I Left The U.S. For The Caribbean — Here's How Much It Costs
Chantel Henry shares her experience moving from Atlanta to Trinidad and Tobago 11 years ago, highlighting the significantly lower cost of living, free healthcare, and improved quality of life despite initial skepticism. She demonstrates concrete monthly expenses ranging from groceries at $15 USD to rent at $500, while maintaining a six-figure income as an AI consultant and homeschool mother.
Summary
Chantel Henry, a 38-year-old former college professor and NFL/NBA consultant from Baltimore, relocated to Trinidad and Tobago after meeting her husband at a business conference in Las Vegas. She describes feeling like a 'private failure' despite outward success in Atlanta, working with elite clients and living in Buckhead. Her decision to move was driven by a desire for a more culturally substantial lifestyle and genuine human connections beyond materialism.
The financial benefits of Caribbean living are substantial. Henry's family of four spends $400 monthly on groceries (actual currency $100 TT = $15 USD), $500 on a three-bedroom home being renovated, $75 on phone and internet, $20 on electricity (compared to $150 in America), and $165 monthly for private health insurance. Her children participate in eight activities for $477 monthly—the cost of a single summer camp in the US. Gas costs approximately $250 TT for a full tank lasting weeks, and car-related expenses total $400 monthly including insurance.
Professionally, Henry earns $120,000 annually ($10,000 monthly) as an AI transformation consultant while homeschooling her children and managing household responsibilities. She highlights agricultural and food advantages, noting that Trinidad vendors don't waste 'funny-looking' vegetables, making organic produce more affordable and reducing food waste.
The cultural shift is equally significant. Henry emphasizes the freedom of being perceived as a human rather than being constantly reminded of her race, contrasting this with America's pervasive racial conversations. However, she acknowledges adjustments including visible police presence with heavy weaponry at routine shops, two state-of-emergency declarations during her tenure related to drug and gang activity, and early business closures (typically 4 PM). Despite these challenges, she describes building 'a life that looks like a vacation every single day' rather than one requiring escape.
Key Insights
- Chantel experienced 'private failure' despite external professional success in Atlanta, working with NFL/NBA players and living in prestigious Buckhead, suggesting that conventional markers of achievement failed to provide personal fulfillment
- Eight children activities in Trinidad and Tobago cost $477 monthly, equivalent to a single child's summer camp tuition in America, demonstrating a 4-8x cost differential for youth programs
- Monthly electricity costs dropped from $150 in America to $20 in Trinidad and Tobago, an 87.5% reduction, while gas expenses changed from hundreds of dollars monthly to $250 TT for weeks of driving
- Chantel reports racial dynamics in Trinidad and Tobago allow her to 'show up as a human being' rather than through a racial identity box, contrasting with America's constant racial conversations whether overt or covert
- The speaker pays $500 monthly for a three-bedroom home with potential for six-bedroom renovation, compared to previous premium Atlanta housing in Buckhead, representing significant cost reduction in primary housing expense
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] Some people think that I've downgraded my life because I moved to Trinidad [music] and Tobago, but I like to say that I truly upgraded. The cost of living here is very, very low. Healthcare [music] is free. I can afford to send my children to over eight activities in a way that doesn't break my family's budget. Luxury to me is being able to go to my backyard and pick one of three mango trees and eat fresh mangoes. I take that type of lifestyle over the hustle and bustle of America any day. My name is Chantel [0:31] Henry. I'm 38 years old and I moved to Trinidad and Tobago 11 years ago. It's a twin island…
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to AccessMore from CNBC Make It
Grads say college is worth it despite career and job search challenges
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts strong job growth in fields like electrician work, nursing, and software development over the next decade. Despite current job market challenges, recent graduates express no regrets about their college degrees, citing personal growth, life skills development, and self-discovery as major benefits beyond career prospects.
My ice cream business brings in $2.8M/year
Malai is a South Asian-inspired ice cream company that generates $2.8M annually by featuring authentic flavors like cardamom, rose, and saffron. The business operates four brick-and-mortar scoop shops across major US cities, with 80% of revenue coming from these retail locations and the remainder from wholesale, e-commerce, and catering.
I scaled back my six-figure career to run a local bookstore with my husband — here's why
A couple shares their experience transitioning from a six-figure career to running a local bookstore together, emphasizing that their reduced income and lifestyle change has brought greater happiness and fulfillment despite financial uncertainty. They reflect on how overcoming initial fear about the transition has made the experience exciting rather than scary.
'Hard work will speak for itself' is a lie, says Stanford career expert
Stanford career expert Jeffrey Pfeffer argues that the belief that hard work alone leads to success is false. Instead, how you present yourself and your visibility to leadership matters as much as or more than the actual work you do, making relationship-building with your boss essential for career advancement.
Here's why Jim Cramer named his dog 'Nvidia'
Jim Cramer explains how he renamed his dog Nvidia in 2017 to promote the stock, which he calls empirically the greatest stock of all time. He claims this marketing stunt helped create numerous millionaires, with a $10,000 investment turning into $454,000.