biggest surprise upon moving

here is another one. on an island you would expect the air quality to be 100% better than anywhere stateside. it is so much worse here than most places i have lived in the states
i think this must be the biggest for the hubby too

A and A - you asked ....we answered.
I don't buy this "good vibes" stuff - we were all like you once - new to the island!!!
You just ended up by being rude. You imply that our negative experiences have something to do with what we are putting out to the universe!!!!!!

You asked for surprises - the sun and the beach and the island "vibe" are all bleeding obvious!!!!!!
The fact that your new boss is a coke raddled money launderer who has taken an interest in your sweet ass is probably going to be a ...BIG SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The raw sewage spilling over Long Reef used to be a surprise too and the ringworm endemic in some of our quaint little shanty settlements on the North Shore!!!!

There is good and bad in all things and in all places....has it ever entered the eternal sunshine of your little mind that perhaps the VI might just be an awesome Caribbean island that is also pretty full of "drunks that don't take care of themselves" ?
We have lived there for years - you have visited for a fraction of that. Hmmmm...get back to me when you have been there as long as most of the posters on the board.
Does anyone remember Mel - a great cheerleader for how wrong everyone was and that a smile for the locals was all you needed to make the VI paradise??? Wherever did she go?
PS We ALL love the USVI (perhaps in a more mature and realistic way) and help random strangers and give out rainbows - you don't have a monopoly on that!!!!

LMAO and I am the rude one? HAHAHAHA. Its cool I can take the flaming although I didn't ask anything I simply added MY experiences on my PMV hoping that it may entice people to also put positives of island life. Secondly your "Boss" comment is way off base. I will be finding work when I get there. And "little mind" LOL. ok... I wish you all the best in life Sally F.

I TRUELY appreciate all of the advice that Ive gotten from long timers and newbies alike. Never meant to come off rude AT ALL and Im sorry if I am a bit outspoken, its my nature and sometimes VERY hard to tell inflection via posts. This, being a relocation forum, you have to imagine that you are painting a picture for future friends, employees, neighbors maybe even bosses. How you portrait the islands is totally up to you but please know from someone who uses the relocation board for information on actually relocating, the picture being painted looks pretty grim. I will leave it at that.

please know from someone who uses the relocation board for information on actually relocating, the picture being painted looks pretty grim. I will leave it at that.

I think the sentiment on here used to be more positive. The trouble is, positive people get tired of idiots and drift away. I've been participating in this forum for at least 8 years (since the days when you didn't have to register to put up a post), moved in 2008, and have watched many helpful long-time posters get disgusted and leave the forum. I've taken long breaks from it myself. It's important for me to give back the help I've received here, and I try to paint a balanced picture when I post, without any sort of personal agenda. There are others who do the same, but it's a pretty thankless tasks when the questions are the same year after year after year, and most people who actually DO move just vanish without ever following up about how the move went or trying to help other newcomers.

Re air quality: Don't know about STT, but the air quality on STX was always good, unless there was saraha sand or monserratt ash.

linda, that is what i am talking about-some days the air is so yellow/brown. sure makes it hard for hubby to breath and he does not smoke

I don't see this as a threadful of negativity at all. I wake up most mornings with a big smile on my face and work out in the sun on, and in, the water all day. Then I have a couple of drinks with my (probably alcoholic) friends and run errands and can't go anywhere without seeing a few people who I know and love (but am not particularly close with). I look right past all the litter on the roads and beaches and enjoy the hell out of the beautiful weather (i sometimes miss seasons) and crystal clear water (that has been overfished).
In this very real life on a tropical island there is always something to temper the idyllic vision of living on a tropical island.
That's not bad or negative, it just is.
This is paradise, not heaven.

please know from someone who uses the relocation board for information on actually relocating, the picture being painted looks pretty grim. I will leave it at that.

