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In this episode, Roberto broadcasts on location from Saint Barthélemy (St. Barths) with guest Douglas Foregger of WIMCO Real Estate to unpack what makes this French Caribbean island a perennial draw for travelers, buyers, and investors. We go beyond the postcards—talking how people really live and invest on St. Barths, what the island feels like across seasons, and how beaches like Gouverneur and Saline differ from the lively scene around Gustavia and St-Jean. From travel logistics (ferry vs. puddle jumpers and that wild short-runway approach) to beach clubs and day-to-day rhythms, Roberto and Doug paint a practical picture of island life drawn straight from the ground.

For those eyeing property or a long stay, Doug and Roberto discuss villa rentals and seasonality (e.g., low season options around the $5k/week mark and December weeks often around $15k/week, with two-week minimums over Christmas/New Year’s), plus the realities of permitting and building on a mountainous, highly regulated island. They touch on construction budgets and how indoor square footage understates the cost of generous outdoor living areas; Doug notes that serious builds can reach the four- to low-seven-figure range and that locals often prefer purchasing land with a permit in hand to avoid uncertainty. If you’re weighing when to go, where to stay, or whether to buy, this is your field guide to St. Barths—equal parts lifestyle and hard-nosed real estate.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp7aUUmN0OA. YouTube

Links & Social

Guest: WIMCO Real Estate – https://www.wimcorealestate.com • Douglas Foregger (LinkedIn) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-foregger-054291b/

Hosts: John Engel (IG) – https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • Roberto Cabrera (IG) – https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • John Engel (LinkedIn) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/ • Roberto Cabrera (LinkedIn) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/

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“We’ll Always Have Paris” | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 115. YouTube

Navigating the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 111. YouTube

Exploring Portugal | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 144. YouTube

Dubai Real Estate | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 161. YouTube

Is Panama Really for Sale? | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 170. YouTube

Keywords: #StBarths #realestate #SaintBarthélemy #villas #St-Barth #rentals #French #Caribbeanproperty #island #permitting #Gustavia #Gouverneur #Saline #WIMCO