Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The High Class Caribbean Style Streets of St. Barth

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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St. Barth has very poor soil and scarce access to fresh water. Early settlers barely made it past subsistence level farming.

However, the island had remarkable beauty with its white sand beaches, tropical flora, warm waters and tranquil charm.

So, by the mid-20th century, prominent figures recognized the island's potential for tourism and shifted the economic focus to the catering of wealthy visitors.

It was a profitable business decision.

Voila!

St. Barth turned into a luxury destination with extravagant hotels, boutiques, and dining set to attract opulent clientele. Not to mention that Port Gustavia is a tax-free port.

Now, everything on the island tends to the upscale tourist who want their privacy and are willing to pay for it.

Take a look at these inviting high-class Caribbean streets for yourself.

Wine shop sign

St. Barth is part of the French West Indies, with a connection to French wines and the fashions of Paris.

This island hosts over 200,000 visitors annually.

Street in front of Port Gustavia

Our hotel is on this street, which has a view of the Port of Gustavia which is across the street. 

Rue de la Republique runs parallel to the harbor. The city of Gustavia was laid out in a grid pattern to accommodate trade and settlement during the Swedish colonial period which lasted nearly 100 years.

Another view of Rue de la République

This gives you another view of the same street.

Rue de la Republique is one of three main roads encompassing the U-shaped bay of Gustavia.

The Swedish West India Company, founded in 1786, drove Gustavia’s growth, and this street played a role as a central commercial artery.

Today, it is lined with luxury boutiques like Dior, Bulgari, and Richard Mille, as it continues to be a significant trade hub.

View of Port Gustavia

Here's another view from up the hill, looking down at the Port of Gustavia.

Notice all the red slanted roofs, and not a scrap of trash or graffiti anywhere.

Bulgari shop on Rue de Republique

Bulgari is a luxury Italian brand founded in the late 1800s by Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris in Rome.

 Expanding its products for sale, this brand name has become a global symbol of Italian excellence.

In 2001, Bulgari partnered with Marriott International to launch Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, and remains a top-tier luxury brand, with over 268 stores worldwide.

Christian Dior luxury shop

Dior is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1946 by designer Christian Dior in Paris.

The brand revolutionized post-war fashion with its debut collection in 1947, dubbed the “New Look.”

This collection featured cinched waists, full skirts, and a feminine silhouette, contrasting the austerity of wartime styles and reestablishing Paris as the fashion capital.

The brand blends elegance, innovation, and timelessness, and with over 200 boutiques around the world, it generated an estimated $20 million Euro in 2023

Currency exchange bureau

This foreign exchange bureau caters to the international visitors and yachting community coming through Port Gustavia.

There are money transfer services available here also.

The exchange bureau is above, with commercial stores below.

Pastel-colored buildings

The Caribbean’s intense sunlight and heat make pastel colors practical. This is especially important in a tropical climate with no air conditioning in many traditional structures.

You will see these pastel-painted buildings all throughout the islands, and St. Barth is no exception. 

Light shades like soft pinks, blues, yellows, and greens reflect sunlight, keeping buildings cooler compared to darker colors that absorb heat.

Again, notice no trash on the streets, no graffiti either!

Entrance to Del Mar shop

In between 2 clapboard buildings you will find this rather dramatic entrance to a boutique shop called Del Mar.

White shutters and emerald green catches your eye so you can walk down this yellow brick road.

The Del Mar is a beachwear boutique specializing in unique, handpicked pieces such as trendy swimsuits, beach dresses, lightweight skirts, and stylish accessories.

They offer high-quality, one-of-a-kind items and a personalized shopping experience.

A list of high-end stores

Have you ever seen so many extravagant stores all in one place?

This availability and the duty-free shopping is an international travelers dream!

Maison Pelican

Maison Pelican is an acclaimed art gallery and furniture shop with custom-made furniture.

It's been described as an "Ali Baba's cave" because it has such a mixture of extravagant, rare, and characterful pieces.

It's only been here for a few years.

It’s a hub for collectors and travelers seeking timeless treasures.

Lounge Barons de Rothschild

This lounge offers an extensive collection of exclusive wines, champagnes, and gourmet food, and tasting master classes are available. 

Inside, the sophisticated setting has leather sofas and personalized service by sommeliers. 

The Rothschild family’s connection to St. Barthélemy dates back to the 1960s. This was a period when notable families contributed to the island’s development as a luxury destination.

Chalk board humor

The Rothschild's are so compassionate that in case you are having a sobriety attack they make themselves available and save the day!

Port of Gustavia

This marina, Port de Plaisance, caters to yachts, sailboats, and superyachts.

The commercial port handles cargo and trade goods.

