Anyone move down recently from the Kansas City area?

Hey Nikki

My husband and I moved from the Plaza in June 2005 🙂

PM me if you have more specific questions (but I think I have already pm you in July 2006)

Dianne

We just moved from K. C. ... what kind of car?
Flemming did a great job for us. Lee arranged the pick up in K. C. and they got it to STX perfectly.

we moved from Kansas City and then just recently back. It cost us for a 40 ft. container with both our cars in it, furniture, etc...$10,000 when it was all said and done. We used Lee Flemming and had a horrible experience with communication. I ended up doing all the calling, etc..to Crowley, customs, etc. MAKE SURE HE KEEPS YOU INFORMED AND AWARE OF ALL COSTS AND POSSIBLIITIES THAT COULD HAPPEN TO YOUR STUFF!
Do you have to ship your car or could you buy on island? Are you selling your stuff or shipping?

We have a Ford Escape currently... we might might something more "island friendly" before we go.

If you don't mind me asking, why did you move back to KC? Where abouts are you from in the KC area? We plan on moving a car down. Since we will have to rent down there, we are unsure if we will bring our furniture or not. We have 2 children so we would like to bring some items down, but definitely not all.

Nikki: I love my Ford Escape. It is smallish but you sit up high enough to see over hills. Also the Ford dealership (Metro Motors) has been very nice to work with.

EastEnder- how does your Escape hold up down there? Is it a 4WD? What island are you on?

It is a 2002 and doing well. The car and I live on St Thomas. I think its all-wheel because I don't have a separate switch like I did on other 4 wheel drives.

Island life was not for us. A lot of people can find true happiness there, but we had too many issues to stay. I had my baby there and didn't find life very easy with a child there. Medical was scary for us when I ran into health issues. We are happy to be back and truly wouldn't have appreciated life here if we hadn't been in STT so some good came of it. We also met some great people, which is why I still read this message board. They helped us a lot so I am returning the favor.
I always suggest keeping your stuff in storage, keep the family dog(s) with close family, and save LOTS of money just in case it doesn't work....if it does, great, go sell your stuff in the states, ship your dog, and spend LOTS of money. Good luck!

Nikki,

We moved from Kansas City to STT two and a half years ago. We just moved to Atlanta, GA last August. We have three kids. Raising kids on island without enough money to send them to private school was too much. Homeschooling didn't work either. Cost of shipping home goods and truck was over $10,000 when all was done. We spent most of our savings with all the hidden costs of living on island. I love Atlanta even with the cold winter and am able to relax more. Our lives were not simpler living on island, in fact I got very little r and r. However, we did have a lot of good times, met great people, and enjoyed the views. It is hard for me to recommend anyone with kids to move to the islands, because I know the hardships they face. But they will never know until they do and hopefully they will appreciate the experience. If they stick it out, they may stay forever. Good luck to you Nikki and when you do move, we are here to answer your questions and cheer you on! I too was given great advice on this board and post still to give back, hopefully with little negativity. 🙂

Teresa

I moved from Parkville right before Mike and Piaa.

I know a transmission guy at Ford on STT, and he prefers a Jeep, but swears Escapes are a good car to have on island, just not as common as Suzuki and Jeeps.

I come down seasonally to work as a dive instructor (on coki beach) and I too am from Kansas City (grew up in Parkville). It amazes me on the number of people I keep running into that are from KC down here. Anyways just letting you know I'm here to help as well if needed. Never hurts to know a dive instructor down here either in case you want to go. Good luck with the move!

We just moved from AZ to St Maarten and we saved TONS of money by packing our things ourselves and driving them in a Rental Truck to Miami and shipping from there. We moved household things and a motorcycle and a scooter. I was getting quotes of $8,000 to $10,000 to ship from AZ, however to ship from Miami was $1,300 + the Rental Truck was $800 and then gas and hotel rooms it came out to about $3,000 total. Our stuff arrived all in one peice, even the dishes.

Thanks for the info! We have not problem doing things ourselves to save money. Where are you from in AZ? I am originally from South Tempe/Ahwatukee area. I moved to KC after meeting my husband in 1999.