Bartender

Wages low, cost of living high (especially rents and electricity), public transportation minimal, food expensive, no private health health insurance, very poor hospital.

Come on down if you like upper third world living at its best!

@vicanuck

Well that sucks... I am asking because here well I mean anywhere if you are good Bartender,can make decent living. Cheap food here accommodation so so depends,and rarely you will find in this industry health insurance. 

Just curious.

Thanks for info 

@draganflorida

I'm sure that there are others who will have a more positive reply. But, I just try to tell it like it really is.

Its certainly not easy to live here, especially on a small income.

I moved back in December and work at a hotel (offers health/dental). The bartenders rake it in (and are fed) during high season. During low season it's more of a struggle as some restaurants close for a few weeks/month when it's slow. Tips are built in at many restaurants. Rents are high so possibly get a roomie. Many of our staff live together. You'll meet tons of people working in F&B. I live without AC but I came from the South where it was hot/humid and muggy with no breeze. You get plenty of that here. The pace is much slower and places shut down early so that will be an adjustment from where you are now where nightlife bleeds into day life. Life is short. Give it a go. You can always return to MIA. Cheers! 

@nanner

• Wow thanks for honest answer. You right,life is short ,enjoy the life and try! Definitely worth a try! Let's make that GREENS LOL! And I love heat and summer! Maybe first come and check few days and so a season and from there to see how it goes! 
• I appreciate it! 
• Enjoy it and hope see you soon! Take care 

VI Canuck is 100% right in his observations, but in spite of that it is still a great place, with great people, open spaces and great food. All kinds you can think of from local to anything else you can imagine. Good bartenders have their own following (meaning if they change jobs clients will follow)and many customers become friends. You're young do it. It is not easy but if you are flexible, can roll with the punches and have a sense of humor you will do fine. 

@stxsailor

• Wow thanks! Sounds like a great advice! And you don't know if you don't try right? And it can be great adventure! ???

i cant imagine a great server not making enough to live on with a shared living situation.

@vicanuck

"Wages low, cost of living high (especially rents and electricity), public transportation minimal, food expensive, no private health insurance, very poor hospital."

I am sure that is the same description you were given when you opted to move to the VI. LOL

It hasn't changed a lot.

What has changed is the cost of living in parts of the mainland equals or exceeds that in the VI now. Same piss poor salaries in the states as in the VI unfortunately. Access to health care remains the biggest obstacle.

Posted by: @Gator's_Mom

@vicanuck

"Wages low, cost of living high (especially rents and electricity), public transportation minimal, food expensive, no private health insurance, very poor hospital."

I am sure that is the same description you were given when you opted to move to the VI. LOL

It hasn't changed a lot.

What has changed is the cost of living in parts of the mainland equals or exceeds that in the VI now. Same piss poor salaries in the states as in the VI unfortunately. Access to health care remains the biggest obstacle.

You're right...not much changes in the VI. But, I'm a business owner so my economic situation is much different than a bartender's would be. Just about everything I buy except groceries can be attributed to the business.

Ok so depends , same as everywhere.

Not sure what money is there to be made but here in good bar you make decent money. Only bad thing is very seasonal as summer is pretty slow. 

But if you like what you do then that is good.

Thanks for advices . Is it hard to find decent accommodation? Do you have to have a roommate,meaning how expensive is to live alone? 

My wife and I have 2 very nice stand alone 1 bedroom furnished cottages (~700 sq ft each) on our property that are both currently rented (long term rentals) at about $1,400/month plus utilities.  We’re in the east end about 10 to 12 minutes from Christiansted.  We’re not looking for tenants, just trying to share what we know.  I hope that gives you a little bit of insight, others can comment as well.

@jaldeborgh

Good evening.

That sounds kinda fair. Not sure in what condition they are and if they have full kitchen and bathroom but for island that is fair price. Miami is pretty expensive if you want something decent. Unless you live in hood area and that's not cheap also. 

Thanks for info.

These are very nice, private, with recently completely remodeled kitchens and bathrooms.  They each have there own laundry (washer/dryer combo) along with nice views out to the water, each has a window A/C unit in its bedroom.  They’re not the Ritz Carlton but very comfortable and livable.  Importantly, they’ve survived every major storm since they were built in ~1970 with only minimal damage.

@jaldeborgh

That's amazing. So means built is sturdy lol

And that's pretty good for that. Does have a parking lot also?what is to do for fun there? Malls,diving, surfing,festivals,how is night life? 

Each apartment has it’s own parking, effectively it’s own driveway.  The cottages are more like guest houses next to our home.  Because we’re located on top of a hill they each have good privacy.

As for things to do, we’re honestly still learning as we only bought the house this last January.  Our biggest issue is we’re in our 60’s and have been having a little too much fun, in a rush to do everything, it’s a very outdoors lifestyle.  The food has been great but folks have a tendency to drink a drop or two too much, at least for us older guys, the mind is willing but the body can’t always keep up.

@jaldeborgh

Ahaha... You folks sounds like fun crowd to hang out with. Well hope if I come you will be regular at my bar LOL

Well hope see you soon. Is it real estate expensive there? 

Malls?  We don't even have Mall.  Malls are dying anyway.  One main shopping center. 

Well we do have a nice new movie theater. 

Of course we have lots of great diving.  Nightlife mostly ends at 9PM, occasionally at 10 with live entertainment.  We have a good assortment of festivals though, jump-ups, parades, mango melee, art in the park, start watching the stxcalendar.

@Scubadoo

Wow sounds lots of summer activities there.  And majority is beach bars and entertainment on water. That's so cool. Well yes I meant shopping center .  Only thing is I need to come for few days and see how it will fit to me. Then decide.  

Thanks a bunch