Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Where is the fairest place of all?
And the mirror said; Tonga!
The ancient Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific? Not what you expected? You probably have never heard of it. But, before getting into why Tonga, maybe we should get into why even move at all?
There are two driving forces that motivate any overseas move: one is the lure of what you are moving to, and the other is the desire to move away from a place. Most people know more about what they are moving from than what they are moving to. If your house is burning, you rapidly move from it without a lot of regard to where you are headed - you just get out. I have noted that the “moving from” reasons people have given me recently are sounding a lot like a house on fire.
For the longest time people were moving to paradise for more adventure in their lives. Today, most people are running from what they claim are a myriad of reasons, many have to do with loss of freedoms, or loss of faith in their governments, or too much talk of war, and just plain fear for what the future has in store. This is particularly true of those in the Northern Hemisphere. 9/11 in America has made a lot of folks wonder what will happen next. Some are saying; “Inside job, I’m out of here!” Some are not waiting to see how things turn out. I left my homeland because I was tired of stopping at so many traffic lights. That is kind of a joke, but there is some truth to it. Granted the white sandy beaches, extraordinary freedom, frontier kinds of opportunity and emerald islands were the real draw.
Who knows what is really true, but the Internet is full of websites that predict a potentially horrific future. If any of it is true, this little haven in the South Pacific is not going to need any promotion to get its fill of new-comers. Of course, nowhere is completely free of trouble. Even sleepy Tonga had its début with trouble recently. Last year a group of young dissidents turned into looters and succeeded in burning the small capitol. We live in ever peaceful Vava’u, 160 miles away by sea from the scene, so we weren’t directly affected. In any event, the perpetrators are all in jail now and the general consensus is the city needed a facelift anyway.
If you are visiting this site, you must have some inclination of making a move. So, we are starting with an enlightened mind and that is where everything notable on this planet came from. Congratulations.
Now, back to paradise.
We, the expats of Tonga, even before the talk of war and today’s more serious issues emerged, traded our cubicles of confinement, our corporate enslavement, our obstructed views, dirty skies, fear of being pulled over after only two beers, for peace and new opportunities, ocean views, sandy beaches, the cleanest air on earth and, most importantly of all, we traded fear for the incredible relief of knowing we are safe and free.
If you are ready (or not) to make the move; just do it. It can be as easy as selling the farm, the house, the car, quitting the job and buying or starting a business in paradise. Buying one is the instant coffee way to make it all happen and assures you of at least knowing what to expect in the way of income. Add a little of your own new ideas and behold, you may improve on a winner. To get your resident/business visa, you need to buy or start a business. Some folks (like me) sold their business, homes, cars and what-all, and bought a bar/restaurant here on the harbour. Ah yes, a big change from a fancy office and a 12 cylinder commute car. But, it was rather incredible to play a Hemmingway’s kind of bar-owner role for the first time: playing host to tourists, yachties, locals - all for fun and profit. It felt like I was living in a movie - still do. Sitting with customer’s, overlooking the harbour, telling each other stories while the lovely and low-cost staff handled the business at hand was easy to get used to. I sold the bar for a nice profit, started the first Internet cyber café, a laundry and then started a rental boat business and now into development. One thing leads to another and as you settle in you see the opportunities. Some of my critics say; “If you could do it, anyone can.” Not really a compliment, but true, I never ran a bar before.
There are a few businesses for sale on this website or some land to set up your own operation, should that suit you. Bars and restaurants are popular starter businesses. Anyone who can cook has the advantage of not worrying if the chef doesn’t show up. Inept at cooking, I cautiously limited my fare to pizzas, which anyone could make with our coveted recipe.
There is a charter boat business for sale that certainly has the right appeal. Imagine telling your beastly boss to shove it, that you are sailing off to paradise with your own sailing charter business. If you don’t know how to sail, the skipper will show you. Like cooking, I suppose it is better if you have some idea before embarking, but not really necessary. Which brings us to “why Tonga” and expressly, the Vava’u Island Group in which we thrive. It is not only perfect for sailing; Vava’u is paradise as seen on TV.
In fact these islands have been used to film some reality type TV and a run of “Treasure Island.” What makes this island group unique in the world is the fact that it is completely surrounded by a huge protective reef system and island chain that takes the punch out of any potentially destructive waves the ocean might muster - including tsunamis, which have never occurred in known history.
The Moorings charter boat company thrives because of what nature bestowed upon us. Fair winds without threatening seas within this tranquil group of mostly uninhabited islands is the perfect place for charter boats and is, in part, what attracts the hundreds of cruising boats that stop here every year. This is where much of the tourism business comes from during the season which commences in May and runs through November. There are normally no excesses, hot or cold, wet or dry and generally it is balmy and pleasant year round.
Diving, snorkeling, island touring, boating, game fishing, kayak, canoing and even swimming with the whales (only 3 places in the world offer that) are some more of what makes this place the perfect haven. Of course, a major factor to consider is you still can immigrate here with fees under $1,000 and without needing a fortune to invest. Try that anywhere else in the world with the same idyllic backdrop.
You don’t have to start a business to live here if you can qualify by showing a significant government pension of “assured income,” but, with this visa you can’t operate a business or work. This program works well for some of the lucky ones who just want to live better on their “fixed income.” You can pick up a plot of land overlooking the sea for under $2,500.00 USD down and under $100 per month. You can build a modest house for under $60,000.00 USD and live happily ever after.
For more on Tonga, especially Vava’u, contact Robert Bryce at longbow757@yahoo.com.
