My name is Charlie Beede. I was born in Bangor, Maine, in the late 1950s, during a period of post-war optimism and significant cultural change. In my teenage years, my family relocated to Florida, where I spent much of my adolescence discovering new places and opportunities. During this time, I began taking surfing trips with friends to the Bahamas. These early adventures introduced me to the islands’ natural beauty and sparked a lifelong passion for island culture and the ocean.
Nearly fifty years ago, I met my wife, Joyce, in Daytona Beach, Florida. From the beginning, our connection was strong and continued to deepen over time. When I learned that Joyce was originally from the Bahamas, it added meaningful depth to our relationship, linking our story not only through love but also through a shared connection to the islands. Later, we moved to Oahu, Hawaii. There, on the North Shore at Waimea Falls—an area known for its lush scenery and waterfalls—we were married in a setting that reflected both our personal happiness and our shared appreciation for island life.
For the next fourteen years, I worked as a real estate agent while also pursuing my passion for surfing some of the largest waves on Oahu’s North Shore and on the neighboring islands of Maui and Kauai. This period involved balancing a professional career with challenging and rewarding experiences in nature. At the same time, Joyce focused on her long-held dream of returning to the Bahamas to live a simpler, more sustainable life close to the land and sea. Her vision was shaped by her family background: her father had been a fisherman, farmer, and boat builder, carrying forward generations of island knowledge and tradition.
Motivated by a desire for change and a shared goal of living more closely in tune with nature, we decided 32 years ago to sell most of our possessions and move permanently to Long Island in the Bahamas. When we arrived in this peaceful beachside community—known for its rich culture and welcoming residents—we devoted ourselves to restoring an authentic Bahamian home on the shoreline. This renovation was not only a construction project but also a way of establishing long-term roots in the community.
Over time, as we got to know our neighbors—many of whom turned out to be related to Joyce through her extended family—I became increasingly integrated into local life. Guided by Joyce’s relatives and other island residents, I learned traditional skills such as free diving in clear Bahamian waters and spearing spiny lobster using time-honored methods. These experiences allowed me to move beyond the perspective of a visitor and become part of the social and cultural fabric of Long Island.
I later worked for several years as a commercial fisherman, traveling across the Great Bahamas Bank on week-long trips and exploring remote, beautiful areas far from Long Island. I also became a Bahamian real estate agent and eventually earned my broker’s license. Today, I offer a specialized service and a distinct perspective on purchasing real estate in the Bahamas. I help clients from the United States, Canada, and other countries understand the local process of buying property, effectively bridging cultural and procedural gaps.
My long-term experience on the island enables me not only to help clients find suitable properties, but also to connect them with reputable local builders. Many clients who have purchased property through me have expressed satisfaction with both the outcomes and the guidance I provided throughout the process. References are available upon request.