There’s something about the Caribbean that calls to people at a certain stage in life. Maybe it’s the shift in pace, the better air, the bigger views. Or maybe it’s the clarity that comes from stepping back.

More and more North Americans are answering that call, and Barbados is quickly becoming more than a holiday destination. For many, it’s a second home. For others, it’s a first-class lifestyle upgrade.

At Apes Hill Barbados, we meet homeowners from across the US and Canada, each bringing their own story but drawn by a shared instinct. This feels like somewhere they could truly belong. If you’re considering the same, here’s what you need to know.

Some things speak for themselves. Barbados is a safe, English-speaking destination that is easy to reach from most major cities across the US and Canada. Direct flights from New York, Miami and Toronto make weekend escapes effortless, and more than a few guests end up staying longer than they planned.

It’s a place where good weather is the default, the sea is always nearby and people greet each other like neighbours.

Healthcare is strong. The infrastructure is modern. The currency is pegged to the US dollar. And for those working remotely, the island’s Welcome Stamp visa created a model that many others have since tried to follow.

Beyond the practicalities, Barbados is simply an enjoyable place to live. Low crime rates, clean beaches, fresh food and a rhythm that never rushes you out the door.

Yes, there are no restrictions on foreign ownership and buyers enjoy freehold title. The process will feel familiar to most North Americans:

• A deposit of 10 percent secures the property
  
  

• Your attorney carries out the title search
  
  

• Completion takes place in around three to six months
  
  

You’ll want to register funds through the Central Bank of Barbados. That ensures you can sell and repatriate your investment later without friction.

Buyers are responsible only for legal fees, typically around 1.5 to 2 percent of the purchase price. The seller covers the stamp duty and transfer tax, which keeps buyer-side costs relatively contained.

This is where Barbados shines. The tax environment is refreshingly straightforward:

• No capital gains tax
  
  

• No inheritance or gift tax
  
  

• No restrictions on moving funds back home
  
  

Annual land tax starts at zero for homes under BBD $150,000 and tops out at just one percent over BBD $850,000.

If you're considering living here more permanently, the Welcome Stamp covers remote work for 12 months, with options to renew. Alternatively, a Special Entry and Reside Permit (SERP) offers a longer-term path for retirees and second homeowners.

Rental income is taxed locally at 25 percent, but there are no hidden levies or layered bureaucracy. Things are kept clean, clear and investor-friendly.

Life at Apes Hill doesn’t take long to adjust to. Mornings are made for walking, golfing or fresh juice on the terrace. The days unfold at a pace of your choosing. Some do plenty. Others do as little as possible.

Apes Hill sits 1,000 feet above sea level, where the Atlantic trade winds feel like nature’s own air conditioning. It’s part of what makes the air here so clean. It’s also why this island has one of the highest numbers of centenarians in the world.

There’s a rhythm to living in Barbados that’s hard to describe, but easy to fall into. It’s social when you want it to be, solitary when you don’t. You’ll find seafood markets on a Tuesday and jazz by the water on a Sunday. You might spot green monkeys in the gullies and make friends over Padel matches.

Life flows differently here.

Not all real estate is created equal.

At Apes Hill Barbados, our homes are woven into nature. Surrounded by forest and ocean views, and cooled by the island’s cleanest air. Our golf course is world-class and our amenities, from the Performance Centre to the Beach Club, are designed to match.

It’s a community in the truest sense of the word. People come for the golf, the views and the villas. They stay because they feel something deeper.

Each home has access to a team that guides every step, starting with choosing your plot and ending with personalising your finishes. Our villas range from turnkey options to fully bespoke builds, all designed with indoor-outdoor living in mind.

This isn’t a hotel with a golf course. It’s a home with everything you need to live well.

Buying in Barbados is about more than real estate. It’s about rhythm, space, family, health and finally doing things your way.

Whether you’re planning to retire, invest or relocate, Apes Hill Barbados is ready when you are.

Explore our collection of villas, or book a discovery stay to experience the view for yourself.