The Bahamas Has New Testing Rules for Travelers

Posted on by

Amid the recent Omicron-related jump in Covid cases around the world, The Bahamas has updated its testing rules for travelers, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

Effective Dec. 27, 2021 all travelers to The Bahamas now need to show proof of a negative test taken and received within 72 hours before arrival in The Bahamas. 

Vaccinated travelers can present either a rapid antigen test or a PCR test; unvaccinated travelers must present a PCR test. 

The beach at The Reef, Atlantis.

On Jan. 7, 2022 The Bahamas will no longer accept antigen tests. 

That means all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to obtain proof of a negative PCR test taken and received within 72 hours prior to the date of arrival in The Bahamas. 

In a statement, The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation said it had “taken note of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases around the world and is implementing new testing requirements for all persons entering The Bahamas as a precautionary effort to continue to keep the destination safe.”

caribbean tiny real estate
Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island in The Bahamas.

The Bahamas has continued to see its tourism industry outperform much of the wider Caribbean region amid the pandemic. 

For more on how to visit The Bahamas. 

The post The Bahamas Has New Testing Rules for Travelers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Can Biden’s green policies save Puerto Rico’s failing power grid?

Posted on by

… between LUMA Energy and Puerto Rican legislators has also deteriorated … policies and strategies in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. But … requirements imposed by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau and the … with the Government of Puerto Rico to maximize the flexibility …

Powered by WPeMatico

11 Must-Visit Adults-Only Hotels in the Caribbean

Posted on by

It seems like a new all-inclusive resort pops up every week in the Caribbean, and it’s true that the vast majority of adults-only resorts in the islands follow a pay-one-price model for rooms, activities, and dining.

But it’s not a recipe that works for every couple. All-inclusives tend to be larger hotels, for example, and while most offer a wide variety of options for food and fun, some couples prefer a more intimate vacation experience and the freedom to get off the resort and dine and play locally. Here are a dozen small and boutique resorts that know how to pamper adults while the kids stay back home; they’re adults-only, EP hotels.

The Ladera resort in Saint Lucia.

Ladera Resort, St. Lucia

You can’t get much closer to St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons than the Ladera resort — in fact the resort is within the UNESCO World Heritage site that protects the twin mountains rising from the Caribbean on the island’s west coast. With private plunge pools three-sided rooms open to the sea breezes and views from 1,000 feet above the waves, guests — particularly honeymooners — can be forgiven for venturing out only for meals at the resort’s Dasheene restaurant.

adults-only hotels caribbean

Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort, Aruba

This low-rise eco-friendly resort on Aruba’s Eagle Beach feels like an intimate sanctuary without being too far from the island’s sumptuous array of dining and entertainment options — including those on the main Palm Beach drag. Bucuti and Tara is small by Aruba standards, with just 45 suites and 59 hotel rooms, but offers an extensive wellness program and a variety of romantic experiences for couples.

st croix boutique hotel sale

The Fred, St. Croix

The teasing tagline “Sleep with Fred” is your first hint that this boutique hotel in Frederiksted, St. Croix, is for grown-ups only. LGBTQ friendly as well, The Fred is a charming waterfront hotel built around the historic Totten House and a cluster of other brightly painted buildings, some dating to the 1700s. Amenities include a courtyard pool and hot tub, observation deck, and oceanfront bar and restaurant.

adults-only hotels caribbean

Olive Boutique Hotel, Puerto Rico

Truly a hotel and not a “resort,” the Olive is a great landing spot for adults who want a place to chill by the pool and lay their head in Condado without someone else’s kids banging around in the room next door. Unwinding spaces at the Small Luxury Hotels of the World property include a beautiful rustic deck overlooking the lagoon, where couples also can set course for a private dinner on a “floating island” built for two.

