Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 USD per m² (Very limited central supply; mostly land sales)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 USD per m² (e.g., small Ashton plot + build)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $250,000 USD for basic detached units in Clifton
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $180,000 USD for units inland toward Ashton
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $450,000 USD+ for harbor-view properties
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $350,000 USD for hillside properties in Richmond
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (standard SV&G rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (non-residents)
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residence based; income sourced in SV&G is taxable
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 28%
- VAT
- 16% Standard Rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on market value (Approx. 5% of rental value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty: 5% for the buyer; 5% for the seller for residents. Non-residents require Alien Land Holding License (approx. 10%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Work Program (Digital Nomad Visa) allows for 1-year residency without local income tax
Other Services and Amenities
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None
- Community Centers
- Ashton Community Hall
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public library in Clifton (Limited hours)
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (represented locally in Clifton); SVG Air for small island-to-island parcels
- Tech Repair Services
- Very limited; most hardware issues require shipping to St. Vincent or Barbados
- Table Tennis Spots
- Community center in Ashton
- Language Classes
- Informal Patois/English exchange; no formal schools
Essentials
- City
- Clifton, Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Population
- Approximately 3,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available in Clifton/Ashton; average speeds of 50-100 Mbps via Flow or Digicel
- Currency & Banking
- Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD); 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD. Fixed exchange rate
- Tap Water
- Not generally drinkable. Most residents rely on rain-fed cisterns. Use bottled water (Approx. $2 XCD for 1.5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK-style) sockets
- SIM Card
- Flow or Digicel. Available at kiosks in Clifton. ~$60 XCD for 10GB/30-day data plans
- Banking for Expats
- Republic Bank (formerly Scotiabank) in Clifton. ATMs accept major international cards
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, small boutique hotels, and yacht charters are primary options
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially. Hotels and high-end restaurants accept cards; local shops and taxis are cash-only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local guesthouses like Saint Joseph’s House (Approx. $85 USD/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Kings Landing Hotel or smaller guesthouses in Ashton (Approx. $60-$90 USD/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Clifton (Main hub, shops, and ferry port)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Big Sand/Richmond Bay (Quieter, better scenery, and reliable high-end villa connections)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially. Most nomads work from Sparrow’s Beach Club or JT Pro Center Kite School lounge
- Best Cafe for Work
- Captain Gourmet in Clifton (Excellent coffee, French pastries, and stable Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at Happy Island during sunset or yachting meetups at the yacht club
- Social Events for Expats
- Union Island Expats and Locals Facebook group; Friday night BBQ at various Clifton bars
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Local 'dollar vans' operate between Clifton and Ashton for $2 XCD. Private taxis available via radio
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rental bikes at JT Pro Center or local shops in Clifton (Approx. $25 USD/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Chatham Bay (Secluded, west side, accessible by boat or 4WD/strenuous hike)
- Top Regional Airline
- SVG Air / Mustique Airways (Daily flights from Barbados/St. Vincent)
- Top International Airline
- Air Canada, American Airlines, or Virgin Atlantic to Barbados/Grenada, then regional hop
- Highway Access
- Small paved perimeter road connecting Clifton and Ashton; no highways
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Union Island Airport (UNI) for air; Clifton Wharf for inter-island ferries
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Pay cash ($1-$3 XCD) per ride to van drivers
- Regional Travel
- M/V Jaden Sun Fast Ferry or Bequia Express to St. Vincent/Bequia; water taxis to Mayreau ($50-$80 XCD)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Union Island Health Center (Clifton). Serious cases require medevac to Kingstown or Barbados
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Pavilion at Palm Island (Accessible by short boat ride or private sessions at villas)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Small community gym in Clifton; outdoor fitness is mainly hiking Mt. Taboi
- Laundry Services
- Erika’s Marine Services in Clifton offers laundry per load for yachties and nomads
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Direct calling to restaurants for pickup is standard
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Conch souse or grilled lobster (In season Sept-April)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Captain Gourmet (Salads/Wraps) and Veggie-friendly stalls at the Clifton Market Square
- Best Dessert Spots
- Captain Gourmet for authentic French crepes and tarts
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Market Square in Clifton for fresh local produce and fish
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited. Most items shipped via Amazon to freight forwarders in Florida/Barbados
- Grocery Delivery
- Provisioning services available through Erika’s Marine Services
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Clifton Waterfront and the famous Happy Island (a bar built on conch shells)
- Local Brewery
- Hairoun Brewery (SVG main island); local 'Bush Rum' found in small Clifton bars
- Wine Bars
- Bougainvilla Hotel & Marina has an extensive wine selection
- Street Food Stalls
- Stalls at Clifton Market Square selling 'Bakes' and fried fish (Fri/Sat nights)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sparrow’s Beach Club (International/Caribbean Fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Happy Island (accessible only by boat); Mount Taboi (highest point)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Small historical exhibits at the Tourist Bureau in Clifton
- Historical Sites
- Fort Hill (remnants of 17th-century cannons with views of the Grenadines)
- Religious Sites
- St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Clifton
- Annual Events
- Easter Val (Kitesurfing and carnival events); SVG Carnival (Vincy Mas) in July
- Cultural Districts
- Clifton Village Center
- Theater Venues
- None; community school halls used for local performances
- Local Markets
- The daily vegetable and fruit market in Clifton Square
- Music Scene
- Steel pan and Reggae at waterfront bars like Twilight
- Street Art
- Murals reflecting marine life and island heritage near the ferry terminal
- Cooking Classes
- Informal lessons often arranged at Chatham Bay eco-lodges
- Art Galleries
- Local handicraft shops in Clifton showcasing shell art and carvings
- Historic Buildings
- Colonial-style stone buildings in Ashton
- Local Heritage
- Island culture celebrates the 'Big Drum Dance' during special festivities
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tobago Cays Marine Park (20-minute boat ride); world-class snorkeling
- National Parks Nearby
- Richmond Bay and the surrounding reef systems
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Trail from Ashton to Chatham Bay (Rugged terrain)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Fort Hill overlook for 360-degree views of Mayreau, Palm Island, and PSV
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ashton Lagoon (Mangrove restoration area)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Chatham Bay beach (with permission from local eco-lodges)