“I could totally live here,” I said aloud for the fourth or fifth time since touching down in Barbados two days before.
I’m the queen of hyperbole, but in this case I was being perfectly sincere. Because Barbados, the island nation found in the Eastern Caribbean, was just so nice.
Let me explain what I mean right quick. The serial expat in me not only takes in the sights when I travel but also keeps an eye out for potential future homes. Even if I’m not seriously contemplating a move, I have an aptitude for judging places on whether or not I could see myself taking up residence there long-term. Call me crazy. Barbados spoke to me on a “I could make this a future home” level. From the manicured lawns with brightly coloured houses to the expansive sea views, Barbados was just so nice. 
From the fine sand beaches to the usually hearty, always flavourful cuisine (so much like the Jamaican food I grew up on), Barbados was just so nice. 
And from the warm reception of the locals and vibrancy of Barbadian culture, Barbados was just so — you guessed it– nice.
Bim, as the island is affectionately called by those in the know, is beautiful, balmy, and just feels like a place where the living is nice and easy. Our 10-day vacation exploring the West Indies, begun in St. Lucia and concluding here, had put us in the ultimate state of being unbothered. Within two hours of our four day stay in Barbados, I knew that this would be the perfect coda to an equally exciting and relaxing trip. What I didn’t realize was how much I would view the island as a potential place to stay for a while.
But let me tell you more about Bim. Our arrival to the island was swift and uncomplicated. Gliding through immigration after our 40-minute flight from St. Lucia, we picked up our rental car at the airport (I highly recommend getting a rental so you can explore the island at your own leisure) and were on our merry way. One difference between the two islands we noted immediately was how flat and smooth the roads were. After navigating the steep and bumpy roads of St. Lucia in a rickety rental car (and wishing we had paid the extra money to have a sturdier, all-terrain vehicle), we appreciated rolling along fluidly without fear of getting a flat tire or falling victim to whiplash (never welcome events on a holiday!) 
We also noted how relatively unobstructed the view was out our window as we drove: a broad swathe of blue sky floated endlessly in the horizon. This was different from St. Lucia, too: there, the rugged volcanic landscape (at least in the southern part of the island) always meant that there was some sort of hill, mountain, or dense vegetation looming in the distance.
A home away from home in St. James
Also contributing to that homey feeling was where we nested during our stay. Barbados is divided into 11 administrative districts (known as parishes) that each have their own distinctive flavour and character. Craving a slower pace for the beginning of our trip, we stayed in the quiet, family-friendly parish of St. James. The area, located on the western part of the island, also has what could be thought of as a more local flair since all the massive resorts (think: Sandals) are found on the more touristy south coast. The fringe benefit to this is that we practically had the beaches all to ourselves! 
St. James is also home to Holetown, a relatively posh area that was most notably the first settlement of Barbados. Once an offloading site for boats, Holetown is now filled with luxury stores and a slew of nice restaurants. Just walking around, like we did, is enough to lift your spirits: the storefronts are painted the brightest shades of the rainbow, giving the area vibrant, happy feel. 
Adding to the good vibes was where we lay our heads after wandering around our new environs: the Beach View hotel. We were offered a two-night stay in one of their airy apartment suites in exchange for a review, and I couldn’t be happier to oblige as we really enjoyed our time there. This lovely property, a self-catering, all-suite hotel, has, as suggested by its name, a delightful view of Paynes Bay Beach, which is quite literally across the road. Don’t believe me? Check out the vista from our balcony! 
However, views and proximity to the beach aside, what I liked most about the Beach View was that it allowed us to live like locals. Our one bedroom apartment had a large living room with comfy couches, a big TV so Liebling could watch his sports, and a full-service kitchen so that we could get our Betty Crocker on if we so chose. While we ultimately didn’t end up cooking, because we’re lazy, we did end up refrigerating some treats (read: local beer for Liebling) we purchased from the supermarket, conveniently located a short drive up the road. Regardless, with all the space and amenities the Beach View offered, we thought that it would be ideal lodging option for a family or a group of friends seeking something more cost effective and more intimate than a generic hotel or resort. I prefer this setup over, say, Air Bnb, because you have still have that “home” feeling without sacrificing hotel-type niceties like daily housekeeping and fresh towels (yes, I’m #fancy)!
Close encounters of the local kind
I’ve always said that have a local contact is the best way to get to know the place you’re visiting: they know what’s cool, what’s worth seeing, and are often a treasure trove of useful information about their city. However, it’s rare that I go places where I already know someone on the ground prior to arriving. Luckily, this was not the case in Bim. One of my teacher friends from Hong Kong, R, is a native Bajan, and just happened to be home for a visit while Liebling and I were on the island. She promptly took us under her wing and did an excellent job of showing us around and making us feel at home. She helped us craft an itinerary, recommended the best places to eat, and even took us to a party!