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, Aruba

The Renaissance Aruba resort is an unusual two-headed bird: it has an entire hotel-within-a-hotel that’s only for adults called the Renaissance Marina Hotel as well as the family friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites. Recently renovated, the 297-room Marina Hotel has easy access to the resort’s casino and the myriad dining, shopping and nightlife options in downtown Oranjestad. Speaking of birds, it’s just a quick boat ride to Renaissance Island with its of flock of resident flamingos, cabanas, and beach club.

adults-only hotels caribbean

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

Spacious, open-air mountaintop “sanctuaries” with full-sized swimming pools, attentive butler service, and unforgettable views of the twin Pitons peaks made Jade Mountain one of the most romantic resorts in the Caribbean. Guests can dine at the exclusive Jade Mountain Club or any of the restaurants at the adjoining Anse Chastanet resort, and on-property activities include mountain biking, kayaking, guided hikes, and hours spent on two pristine beaches.

Tet Rouge, St. Lucia

The six guest suites at this intimate adults-only resort in St. Lucia have Pitons views from private terraces, outdoor rain showers, cathedral ceilings, and four-poster beds. Breakfast is included with stays, and guests are welcome to dine at the Ti Coco or venture off property to sample St. Lucia’s bountiful local cuisine.

Ti Kaye Resort & Spa, St. Lucia

This off-the-beaten-path resort features guest rooms on the cliffs overlooking Anse Cochon and one of the top spas in St. Lucia. The poolside Kai Manje restaurant serves three meals daily with a casually elegant vibe and features an extensive menu of healthy smoothies, and the resort also has a well-stocked wine cellar. Just offshore is some of the best diving and snorkeling on the island.

Catch a Falling Star, Jamaica

Set on the cliffs of Negril, this small resort has both cottages and suites and limits guests in its 17 rooms to those ages 15 and older. The oceanfront Ivan’s Bar can arrange for a romantic dinner for two known as the ‘Night of 100 Candles,’ sometimes accompanied by dolphins slashing in the cove below.

Stonefield Villa Resort, St. Lucia

Breakfast is included at Stonefield Villa; kids under 17 are not unless you’re renting the resort’s five-bedroom villa. There are 17 villas in all, spread across 26 acres for plenty of privacy, each with its own pool. The Escape Spa offers a full range of treatments and has a yoga pavilion with views of the Pitons, and the Mango Tree restaurant has a farm-to-table menu filled with authentic local dishes.

ca

Little Arches Boutique Hotel, Barbados

This 10-bedroom hotel on Enterprise Beach is close to the action in Oistins and some big surfing waves and takes full advantage of its location with its rooftop Cafe Luna Restaurant, which serves everything from sushi to local Bajan food. Rooms are in the garden, poolside or oceanfront.

The post 11 Must-Visit Adults-Only Hotels in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Best Neighborhoods in Austin for Families

Posted on by

Over the last decade, the population of Austin has grown by 21%. Since 2010, about 171,465 have moved to Austin since 2010.

There are a lot of great reasons to move to Austin, including the job market, a lower cost of living than other appealing U.S. cities, beautiful weather, and a great culture.

If you’re moving to Austin with your family, though, you probably have a list of must-haves and would-be-nices when it comes to finding a new home in the area.

For that reason, we’ve compiled this list of the best neighborhoods in Austin for families. Let’s take a look at some of the Austin spots that are popular choices for young families.

Cherrywood

This is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in East Austin. That means that you might have some competition if you’re looking to buy a home here for your family.

Cherrywood is a centrally located neighborhood in East Austin. Many of the houses in this area were built for families after World War II, and the architectural styles of the area include Craftsman-style houses, wood-frame houses, and bungalows.

In this neighborhood, you’ll find a mix of professionals, retirees, service workers, and students. Because of its proximity to the University of Texas campus, this is an attractive spot for students. However, it still manages to maintain a quieter vibe.

Living in Cherrywood might be a good fit if you’re interested in prioritizing walkability throughout East Austin. This helps to create a sense of strong community within Cherrywood. Unlike other central neighborhoods in Austin, Cherrywood has managed to maintain its residential core.

