St. Maarten Private Eye

There's obviously something seriously wrong with those in government who allow investors to swamp the island without any regard for our citizens' wages. As was mentioned, if I am to purchase a box within a complex of many other tiny boxes for that half a million dollars, I would prefer to get my own land and build a home without the inconvenience of having noisy neighbors on both ends. However, we also have to look into the fact that right now land is practically non existent on our island and what little that remains is up for grabs to those who can afford to dish out one hundred thousand dollars on a plot that is less than half an acre. The economy will be drained and all the investors will eventually lose out on this foolish condominium boom. Our island has never been structured to have multiple condominiums built within a very short distance of one another. The main question is this; Why leave a highly industrialized country such as Europe or the United States to live within the confines of a complex that reminds you of the country you have fled if you want to experience the "Caribbean way of life".
We are slowly losing our culture and quickly sucking in everything from the outside world, without any regard for what the consequences may be in the end.
I would be able to comprehend the prices of these cubicals if they were priced in ANTILLIAN GUILDERS, because this is what our currency is, however the three hundred thousand and up price range signifies that investors are coming into our country, shutting out our own people (which is a form of discrimination) and putting prices on dwellings that are not worth what is being asked.

Doesn't government have the right to step in and ban the ridiculous increase in the price of these condo's??

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is known that Dutch St. Maarten's open and slack laws allow anyone from abroad to come in and purchase property AS LONG AS THE FINANCES ARE PRESENT. These same individuals don't give French St. Maarten a chance because of the more stringent laws that prevail and the taxes that ought to be paid on an annual basis by FOREIGN HOME OWNERS.

Last question...how many of our politicians were actually born on St. Maarten? And if our economy sinks, do we believe they will stay or run home to their own country?

Sad truth, but St. Maarten's economy will not be as strong as it once was and the real estate market will inevitably BURST.