So there you have it, a not-so-brief explanation of why Barbados felt like a place I could really enjoying getting to know on a longer term basis. Brevity has never been my strong suit, however, so stay tuned for Part 2 of why I could totally live on the island!
Have you ever connected so strongly with a place on your travels that you could see yourself living there? Where and why?
40 Comments
I completely understand how you feel. Upon returning to Canada from my first trip to Barbados, I said to my mom that I would live here at some point. This year I made that a reality. I have been living in Barbados for the past 5 months. Sadly I leave on October 26, but I’m already planning my return for early 2016.
Great stuff as always, Oneika. Barbados just got a stamp on my “to-visit” list. Thank you much.
I’ve felt that way about a couple of places, the most recent from my travels being Bermuda – it was absolutely divine. Barbados has been on my radar for a while, and the way you have described it makes me want to leave NY right now and head there!
Oh totally! As soon as I set foot in Berlin, I knew that I could see myself living there, so I did! I also felt the same about Hong Kong. I first went there in 1999, just 2 years after “The Handover”, and it still felt very British. I felt quite at home LOL!
‘Love the photos.
Barbados is my homeland. It is nice to see someone’s perspective on my island. And it is true, of all the Caribbean islands, Barbados is considered the flattest, no volcanic mountain ranges. I hope you took a trek just a little farther north to my neighbourhood, Mullins Beach. If you didn’t then you have an excuse to come back again, soon!
My heart will always with Barbados as a place to live for sure!!! I went for the first time in 2009 and returned every year. Always had a few tears when we had to leave…no matter how long we stayed. Steve and I were married there in 2014. Love how our marriage certificate reads “residents: Yellow Bird Hotel, Barbados.” As we plan for retirement I’m sticking to my dreams of staying in BGI every winter ~ I know there are other places to explore, I guess deep down inside I also know that they will never live up to everything I love about Barbados. “My Happy Place” :)))))))
I can totally relate with this. I felt the same way when I visited Mauritius. I felt it was my second home and I’m currently planning on taking a second visit. With your compelling description of Barbados, I’ll be sure to visit next year en route US.
Love your blog.
Dying to make it to Mauritius– just met a French guy yesterday who said it’s an absolute must!
After I first went to Barbados, I haven’t been the same since. It’s like looking into Pandora’s box. You will kinda wish you never saw it if you can’t move there. Its a glimpse at Paradise. As for me, it’s what I have been searching for all my life. The perfect place. Its one of the main reason why I play the lottery. I spent 10 days there my first trip. Been there a total of 7 times now. Try leaving there and going back to 10 million people in Los Angeles and you will know how I felt about it. You might try and rob a bank to live that life. Its that nice.
I know exactly what you mean. Born in Barbados, I spent most of my life in the UK but returned to live permanently in my island home in August 2015. Loving it of course. As an ex pro-musician, I am reasonably traveled and the only place that comes close to Bim is Menorca in the Balearics. Same homely feel, friendly people and nice beaches wherever you look. But really, you just can’t beat Barbados. Yeah alright, I know I’m biased but truth is truth! (Loved the article)
So glad you enjoyed my little island. Most of my family is from there and I spent many summers there as a child. I absolutely ADORE that place and go back yearly (sometimes more than once, lol). It’s a beautiful place to live. If you do buy a home there, you won’t regret it 🙂
It’s an interesting contrast you note getting into St. Lucia vs Bim. I have visited St Lucia and the immigration officer was unreasonable and borderline rude. I have never been to Bim have always heard of how advanced it is compared to other Caribbean islands but also always got the feeling that it’s a place not that welcoming to other Caribbean citizens, as evidenced by the Shanique Myrie case. I hope to visit one day and experience it for myself.
Interesting! It may be that people thought I was a local due to my appearance. But when I had the opportunity to chat to people and tell them about my Jamaican heritage I found them pretty welcoming.
While I’m not a serial expat, I want to purchase either property or a second home in another country or two 🙂 so I’m always thinking about livability, also whether or not it’s a place I want to return to at all. Barbados definitely checks off the boxes for returning and living.
Barbados, is truly a great place to be, ever since I move in to barbados, I have been having nice time each day, know regret ever since, very peaceful island, very warming, the atmosphere is second to None…loves my new home Barbad
os!
I like the warm and happy feeling of this post. Barbados looks great. Thanks for sharing.
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