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Aside from its beauty and low cost of living,
the most compelling reason for living in
Cuba is its convenient location. The country
is only about 100 miles from U.S. mainland
- making it very accessible.
Tropical Cuba is really closer to the U.S.
than Mexico's best vacation sites. One has
to travel hundreds of miles into Mexico
to find good resorts, tropical climates
and the best area to live-northern Mexico
is dry in the summer and very cold in the
winter. Nearby resorts like barren Ensenada
and Rosarito in Baja California is
no match for Cuba's tropical beauty. In
addition, Mexico has lost much of its appeal
as a retirement haven in recent years due
to a number of factors. At present the country
rates a close second to Columbia when it
comes to violence, corruption, kidnappings,
drug trafficking, recurrent economic woes,
assassinations and general political instability.
The kidnapping of both foreigners and Mexican
citizens has risen in recent times. The
police seem be more violent and dishonest
than the criminals-often extorting foreigners
because they are easy prey.
Forget doing business in Mexico. The financial
climate is unpredictable due to the current
economic crisis and devaluations. Most investment
opportunities are drying up. On top of that,
any foreigner who has ever tried to start
a business there will tell you the red tape
and payoffs seem unending. Couple all this
with the tension between the U.S. and Mexico
over drug traffic and unbridled illegal
immigration and you have a country that
is no longer conducive to long term living
let alone retirement or for starting a business.
America's tropical paradise, Hawaii, is
6 hours away by plane and prohibitively
expensive. Cuba's Varadero resort
is considered by many to be just as beautiful
as Hawaii.
Because of Cuba's proximity to the States
it was the playground and perennial escape
for Americans before the revolution of 1959.
In the old days people would flock to the
island by boat, plane and even in private
yachts for a few days of fun and pleasure.
There were also many Americans and other
foreigners living there on a permanent basis.
The most famous expatriate was Ernest Hemingway.
Once the country is completely accessible
to Americans you will have the option of
living there on a full or part-time basis.
It is comforting to know you will be able
to return to the States quickly in the event
of an emergency or other personal business-
Miami is only 30-minutes away by air. Such
closeness also tends to reduce the feeling
of isolation that affects many people when
they leave their own country to move to
a foreign land. Friends and relatives will
be able visit you easily. This proximity
provides easy access to U. S. culture in
case one gets homesick. Miami TV and radio
stations can be picked up from Havana and
other nearby areas, giving you a quick fix
of U. S. culture.
A trip to Cuba is really like traveling
between two U.S. cities. Eventually you
will be able to go shopping, visit friends
or take care of business in Miami and return
the same day. You will even be able to commute
back and forth if you really needed to-making
it ideal for some businessmen.
Ask many people why they would like to
live in Cuba, and its mild tropical climate
is usually near the top of the list. Canadians,
Europeans and others have been flocking
to Cuba for years to escape harsh winters.
They can be found basking in the sun at
any of the island's beach resorts. As we
alluded to in a previous section, Cuba has
around 300 days of sunshine each year.
Cuba is also a healthy place to live. The
county's salubrious climate agrees with
most people. Cuba's longevity rate is as
high as most developed countries-making
it one of the healthiest countries in the
world.
This healthy life-style is in part due
to Cuba's first rate health care system.
Doctors are well trained and medical facilities
are good. Much innovative research has been
done in Cuba. Foreigners can be sure of
receiving excellent health care. However,
if you don't feel comfortable with Cuba's
health care system it will be easy to see
a U.S. doctor since Florida is so near.
In situations requiring specialized care
and treatment you may have the option of
returning home.
Another compelling reason for living in
Cuba is the country's friendly people. They
are warm, hospitable, fun-loving people
famous for their sense of humor and knowing
how to enjoy life and getting together for
song and dance. Many will even take you
into their homes to meet their families.
Despite the poor relations with the U.S.
in recent years, the average Cuban will
treat U.S. citizens courteously.
In Cuba there is plenty to do- something
for everyone and everything for someone.
Because the island is so large there are
many sights to see, places to explore and
a myriad of exciting activities to keep
a person busy-especially in and around Havana.
You won't be bored unless you are just plain
lazy. It will be easy to lead an active
lifestyle. Speaking of lifestyles, if you
are tired of the hustle bustle and rat race
you will find it easy to adopt Cuba's more
laid back way of living. Whether you live
there full or part-time, you will enjoy
the slow pace.
The affordability of the country is another
plus. Like most third world countries the
cost of living for residents is relatively
low when compared to the U.S., Canada or
Europe. Housing, utilities, transportation
and food will be bargains. If you have dollars,
your money will go even farther. Domestic
help will be inexpensive. It will be possible
to hire servants for modest wages to do
cooking, cleaning, gardening, babysitting
and a multitude of other tasks. This will
free you to have more time to yourself and
enjoy all that Cuba has to offer.
Although some cracks have appeared in the
political system in recent years due to
a poor economy, the country is stable. For
almost forty years the government has endured
in its present form. Not many third world
countries have enjoyed this kind of stability
- indeed a rare phenomena in Latin America.
Only Costa Rica can make a similar claim.
There is by far less crime in Cuba than
in the U.S. or neighboring Caribbean countries.
Like every country in the world, Cuba does
have some crime. No society is crime free.
However, violent crime is rare. Penalties
are harsh and serve as a powerful deterrent.
There is a lot of petty crime and theft.
As in other places, the countryside is more
crime free than urban areas.
As we alluded to in the foreword, there
are a wealth of possibilities for the energetic
entrepreneur in Cuba. There is also a huge
consumer market of nearly 12,000,000 people
waiting to be tapped. Cubans have been aware
of most American products and brand names
for many years. In fact, many U.S. goods
are already being sold on the black market.
Everything from Campell's Soup to Nike are
presently available.
All of the above factors, plus such intangibles
as the sensuality of the island, its mystic,
tropical flavor, incredible vistas, prospect
of making new friends, exciting adventures
that await you, best beaches in the Caribbean
and so much more, will make Cuba the ideal
place to live. So, be prepared to enjoy
Cuba in all its splendor.
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