Dreaming

thanks for the words of support. i know exactly what you mean new islander when you say people are jealous that you are adventurous enough to live your dream. i do have a couple of questions...what about bringing my dog? are there stipulations to bringing pets to the island?

bou'ya, where are you from? when are you going?

We brought a dog and a cat with us. No problem whatsoever, and my lab is a big wimp and scared of everything. We carried the cat on the plane, and checked the dog. I can't tell you how worked up I was about how bad it would be to bring the animals down and how traumatic it would be, especially for my wuss of a dog. He adjusted immediately and everything was fine.

All you need is a health certificate from your vet dated WITHIN 10 days of your flight. Rabies vacc has to be within the last 6 months, I had to get my dog re-vacc because he was in Jan, but oh well.

I would recommend US Air because they air condition and heat the cargo unit. I was a nervous nelly and checked with the boarding gate people and they went and told the pilot to make sure everything was all set, and they came and told me on the plane that they had the A/C on and he was ok. The pilot handles the control so I would definitely remind them at the gate or right when you get on the plane, or both like me.

I have heard other airlines have bans on flying pets during the summer months because they don't A/C the cargo area for them, but US Air doesn't have that ban.

Other than that I went to the cargo area and unfortunately they put my dog on the baggage carousel which I was suprised since I have seen dogs come through the door on a cart. I was a bit pissed but other than that everything was great.

Hull bay is an excellent beach for dogs, or Platform beach at the tip of Peterborg. Went to Hull the other day and there was a golden ret, another yellow lab, and another dog named Chewy who is adorable if you ever run into him, just romping and fetching in the ocean. He had a blast.

Enjoy. And if you need any more info or help let me know. We have been thinking of starting a relocation business as a part time job and we would love to get a couple of free introductory customers to use as references.

Hi Pamela,

I'm a Texas Red Hatter, now on STX. 57-1/2 going on 17-1/2! Young at heart, unlucky at love (or maybe too lucky!), single now and loving it! I'l love to join your Red Hat group. Please tell me how . . .

Kinsey (aka Eva)

Hi to all,
Didn't expect our Red Hat ladies to be quite so popular. Let me get in touch with the Queen Mum and see what we can do to have a party .... don't know about St. Croix but she will!

Thanks, Pamela. I'll be looking for further information and developments from you!

hey new islander! thanks for the info on bringing pets. my dog is a big baby as well, and i have to admit, i would be a nervous wreck with him in cargo! sounds as though it went ok for you though. you should email me direct and talk to me about your business idea...i actually was out walking the dog the other morning and thought to myself that starting that sort of business might be "big business" for the islands. i would love to hear what you've got in mind.

My son graduates this year. VI's here I come. Nothing here for me anymore and I am only 40. I can't wait. I will leave in May of this year. However, I think Adam (my 17 year old) is coming with me -- I can't bear to leave him behind. Hopefully, he can go to college there.

I'm gonna take you up on that drink!! Keep us posted on how your move went.

oh my god, we aren't crazy like all our friends and family here in Michigan say we are, there are other 40 somethings that all feel the same way we do, make the move of your dreams while you are young enough and healthy enough to do it, we can't wait to get there and try it out. Hopefully in the next couple of months

Cool! I'll be waiting patiently to put my red hat on. Thanks Pamela

Hello Island Paul and everyone else on the board

( I love to read this board and now I am writing!) My husband and I have been to STT many times and we are looking at buying a house that we can rent out for a year or two. It seems that property on the island just keeps going up and when we were there in June we made a decision to try to find a place. I need to know what is a good area to buy and what we should avoid. We are looking at something right now on Smith Bay Road between Coki Beach and Red Hook. Does anyone have any opinions on that area of the island? We have had one person try to dissuade us from this area. I would love to hear from you. I think you could provide a candid opinion. I hope all goes well with Jeanne.

I can't wait, but you must tell me alittle about this "Red Hat" deal you have going, have read some about it but not figured it all out yet
LeeAnn

Hey LeeAnn!

Welcome to the board!

Please do come on down and join us -- I'm a former Michigander (Ann Arbor, Lansing, Saginaw and Walled Lake) who couldn't be happier to be here. Am also the daughter of a red hatter and pretty eager to get active myself. Check out the post by pamela on the main board to learn a little more about them.

Where might you be moving from. and which island interests you down here??

HipCrip

we currently live in Northville, have worked in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas. we are moving to STX asap. we have a auto repair shop in new hudson that is almost sold and then the house has to go and we will be on our way. really want to make to move before the winter weather sets in here, snow-ice and all those crazy drivers at rush hour. None of that down there I bet. 🙂 I am really hoping to convince my daughter, son in law and grandkids to move with us, so the separation isn't as bad.
can't wait to get there for our premove visit in the next few weeks, hopefully the weather will calm down by then

LeeAnn,

I know that "can't stand one more winter" desperation all too well -- that's how we landed down here, too! St. Croix is very different from Northville and Ann Arbor but offers its own wealth of wonderful advantages like having flowers in bloom all year round; gorgeous beaches with warm water in shades of blue you'll never see in the great lakes; lots of open green spaces and rolling hills and mountains that are reminiscent of up north (but with different vegetation); and the warmest, nicest, most polite and giving people.

That's not to say there aren't challenges to living here. Learn to appreciate the value of little ground lizards, or least learn to tolerate them, for they are everywhere and will get into your house. Patience, patience, and more patience is required, for many things are done differently and, in most cases, more slowly that you are used to. Accept that what is, is and learn to curb the urge to rush it or change it (although I exempt the VI's political arena from the "don't change it" guidline). It is costly to live here, and wages are much lower than many places. You know the others from reading this board and the excellent info Islander provides, and will hopefully begin to find your comfort level with this new way of life during your pre-move visit.,

Speaking of which, please let us know when you will be down here. I'm sure Islander would be happy to see if a STX Get Together can be timed to coincide with your visit so you can meet some of your new island friends and neighbors.

Welcome -- please let me know if I can be of any help as you get ready to make the big move.

HipCrip

thanx for the words of caution and encouragement. we have weighed the pros and cons endlessly and still have to live it in order to see if it is our lifelong adventure or not. you never know until you try, right? we are anxious to leave the rat race here even if it may be for just a year. we have always been a close couple and willing to try new adventures. so hopefully this one will be fun and enjoyable.
leeann

HipCrip,

I am from Rhode Island, but have a cousin from Michigan. He lives on Torch Lake near Bellaire. The color of that lake reminds me of the water around the islands.
Do you know this lake? It is too cold there.

My wife Andrea and I will be down to STX on our premove visit Oct 16th. Our dream is getting closer!!!

I'm glad to hear you all made it through Jeanne and your roof stayed on.

Can't wait,

Stephen

Hi LeeAnn I'm a former Minnesotan, moving to St Thomas Oct 1. I've had enough cold winters to last a lifetime. Can't wait to get there and get on with it!

my feelings exactly, running our own business here in Michigan is stress enough with out all the elements of the weather, i have never experienced a hurricane or tropical storm but it can't be any worse than the ice storms and blizzards not to mention the tornados here.

Hey, I turned 40 this year. My youngest from my first set of kids is in college. The baby I have now is 6, I had alsways dreamed of moving to the islands when my kids graduated. I am researching how to move there now. I also want to know if it is possible. I am sick of the snow!

anything is possible as long as you follow through with it, you only live once, take a chance, you can always go back