employment opportunities

Josie,

I would suggest that you take a quick trip out to st thomas and see what job opportunities are available to you. I just got back last week from such a trip and will be moving in October. We are renting a small apt in St thomas which is one bedroom and that will be $1,200/ first last and security. Houses can be had for around $1,600 for a small 2 bedroom amd up but you also need to sign a full year lease. Month to month rents can be well over $2,000 for a small apt. It is a very seasonable area that caters to those coming down for a monthor so. You can find some houseing that is cheaper however it will be in a highly undesireable area.
Utility,water and gas prices are high.
Jobs can be had however the pay is usually not all that great unless you have a profession that is in high demand. Carpenters will find work however there are a lot of carpenters there and the pay is low. There are somewhat modern hospitals to work at, and they will hire in, however the biggest money goes to RN's who usually get travellers pay. I don't believe there is a veterans hospital there. Most islanders that are in need of acute medical care go into Miami.
I would suggest that you travel down first to see how you like it. Its one thing to go there on a vacation another thing to take up residence.
Unless you have a large bank account secure employment before the move.

Thank you, Angela...you've been most helpful. I shall take heed & make a pre-move trip. Would be wonderful to just throw "caution to the wind", but then that wouldn't be the smartest thing to do. I'm amazed at the rental rates, but what a price to pay to live in paradise, eh? Thanks again, dear for responding so quickly, and I hope to be an "islander" soon. Wish me luck!

Josie,
Houses are very difficult to come by, primarily b/c most of the construction here is a large family apt. with one or two apts. below. So a house in the sense of a separate and detached structure is difficult. There are however cottages and folks who do rent the whole house (very expensive).
As for apts., you can find a nice 2bdrm in Hull Bay for b/w $800-$1100.
Lastly, there is a veteran's hospital, I just don't know where. The no. for Veteran's Admin. is 340-774-6674. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

The Veteran's Hospital in in Puerto Rico. They have a Vet Center that has a doctor and dispenses drugs.
Note: Carpenters, if good, make top dollar. Your salary depends on your ability, no matter how many there are.
Ronnie

You mean that, as a cook, if I can make a soup from scratch that everyone loves, I am worth more than a guy who can only flip burgers and drop fries?

Have to agree... apartments you can come by with more resonable rates because of the reason given - often folks build houses with one floor as apartment(s)... homes themselves are pricey. Great great idea to make a pre-move trip and check things out.

Medical assitant - do you work in a hospital setting OR in a private office with a doctor???

I agree with Ronnie about the carpenter and other folks that do trade work (plumbers, electrical, air conditioning).... I worked as manager in an office and several times had to call on all four... and all four charged astronomical prices... astronomical in my opionion... I remember the plumber came looked and told me that the leaky pipe had nothing to do with plumbing but was the AC and then gave me a bill for $110 dollars -he was there for about 15 minutes. All the folks I called had been refered by word of mouth and were working for themselves.... there are quite a few carpenters, but I agree with Ronnie that once established and doing good work, word of mouth spreads... this is when you are doing freelance work... and you can do well $$... but when you are starting out I am not sure how you will do salary wise. You might just for a point of reference take a look at the pay scales in the moving section of this site under employment topic... top of this page select Moving Guide.

Ronnie is right about the Veterans Clinic or office versus a hospital. Some of the visits are done by private doctors ... an insurance form and letter is faxed or mailed to the doctors office stating that a visit for X is approved and X amount of dollars for patient John Doe and will be paid once the form is returned to the company.

You might want to get the Settlers Handbook... it will answer many of your questions and help you make an educated decision about this move. You can get it from http://www.vitraders.com

All the best.

--Islander