For many Americans, the idea of moving somewhere abroad sounds very appealing. There’s a great, big world out there to explore.

This world is filled with beautiful people to meet and wonderful traditions to learn. The Caribbean islands are a true depiction of that. If you’ve ever dreamt about living in the Caribbean, here’s what it was like as an American who did just that.

You’ll meet the kindest people

Living in the country of Barbados for two months was an incredibly amazing experience. Going down was quite scary at first, due to not knowing what to expect. From the moment we landed, the people were so gracious and kind. Everyone was so hospitable and welcoming.

Walking through the store was just as much of a social outing as it was about getting groceries since everyone knew each other. The employees of the local restaurants will quickly learn your name and begin to greet you on a first-name basis.

If you go to a restaurant and it’s cash only, the owner will let you eat and then go get cash. That’s how trusting they are. The people of Barbados quickly will make you feel like you’re at home.

The day-to-day life is lovely

In America, everyone is going one million miles per hour, regardless of the day or what’s ahead. On the island of Barbados, people tend to go slower than five miles per hour.

People stop to smell the roses. The beaches are constantly packed. This is especially true on Sundays since most businesses are closed so people can spend time with their families.

While the island is just as advanced technology-wise as America, technology doesn’t consume society. One of the most shocking things about Barbados is that shopping malls are still a thing.

That’s right.

Malls in Barbados are still incredibly popular, unlike malls in most places in America. There’s so much to do on the island that you’ll never feel like you’re stuck missing your life in the US.

The food is delicious

Be prepared to actually eat healthy things and not feel weighed down after finishing your meals. This is because Barbados doesn’t put stuff in their food that is unpronounceable.

What you see is what you get. After just two months, you’ll start to appreciate and even enjoy fries without salt. Even with the “fast food,” you can tell that the food is real and not processed at all.

Because it’s an island, most of the produce and meat is grown locally. There are fruit stands every five feet seemingly with the best fruit you will ever eat in your life. Most of the people who live there are in incredible shape, thanks to the food and constant activities that require movement.

The feeling of safety is unmatched

One thing we as Americans think is that there are very few countries that are actually safe outside of America. This isn’t the case.

Barbados is the safest country in the Caribbean, and you can feel it. You can walk alone at night by yourself and not feel afraid at all. The locals are very proud of the fact that it’s so safe, so they want to keep it that way.

Even around cops, you’ll feel safe. They don’t carry guns and genuinely want to keep people safe. They have your best interest at heart and nothing else.

Living in Barbados was one of the best experiences ever. You’ll want to go back immediately and will crave the life they live if you ever leave. There’s a reason why people who were born there, including Rihanna (who could live wherever she wants), go back and boast about it.