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Bahamas Permanent Residency is available to any buyer who purchases property at $1,000,000 USD or above anywhere in the Bahamas. But not every community in Nassau has an average purchase price at or above that threshold. The ten communities covered in this guide are the ones where the average — and in many cases the minimum — purchase price exceeds $1,000,000, meaning that virtually any property acquisition in these communities will simultaneously qualify the buyer for Permanent Residency and the full Bahamas tax advantage package.
For buyers whose goal is a specific Nassau community and Permanent Residency, these ten represent the clearest and most straightforward qualifying path. For buyers who are flexible on community and optimizing for the most compelling combination of lifestyle, asset value, and residency qualification, this guide will help you compare your options directly.
What Permanent Residency gives you
- The right to live and reside in the Bahamas indefinitely.
- No income tax on worldwide or Bahamian-sourced income.
- No capital gains tax when you sell property or other assets.
- No inheritance tax — pass your Bahamian assets to heirs without a tax event.
- No wealth tax, no estate tax, no gift tax.
- Freedom to enter and exit the Bahamas without immigration restriction.
- Commission is paid by the seller — buyers pay no agent fees through Pitt Property Group.
Ten Nassau Communities Where Purchases Qualify for Permanent Residency
Community 01
Albany
Average pricing: $3,000,000 to $25,000,000+
Albany is the most prestigious address in the Bahamas — a 600-acre master-planned luxury resort community on New Providence's southwestern tip with a championship golf course designed by Ernie Els, a super yacht marina, a private beach club, and resort amenities that rival anything in the Caribbean. Tiger Woods' TGR Design course anchors the golf offering. Properties at Albany range from multi-million dollar condominiums and townhomes to beachfront estate homes above $25,000,000. There is no property at Albany that does not qualify for Bahamas Permanent Residency — the entry price point places every buyer well above the threshold. For buyers seeking the most exclusive community in the Bahamas with the strongest asset protection case and the most comprehensive resort lifestyle, Albany is the definitive answer.
Albany is also the community that generates the most sophisticated investment and asset protection enquiries from international buyers, particularly those coming from the United States and Europe with significant assets to shelter from high-tax jurisdictions. The combination of Albany's asset values, the Bahamas zero-tax environment, and Permanent Residency status makes it the most complete wealth management and lifestyle proposition in the Caribbean.
Community 02
Lyford Cay
Average pricing: $2,500,000 to $20,000,000+
Lyford Cay is Nassau's original ultra-luxury gated community, established in the 1950s by Canadian financier E.P. Taylor and still considered by many long-term Bahamas residents as the most exclusive address on the island. The community sits on New Providence's western tip, offering a private marina, beach club, golf course, and a membership-based club structure that has maintained its exclusivity for seven decades. Properties at Lyford Cay include historic estate homes, waterfront and marina residences, and a small number of newer developments that have been built sympathetically with the community's established character.
Every property at Lyford Cay qualifies for Bahamas Permanent Residency. The entry price point for any meaningful property in the community is comfortably above $2,500,000. For buyers who value heritage, discretion, and a proven community track record over newer resort amenities, Lyford Cay has no equal in Nassau.
Browse Lyford Cay real estate at Pitt Property Group
Community 03
Ocean Club Estates, Paradise Island
Average pricing: $2,000,000 to $15,000,000+
Ocean Club Estates sits on Paradise Island adjacent to the Four Seasons Ocean Club resort and the historic Versailles Gardens, offering one of the most distinctive residential settings in the Caribbean. Canal-front homes, marina residences, and beachfront estate properties are available across the community, all with access to Four Seasons hotel services and the Ocean Club beach and tennis facilities. The combination of Paradise Island's connectivity — a bridge from Nassau, an international airport minutes away — and the Ocean Club's resort infrastructure makes this community particularly appealing to buyers who want to use their Bahamas residence regularly rather than as a pure investment holding.
All properties at Ocean Club Estates qualify for Bahamas Permanent Residency. Average pricing of $2,000,000 to $15,000,000 places every buyer well above the threshold.
Browse Ocean Club Estates real estate at Pitt Property Group
Community 04
Old Fort Bay
Average pricing: $1,500,000 to $8,000,000+
Old Fort Bay is a gated waterfront community on Nassau's west northern coast, situated on the site of a historic British fortification with direct access to the Atlantic and a private beach club. The community has a more intimate and family-oriented character than Albany or Lyford Cay, with a mix of waterfront homes, canal-front properties, and larger estate homes in a neighborhood that is established and deeply residential rather than resort-oriented. Old Fort Bay appeals to buyers who want serious security, genuine community life, and direct water access without the resort infrastructure and associated fees of the larger gated communities.
