Discover Student Housing Investment Opportunities in the Caribbean
While student housing in the Caribbean may not immediately strike you as a lucrative investment opportunity, university student accommodation has been one of the strongest performing real estate asset classes in many countries worldwide and the Caribbean is fast catching up. In recent years the market for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in countries such as the UK and Australia has rocketed. This trend has not gone unnoticed in the Caribbean and, in recent years, a number of islands have begun to follow suit.
Why Invest in Student Accommodation in the Caribbean?
In the Caribbean, developers are largely focused on meeting the needs of the growing body of international students based in the region. Several American universities have bases in Caribbean islands. As a result, they have become home to a large population of full-time American students, many of whom are willing to pay substantial amounts in rent to landlords to secure well located, high quality accommodation. The presence of this substantial student body provides the real estate market in host locations with a steady stream of potential long-term tenants. In a number of locations supply has been struggling to meet demand. Many islands have until recently lacked housing of a high but relatively basic quality suitable for foreign students.
As a result, the student accommodation investment market in the Caribbean is poised for development and should not be overlooked. Highly attractive investment opportunities are cropping up across the region as plans for new purpose-built student halls of residences shift up a gear.
So, from Grenada to St Maarten, here are 3 of the best student housing investment opportunities on the market in the Caribbean right now.
Student housing investment in the Caribbean
1. New Condos Ideal for Students of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), St Maarten
New Studio & 2 Bed Condos for Sale in Maho
Offered at: From US $106,020
These “off plan” studio and 2 bedroom condos are located within a brand new condominium development just 5 minutes from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) based in the nearby Cupecoy area. Students of AUC, which is part of the DeVry family of institutions, spend their first two academic years studying Medical Sciences at the university’s St Maarten pre-clinical campus. On campus housing in a student dormitory is provided in the first semester but the university advises students to seek off campus accommodation thereafter.
Once completed, this complex, which is currently in construction, will house 144 apartments which would be ideal for AUC students. The apartments are designed to meet the needs of the next generation of students. Each unit will be offered fully turnkey and will include an ergonomically designed study area. Besides a wide range of on site amenities from a private pool to a gym, residents will enjoy use of Wi-Fi in the common areas, a shared study space and a complimentary shuttle bus to the university. The location is also ideal – not only within east reach of the university, but also close to the international airport, Maho Beach, and all the shops, bars and restaurants of the Maho area. With demand for student housing rising in tandem with the growth in the number of AUC students in the Cupecoy, Maho and Beacon Hills areas of St Maarten, these investment condos are expected to be a high yield, lucrative long-term student property investment opportunity which are estimated to deliver a gross annual return of up to 9%. Better still, a management service is provided to take the worry out of lettings and maintenance.
View property details: 1 Bedroom Investment Condos for Sale in Maho, St Maarten.
View property details: 2 Bedroom Investment Condos for Sale in Maho, St Maarten.
Explore more: St Maarten real estate.
Purpose-built student housing in Maho, St Maarten
2. New Student Accommodation Minutes from St George’s University (SGU), Grenada
New Condos for Sale in True Blue
Offered at: From US $169,000
These stylish contemporary condos are located in a new sustainable and architecturally striking condo hotel offering short-term and extended stay accommodation for international students in True Blue, Grenada. The development is ideally located in True Blue within walking distance of St George’s University campus and next to a white sandy beach. SGU is a private international university with a state of-the-art $250 million campus specializing in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, nursing and business. Undergraduate, premedical and preveterinary medical students are required to live on the Grenada campus for one year while medical, veterinary medical and graduate students are required to live on campus for one term. Thereafter, students tend to live off campus.
Due to its location, design and comprehensive collection of amenities, these studios would be ideal for university life in one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful destinations. They are therefore expected to be in high demand, offering high potential for generating significant returns.
View property details: Student Studio Condos for Sale in Grenada.
Explore more: Grenada real estate.
Invest in studio accommodation in Grenada – Studio condos for sale in a new student condo hotel
3. Housing Ideal for Students of Ross University (RUSVM), St Kitts
New Condos for Sale in West Farm
Offered at: From US $410,000
This brand new condos are situated within a condominium development comprising 5 buildings with a total of 56 furnished residential condo units. The development is located in West Farm, in walking distance of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) and the University of Medicine & Health Science. Ross University students, for example, spend the first seven semesters of preclinical training studying at the university’s St Kitts campus. Students can live on campus in the Campus Living Residences for their first term only – according to the university website, the residences can accommodate approximately 140 students. Thereafter, they are required to find off-campus housing in one of a number of neighborhoods (including West Farm) which offer approved properties.
Featuring an open plan living, dining and kitchen, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and a private patio, these condos are ideal for students. Wireless internet access, round the clock security and private parking enhance the offering while on site amenities seal the deal. Residents will enjoys access to a full size tennis court, infinity pool with views of the sea and pool house and bar lounge. Better still, the universities are just a 5 minute walk away. What more could a student wish for? Thanks to its proximity to the RUSVM campus and the growing number of students, these condos are ideally located to tap into St Kitts’s student accommodation market.
View property details: 1 Bedroom Student Condos for Sale in West Farm, St Kitts.
Explore more: St Kitts real estate.
Student Accommodation Development Opportunity in St Kitts
Investing in Student Housing in the Caribbean – Next Steps
These three examples are just a sample of the opportunities to invest in student housing and accommodation in the Caribbean.
If you’re wondering which are the best places to invest in student properties, we would be delighted to discuss your options.
To start that discussion and for more details, please contact 7th Heaven Properties.