four languages. There are no private schools to speak of so that option also would be out for the present, unless of course you wanted to start one, then 30 or 40 people would welcome you with open arms...

This is a respone to Michael Gaynor's reply to my query about schools. Michael you said something about starting a school. Where you talking about an Elementary/High School or College level? You mention 30 to 40 people that would be interested.
What is envolved in such a venture as far as regulations etc. Do you know or can you find out??? Thanks for any additional information. Dr. Bob!

email me at gmichael@bonairelive.net we should start a dialogue...Michael

oh shoot, oops sorry, but then again i was following this story with quite some interest. Why not continue it here so that we can be informed as well as to the possibility of a new school or something. Having an almost three year old son, i'm interested in all that has to do with education. Will i be hearing from y'all? Hope so .....