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Topic starter
Hello all 🙂
I have been lurking in the shadows of this board for a few weeks now, just reading what you all have had to say about moving to the USVI.
My husband and I are considering a move to St. Croix in June. He has a job offer on the table and we are considering it.
It will be a big move for me as I have never lived anywhere but New Hampshire. I don't think there will be too much adjustment as far as goods and services are concerned because I live in a very rural area and have a long drive to just go to the grocery store. And then it is a small , expensive "mom & pop" deal. It will be an adjustment just because there seem to be "so many" people. I'm VERY sure that I won't miss the New England weather though!
We spent a week in STX earlier this month and really loved what we saw. We liked how friendly people were - in New England people are so "reserved" that they come across as cranky. It was a nice change. We had some friends show us around the island and arranged to have a real estate agent show us a bunch of houses just to get a feel for what was available in our price range. So far it looks like this is a definate possibility for us.
We have two children, ages 9 ad 13, both girls. The public school they attend now is very limited - we live inthe poorest school district in NH - so we supplement their education ourselves by spending hours with them reviewing what they are supposed to be learning in school. So far it works as both girls are high honor students. We are hoping to be able to continue to send them to public school on St. Croix, but are concerned about all of the negative comments we have heard, so more research needs to be done there. However, they girls are very excited about the idea of moving and the opportunities they will have in STX.
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and step out of the shadows for a bit!
Susan
Posted : February 18, 2005 2:41 pm
Hello Susan,
Welcome to posting and to the board.
Feel free to participate, ask questions, share thoughts any time 🙂 All the best with your moving plans.
--Islander
Posted : February 23, 2005 10:06 pm
Yeah, don't send them to public school.....
Just don't.
Posted : February 24, 2005 1:54 am
Another woman on this site, Theresa, just started her kids in public school. Hope she sees this and comments.
Posted : February 24, 2005 10:18 am
I think it rather unfair to adamantly say, "don't send (your children) to public school. " The public school system has been in rather a mess for many, many years but that hasn't stopped many children from graduating and going on to university and doing very well. This is probably due to the attention of parents like yourselves who spend countless hours supplementing education at home.
Your children would benefit from interraction with other children through the school system and school activities and it sounds as though the rather poor rural background to which they've already been exposed won't subject to them to any major shocks in attending public school here.
I lived in New England (as a transplant) for many years before moving to the islands 20 years ago and I don't think your adjustment will be too awful! Rural New Englanders take a while to accept you into their communities and the same goes for the islanders. Quiet politesse and interest in the community go a long way towards acceptance.
The very best of luck with your move!
Posted : February 24, 2005 11:55 am
Topic starter
Thank you all for your input.
I am curious to find out why people feel so adamant about not sending children to the public schools. Are they unsafe? Are children from the mainland unaccepted?
You see, in my case, I really want my kids to be a part of their community, and the best way to do that is to attend school with the children from their own neighborhood. I want them to have friends and to be accepted in their own neighborhood; I do not want them to be forever perceived as outsiders. However, I also wish for them to be safe and happy, and if public school is going to cause them to be in compromising situations or to be unhappy (OK, they are 9 and 13 - so unhappier than other pre-teens! LOL), then I need to reconsider where they are placed for their education.
At this point, it looks like my husband is going to accept the job offer and we will be moving at the end of June. We have planned a visit May 9-14 to get things in order for June and visiting schools is definately on my list. So, between now and then, if anyone has any recommendations for that trip, I would surely appreciate the advice 🙂
Finding this board has been a great help. Thank you all.
Susan
Posted : February 24, 2005 1:45 pm