Virtually all properties at Old Fort Bay qualify for Bahamas Permanent Residency. The average purchase price of $1,500,000 to $8,000,000 places most buyers well above the threshold.
Browse Old Fort Bay real estate at Pitt Property Group
Community 05
Aqualina
Average pricing: $1,200,000 to $4,000,000+
Aqualina is a premium Nassau residential community offering a modern gated environment with strong security, well-maintained infrastructure, and condo residential properties. The community appeals to buyers seeking a contemporary Nassau address in a professionally managed setting at a price point that sits at the accessible end of the qualifying threshold. Aqualina's combination of security, community management, and accessible entry pricing makes it one of the most practical routes to Permanent Residency qualification in Nassau for buyers whose budget sits in the $1,200,000 to $2,000,000 range.
Most properties at Aqualina qualify for Bahamas Permanent Residency. Buyers targeting the lower end of the price range should confirm the specific property price against the $1,000,000 USD threshold with their attorney before proceeding.
Browse Aqualina real estate at Pitt Property Group
Community 06
Love Estates and Love Beach
Average pricing: $1,200,000 to $5,000,000+
The Love Estates and Love Beach corridor on Nassau's northwestern coast is the most intimate and naturally beautiful of the qualifying communities, offering a small number of exceptional beachfront and ocean-view properties in an area that has maintained a genuinely exclusive character without the formal club structure of the larger gated communities. Love Estates in particular has a deeply restricted supply of properties — the community is small by design and properties rarely come to market — which has supported consistently strong asset values over time. For buyers seeking a private, natural, beach-oriented Nassau address at the accessible end of the qualifying threshold, Love Estates and Love Beach represent an exceptional and increasingly rare opportunity.
Properties in the Love Estates and Love Beach corridor typically start from approximately $1,200,000 to $1,500,000 for smaller beach-access homes and reach $5,000,000 and above for the most significant beachfront estate properties. Most purchases in this corridor will qualify for Bahamas Permanent Residency, though buyers targeting the lower end of the price range should confirm the specific property price with their attorney before proceeding.
Community 07
One Ocean, Paradise Island
Average pricing: $1,500,000 to $6,000,000+
One Ocean is a contemporary luxury condominium development on Paradise Island, offering full-floor and multi-bedroom residences with direct ocean views, resort-grade amenities, and the connectivity advantages of Paradise Island — bridge access to Nassau, proximity to Atlantis, and an international airport minutes away. One Ocean appeals to buyers seeking a turnkey luxury condominium experience on Paradise Island rather than a standalone estate, with managed ownership, hotel-style services, and strong rental demand from the island's established international visitor base. Properties at One Ocean are priced well above the $1,000,000 USD threshold qualifies for Permanent Residency.
Community 08
Goldwynn, Cable Beach
Average pricing: $1,200,000 to $3,500,000+
Goldwynn is a premium beachfront condominium development on Cable Beach, Nassau's most established resort and residential beachfront corridor. Goldwynn residences offer direct Cable Beach access, resort amenities, and a contemporary beachfront lifestyle within easy reach of Nassau's commercial centre and Lynden Pindling International Airport. The development has attracted significant international buyer interest given its beachfront positioning and accessible-entry qualifying price point. Most Goldwynn residences are priced at or above the $1,000,000 USD threshold and qualify buyers for Permanent Residency. Buyers should confirm the specific unit price against the threshold with their attorney prior to purchase.
Community 09
Palm Cay
Average pricing: $1,000,000 to $3,000,000+
Palm Cay is a gated marina and waterfront community on Nassau's southeastern coast, offering a full-service marina, beach club, resort amenities, and a mix of marina-front homes, waterfront townhomes, and residential lots. The community appeals to boating buyers who want marina access, beach lifestyle, and security in a well-managed gated environment at the accessible end of the Nassau luxury market. Palm Cay sits at the entry tier of the Permanent Residency qualifying communities — properties at the qualifying price point are available and the marina and beach lifestyle the community offers represents strong value relative to higher-priced Nassau gated alternatives. Buyers should confirm the specific property price against the $1,000,000 USD threshold.
