2 mo's living on STX has taught me...
I've been here many times as a tourist for a wk at a time. Even bought property, thinking I might want to retire here someday. Decided to see what it's like to actually live here as a "commoner", not a tourist, & work here so arranged to spend the month of July. On July 31st I was to get on the plane to go back to the states. But the clothes would not go in the suitcase & the car refused to take me to the airport! I simply could not make myself leave! I called the airline & cancelled my ticket.
Now I have to leave at the end of Aug, 2 weeks, 1 day, 16 hrs from now. Anyone want to place bets on whether I can do it this time?
Here's what living here for this short time has taught me:
There is a calmness here I don't feel anywhere else; even when the Internet connection goes down for the 3rd time in an hr, even when the electric alarm clock has to be reset, and reset, and reset (I just turned it around after that), even when a cow walks across the road & everyone has to stop til it mosies to the other side.
There is a feeling of community that makes even a newbie feel welcome. I made my first friend walking on the beach my first morning here & have met a network of supportive people since. While searching for a person I was to meet at a restaurant, I met several others who offered advice & suggestions on a number of things. My landlord offered me use of an extra car to help defer rental car costs in return for feeding their animals for a few days while they're off island. Yeah, I can do that.
There is excellent live music several days/wk even in this off-season time. I even have found dance partners, a huge thing for me, an avid dancer.
The crystal turquoise water flows over my skin like silk every day while I swim or snorkel in different bays.
True, the grocery store may not have what I thought I wanted, but it usually has what I need.
True, it migh be a challenge to get my hair taken care of, especially when I show up at the salon & the stylist says "Oh, we don't have that color!". But after getting over the fact that a salon could not have a standard hair color, they bent over backward to find it & do my hair later that day.
So, getting on the plane Aug 31st? We'll see.
NICE! (tu)(tu) I wish this forum had a LIKE button. Thanks for sharing your experience. Good luck on Aug 31! 🙂
![Yearasta Yearasta](http://www.vimovingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/wpforo/avatars/vitrinflagsmall.jpg)
Dance party this weekend again! I'll text the info
![Eurospace Eurospace](http://www.vimovingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/wpforo/avatars/delta%205%20rocket%20nasa.png)
Dance party this weekend again! I'll text the info
Can you also post the info? Friends and family spending weekend on STX. Thanks.
Dave
So awesome! (tu) We'll be there for good in a little over a month. Sure there have been moments of anxiety and unease, but your post made my day!!! (Especially the calmness part ....)
You made my day!(tu)
How refreshing!! My boyfriend and I just booked our flights today! We will arrive the morning on November 2!! I am so, so excited!!! 🙂
Your post make the bit of anxiety that I have go away for just a little bit.
Our plan is to stay until May. I wonder how we'll feel when May rolls around??
![Bombi Bombi](http://www.vimovingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/wpforo/avatars/palm.jpg)
I came to STX 5 years ago for a winter stay and never left and don't intend to. I enjoy the friendliness of the people, the pace of life and to temper my expectations.
nice post!
![A Davis A Davis](http://www.vimovingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/wpforo/avatars/anita2012ava.jpg)
that's a wonderful essay and it pretty much puts into a capsule if not in actual events, in sentiment why many of us choose to stay after a "visit" that turns into the rest of our lives.
well done!
Wonderful reading with my morning cup of coffee. I am hairstylist from the states. If you haven't found one yet, I am highly trained, been to Chicago for their yearly hair shows, and keep up on my education weekly. Always on top of new trends, and can master the classics. Just a thought if you're looking. Thanks for the post
Wonderful post. My family and I have had quite a different experience here. Having traveled to many other countries and islands around the world, I can say St. Croix is among my least favorite for too many reasons to list. We are making the best of it though and I suppose one the positives for most Americans is that you don 't need a passport to travel here
Have questions about our particular experience? Just send me a private message. 🙂
Time to enjoy this beautiful day!
It would be helpful to all if you gave us some specifics on your stay. Your previous posts were somewhat positive.
Just wondering if you are working on island? From my end of things retirement anywhere seems like paradise. 🙂 I know the grass is always greener.
But seriously if you can afford to live here without working it would definitely be paradise, as long as you don't get sick, but that's true anywhere. But here you generally have to go back stateside to get a better quality of care.
One man's meat etc.
Beautiful post, thanks! This is a WONDERFUL place - I am grateful every day to live here!
Thank you so much for sharing. Our PMV is for 1 month next February. I can imagine making it to the airport for the return trip will be difficult at best.
I cry every time I have to leave St. Croix. I'm constantly on the web cam - reading this board. I miss it terribly. Hope to be there real soon.
YAY! for a happy positive post! 🙂
So you are two days away from your plane ride? Have you decided whether you are leaving or not? From your post I assume there will be one seat empty for sure.
I arrive on STT the 31st. Cant wait 😀
She left island---but will be back probably in December. Great tenant and friend , thanks for the friendship and all the help with daily life here .
Hope to see you sooner than later.
I've been here many times as a tourist for a wk at a time. Even bought property, thinking I might want to retire here someday. Decided to see what it's like to actually live here as a "commoner", not a tourist, & work here so arranged to spend the month of July. On July 31st I was to get on the plane to go back to the states. But the clothes would not go in the suitcase & the car refused to take me to the airport! I simply could not make myself leave! I called the airline & cancelled my ticket.
Now I have to leave at the end of Aug, 2 weeks, 1 day, 16 hrs from now. Anyone want to place bets on whether I can do it this time?
Here's what living here for this short time has taught me:There is a calmness here I don't feel anywhere else; even when the Internet connection goes down for the 3rd time in an hr, even when the electric alarm clock has to be reset, and reset, and reset (I just turned it around after that), even when a cow walks across the road & everyone has to stop til it mosies to the other side.
There is a feeling of community that makes even a newbie feel welcome. I made my first friend walking on the beach my first morning here & have met a network of supportive people since. While searching for a person I was to meet at a restaurant, I met several others who offered advice & suggestions on a number of things. My landlord offered me use of an extra car to help defer rental car costs in return for feeding their animals for a few days while they're off island. Yeah, I can do that.
There is excellent live music several days/wk even in this off-season time. I even have found dance partners, a huge thing for me, an avid dancer.
The crystal turquoise water flows over my skin like silk every day while I swim or snorkel in different bays.
True, the grocery store may not have what I thought I wanted, but it usually has what I need.
True, it migh be a challenge to get my hair taken care of, especially when I show up at the salon & the stylist says "Oh, we don't have that color!". But after getting over the fact that a salon could not have a standard hair color, they bent over backward to find it & do my hair later that day.So, getting on the plane Aug 31st? We'll see.
Glad to see you're liking STX. 🙂
I will say, however, that I think you're still in the "honeymoon" stage and are most likely viewing things through rose-colored glasses. Stay here for another ten years and then see how you feel. You will most likely feel somewhat differently. Not trying to burst your bubble -- I love STX too! -- but the fact is that living here for a couple months doesn't really give you the perspective needed to see the island as it really is. Which is to say: it's great, but has lots of problems. Not enough to make me leave, but certainly enough to merit serious consideration.
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