Family of 6 Relocating to St Croix from New England

I should be clear, I'm so sorry. St. Croix is the island we are interested in.
Thanks!
Hollie

a lot of your questions can actually be answered by going through the past posts.

education , there are 2 good public elementary schools. Pearl B Larson and i think the other is Ricardo Richards. there are also some private schools.

mosquitos are the big worry here as they produce zika dengue and chickmunga ( pretty sure i spelled that wrong ) we also have centipedes and some kind of curly red worm thing

food for a family of 6 could be a bit pricey. while some grocery stores allow you to use coupons, we dont have them circulated like in the states. our food prices are about 30% higher. for the milk i buy-about 7 for a 1/2 gallon

electricity is too hard to generalize you have a family of 6, we are just 2. some people have air conditioning, some dont. we have paid as much as 300 a month when our rates were .53.

frederiksted has some flat land-seems to be the best farming out that way. not a lot of spread out housing , not to say there isnt any.

organic anything is very high priced. i saw ( not sure if it was on STJ, STT or STX ) organic broccoli for 12.99. there was about a 13lb organic turkey for 135.00
but there is grass fed beef to be found at annaly farms. there is a market on saturdays down at the fish market ( La Reine )

but do some research here and then come back for questions

oh yeah, crime. thats a touchy subject. some people want to pretend we dont have a problem, some are the opposite. our murder rate is up 25% this year compared to last.
most of it is gang related but that does not mean someone who is innocent will not be killed. there was a shoot out at a school a few months back

Not wanting to discourage New England people but if you live in the tropics be prepared to deal with many different kinds of ants, lots of ants, and all sorts of insects. Wildlife is really nothing more than mongoose and birds. When we lived there, we had regular monthly service done by an exterminating company to spray inside and outside (ants, cockroaches, centipedes). Even with that we still had to have our own cans of Raid Ant & Roach spray handy.

The hospital on STX, it is yet again in danger of losing it's CMS certification (Medicare & Medicaid). My opinion only, but St Croix is not a place you want to be if you are in need of specialized treatment. I have no idea what pay rate is for nurse or if they are hiring.

Internet -- you have a couple of choices (Broadband VI & Innovative). If you are willing to pay about $100/mo you can get decent wireless speed.

Electric - my opinion - you will pay 3-4 x the what ever your kwh cost is at "home".

Jumbie

Thank you, this is very helpful and exactly what I mean by obscure things no mentioned in previous posts I have seen. I have been looking online and doing general research for months but now need to get the nitty gritty from the locals.
I was just reading about the hospital yesterday and we havent crossed STX off the list just yet because of our time frame. I have worked in hospitals across the country, some more stable than others. They typically take a lot more than what I read to get shut down for good. Now, I am not saying they arent on their way out the door but 6-18 mo can make all the difference, one way or another. I figured I would track it while we explore other island options if need be.
The crime is somewhat of a concern although we understand the advice given to stay safe on the island.
Someone in a previous post mentioned being from AZ and still finding the island extremely hot. Am I missing something? I went in Jan a few years back and it was a little cold in the morning and evening. I have looked at monthly averages and it seems better than summer in New England but maybe I am wrong on the real feel?
I pay about $75 for internet now and less than $100 a month for electric. I was hoping to grow most our own food if the soil is good enough for a small garden which has helped us in the summer to cut costs here.
How much is a monthly service for extermination approx? I am not looking for hard numbers at all so I appreciate any help you can give.
Also, if you know any keywords or posts I should be searching, please mention them!
Thanks!

Actually, your questions aren't that "obscure" and if you do thorough searches of the archives and read everything in the drop-down menus at the top of this page you'll find answers to just about all your questions.

Now, regarding temperatures, the USVI's are blessed with good weather, daytime temps are generally in the low-to-mid-80's F. during winter months and in the mid-to-high 80's F. in the summer. Like everywhere else you can expect temperatures to drop a few degrees in the evenings and there will always be a few days where the temperatures are either above or below the "averages". The reason some people say they found the islands(s) "extremely hot" can vary greatly. The sun is "strong" here making it feel warmer that it really is. Add to that days with high humidity and little or no breeze and it feels even hotter. Conversely, if winds are blowing, with low humidity and lots of clouds, it might feel cooler than it actually shows on the thermometer. Justice where you now live we have "heat index" and "wind chill". And, of course, there's always the possibility of an unusual weather occurrence that brings exceptionally cold or very high temperatures. It's up to Mother Nature.