Browse Palm Cay real estate at Pitt Property Group
Community 10
Sandyport
Average pricing: $1,000,000 to $2,500,000+
Sandyport is Nassau's most established western corridor gated community, offering canal-front homes, waterfront residences, and a well-maintained residential environment with security, community management, and direct access to the western Nassau commercial and school corridor. The community has a long-established international ownership base and consistent residential demand from both owner-occupiers and long-term tenants. Sandyport sits at the accessible end of the Permanent Residency qualifying tier — premium canal-front and larger homes are priced above the $1,000,000 USD threshold while entry homes and smaller units may sit below. Buyers specifically targeting Permanent Residency qualification should confirm the exact property price with their attorney before proceeding.
How to Choose the Right Community for Your Permanent Residency Purchase
The right community depends on four factors: lifestyle priorities, budget, how frequently you plan to use the property, and what role the asset plays in your broader financial planning. Albany and Lyford Cay are the strongest choices for buyers optimizing primarily for asset protection, exclusivity, and the strongest possible Permanent Residency credential. Ocean Club Estates and Old Fort Bay are the best choices for buyers who want frequent use, family-oriented community life, and direct water access. Aqualina and Palm Cay represent the most accessible qualifying entry points. One Ocean and Goldwynn suit buyers seeking turnkey beachfront and resort condominium ownership. Sandyport suits buyers who want an established western Nassau gated community at the accessible end of the qualifying threshold. Love Estates and Love Beach suit buyers who value natural beauty, scarcity of supply, and beach access in a more intimate setting.
All 10 communities share the core advantage: any purchase at the qualifying price point opens the door to Bahamas Permanent Residency, zero income tax, zero capital gains tax, and zero inheritance tax — with commission paid by the seller and no agent fees for qualifying buyers through Pitt Property Group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum purchase price for Bahamas Permanent Residency in 2025 and 2026?
The minimum purchase price is $1,000,000 USD, effective January 1, 2025. The previous threshold was $750,000 BSD — many sources online still quote this outdated figure. Any Bahamas property purchase at or above $1,000,000 USD qualifies the buyer for Permanent Residency, regardless of island or property type.
Do all 10 of these Nassau communities qualify for Permanent Residency?
Yes. Albany, Lyford Cay, Ocean Club Estates, Old Fort Bay, Balmoral Island, and Love Estates all have average purchase prices well above the $1,000,000 USD threshold. In Albany, Lyford Cay, and Ocean Club Estates virtually every property on the market qualifies. In Old Fort Bay, Balmoral Island, and Love Estates most properties qualify, with the occasional entry property at the lower end of the range requiring verification against the exact threshold.
Can I get Bahamas Permanent Residency through a Family Island purchase?
Yes. The $1,000,000 USD threshold applies equally to Family Island purchases across Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Bimini, and all other Bahamian islands. You do not need to purchase in Nassau to qualify. For buyers whose primary interest is a Family Island lifestyle, the same Permanent Residency and tax benefits are available on exactly the same terms.
Do I need to live in the Bahamas full time to maintain Permanent Residency?
The Bahamas does not impose the same strict minimum annual stay requirements as some other residency jurisdictions. However, individual circumstances vary and tax residency — which is separate from immigration residency — typically requires demonstrating genuine residence through time spent in the country. Buyers should discuss their specific situation with a Bahamian immigration and tax attorney to ensure their residency is structured correctly for their goals.
How do I apply for Bahamas Permanent Residency after purchasing?
Applications are submitted to the Bahamas Investments Board through a qualified Bahamian attorney. The application requires proof of property ownership at the qualifying threshold, personal background documentation, and the application fee. Standard processing takes approximately six to twelve months. Accelerated review — available for investments of $1,500,000 USD and above — reduces this timeline significantly. Pitt Property Group works with a network of experienced Bahamian attorneys and can provide recommendations for buyers proceeding with a Permanent Residency application.
Contact Sheldon Pitt
If you are planning a Nassau property purchase with Permanent Residency as part of your objective, Sheldon Pitt has guided buyers through this process for over three decades across every qualifying Nassau community. Commission is paid by the seller — you pay no agent fees through Pitt Property Group.
Sheldon Pitt — Principal Broker
Direct line: (242) 544-7509
Email: sheldon@pittpropertygroup.com
WhatsApp: Message us directly
Related Reading
Bahamas Permanent Residency — Sheldon Pitt answers the most asked questions
Bahamas Permanent Residency — browse all qualifying properties
Albany real estate — Nassau's most prestigious qualifying community
Love Beach real estate — beachfront homes in the qualifying corridor
Nassau luxury communities guide — compare Albany, Lyford Cay, Ocean Club Estates and Old Fort Bay.
Sheldon Pitt — Principal Broker, Pitt Property Group.