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Hi there,
We enjoyed reading your site and were wondering if you would be able to forward us a few recommendations. Friends of ours, who do not have children, have been encouraging us to move to Tonga and we have been looking at the prospect of doing that for about a year. We have three kids, aged 3,9,11, and were wondering if you would have any information for us that would be helpful in making our decision. We are most concerned about schooling, health care (Dengue fever?) and safety, since we are moving with kids. Our friends have mentioned that the Vavau area is more attractive and possibly a better place to invest in business. Since we have owned a successful Cafe and fitness studio (my husband is now a realtor), we are interested in possibly looking at purchasing a cafe again (it’s something we enjoy). We are interested in showing our children a different part of the world, while also being able to provide a better/rewarding lifestyle for them/us. We would appreciate your insights and hope that you’re having a great day in your part of the world! bye, Sinja Breier
Comment by Sinja Breier — March 10, 2009 @ 8:34 am
Greetings from Tonga,
Sinja, I would suggest you follow your encouraging friends advice and move to Tonga, in particular, Vava’u, as they suggested. They seem like wise people to me (written with a chuckle).
As for what I can do for you, I can educate you about Tonga. I have written a few articles, admittedly self-serving but all true; read those for a starter. After 7 years of living in Vava’u and having been the original broker/realtor here, I know a lot about the business side of life here as well, and I am glad to share it with you. Just ask any questions freely. If you send me your email address to me at tongaproperty@yahoo.com I will send you some more material on Tonga.
The schools are pretty good in Vava’u, so I hear from other parents and what is bandied about in print. My only experience with the schools directly was with my 17 year old who did her form 7 (last year in high school) through the USP (University of South Pacific)extension here in Vava’u. We have a preschooler and her Kindergarten experience has been a treasure, with an excellent teacher from Fiji. English speaking only in that class as is the case with many of the schools. Parents have gotten together and created Montessori classes from a NZ program, as one example of some of the freedom to work your child’s education the way you feel is best. “Freedom” is a keyword in Tonga. Hard to explain that feeling and the experience to someone. Where I am from, “the home of the brave,” we have freedom, but compared to Tonga,” the term should be redefined in America to be more honest with its citizenry. I wish Obama could spend a month in Tonga; he would go home with so many new ideas for “change.” Or maybe he would stay and run America from here. The place does have a way of captivating you. An early example is; the Mutiny on the Bounty actually occurred in Tonga, fact. I can see how it would happen here and even if Captain Bligh was a sweetheart.
We also have residency in Fiji and can tell you that Vava’u has the scales tipped in its favor, all things considered. More on that comparison in private.
Nuff politics, but it is the political/financial situation, in part, what is driving people to seek other places in the world to live. Tonga seems to be “contra-cycle” to the whole mess out there, and for the reason that it is experiencing growth from foreign investment and folks moving here, which brings us to the cafe business.
In Vava’u, the cafe/bar/restaurant business is primarily from the 400 some yachts per year that come to anchor here, each with crew from 2 to 20. They have been coming to Vava’u since Captain Cook discovered Tonga. I first discovered Vava’u by boat when I sailed here in 1984. This drops a lot of business into Vava’u; a haven for cruising yachts and in a strong charter yacht location too, and for all the good reasons of excellent sailing throughout this remarkable island group. Fly in tourists taking accommodation are a smaller part of that business but serve to keep the money pot cooking. What has become a more recent phenomenon (coincidentally since I started promoting Vava’u) is the more stable “off season” business from the ex-pats who turn the cafes and bars into what seems to be their own private clubs. With everyone one knowing each other, an off-season visitor might be slightly intimidated, feeling a bit uninvited, well, until a local notices and for a little new conversation, buys him/her a drink—making friends in the Friendly Islands.
Just trying to paint the picture of Vava’u as we go along here, introducing the social and connected business side of things.
You mentioned Dreaded Dengue and the truth is, it shows up in spots now and then, but has not been the plague nor as strong of a strain as that in French Polynesia. I even had it, and probably because it was a mild form, I just read books for the days I was in and out of bed. There may even be a cure for it, which I am reading about and experimenting with now. This is just an indication of more of the interesting things that are accepted here that are not in the TV controlled world out there, where different and non-mainstream remedies are not able to flourish. See my article on Tongan Medicine.
Summary: Tonga will show both you and your children part of the world with rewarding lifestyles and, with the right choice, perhaps even more money than you may have earned in your homeland. There used to be a saying here that one came for just lifestyle and forget money, but I have seen that old paradigm broken.
Hope this helps some. Feel free to ask anything, glad to help.
Let me know if you see anything in particular that appeals to you. Anything can be yours if you want it and pursue it. Thank God for “couch potatoes” or there would be too many folks chasing the better lifestyle. Congratulations on being of the pioneer mind. We want and need you here.
As ever,
Robert Bryce
Comment by robert — March 10, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
HI
My husband and I have been throwing around moving to a tropical locale. We have three kids 11 months 4 and 8. Can my husband make a decent living. He is in the construction trade. He owns a plumbing business but is familiar with all aspects as he built our house himself.
I have my teachers license but am a stay at home mom now.
We would also be game for anything as long as we can get by.
Any leads would be much appreciated. : )
Comment by tim — April 9, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
Hello,
Would you be able to provide more information about the parents who are offering Montessori classes? My family is considering moving to Vava’u. We have a 5 year old son whose school incorporates Montessori, Waldorf, Gardner principles. I’d like to contact parents in your area and ask them a few questions. I’m curious about whether the Montessori classes are supplemental or whether they are in the process of establishing a Montessori school.
Comment by b — February 27, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
I am hoping to move to Tonga on a fixed income. I cannot find apartments for rent like for the locals. They are all associated with vacations. I simply want a reasonable apartment to live in for the rest of my life. Can you help?
Comment by Josie — March 8, 2010 @ 11:43 am