Coming to the Island
I am sure this site is inundated by people leaving messages seeking advice on the big move, and this one is a little different because I am not seeking a push in either direction, rather, I am seeking to meet people and befriend as many as I can can before coming to St. Thomas. I can honestly say I have lived around the ocean and the beach for a large portion of my life, and recently spent the last four years land locked in the Midwest. This time has been difficult, and has left me with one heart, one goal, and one destination for my soul... the islands. I went into this decision with an open mind, looking into the cook islands, Solomons, Greek Isles, Fiji, etc. and trusting fate to send me where it is intent on sending me. I am nearly sure that USVI is it. I have contacted my family, recieved their blessing, made preparations with my current job, and have decided to sell nearly all unnecessaries in order to start fresh and clean and truly let free the spirit that has been bottled all of this time. I am 30, no children or spouse, college educated and well trained in the service industry as a bartender, server and manager. My college education is centered around psychology. I am also a certifiable concrete worker. If anyone has a moment, please reply, and your advice, and especially friendship, would be more than appreciated...either way, I will be there in August. My contact info is 1704 6th Ave. South Moorhead Minnesota 5650...Phillip Petty 2187900577...Thank you so much for taking the time to respond...
Ah, your landlocked period rung a distinct bell!
22 years ago and going through some midlife changes, I wanted to make a change and came to St Thomas to visit friends who had recently moved here and thought I would like it. It was a very short visit, just a few days but I was offered a job here.
When I returned to Connecticut where I had lived for 17 years, I was offered a job in North Carolina at the Duke University Medical Center by a previous boss who had moved there to Chair a department. I explained to him that I'd been offered a job in the Virgin Islands which I was mulling over but he said, "Come up anyway and take a look!"
My fare and accomodation were all taken care of, the facility was state of the art, the people I met were wonderful and it was a tremendous opportunity. But something kept nagging at me and I didn't know what it was.
Three weeks later the revelation hit and it came as a huge surprise. I was born close to the sea in England and wherever I moved to in England either as a child or as a young adult I was close to the sea. I moved to Connecticut and was by the sea. I had never consciously moved to be by the sea but obviously there was always that call which I instinctively obeyed. I realized then that I would be very unhappy living inland so I made the choice based purely on that.
22 years later and I'm still here, have seen a zillion people come and go, have had and continue to have experiences both good and bad but immeasurable in so many ways, and this is my home.
Just a rather long thought but I understand how you feel. Good luck and bon chance, Phillip!
Hi Phil,
Congrats on deciding to make the big move. I know your not looking for any advice on if you should or shouldn't. But you might want to take my advice on which island. I would recommend you experience St. Croix first and if you don't like it than hop on over to STT. I've spent a good amount of time on both islands and unless you truly don't mind constant gridlock traffic everywhere you go all the time than STT will work for you. I live on STX and I can tell you that everywhere I go anytime of the day is a drive in the country with the exception of Sunny Isle shopping center between 3 and 6 pm. STX is more than twice as big as STT but with same amount of people. Much more laid back and not all hussle and bussle. You get the point. Good luck and if you do decide on STX I would be glad to help in anyway I can.
Greetings Phillip,
I am born and raised in FL and have always lived on a barrier island on the east coast, and I will never live inland. I love FL, but the flat terrain is getting old and I have been dreaming of moving to the USVI for years now. I am taking a visit the last week of June and will hopefully be securing a job and returning to live a couple weeks thereafter. I have a friend that just moved back from STT and was doing work in phsycology down there so I could maybe get some info on this if you're interested. Just wanted say what's up.
Hey Phil,
My friend and I are both 27 and coming from Portland, OR on August 1 for a month and hopefully to stay if it works out. We are both fun loving, responsible, servants in the service industry. Looking forward to maybe meeting down in STT if you're looking for comapny upon arrival. Talk to you later- Mark
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