Considering Short term move Dec 09

Any comments on any of the above are appreciated. I realize that I am asking for a lot of information. The ferry website said that driver's license and birth certificate are acceptable forms of id for the Virgin Islands, but I am concerned with the new status of passport requirements as of Jan. 23, 2009 and wonder if the website is up to date.

First off slow down....do you think you can deal with "island time" if you get ansy for your questions to be answered after a hour?? It may sound silly to a statesider but it is a big complaint with transplants. They think they want the laid back lifestyle but when they realize it inconviences them they start to hate how long everything takes to get done. My solution is to bring a book everywhere.

Is it possible to survive? Well yes but you are going to need money. I would come with 5 or 6k Season is very pricey. Condos can go for double what they normally do. If you come down in October or November you'll have a better chance of getting a resonalbe deal as well as a job. Season workers ususally come down early to get "service" type jobs. Apt here require first, last, and deposit. Short term rates usually just require a deposit and a utilites deposit, and at a much higher rate.

A Car is pretty necessary. Some get by with the safari taxi's at $2.50 a pop. They are not on a tight schudle. So you will have to leave early to make sure you get to work on time and this is not a fun way to have to run errands and grocery shop. Do not even consider a moped unless you are an EXPERIENCED motorcycle driver. Hills and roads in STT are dangerous and are absolutely not for a beginner.

You must have a passport to go to the BVI. Anyone that tells you differently is wrong. You do not need one for Puerto Rico but any forgein caribbean island will require it.

Thanks Betty, for the good information. No, I am not expecting immediate responses, I tend to be thorough and just thought I would reiterate for those who had some but not all info. We live in a small town and are used to things in a less than timely manner depending on the hunting or fishing weather . We joke that it is a little like living in the islands in that aspect. We have been to the islands before and were married at Beef Island.

So far, if you come by boat you don't need a passport to the BVI's. By plane, yes you do. You also must be licensed here to be a massage therapist. The safaris don't go everywhere so you'd have to live on the route they travel.

Thanks!!!

Good point about the massage licensing. I have contacted my national association about the status of USVI licensing as they are currently showing that regulations have been passed, but not yet implemented. It may be only weeks or many months before the state is set up to enforce the laws they have enacted. The USVI government website did not list massage therapists under their licensing and I could not find a copy of the bill to see what the requirements are. But that's what being a member of a professional association is for.

Now that I have a good answer about passports and ferrying to the BVI. I'm thinking this will be a good vacation and a good look around. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? We need to get a feel for it first.

Trade is correct, if you take the boat to the BVI all you will have to show is your birth paper or naturalization paper. You only need a passport when traveling by air.