If you relocate to the USVI's with family of 6 your days of $100/month electricity are gone forever, unless you want to live by candle light, have no hot water, no fans or A/C - you get the picture. Everyone's lifestyle is different so it's difficult to say how much you'll spend on electricity but if you are spending $100/month now and you maintain the same lifestyle as far as electricity usage is concerned in the USVI's you are probably going to spend around $250 to $300/month.

One thing to consider when planning your monthly living expense budget is that everything costs more in the Caribbean. When you do your research you find "estimate" will come in a range (say $200 to $300/month for such and such, $1,200 to $1,500 for rent on a2 BR apartment, etc. Human nature being what it is you'll tend to focus on the lower number while the person giving you the estimate is thinking more along the lines of the higher number. So, when doing your research use the HIGHER numbers that way you won't be a victim of sticker shock when you encounter the reality of higher costs.

Also, keep in mind that in most instances, wages in the Caribbean are generally lower than they are for similar positions back on the mainland, while living expenses are generally higher. I tell people, they can generally expect their living expenses in the Caribbean to be anywhere from 25% to 35% higher than there're 'back home". Likewise, you can expect a similar percentage decrees in wages once you relocate here. That's what I call the Catch-22 of living in the Caribbean. You may find that you'll have to work longer hours or more days a week to maintain your current lifestyle.

You also mentioned you'd like to grow some of your own food. That could be a challenge. Many vegetables don't grow well here and those that do need a lot of care. You could easily end up sending half your time tending to crops. Research this very thoroughly BEFORE you move if you have to grow your own food ignorer to make ends meet. Simply put, if growing your own produce was easy everybody here would be doing it.

lastly, don't expect to "live a simpler lifestyle". Life in the Caribbean isn't simple - it has it's own set of challenges. It is not better or worse than where you know live - it is just different. It is not all palm trees, pina coladas, sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Unless you are independently wealthy and don't have to work you still have to get up everyday and go out and earn a living, do everyday chores like clean the house, do laundry, pay bills, go grocery shopping, etc.,etc.. By the time you do all those things (that you do now) there isn't much time for sitting on that beach.

Good luck with your research and following your dream.

I appreciate the info and nudge toward realism. We have relocated around the states quite a bit over the last 10 years and adapt well but never an island. Speaking to locals is a necessity for me. I don't want skewed statistics online that aren't tangible if I can get more updated information from residents.
The problem I have found with the more common questions are that the ones that particularly pertain to my career or family size/age/way of life etc are sometimes as old as 2011. I would much rather have a new post with old questions but get new answers. Things change. Neighborhoods change. Economy changes. Businesses get built and way of life can be altered because of it. This is the reason I ask questions that have already been asked. I feel up to date information is much more reliable and valuable.
Thanks for your input!

well, arizona is dry and yes, dry heat is different . my mother came once in april and once in august. april was fine but august was miserable. we have no air conditioning and she and her bf had to take multiple showers during the day to was off sweat and keep cool . she said she would never again come during August-October.

i now have a rash that will not go away due to the moisture. i have a lotion i use frequently. the rash is on my upper back right by my hairline. never in my life have i had a rash.

i grew up in maryland and maryland has its share of humidity, but here you never seem to get a break from it.

i dont know, maybe its the fact we dont have an air conditioner??

Things don't change that much here.
People and businesses tend to come and go.
Real progress is slow.
Prices and costs continue to rise as do taxes for various and sundry things.

There are many challenges to growing your own food or enough to supplement a family of 6. You may find yourself spending more time and money than it's worth. Lots of little bugs and critters to contend with.
I've found herbs and lettuces easy to grow and maintain but you've got to be vigilant.

