Bostonian here! help!

Everyone likes their own island but for what you want, probably STT is best because for one thing you'll have more airline choices to the States. There are lots of people in your age range & maybe more job options for what you want to do but I'm quite sure STX might suit your needs too as far as jobs & is possibly less expensive to live on. "Safer" is probably the same - you need to stay out of iffy areas on both islands & use common sense to have a better chance to avoid crime.

Please remember that moving here will not offer a geographical cure. You bring yourself with you so it's not the escape many people think it will be. I moved here alone over 25 years ago & have loved it but I wasn't escaping problems other than a very strange family. Come with a round trip ticket - living here isn't for everyone & be aware that it will be you who needs to adapt. The island won't. Good luck.

Perfect advice Trade

Thanks Trade! Well, half of my problem is getting away from an ex who has been trying to ruin my life for the past year. He continually stalks me in strange ways despite a restraining order. He has his FRIENDS stalk me now..Boston is a SMALL community. I can't get away from the rumors, lies, and sabotage..so I DO think that this move would be good for me. I need to start over in a place where no one knows me. Everywhere I go, he seems to know someone who will start trouble with me. I just want to get away from all the aggravation. For the longest time, I was just heart broken. Now I'm just annoyed. That's why I see it as the opportunity to move. I also hate the fast faced lifestyle of new england. Were you very homesick when you first arrived, Trade?

also, another question...will I need to change my phone provider to move to STT? Will I have to pay roaming charges or will it be U.S phone calls to talk to people in the states?

I remember well my first trip to the islands. The relaxed attitude; even airport and customs people were nice to us in STT. We look more like locals than tourists. As soon as we arrived back at Logan airport the difference was startling as the cold winter air chilled us to the bone and the cops screamed at the traffic in the bus area. People seemed mean and impersonal. Certainly not my style after growing up in southern California.
I'm gonna make a break for the islands myself if I can just sell my home in Connecticut. Homes are not selling too fast these days.
Good luck with your decision, you are young enough to go and roll with it if it does not work out. If you cant take a chance in life, you may grow old and never know.

Islandgirlee,

I believe you will be homesick when you first move to the island. You're leaving everything and everybody you know to move someplace new. A pre-move visit is a good idea. That way you could possibly find a job and a place to live.

I think if you really want to make the move, do a premove visit and then go for it. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't. You can get all kinds of information from everyone, but the bottom line is you. How you handle new experiences (good and bad) and how well you adjust is based on your personality, which is unique, so nobody can tell you if you'll like it in or not.

I moved to STX when I was 21 and lived there for almost a year(without doing a premove visit). I didn't have much money, so travel was very limited. I have a pretty laid back personality, and got on pretty well with just about everyone. After a while though, I got rock fever and decided to move back to the states.

Unless you are high-maintenance and inflexible, I think you'd do just fine in the islands. You can always move back if you don't like it! I think life is too short to not take chances.

I would suggest visiting both islands to see which one suits you better. (Both islands have flights to the US daily! :))

As far as whether you need to switch carriers for your cell phone, you can call your provider and see if they have service on the island you choose to move to. I remember ATT and Cingular have service on STX.