Millionaire leaving Cayman Islands
So, 15-20 years ago I invested my millions in the Cayman Islands economy, purchased my dream home on Seven Mile Beach and legally settled here. Back then, everyone seemed to be happy. I loved small island atmosphere, unobstructed vistas, crystal clear sea, beaches and sunsets. I go to Royal Palms each Friday for a drink, music and dance. I regularly contribute to and participate in numerous charitable events that benefit youth, elderly, ill and hungry. I clean beaches and recycle. I volunteer. I quietly live my life, bothering no one.
Fast forward… my idyllic life is changing. There is less space for me to enjoy. Beaches are occupied by vendors, chairs and cruise ship visitors. There is never-ending noise from all directions. Pollution from the dump is turning from a nuisance into a real problem affecting my health in the long run.
Unobstructed vistas that are so good for my mind and soul are being replaced by concrete walls. I can no longer take a pleasure trip around the island for it is more a nightmare trip. Condos are popping up haphazardly with the speed of light, bringing more people, noise, traffic and destruction of natural environment. Open spaces between residential buildings are shrinking.
I no longer want to leave my home because I can’t avoid crowds. I am stressed, often angry and unable to enjoy my life. I worry a lot. For some reason, local people started to show their animosity towards me (not personally) and blame us, millionaires, for social ills in this country. It appears they literally hate us, call “cry babies” and dream when an airport door hits us in the a$$. They even rob our residences after we raised millions for local charities. There is seem to be no code of honour among local gangsters.
Since peace on my mind is my #1 priority, for all health problems take root literally in ones head, I will be relocating, someplace where I would be respected, appreciated, where the environment is still pristine and government has vision.
I want to stop worrying about detrimental effects of Cayman toxic environment on my health. I can afford to live anywhere I choose. Sadly, the Cayman Island is not the same country I fell in love with 20 years ago. I am “filing for a divorce”. It was good while it lasted.
This comment was originally posted on: Hotel gets green light after cutting height
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Viewpoint
It took me much shorter to have similar experience and reach same conclusion but in same process lost a large part of my wealth building a house at Patricks Island that I could not finish. I call it the Cayman “Selfish” Islands. I have learned from it and have chosen a very simple and healthy lifestyle now. I am humbled by it. Funny to have learned more about extreme wealth and extreme poverty in the Cayman Islands than anywhere else.
The problem is we lost our sense of community, of unity. It’s no longer about what’s best for the people but a case of do whatever it takes to attract more money. If you’ve genuinely been here that long why not propose solutions and offer to help fix rather than “I’ve got loads of money, I’m packing up my toys and going home”. To be honest, you’re just the type of person this place can do with less of.
It’s sad to hear this person’s plight but how and why would one expect otherwise? Would anyone have expected 7 Mile to remain as it was decades ago? As an example I started diving the reefs off 7 mile in the early ’80’s…only to return again in the early 2000’s to see them devastated. Surprise? Sure; one would hope for and expect better but have you interacted with “society” lately? I’m on the Brac now and PRAY things don’t change irrevocably on the Sisters. Grand has been altered for the worse…let’s not repeat our mistakes elsewhere.
There is a solution to this; come to the Brac or Little Cayman
Yes let’s hand them over grand to destroy just like most of their homelands they fled from.
The Eastern Districts of GC and the Sister Islands are the only places left with the “island vibe”. Hear it all the time from the tourists.
not for long.
Question: Would Cayman be the prosperous island it is now without the introduction of foreigners?
Every country in the world that welcomes foreigners and give them to opportunity to invest is in a better position because of that decision. Sure opening up one’s doors make a country vulnerable because tries as you might you won’t always be able to see who the undesirables are at port of entry but that’s life.
Also to the millionaire sir – you came and invested – did you think that others with your means wouldn’t have “discovered” this opportunity. I can never understand why people need to feign such ignorance.
Cayman’s only riches is the beach …and their tax free status. Outside of that there’s nothing so the government has to do whatever it can do to take care of it’s people and the appetite for the good life they have developed.
And the absence of an income tax doesn’t mean an absence of taxes. The government
collects plenty of revenue from import duties, fees on financial services, and tourism.
Which foreigner are you talking about? Putting us all in the same boat as 3rd world countries with 3rd world habits and tendencies clouds the issue. Asking questions that hide factors from 3rd world countries? No wonder the place is in a mess constantly. Nobody can ferret out the truth, but I think that is exactly what you want. Keep asking asking over-generalized questions and everybody will tire of the issue and you are safe.
Okay, let’s be blunt. Are you saying white people are better than people of color?
You be blunt and apparently a racist. The observations never mentions race. But apparently you would like to confound us that race, not culture, is the issue.
Hmm – the Caymanians fell from Heaven and do no wrong. So sad. Every time Caymanians point the blame at Jamaicans they lose one more opportunity to tackle the problem in a positive and constructive way.
Many Caymanians are or were Jamaican. Are you trying to obfuscate the obvious?
As an expat, who enjoys studying Caribbean history, I always have difficulty understanding why Caymanians don’t fully comprehend that they are or were Jamaican.
11 generations ago my ancestor left Ireland and here I am. I’m not Jamaican by root. Might have a touch, but that’s not my bloodline.
Okay, then. Write us soon so we know you reach safe 😘
Damn strait, leave, we don’t need you.
Jamaica is pulling everybody down to their standards which are non-existent. But since the majority here are Jamaican or of Jamaican decent, this observation is placed under the rug. Cayman has lasted as long as it has because it did not go the Jamaican route, but secretly that is what most Jamaicans want in the Cayman Islands.
What the writer has observed is a slow inching toward Jamaican culture that brings with it 3rd world standards and crime that only benefit Jamaicans to make them feel like home. It happens so slow that nobody will be able to say that it is true and so nobody can stop it.
Enjoy it while you can!
Jamaica nor Jamaicans is not pulling anyone to down to any 3rd world standards, I’m sure the Cayman Islands is not ruled by Jamaica nor Jamaicans, if you hate Jamaicans that is totally fine but you simply just can’t use your ignorance to blame a whole nation for what they don’t have any control over, Jamaicans don’t make rules or laws in the Cayman Islands so when you make comments like those it just shows how hateful and ignorant you are to Jamaicans, everywhere in this world there are good people and bad people, not all Jamaicans are indeed bad or ignorant like the person who wrote this comment that I’m replying to.
Respect one love, Thank you!!
I’m sure he never mentioned that he got robbed by Jamaicans or Jamaicans developing the Cayman Islands too much, even though it is very clear that you hate Jamaicans I’m sure most if not all of them would still love you even though you hate them, just live in peace and harmony and stop the hatefulness and you’ll see if the world would not be a better place to live and have a family