Downtown Austin

If you’re looking for one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for families on the smaller side, you might be interested in living downtown. If an urban lifestyle is what you’re looking for, this is the perfect spot.

There are a lot of great ways to spend time outdoors downtown. There are lots of recreational activities that are accessible including biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. There are also a variety of museums, a diverse culinary scene, and plenty of opportunities for entertainment.

You’ll find that real estate is typically more expensive in Downtown Austin than in other neighborhoods. However, many people feel that the cost of housing is worth the experience of living in urban Austin. There are both great charter and private schools downtown and the public schools are a part of the Austin Independent School District.

South Manchaca

If you’d rather avoid the tourist scene and high prices of downtown, South Manchaca might be a good spot for you. This is a charming neighborhood in south Austin that is well known for its old town charm, slower-paced lifestyle, friendly community, and affordable homes.

This is a reasonable compromise if you’d like to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city but you don’t want to be far from popular attractions. There are also a number of shops and low-key bars in the neighborhoods that help contribute to the low-key vibe of the area.

You will find that much of the housing stock in this neighborhood is made up of smaller single-family homes. Many of these homes were built between the 1950s and now. Typically densely spaced, you’ll find the listing prices of homes here are lower than other neighborhoods in south Austin, though the home values are increasing in the area.

(Are you hoping to add value to your home before listing it for sale? If so, check out this article!)

Crestview

Crestview is one of the most beloved neighborhoods in Austin. Once farmland, this north-central Austin neighborhood is known for its walkability to local businesses and smaller scale.

Here you’ll find lots of families and young professionals that are looking for a peaceful, small-town lifestyle without giving up access to big city amenities. There is a strong sense of community in Crestview and the residential atmosphere is quite relaxed.

Many of the homes in Crestview were built between 1940 and 1960, though you will also find recently built contemporary homes here. The housing stock is largely made up of small to medium ranch houses. Brentwood and Allandale are nearby neighborhoods that offer a similar low-key atmosphere.

North University

North University is in close proximity to the campus of the University of Texas. For this reason, some newcomers might love the college town vibe while others might not enjoy all the hubbub.

In this neighborhood, you’ll find some of Austin’s favorite bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and more. This Austin neighborhood was once considered the countryside. Nowadays, it maintains an old-school feel while being home to people of all ages involved in academics.

If you’re looking for one of the best neighborhoods in Austin to buy a house, you might consider North University. The homes here are small and medium-sized that range from Crafstman-style designs to quaint bungalows. While prices have been rising in Austin in general, home prices are more reasonable here than elsewhere in the metro area.

You can also find tons of gorgeous historic homes in this area. This helps create the sophisticated feel of this Austin neighborhood.

Mueller

Located in East Austin, Mueller is a great neighborhood for families that are looking for a more modern community feel. You can find local retailers, lake paths, offices, and community centers in Mueller. As far as housing stock goes, you can find townhouses, apartments, and lofts.

There are also new homes and condos for sale in the master-planned community. Along with shops and restaurants in the neighborhood, there is also a children’s museum and vision and dental care services. You can also find a weekly farmers’ market and grocery store in Mueller.

North Loop

North Loop was historically the stomping grounds of bohemian creatives and the working class. Back in the day, it was located underneath the flight path of the old airport. Nowadays, this area is booming with coffee shops, restaurants, vintage record stores, bars, and a number of other local businesses.

This is a walkable neighborhood with beautiful treed streets. It’s also one of the less expensive neighborhoods in Austin.

If you’re looking for one of the best neighborhoods in Austin to rent, you might take a closer look at North Loop. Rentals are quite common here. You can find both old and new multifamily complexes in North Loop.

The housing stock is a mix of 1940s bungalow homes, traditional craftsman-style homes, and newer contemporary homes.

(Do you need to sell your house fast before moving to Austin? Check out this guide to learn how to speed up the process.)

The Best Neighborhoods in Austin to Buy a House

The median home price in Austin as of August 2021 was $575,000. For people who are looking to buy their first home, this can seem pretty price. Some new buyers might also be concerned by the reports that call Austin the second most overvalued market in the nation, leading to reasonable worries about values falling in the future once you’ve already signed on for a mortgage.