I think the sentiment on here used to be more positive. The trouble is, positive people get tired of idiots and drift away. I've been participating in this forum for at least 8 years (since the days when you didn't have to register to put up a post), moved in 2008, and have watched many helpful long-time posters get disgusted and leave the forum. I've taken long breaks from it myself. It's important for me to give back the help I've received here, and I try to paint a balanced picture when I post, without any sort of personal agenda. There are others who do the same, but it's a pretty thankless tasks when the questions are the same year after year after year, and most people who actually DO move just vanish without ever following up about how the move went or trying to help other newcomers.

Completely understandable! I can relate some what... I just stepped down as the president of a salt water reef aquarium club of about 100 people that I ran for 4 years. Very much the same situation, people come and go from the club, very little to no thanks for sooo much work and time organizing meetings and locations, brining in guest speakers, holding raffles and holiday parties, much of it on my dollar. I can imagine it does get frustrating with the same questions every year.

I for one, REALLY appreciate all the info I've gained from long time islanders as well as newbies. Its been worrisome at times but good to take it all in. I will do my best to keep active and post my personal journey, whether its only a year or for more. I also am keeping detailed notes on the current cost of our move as I think that can really be helpful to people relocating and the other figures are a bit older.

Again thank you everyone!

I'm surprised on STT at the lack of support for new moms. On Stx I always felt supported, even if I didn't ask for it... in my delivery at the hospital, my choice to breast-feed, and my ability to find childcare + advice from other moms on the island.

So far on STT I've found the moms much less willing to offer help or advice.
The Hospital has a much worse reputation especially for breast-feeding mommas, and I see a much more negative attitude from others if I feed my daughter in public.

It's totally frustrating - the stuff is in place, there's a la Leche league, but they only meet once a month and there's no way to connect to the other moms (no website or FB page)
There's a mom's group who tries to be like Tamarind moms, but It feels much more like a bulletin board and less like discussion.

Now I feel like I'm venting, I apologize.

I don't see this as a threadful of negativity at all. I wake up most mornings with a big smile on my face and work out in the sun on, and in, the water all day. Then I have a couple of drinks with my (probably alcoholic) friends and run errands and can't go anywhere without seeing a few people who I know and love (but am not particularly close with). I look right past all the litter on the roads and beaches and enjoy the hell out of the beautiful weather (i sometimes miss seasons) and crystal clear water (that has been overfished).
In this very real life on a tropical island there is always something to temper the idyllic vision of living on a tropical island.
That's not bad or negative, it just is.
This is paradise, not heaven.

(tu)

CAtoSTX, hang tight. You've had a lot of change in a short time. Life on stt can be really isolating. Adjusting to life as new mom is hard too. You're not the first women to feel this way! I don't know where you live but check out the tot lot and Magens in ams. I met my best friend standing on line at KMART. We were both pregnant and holding screaming todlers. And screw anybody who gives you the evil eye for breast feeding...jerks...

I don't see this as a threadful of negativity at all. I wake up most mornings with a big smile on my face and work out in the sun on, and in, the water all day. Then I have a couple of drinks with my (probably alcoholic) friends and run errands and can't go anywhere without seeing a few people who I know and love (but am not particularly close with). I look right past all the litter on the roads and beaches and enjoy the hell out of the beautiful weather (i sometimes miss seasons) and crystal clear water (that has been overfished).
In this very real life on a tropical island there is always something to temper the idyllic vision of living on a tropical island.
That's not bad or negative, it just is.
This is paradise, not heaven.

(tu)

(tu)(tu)(tu)

I just stepped down as the president of a salt water reef aquarium club ----- organizing meetings and locations, brining in guest speakers,

Again thank you everyone!

That is some kind of Salt Water aquarium club -- "brining" the guests speakers! [LMAO]

Lol! Nice catch, too funny. Takes a lot of salt to brine a human but boy it makes them tender 😉

"Overall whatever expectations you have, honestly
let them all go and open your mind! If you think it's going to be big,
amazing, it's probably going to be more like simple and just right. "

I thought this was pretty good advice I received before we came out here for the winter. We have been here 3 months and will be here for another 4 months. Came to work for some friends at their restaurant for the winter. I have learned so much from being here and was actually thankful for the "negative" comments as they helped prepare me and toughened my skin. I am far too sensitive of an individual but I think living out here has taught me not to be so sensitive and that you have to throw expectation out the door and just keep an open mind. I am grateful because being out here has taught me new perpectives and seeing things through a different set of eyes. I have met some great people and I am enjoying learning about the Cruzian culture and experiencing Village and the Boat Parade, eating the local food and taking time to slow down in life. So all the positive and negative comments prepared me a great deal before coming out here, as I have never been to the Caribbean or did a PMV (which I didn't find necessary considering this wasn't a life move). So thanks to all !!

