Content Index
Introduction
What are you most curious about when making the decision to work remotely? Often, the most effective sources of information are first-hand stories from people who have lived and worked in the locations that you are considering. When searching online for the information you need, an effective strategy is to conduct research based on the experiences of people and families who have taken the plunge and gone on the adventure of a lifetime. This blog post will feature the experiences of three families who relate the highs and lows, ins and outs of working remotely from the Caribbean island of Montserrat.
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Profiles of Paradise Seekers
So, who exactly has been brave enough to step into the adventure of a lifetime? We heard from three people whose families did just that: David Cort, Kathleeen Bennett, and Veta Wade.
Experiences of Remote Workers
Increased productivity
All of the families we heard from made it a point to mention that one of the best aspects of living on the Caribbean island of Montserrat was the chance to embrace an improved work-life balance, which ultimately led to increased levels of productivity. This balance was something that benefitted all members of the family, who felt a greater sense of togetherness and unity.
Sense of community
One of the most genuine sentiments expressed by all the individuals we heard from was the extent to which they felt warmly welcomed and supported as remote workers and digital nomads. They all consider themselves to have become valuable members of the Montserrat family, and spoke of ways the locals have helped them to settle into their new homes and surroundings. There was no shortage of helpful advice and tips, many of which came in the form of vibrant WhatsApp groups supplying pertinent information at the touch of a button.
Enjoy a wide range of activities with or without kids
Montserrat is absolutely unbeatable when it comes to the range of fun activities that nurture a healthy connection with nature. This is the overwhelming sentiment expressed by those who were initially worried about what kind of things they could do in their spare time, and how to keep their kids entertained on a small Caribbean island. These fears were soon allayed when they immersed themselves in all that life in Montserrat has to offer!
The general consensus is that it is super-easy to find access to activities that kids enjoy, such as hiking, trips to the beach, visiting the volcano observatory, and snorkeling. Montserrat is an amazing place to go scuba diving in the Caribbean region, as there are no crowds, and the crystal-clear water has fantastic visibility.
An added benefit is that many of these activities possess an inherently educational component, as kids can learn about, for example, the science of volcanoes, as well as terrestrial and marine biodiversity. There are also excellent childcare options for children between the ages of 1 – 5.
Culinary experiences
The remote workers all raved about the incredible culinary experiences that life in Montserrat has to offer! Besides the national dish, called goat water (a stew made with goat meat, green seasonings, cloves, and rum), there are countless fresh fruits and vegetables, such as ground provisions, citrus fruits, and local favourites like sugar apples, guavas, mangoes and guineps. These are all easy to obtain and many can be found on the grounds of your accommodation or purchased from small farmers and vendors. And there were all-around high praises given to the legendary Rooster’s Hot Sauce!
Internet stability
The aspect of Caribbean digital nomad life in Montserrat that garnered most praise by everyone was the consistently stable internet connection. The already reliable high-speed connectivity was improved even more by the completion of the Montserrat Subsea Fibre Optic Project two years ago. As a university administrator who relies heavily on having an excellent connection, David mentioned that, a normal day working remotely with his family entailed him on his computer in one room, his wife working in the next, and his daughter attending online school in a third, all working harmoniously and seamlessly on their respective tasks without any type of buffering or interruptions.
Embracing a sustainable lifestyle
The families made special mention of one of the ways that their quality of life has improved is that they now lead more sustainable lifestyles. There are a myriad of ways to give back to the surrounding community, one of which is to participate in eco-tourism activities. Another good way is to rely on local produce and goods, rather than imported items. Like many islands, Montserrat imports a large percentage of its food items and essential goods, which invariably leads to increased prices. Buying local food not only strengthens a local economy and reduces reliance on imports, but also provides the experience of the heightened taste of delectable fresh fruits and vegetables.
A few disadvantages
Of course, no location is perfect, and it is always important to be positive and resilient in the face of unexpected events that may occur. For our Montserrat digital nomads, one minor inconvenience was the fact that they had to adapt to not being able to find the same variety of foodstuffs that they were accustomed to being able to source in North America and Canada. However, this provided the opportunity to broaden their taste buds and try some alternative options, which were often healthier.
Another inconvenience, which was extremely rare, were problems with electricity on the island, but this was always short-lived.
Conclusion
All the participants who contributed to this blogpost agreed that, overwhelmingly, they would return to Montserrat, as they experienced a deeply healing connection to what is really meaningful in life. They cherished the flexibility to create the life they wanted, and live their dreams.
We would like to say a special thank you to David, Kathleen and Veta, for sharing their tips and insights with us! You can watch the recording of the webinar “Discover Yourself While Living and Working Remotely in Montserrat” to hear more about life in the Caribbean’s Emerald Isle, and everything that it offers to digital nomads and remote workers.
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