As for other bugs, we've got scorpions, centipedes, gongolos, different types of spiders, ants, lizards, who are our friends, as they'll eat ants, roaches, mosquitoes, etc. We've got hermit crabs, land crabs, tortoises, iguanas, all kinds of birds including the pesky Thrushies that will be the bane of your vegetable plants.

If you're planning an additional member to your family anytime soon, you make want to reconsider the Caribbean, entirely, due to Zika.

There's no getting around it, it's expensive to live here and I'd imagine more so, with 4 kids. If you rent you may have to pay for your water usage.

Rents are cheaper in STX than on STT but your job opportunities may be better on STT.

You really need to make a list of all your expenses and potential costs with moving a family of 6. Just getting set up with a rental apt, 1st, last and deposit, buying a car, furnishings, cleaning supplies, cooking utensils, dishware, silverware, glassware, cookware, towels and linens, paying for deposits for various utilities, tuition, school uniforms and supplies, that 1st grocery shopping trip to get and a bunch of other miscellaneous items you haven't considered is going to cost.

Island life isn't for everyone.
Patience is a necessity as are manners.
Good luck.

Thank you so much. I was first considering moving this summer in August but that leaves us with less than $10,000 in funds to move and having a job first would be essential. We were going to get a fully furnished place and use luggages to take the necessities. Now, after careful consideration, we have decided waiting will allow for less stress and more flexibility at the end of next school year when we will have about $50,000 if we maintain our current financial standing.
Currently I am looking into home schooling options and how cost of living will vary from our current expenses. I anticipate the rise and fall of various expenses will wash each other out in the end just from initial calculations. The last piece of the puzzle at this point would be rate of pay.

Thank you!
I will have to google some of those bugs! My goodness 🙂
I'm not planning on any more children at all and I work in mother baby now so I absolutely understand and currently deal with Zika. Thanks for the valuable information. We try to maintain realistic as much as possible. Even if we are unable to maintain a similar lifestyle in the way of work and income, we have decided not dealing with New England weather/attitudes/way of life and getting a change in surroundings we so desperately need is worth the move. We plan to use STX/USVI as a catalyst to living abroad.

With the exception of price estimates (just about everything goes up in price - hardly ever down), the information you find in the dropdown menus and from older threads in the archives hasn't changed much. That's why many of the regular contributors here will often tell you to start your research by reading everything here. As Alana33 says, things don't change much here - just the people. A great many who come don't stay very long.

If at all possible, try to spend more than a week on your Pre-Move Visit and you'll probably learn more if you leave the children at home this trip. At their ages (7, 4, 3 & 20 months) they won't be learning much and you'll end up spending more time catering to their needs than you will learning about life on the island. When you do come DO NOT stay in a resort. Instead take a short term rental in an efficiency unit or condo so you can actually experience "real life" not being on vacation. You'll want to find out what type of apartment/house you'll be able to get for your particular housing budget. Don't be fooled by rents, housing prices, photos, descriptions you see/read on line. You have to actually see (in person) what a particular dollar amount will get you. When it comes to housing what you picture in your minds eye may not be anywhere close to what it actually is. That "quaint little cottage on the hillside" may be a tiny shack with plywood walls and a leaky corrugated tin roof.

Spend your time checking out schools, grocery stores, banks, housing, etc. rather than going to the beach or visiting tourist attractions. Since you expressed a desire to grow your own food try spending time with local farmers to find out what growing crops really entails. You'll want to do all the everyday "life" things since that's what you'll be doing if you relocate to the islands.

Good luck.

Excellent advice. We were just weighing options of childcare so we can go and explore ourselves. It will only be for the short time mentioned but the only way to get there prior to a move. We can't take off work any more than that right now. I'm glad to get the advice for no kids so we will be working on our options!

Best to leave kids if you can to optimize your limited time on island to do what you need.

I'd suggest contacting a realtor, buying the local AVIS newspaper, checking out the weekly, free Crucian Trader, distances between possible jobs, schools, and rentals, setting up a mail service, visiting schools you might be interested in, check out grocery store prices, look at car prices, etc. Don't treat it as a vacation but a fact finding mission. This means work.