CAtoSTX, hang tight. You've had a lot of change in a short time. Life on stt can be really isolating. Adjusting to life as new mom is hard too. You're not the first women to feel this way! I don't know where you live but check out the tot lot and Magens in ams. I met my best friend standing on line at KMART. We were both pregnant and holding screaming todlers. And screw anybody who gives you the evil eye for breast feeding...jerks...

Thanks Blu. I have been to Tot lot, but now that my daughter is in daycare (she's the youngest one there) those things dont really work for us... they usually happen during her morning nap anyway.

Ive started going to La Leche League just to meet more moms.

I'm surprised on STT at the lack of support for new moms. On Stx I always felt supported, even if I didn't ask for it... in my delivery at the hospital, my choice to breast-feed, and my ability to find childcare + advice from other moms on the island.

So far on STT I've found the moms much less willing to offer help or advice.
The Hospital has a much worse reputation especially for breast-feeding mommas, and I see a much more negative attitude from others if I feed my daughter in public.

It's totally frustrating - the stuff is in place, there's a la Leche league, but they only meet once a month and there's no way to connect to the other moms (no website or FB page)
There's a mom's group who tries to be like Tamarind moms, but It feels much more like a bulletin board and less like discussion.

Now I feel like I'm venting, I apologize.

This is one reason why I decided to go back to the states in a few months to have my first baby. Having support of family and friends is huge and I just can't get that support being out here.

Two and a half years later I wonder if any of the folks who posted here have had any new insights???

not me-still think the air quality is not the best.

Hahah! Yes!! I was just reading my old posts. I still feel the same... For the most part.

I did find that people were stand off-ish but after a few months showing my face and being friendly I've made great friends. I TOTALLY get it now though as four of our best friends are leaving island. Luckily only to Florida and we will be able to visit them once in a while.

The biggest issue I have here now after 2.5 years is the trash, the totally wreck less Safari drivers and the lack of respect from tourists in the ocean.... and then the subsequent lack of enforcement. Like at coki. People being allowed to rock on the rocks and reef with the lifeguard doing nothing. I mean wtf. Why do we not have the cruise ships give a breifing on what to do and what not to do? after all I see it all the time with tourists feet full of urchins - or worse a stonefish sting. Don't get me started on taking sand shells and coral.

For me the honeymoon is TOTALLY a over. I see why people leave for sure but to me it's still home. I love these islands for sure and it really stems from my absolute love for the ocean. Every day I snorkel or dive and think - damn I live here!

I'll never forget the day I felt truly assimilated... I had an island tour that day and stopped by e&m market for ice a redbull and a doughnut. There was two doughnuts left and they had those little sugar ants on them.... Well I bought the doughnut and picked the ants off and ate it. It was then that I felt one with the island.

Ants are just a little extra protein, A! LOL...

I know! That's what I thought! Hahaha. After I ate it I had a good laugh. Tasted great!

Well I for one am really glad this post was brought back! Right now I'm the one who has been singing sunshine and rainbows! LOL. It was very refreshing ( & enlightening) to see AandA2VI's posts then and now. Especially since she was one who was telling me to take off my rose colored glasses so to speak, on some past post. I'm starting to see the fuller picture now.

And just so you all know we are taking the plunge and are meeting with our realtor on Monday to sign the paperwork to sell our house in CA and make the move to STX! Yea! So excited for this new chapter and new adventures(potholes and all)! Hopefully we should be there by sometime in August!

All the best for a smooth transition.

Weird reading about moms who felt they had no support. We have had a totally different experience here thus far. Have had a very easy time for mom and Sam.

Thanks Alana!