Difference btwn Islands

Hello Jeff R.,

There are differences in size, population, population make up, economy, landscape, beach quality, dive options, shopping, cruise ship visits, nightlife, commercial activity, development or lack of, atmosphere or personality. Which islands are you comparing... all four??

--Islander

Give your list of qualities on island that you are looking for. I understand the need to narrow your search to one island based on your vision. After narrowing down to an island, the best bet would be to do a pre-move visit. A scouting trip, to see for yourself what the island is like and if it is right. From St Thomas, you can visit St John and Water Island easily. From St Croix, you have to fly or island hop to see the other Virgins. If you were to take a, say, ten day trip, you could begin on StX for two nights, than move over to StT to visit the other islands for the rest of a pre-move visit.

I guess I'm looking at St Croix and St Thomas. I'm looking for some nite life, friendly people, somewhere I can live very close or on the beach and not have to be a brain surgeon to pay for it. I want to take it slow and easy, which it sounds like everyone does no matter which island your on. I would like to have some options in what I do for a living. If there is somewhere that's considered a "younger crowd" that would interest me as I'm only 25. I appreciate everyones insight and comments. The thought of living in the Virgin Islands is a very very new idea (more like a dream) to me. What advice could you give to help me transition the dream to reality? Can one really go wrong picking up and moving to the islands?

Hi Jeff,
Actually, yes you can go wrong by picking up and moving to the islands if they are not for you. There are many people who have come and stayed only a few months or so and left disappointed. There are some stories here on the message board. Of course there are many people who have come and stayed and loved it. First and best advice is to visit the islands on a pre-move as Eve said. I wish you luck. If it is your dream than I hope it comes true.
Teresa

Jeff,
I think the important thing is to have money and a trade. For money, I mean 2-5T for the first month alone saved, to make your transition to the islands. For trade, anything you know well, My husband and I are looking into starting a small business down there. We also have trade work if that doesn't work out. We have 5T saved and it will be close to 10-15T by August/Sept area. It will not be easy to find your little Tiki Hut by the sea. It seems to me that in the mls listing, anything with beach access and view is incredibly expensive for buying. Not sure about the rental market. Keep asking questions.

Jeff the best way to check out the difference between the Islands with out going there and doing it in person is to buy a copy of the Settler's Handbook for the US virgin Islands. This can be done on line and you will get it in record time. This is what I did and I am still going back to it every day or two as I complete my plans to move to St Croix in the very near future. A retired old fart who is going to live his dream of about 50 years at last

Jeff, what you've described to me is St.Thomas. It would be a good place to start, with, in my opinion, more of the options with respect to what you noted you were interested in.

Paul, I have to laugh, because I was thinking "Gosh, that sounds just like STX!" Guess it all depends on your perspective.

Linda J. "younger crowd" and getting a job sounds like St.Croix. Guess I must have missed seeing that part of STX, but then you know my "story" over there!

LOL

I can't comment on STX, as I've never been there. But if I were you, I would go to St. John or the east end of St. Thomas. Places on St. John can be a little pricey and hard to find. Most people I know have roommates. So expect that, especially on St. John. St. Thomas is a lot easier to find a place. I am partial to the east end to the island, mainly because I work and live on it. I have lived here almost a year, I have a great apartment in Red Hook with a great view (and a roommate). You will run into better apartments as you spend more time down here. You just kind of inherit them from people when they leave or move. The night life on the east end and in St. John are fun and just a ferry ride apart from each other. I would rather take the ferry than to drive into town. Jobs are easy to find, if you have some sort of experience or at least common sense. I am a manager of a local bar that people can work at year round and make a living and we are almost always hiring. But besides that there are construction jobs, water sports, etc. I moved here at 35, I wish I would have done it at 25, it's not for everybody but I love it . I say go for it. Good Luck.

Matt

Hi Matt,
When you say you are hiring... I am moving in August to STT. My husband is working there currently in case you haven't read our postings. We have three children. I will be staying home with them during the day, but I figured I would need to work a night job or weekend job so we could have a cushion of money until we adjust to the island. I am currently a mainframe programmer of which there are no jobs like that on the island. I figured my job would have to be in the service industry to make any money. I have worked as a waitress, but would like to bartend. I have no experience bartending, but am intelligent enough to learn and I like that type of environment - getting away from the kids for a short while would make my job not feel like a job. Anyway, my question is this. As far as bartending goes - do you have to have experience to get a job on STT or are there places willing to train? I love mixed drinks and know how to make a few, but not in a bartending situation. I am not asking for a job over the internet, but just want to know what the possibilities are. Thanks for any input!
Teresa

Hello Teresa. I would say that in general you must have experience to bartend down here. But some places are willing to start you as a server and train you and eventually give you some bartending shifts. Where I work, it's a bit crazy and can be very busy for even the most experienced bartender. I would reccommend trying places that are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start as a server and work your way into a bartending position. It may take some time but at these places I think you would have the most opportunity. I would try Molly Malone's or Tickles to start. There are also some smaller places to check when you get here. I hope this helps

Matt

Thanks Matt. I have been to Molly Malone's and do like it. I figured I would just get my food handlers certificate and then look for a job. I hope I can get a job just working weekends to start, but we will see. I just have to work with people. Being stuck in a little cell - I mean cubicle is not cohesive to my personality. 😉
Teresa

I’m 33 years old and my wife is 34. I’ve been a police officer for 10 years and my wife has extensive experience as an office manager for a dentist and a administrative assistant in the corporate world. What do you think the prospects for jobs are?? I’m kinda concerned what I would do…. Don’t know much outside of being a cop. I do have a degree in training. Any advice would be great.