If you're interested in Reiki, check the community board on the forum list at top of page.
There's also a classified section and you can check Craig's List.
http://virgin.craigslist.org/search/apa
https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?8,271841

Bugs are part of life in de tropics.
You learn to deal with them.
No place will be 100% critter or bug free with or without a pest control service.

I use Terminex, every other month, at $55 per service.
I also have rat bait traps as I live in an very tropical, lush location that's off the beaten track but close to where I need to go to shop, bank, get mail, go to beach, etc. I still see a spider, ants, etc. from time to time, however
I leave my screens and doors open most of the time as have pets.
Most would say I live in de bush. ((STT)

The other thing is that we don't have the type of neighborhoods that you're used to, stateside. I live on a dead end road, with 5 homes and a couple rentals, gorgeous lush, tropical, ocean views. I know all my homeowner neighbors. Tenants come and go.

Excellent advice. We were just weighing options of childcare so we can go and explore ourselves. It will only be for the short time mentioned but the only way to get there prior to a move. We can't take off work any more than that right now. I'm glad to get the advice for no kids so we will be working on our options!

Look us up when you get here (www.cruzancowgirls.com) we can probably answer a few of your questions as we are in quasi similar situations (big family, moving from the states, professional workers, home school etc..)

we'd be glad to show you our favorite restaurants and explain the west end.. if you want to live east we won't be as helpful.

Thank you very much for the offer. We have been advised to look at the east side for ideal placement. I wouldn't want to rule out any side until we experience it with local resident mentality. Thanks for the info and we may just look you up anyway!

If at all possible, try to spend more than a week on your Pre-Move Visit and you'll probably learn more if you leave the children at home this trip. When you do come DO NOT stay in a resort. Instead take a short term rental in an efficiency unit or condo so you can actually experience "real life" not being on vacation.

Definitely good advice. 1 week is definitely tight for PMV. If at all possible highly recommend a second week, doesn't have to be consecutive and probably better if it isn't. It will give you time to do lot's of homework in between.

$50,000 is a good comfortable number for a large family to get started with. Once you get to know the local stores you'll know where to find the better prices. Milk- $$$$ at Seaside Market, $5.88 at Pueblo Butter- ha ha, $6/lb Cruzan Rum- $8/750ml, for now. Mangoes at the store-$2, at the roadside stand maybe 1 or 2 for a $-in season of course. Iceberg $1.38. Tomatoes $1.58/lb

Electric rates are currently $0.2927/kWh or about 3 times typical mainland prices. How much you spend depends on needs with A/C being the biggest factor. Unless you want to forgo AC it's good to consider efficiency when picking a rental. Low efficiency window units vs. high efficiency mini-splits or central AC makes a big difference. You will want to use all CFL bulbs if not LED, every bit helps. Hot water- well at least we get a bit of a break here with that since we're starting with 70-80F water year round. I barely turn on the hot water in the shower. I'm used to humidity in STX and Southern States but I find the AC helps tolerate the humidity more than the temperature so I can tolerate the thermostat at 80F. Lower than that while sleeping and I'm cold. We run about $8/day for 2 of us with AC cooling about 1000sqft of our condo.

A lot of debate on what's the best option for Internet but suffice it to say we can get about as good service as in the states, of course for a bit more money. I can run Netflix for hours at a time on my basic BBVI package and never a hiccup.

Termites are another fun issue we have to deal with. Even when renting termites can sometimes sneak in inside the furniture. You'll also find we have lots of ferule chickens however I expect that varies form place to place. But at least they help with eating the bugs.

Not to be a downer but how in the would would you feed 4 kids, cloth and school them with working only three days a week? My grocery bill for just two of us pushes $600 a month.

I would really reconsider and do at LEAST a 1 month PMV before you even start to save the $50k it'll take.

I am from AZ as you mentioned and YES it's is HOT HERE. Extremely so in the summer and I live west in the rainforest surrounded by trees. I couldn't live east without ac. It's not AZ 120 but if you're in the sun it feels worse and you will sweat from every pore on your body... EVERY. Even on my hill with killer breezes I melted this summer. In STT I lived on north side at altitude and I never really got hot up there. Forget the forecast, 80s sounds awesome and the forecasts look great on paper... but the real deal is yhe heat index. I saw it up to 104 this summer on my weather ap - Storm - it's great, download it.