Are you a first-time homebuyer that is looking for an affordable Austin neighborhood to move to? Let’s take a look at some of the best more affordable options.

St. Elmo

Located in South Austin, St. Elmo is actually a road that runs between South Congress Avenue and South First Street. However, the name has become an umbrella term for this neighborhood that is west of I-35 and south of 71/Ben White Boulevard.

The typical sale price of homes in this area is between $400,000 and $500,000, which is quite a bit more affordable than homes just a few blocks further north.

Wooten/Georgian Acres/Quail Creek

These three North Austin neighborhoods are roughly located between Kramer Lane, I-35, and Anderson Lane. You can find newly built homes in all of these neighborhoods. If you choose to go with one of the single-family homes that were built in the 1950s or 60s, you might be able to snag a home in the $400,000 to $500,000 range.

Rattan Creek/Milwood

These North Austin neighborhoods offer family-friendly amenities while being close to the attractions of the Domain. They are close to major employers, have good schools, and are anchored by Rattan Creek Park. At the park, you can find tons of outdoor activities including tennis and swimming.

If you’re looking for an affordable spot that offers outdoor living opportunities while maintaining an urban community feel, you might want to look here.

The price range in both neighborhoods is currently in the high $300,000s to $500,000s. However, this is thought to be an area where the home prices will rise quickly as more California tech companies move into the city.

East MLK/Springdale

This neighborhood has the Mueller development, trendy restaurants and bars, and is bikable to downtown. It also offers an easy commute to the new Tesla factory.

As of now, first-time buyers can still find homes under $400,000 in this East Austin neighborhood. An additional benefit is that there is flexibility in the zoning laws in this area, meaning that first-time homebuyers have more opportunities to expand their new homes over time.

Manor

Located in far East Austin, the homes are affordable but expected to appreciate over time. Currently, the prices for homes in this area hover around $200,000 to $300,000. There are a range of options when it comes to the type of homes here, too.

Parten Ranch

This master-planned community offers homes on large lots and has prices that range from the $400s to the $700s. If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, this might be the community for you.

(Are you curious about the pros and cons of iBuying? Check out this article.)

The Best Neighborhoods in Austin For Schools

Austin was named one of the smartest cities in America in a National Geographic publication. This is due to its love for history, its development of green space, its support of entrepreneurs, and its ability to change and adapt. That being said, living in a city that is deemed “smart” doesn’t mean that all public school districts are created equal.

For many families, moving to a neighborhood that is in a good school district is a high priority. Some of the Austin suburbs that are known for good schools include:

  • Bee Cave
  • Lakeway
  • Rollingwood
  • West Lake Hills
  • Dripping Springs
  • Driftwood
  • Round Rock
  • Wimberley
  • Cedar Park

All of the school districts in these suburbs have a TEA School District Accountability Rating of an A except for Cedar Park and Round Rock, which both received B scores.

Before Moving to One of the Best Neighborhoods in Austin For Families: Do You Need to Sell Your Home?

If you’re making the move to one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for families, there’s a good chance you need to sell your current home first. Selling a home can be an incredibly stressful and time-consuming process, not to mention an expensive one, too.

When you choose to sell your home to an iBuyer, selling your home can be fast, convenient, and hassle-free. You won’t have to worry about making repairs to your house or getting it spotless for countless showings and open houses. You also won’t have to lose sleep at night worrying about whether or not the buyer’s financing will come through.

When you sell to an iBuyer, you’re selling to an investor who will pay cash for your home. They purchase your home in as-is condition and save you all of the hassles that come along with the traditional home sale process. It also means that you don’t have to worry about paying a realtor commission fee.

Are you wondering how much an iBuyer would buy your home for? If so, check out our home valuation tool today!

The post Best Neighborhoods in Austin for Families appeared first on iBuyer Blog.

Powered by WPeMatico