Considering relocating to St. Croix
Hello Board & Happy Easter,
Just came across the forum while researching info on employment on ST. Croix. A little background info about me first. I'm originally from Michigan. I moved to Texas, south of Houston, 25 years ago. My daughter is now in college and the wife & I are free to move anywhere we want to. We have been to the Caribbean a few times and love the climate and water. My work background is in Instrumentation and process analytical. I am aware of the Hovensa Refinery on ST. Croix and am considering pursuing a job there. My questions for you are:
1) Do any of you work there? If so what is the work atmosphere like?
2) What is the perception of the refinery on the island?
I guess that's all of the questions I have for now. Thanks for your help and I look forward to your responses.
Elmer
Hi Elmer,
I sell ITT Bartons. We are just starting to manufacture a clone since Barton filed bankruptcy. Have over 3 thousand in stock. Hovensa is a good customer of ours. I still have the main company back in the states but we are going to open a facility here. I am looking for a top level guy to oversee operations here. We've been getting alot of work over the last year from the South American Countries. The only distrubutor down in this part of the world is Shell Supply out of Puerto Rico and they are having a hard time getting product. Being in oil field country, I know that you are familiar with Bartons. In any case send me a private message. I don't want to discourage you from Hovensa. It sounds like they offer a pretty good package and they need good people. Come on down. I have a two bedroom guest cottage and I would be happy to put you and your wife up for a week or two if you want to check out the island and Hovensa. It's is beautiful here. We love it. As long as the wife can live without Walmart you will be fine. Have a good night.
Tammy
Well there is no doubt your services are already in demand is there Elmer? Please read as many pages of the board as you can it is a wealth of moving and living in the virgin islands. Life here may look like paradise but its not the reality for everyone. Do your research and feel free to ask any questions. Theres also a search link at the top of the page that may help you do it faster.
Hovensa IMO has a good reputation on the island, it is generally considered the second largest employer (behind the vi govt) and offers benefits to it employess as well. Which may be standard in most places stateside it can be a god send to people here. So positions with hovensa are highly sought after. There are many large subcontractor companies that work for hovensa that will offer housing per diems, etc for middle to upper management type positions as well.
Good luck with your research and welcome.
Elmer,
We have visited St.Croix for 2 years and are trying to move there as well. I am a Houstonion as well, but currently live in Annapolis, Md.
I can't tell you much about the job scene. But can tell you - I have never found a more beautiful place to live. Not because of the scenery, but because of the people.
Good luck, and I hope we will find eachother there,
Cameron
Thanks to all who responded to this thread. The information and insight is much appreciated. I will spend a good bit of time here searching through previous post to get a feel for things on the Island. Does anybody have other recommendations to find out about cost of living, housing etc? What am I missing? I read the cost of living is approximately 33% higher than on the mainland. Does that sound about right? How about housing cost and availability? I also heard crime is high. Can somebody enlighten me on that.
Tammy- PM sent.
Betty- I can't tell if the first sentence in your reply is a question, or a statement. Are you saying there is demand for my services, or are you asking if I have researched whether or not there is demand for my services?
If you are saying there is demand for my services, thanks for the info. If it is a question, then I can only say I know they have analytical equipment that requires service, that is what I do and I enjoy it. We are a small community of people who are disproportionately left handed. It is a somewhat specialized field and there is demand Nationally, if not Internationally. However, I do understand that this does not guarantee a job, or even consideration for a job. However, I think I'd like to give it a shot.
Thanks for your input.
Elmer
It was a statement saying their should be a demand for your professional services.
Elmer and Jenn I will email you both later. My computer has been on the fritz most of the day. Just got it up and running again. Have to get my son ready for bath, story and bed. Whew!
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