Cheat Sheet - STX Neighborhoods?

You misunderstand me. I love it here. I'm here because I want to be. You say you are coming because you HAVE to. I refuse to sugar-coat or gloss over the problems of living in the VI.

I have a husband and a pension. You have two small children, one with medical problems. We came with 2 cars full of stuff and no place to live. We were, as I have said before, unemcumbered. You, on the other hand are very "encumbered".

All I am saying is that living here is very different than living in any state in the union or coming here on vacation.

We have jobs we like, disposable income and time to enjoy living here. We also can laugh (well, maybe not laugh) at the inconveniences and quirks that make living on a Carribean island a unique experience. For example, did you know that on St. Croix, getting regular pasturized milk is difficult? Do you know how much private school will cost? Do you know what your earning level will be?

Last year at Thanksgiving we had 4 other "families" here at the house for dinner. This year only one of those groups are still on STX. Each lasted just about a year and then left for various reasons.

All I'm saying is be cautious and prepared. And don't buy anything without seeing it first!

Good luck to you.

Jay Murphy, MD 340-773-8801 on St Croix

Adam Shapiro, MD 340-774-8881 (www.entvi.com) on St Thomas

Hi Shandra,
I don't think Linda J means to sound unkind. Most everyone on this message board really try to give good accurate advice. I have met many people young and not so young who came to the island on a whim and have done great. Like you I am moving to the island with family members that have health problems. I am also 48 years old with a 3 year old. I did 3 PMV and bought a house. Still I was completely unprepared for island life. It is very very different from the states. My advice as well is to rent a house and only bring what you need to see if the island is for you. I only say that because I bought a house right away and it has been a nightmare. Once you are on the island and make friends who can help you understand the culture and island life. I am a very laid back person who has lived all over the states and I still found it to be a bit of a challenge. I do not mean to discourage you. The health benefits on the island are incredible. I love it there and don't want to be anywhere else. I wish you good luck on the island and with your child. Please feel free to email me if you need any help or moving advice. I have made every mistake possible with my move. LOL. I am now becoming an expert.
Good Luck,
Tammy

What is your son's diagnosis? My husband is health care provider who practiced on StX until this yr. Perhaps he could give some pointers or names.

The issue of 'family neighborhoods' is complex. I believe that they are divided along income lines - very much like the States. However, it is not the States - duh! and that income line tends to also divide among race, and local/statesider lines. To recommend a neighborhood, one would have to have a fairly detailed idea of the social attitudes etc of your family. Even then, the only recommendation that most of us would make, would be...come and look for yourself. A pre-move visit is absolutely crucial!

Land is no issue on STX, so as ones' income rises, the further apart the houses become. The 'family' neighborhoods where the kids from a street get together to hang out and ride bikes etc. tend to be the slightly lower income areas.

Cotton Valley, Tipperary etc ( a very popular area among transplants with kids at Country Day for example) you would probably have to ferry the child to home of friend (s) from school. Roads are not cool for kids biking (or walking) on StX.
A lot of the kids 'hang out' in C'sted or at the various beaches on weekends by prior arrangement. School or extra- curricular activities will most likely be the place to make friends.

Linda

Sorry if I did misunderstand you. We do know that there will be things that we will have to deal with once we are living there. But that is ok with us. We have to do what is best for our baby. I have checked into the private schools and the cost is the same as we have here right now.

We will not becoming until we find the right house to buy. We will be coming in December to look around and start looking at the houses. Once we find one that we like, etc then we will buy and move. We are not just packing up and coming.

My husabnd has family in Puerto Rico and things that we need that we can not get on the Island we will go to Puerto Rico. We are very laid back and adjust very easily.

Thank you very much for the contacts. I will contact these Dr's Monday.

Jane

I also read your other post. Thank you for the information. I have looked into Country Day School. It seems good. But when we come down I will go to that school and the other Private ones. I don't just want to pick without first visiting it.

Tammy

Thank You. I will email you later on.

Shandra, with a child the age of yours, many families have found Free Will Baptist to be a good option for the grade school years. Their tuition is much lower than Country Day and Good Hope, but they have a good school and most new kids feel very welcome from what I have heard directly from families who have tried them. They are located at the center of the island, so you have more neighborhood options in your price range that will still allow an easy commute to school and work.

Alexandra

Thanks. That is one that I don't remember coming across. I will look into that one hopefully tomorrow.

Shandra