When the French owned St. Barth, this port was originally called Le Carénage for its role in sheltering damaged ships. But during the Swedish colonial period the name changed and it became a free port in 1785

 The port is a hotspot for the affluent, with high-end boutiques and gourmet dining all within walking distance.

St. Barth is known for vibrant nightlife, including bars like Le Select and themed events at restaurants. 

Poster of a bewitching model

Oh to be blessed with such beauty.

Truly, a living piece of art displaying Island style.

Shantiwa, the ferry between Sint Maarten and St. Barth

The Shantiwa is a high-speed ferry operated by Great Bay Express, and it provides daily service between Philipsburg, St. Maarten (Dutch side), and Gustavia, St. Barthélemy.

This is the ferry we took to and from the islands.

It has a capacity of 130-150 passengers, and it takes approximately 45 minutes to travel the 13.4 nautical miles between them.

It features air-conditioned indoor seating, two outdoor decks, widescreen TVs, bathrooms, and large windows for scenic views. 

Reservations can be made online.

On the other hand you could take Winair or a St. Barth commuter plane to fly the 10-15 minutes between these islands if seasickness is a concern.

Billy and Akaisha in front of Gustavia port

Here we are after a morning at the beach. The anchor behind us came from a ship that transported goods in the 1800s.

It is one HUGE piece of metal!

A closer look

This anchor is located in front of St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church in a green waterfront area.

It may have come from a wrecked or decommissioned vessel.

Look how heavy those chain links are!

A row of pastel colored buildings

Pastel colors were popular in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in colonial buildings. Colonists brought these colors to islands like St. Barth, where Gustavia’s Swedish and French heritage is evident in rows of pastel colored homes and offices.

The Swedish influence favored soft yellows and whites.

Communities used locally available pigments which produced muted, pastel-like tones. This became a cultural signature in the Caribbean.

Sage colored building with white shutters

St. Barth has zoning regulations that dictate the color and style of roofs.

These regulations often specify that roofs must be a particular shape and can only be certain colors, most commonly red or green.

This ensures a consistent architectural look across the island, particularly in areas like Gustavia.

White clapboard building

St. Barth was under Swedish rule in the late 18th century.

Red roof tiles are very traditional in Sweden, where red ochre paint has been a common color for wooden houses for centuries.

In the past, corrugated iron or galvanized steel sheets were commonly used for roofing in tropical climates.

To protect against corrosion in the marine environment, these metal roofs needed to be painted.

Red oxide primer was a common and effective choice, which gave the roofs their characteristic red color.

The Colonial influence of the Swedish House

The Swedish House is an historic building located in Gustavia. It is one of the few remaining classic buildings in town, built in 1841. 

It houses the offices of SiBarth which specializes in high-end properties, sales, and rentals, catering to the island's affluent visitors and residents.

Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

This Catholic Church is a 19th-century religious building, completed in 1829.

It was severely damaged by a cyclone in 1837 and reopened in 1842.

Protected as an Historic Monument, it is one of two Catholic churches on the island,

Which way do you want to go?

Here you see the name Rémy de Haenen who was a pivotal figure in the history of Saint Barth.

He was a French-Dutch adventurer, aviator, and entrepreneur, and he left an indelible mark on the island.

He made massive contributions to the infrastructure, the economy and opened up the island to  tourism.

 In 1946, he made history by becoming the first person to land an airplane on the island, touching down on a savannah near St. Jean, which later became the site of the island’s airport.

It was a bold act, and it laid the foundation for the .Aéroport de Saint-Barthélemy-Rémy-de-Haenen (SBH), which was officially opened in 1984.

The airport, known for its challenging short runway, remains a critical gateway to the island, with no direct flights from major international hubs like the U.S. or Europe; most travelers connect through St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana Airport (SXM)

In 1953, Remy purchased land in St. Jean’s bay and built the Eden Rock. It was the island’s first true hotel, which became a magnet for the global elite, including figures like Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes, Robert Mitchum, Paul McCarthy, and Jacques Cousteau.

The Eden Rock helped establish St. Barth as a luxury tourism destination.

Another view of Port Gustavia

Gustavia’s harbor became a hub for luxury yachts. Today, tourism as an industry dominates, with hundreds of thousand visitors annually drawn to St. Barth’s luxury hotels, upscale shopping in boutiques and fine dining.

Akaisha and a moke

Here you see me in my high-fashion clothing and travel bag.

If you look closely, you'll notice that the moke and I are color-coordinated.

Black, grey, copper, yellow... yes, we belong together!

Do we recommend a visit to St. Barth?

Sure!

Just be prepared to pay upscale pricing. But you might have the chance of coming upon a celebrity!

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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