Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
Hello to all,
After a 7 night stay in STJ, my new wife and I have decided to include the island in our options for relocation in the future. We currently live in Cleveland, Ohio. Statistically the only places I can find in the continental US with worse all around weather are Erie, PA and Buffalo, NY. We are sun (and fun) worshipers, and decided that we will not spend the rest of our lives spending 2/3 of every year in miserable conditions. the local economy is also one of the hardest hit in the US. Our original plan centered around a move to New Mexico or Arizona, but after our trip we have thrown STJ into the mix. We have not yet visited STX, but are possibly planning a trip there in the near future to see if it too deserves consideration. We both agree that STT is not an option. We may as well move to AZ, for all the "hustle and bustle" we saw there.
My wife's mother is 90 and her health is sadly declining, the oldest son is 18 at the end of this month and is seriously considering the Navy, the youngest is 16 and will graduate in 3 years. We are using that as the time frame to plan our "escape".
I have done a little research on this site after being directed here by a St. Johnian that I met on the USVI Travel Forum and in person while visiting the island. My main question centers on employment, of course.
I am currently employed by one of the worlds largest property management firms as a Chief Engineer. Essentially, I run the building maintenance department. I have about 19 years experience in the fields of industrial machinery repair & factory maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, commercial and residential electrical, some construction, project management, departmental supervision and am a licensed Steam Plant Engineer. I would have to believe that these skills could land me some form of employment on STJ or possibly STX. Here is the problem........
If I am going to make the leap to abandon all that I know here and relocate to the VI's, I'm not certain that I want to do the same type of work. Maybe a career change is in order. I was told (and maybe this is BS) that diving instructors are always in demand. I have looked into the classes necessary to become an instructor and think I have the ability, desire and disposition to do the job, but have no idea what to expect for pay. I don't even know if it is realistic to expect to make a living in that field. I could always supplement my income as a dive instructor with my other skills if needed, and I also am a semi-professional musician (drummer). Diving and drumming for a living would be a dream come true!
So after reading all this, if any of you can offer any insight I would be extremely grateful! thank you in advance!
Dave
Posted : July 12, 2009 2:47 am
Too bad STT didn't make the cut - lots of opportunities and more affordable living options here - good luck however moving to STJ - the beaches are wonderful and if you are considering a career change the villa construction industry might be worth looking into. You can always spend a day in STT shopping and finding essentials.
Posted : July 12, 2009 3:58 am
Hello Dave,
A whole lot of Buckeyes on STX, and several on this BB - don't know about the other rocks.
Best diving in the world at STX.
I retired out of industrial HVAC/R/Mechanical 2 years ago. Honeywell. I however will likely continue same trade as basically that's what I good at I am bored with it after 37 yrs but can't live solely on my retirement. Bringing my service truck and tools. Guys like us can fix anything so will find something to do I'm sure. It's not cheap to live in the VI.
You could be writing about me except I have a just few weeks left in oHIo and Vickie and the dogs will follow when it's cool enough to fly the dogs. We will live on our boat at for a while saving money for a building lot. It's great living on the boat but it's not fair to the doggies.
STX is a very different place from STT. Rural. STX said as a word = sticks. As a guy from rural Ohio that's a good thing NOT a put down:-) I don't like STT or SXM as too much city for me. STJ is waaaaay outa my financial possibilities. Of course there is a reason STX hasn't built up so much - it's off the beaten path. STT/STJ puts you in some of the best sailing you could ask for. STX it's a day sail to go anywhere. I've been all over the Caribbean and Brasil but just feel at home on STX.
Read "Don't Stop the Carnival" and then see STX for yourselves.
If you want more from my perspective PM me and we can swap fone #s
My 2 cents.
Posted : July 12, 2009 4:23 am
Great to see you "over here" Drumbiker, did you find the moving stories page yet?
The board is quieter on weekends so expect more replies during the week but it the mean time...........................happy reading 🙂
Pia
Posted : July 12, 2009 1:07 pm
The mechanical skills that you have could be in great demand by resorts on STT. They could provide you the income to afford to live on St John. However being a dive instructor is another thing entirely. None of the scuba people that I know are able to live on just their dive earnings. Most work more than one job just to get by. Their dive work is often part time, and they also might be a waiter or what ever.
St John is very expensive, so you need to maximize your earning power.
Posted : July 12, 2009 2:23 pm
1. DO a PMV. Line it up! Spend about $1000 to do this. Don't come down with lining up a job, a home, a car.
2. Read #1 above!
Billd
Posted : July 12, 2009 4:27 pm
Good morning, drumbiker,
Welcome to the dream. 🙂 Your maintenance and property management skills would definitely be put to good use on St. John. But it sounds like your priorities are shifting in life to wanting more time doing what you enjoy rather than just what pays the bills -- so long as you're OK with that meaning less money, you'll fit right in!
It is true that diving instructors are often in demand. This is because people will come for a few months or years and then move on to somewhere else. Unfortunately, skills being in demand doesn't equate to high pay in this field because there is also plenty of supply -- i.e., there a lot of people who would love to teach SCUBA diving in the tropics, so it's not too hard to fill the job. It all depends on how much you need for living expenses, but it's probably not realistic for a newly minted dive instructor to find full-time work that would support him on STJ, and definitely not at the income level you're used to as a chief engineer. If you're thinking about putting that second kid through college, you'll find STX to be much budget-friendlier than STJ.
When you decide where you would like to focus your move plans, arrange to make regular visits (not vacations but pre-move focused) to make connections on the island, do research, and get a feel for what it will really be like to live someplace where the beaches are amazing but you have to haul your trash to the dumpster yourself.
Good luck to you!
Posted : July 12, 2009 5:02 pm
Here is the link to the moving stories just in case you missed it (it is on the banner on the top of this page under "what to expect")
Pia
Posted : July 12, 2009 5:38 pm
Hey Drumbiker
I just thought I would *bump* this up and also to see how you are doing 🙂
Pia
Posted : July 16, 2009 12:53 am
