Cost of Living in Paradise

God you will get such a brought answer. However, things sometimes don't add up. It all depends first of all where are you moving from? You will read everything is 20% more than on state site. But where state site? If people are making in general less than on the mainland and cost of living is higher in addition that would mean no one could affort to live on the Virgin Island. So perhaps the question you need to post what do things cost compaire to the area you moved from?

If you come from the east cost you will not have a heating bill and the cost of winter cloth. Are you the type to use aircondition when it is only 80 degree outside. All things to consider. Do you cook from scratch or will you rely on convinient foods. Do you garden? How many times do you like to go out eat and drink?

For me cost of living means:
Rent/Mortgage
Insurance for home
Insurance for car (very expensive where I live now)
Insurance for health
Electric washer,dryer, light, refrigurator
Water
Food
Car
Schooling for children (good here I can use public schools, would need private school on the island or consider homeschooling)
Gas
Internet connection ( same as on the east coast)
Phone (same)
Cell Phone (same)
Taxes ( very high where I live now, seems lower on the islands)

Iris

Hello Bou'ya,

The cost of living section for utilities was updated in February of this year... so its accurate as of that time. The rent is from a table dated 2002 and the grocery section updated at various times in 2003-2004 depending on island.

Electricity and phone of course would be affected by your own usage... AC will make your electric bill lots higher then someone without it... or lots of long distance calls and the use of various services like call waiting, caller id ect will make the price much higher then what the cost of living table gives for basic phone service.

So yes its a good source to work from for a general idea; keep in mind any additional features or power consumption or special bills you might incur that aren't listed in the table when doing your estimated budget. (We should be updating the table shortly.)

--Islander

Thanks, Islander, for this response in addition to all of the other good information you've posted. I've been lurking for awhile, reading, and learning alot.

I'll have the opportunity to move down to STX in the near future, and I've read about the cost of living as well. What concerns me most about the cost of living is housing - will I be able to buy a house that is comparable to the one I own now? Probably not...does that relegate me to a condo (not that that's bad)? Maybe.

The other items that build up "cost of living" don't bother me so much - food, utilities, etc.

Derek

Hello Derek,

Very good question. I would suggest you visit the MLS for the USVI and view the homes, land lots, condos that are on the market now... see what prices are for property so you can make a comparison and do your research.

MLS = Multiple Listing Service
If you go to our Real Estate section and click on one of the featured realtors, their web sites will have links like "visit or search the MLS" and you can get to it that way.

--Islander

Yep, done that. Apparently everyone over there uses flexmls.com.

But, just like buying my house here in Missouri, everything isn't listed on the MLS, and when a house is found on the MLS, it almost ALWAYS looks different (better or worse) than the few grainy pictures you can see.

Thanks for your help,

Derek

Islander,

Thanks, I've really been using that "cost" section a lot as a basis for my budget. It's nice to know it's fairly accurate.

Bou'ya

Hello Islander,
Are you talking about the Island moving guide or to a link right here?
Thanks
Iris

Hello Iris,

Not sure what you are refering to? If its not one of the three below please explain.

The Cost of Living table I was refering to with the groceries, utilities ect. are on this site at:

http://vimovingcenter.com/cost_of_living/

And the Real Estate section is at:

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/realestate/

The MLS can be accessed from a realtors site like: www.usvicentury21.com

--Islander

Yes, that where the links I was talking about. I never noticed them here.
Thanks
Iris