I feel like your situation nothing else matters other than how you'll sustain a large family on a few days work. I just don't see how it would be possible here unless you're making serious money those three days but the hospital won't get you there lol.

If you can't handle roaches, spiders the size of your hand and rats... I'd reconsider completely. You do get used to it. I've always been a critter girl so it never bothered me, in fact I love our fauna - even the flying cockroaches and the rats that get inside my BBQ grill. Because I scuba dive a lot I have to leave my car windows cracked or its gets real funky and I have found birds, frogs and even a mongoose in there along with many colonies of crazy ants and roaches. A rat made a nest in my CRV air conditioner once in STT. At least I finally figured out that noise was mango seeds and sticks. It sounds like you're open minded enough but I would sit down and draw out a real budget. Money will be your challenge. It's NOT a cheap place to live.

All this advice is extremely valuable. I feel no need to be secretive about finances. As a nurse here, I make $52/hr and work two 12 hour shifts. I only work weekends and am with my kids full time while my husband works full time during the week. If I worked full time which is only 3 shifts a week (36 hours), I make over $90k a year. My husband currently makes $85k. We are living in a place that only costs $1400/mo in rent so we can save for moving wherever we decide. Maui is on the list as well but I've never been and it's west coast...Far for our family to fly and expensive for us to visit mainland feesibly. The calculations I have done so far are rough and primitive but I do have an idea. If my husband only worked full time at minimum wage, if that is worst case scenario, and I work full time making half as much (3 shifts a week if 12 hours or 4-5 shifts a week if 8 hours), we can still afford to live. I plan to offer other services and possibly have 2 part time gigs instead of just full time at the hospital.
So, after careful consideration so far...Even our worst case scenario works financially. If the hospital is out and I can't get a job easily (they currently have 1 opening despite their situation), then it's a bust. I absolutely need my nursing background to be the brunt of the income or a move abroad anywhere doesn't work. It's the perks of being a nurse 😉
I love the fact that you broke down the critter situation. It could easily break us if we aren't prepared. I will be sure to pay attention to all the things mentioned. We plan to do this PMV briefly and then another in summer time if we are still considering STX as a front runner. If not, it is another US island or bust. Other countries are tough paperwork wise and didn't want to commit all the time and money without experiencing an easier transition first. This is experimental in the sense that we will truly know how we adapt in other lands, away from the continent. We plan a conservative year or so on the island but that about ends our expectations for staying. We will have lots to evaluate before then and beyond for our plans to raise a family abroad with an international RN. We may find it isn't for us but we are definitely going to try. We aren't happy in the states and we have lived everywhere we wanted to here already.
I appreciate the time spent from everyone to give valid information.
Thank you

Great info! I must say, the weather might have been underestimated by me. I've been in winter when we were in STX and now again for this visit we plan to book. Should this visit yield more interest and desire to fully plan a move to STX, we will do another, longer PMV in summer.
Thanks again for taking the time to break down real numbers. It's so helpful!

If you consider Hawai as an option I would definitely explore it if I were you. From what I heard nursing jobs pay considerably less here that mainland. Also, local public schools are of low quality. Cultural experience is very limited. There is also culture of violence here that eventually will affect you and your kids. It is like living in a Wild West ca 1860 or El Salvador but under US flag.

From my limited experience HI is more cosmopolitan, much less violent and truly multicultural with influx from China, Japan, pacific islands and mainland US.

You cannot,....repeat, cannot purchase individual health insurance in the USVI. That fact alone may sink your plans. Sorry.

You might wish to check with Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs about your nursing license requirements, in advance.

http://dlca.vi.gov

Golden Rock Shopping Center
3000 Estate Golden Rock, Suite 9
St. Croix, VI 00820
Phone: (340) 713-DLCA (3522)
Fax: (340) 713-6982

you mentioned high cost of flying back to mainland-its not cheap from here either. so keep that in mind