Change of lifestyle
Hello, I used to own a house on St. John up until a few years ago and had planned on retiring there when I become older.
Due to some unforseen curcumstances (business partner dispute/hate/lawsuit which is worse than a divorce) my economic status has changed. I left my old business and started up a company that sells expensive things for your house on the internet.
I am suffering fromsnow burnout and need a change and know what life is like in the VI as I have been going there forever.
Anyhow, I am back on my economic feet and want to relocate to St. Thomas. (I believe St. John is flat out too expensive these days) I can do this as my business can be located anywhere there is a decent broadband connection and relatively cheap 800 service. My other two employees work from home and are not even in the same town I am. (Technology!)
My plan is to move to St. Thomas and rent for 6 months to a year and then buy a house or a condo.
My timeframe for this is before the end of the year. I have a few issues however.
1. I do have to work at my business every day except weekends so my ability to visit there for a long period to shop for a place to rent, get phones and internet going and secure a car etc in advance is limited to weekends or three day weekends once or twice.
2. The rental place I get needs to have DSL or Cable or wireless high speed.
3. I need to have at least 2 phone lines installed in the rental place for my business.
4. The rental place needs to be 2 BR with at least a decent view but would also LIKE to have it be a condo with a pool. Thinking east end/Redhok area but I am flexible.
5. Until June 2004 I will be commuting back and forth to the mainland until my teenage son is out of high school and after that will probably spend 2/3 of my time in St. Thomas and 1/3 back on the mainland as I will keep my house here and as my son gets older will spend less time on the mainland and more on St. Thomas.
I am looking for help and advice on securing a place to live / car and all the basics in the context of being able to get that accomplished in maybe 2, 3 day visits in October for a move shortly thereafter.
Are there any other people here that are in similar circumstances or are considering the same sorts of things?
Thanks
Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Well, the issue of the DSL/wireless might be a problem. Since the phones and cable are owned by the same company there is no incentive for cable access, therefore, no cable. The other two are available only in limited areas. Wireless has to survey the area, I believe. So you might have to be less picky on area in order to get what you want. But if you lived on St John, you know how that is....
My other comment is that if you are using your home as a place of business, you may need some special approval. Especially in condo assocations, I don't think that is always kosher...
It's only a home office. Paperwork, Internet and phone. Where I live now is zoned heavily and very controlled and there is no issue. I do not think that would bug anybody.
I am wondering how to determine beforehand (coordinate) making sure I can get high speed and pick a decent place to rent? Among all the other things I have to get dealt with.
Hello WJM,
Your limited time for finding apartments and getting set up is questionable. Finding an apartment sure you could come in on a Friday and call listings in the Island Trader and see them over the weekend. Phone line and internet set up needs to be done during the week when the offices are open. So you might need to plan on being here on a Monday so that you can at least go sign up and then maybe ask the landlord to let the person in to do the phone lines.
Securing a car - you might consider shipping one or you can buy one here used or new from the owner or from a dealer.
Here is the phone company, cable, internet provider web site...
http://www.iccvi.com/companies.htm
--Islander
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