finding a job once i arrive...

Looks good. Don't rent anything sight unseen. Jobs may be thin in the summer months but are there.

oh yeah? good. do you live there? think i can move with that amount of money? thanks for responding so fast.

Absolutely u can do it.......if ur heart is in it.......you can do anything your heart desires. I did it and things are working out wonderfully. Keep an open mind, think positive, respect yourself and others and you'll be just fine....Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well thanks! that's sweet.
anybody else out there have advice? - jen

also, about moving with your dog - here's what i have learned and will be doing myself. if your dog plus its carries weigh 20 pounds or less you can take him onboard with you on american airlines. they count that as your carry-on. it costs an extra $100. the only other rule is that the carrier has to be certain dimensions, but most normal carriers fit within that. lastly, it doesn't have to be one of those plastic carriers with the metal across the front, it can be a soft-sided bag or whatever. hope this helps someone.

Hey Jen....Be sure to check into the pet transfer ahead of time.....If the beast is going to be checked as luggage (poor little feller) there are restrictions this time of year due to the heat. Good luck to you.....

the beast? how rude! just kidding. my beast is 8 pounds and looks like george rodriguez's 'blue dog' art. anyway, with no kids my dog has become riduculously important, i admit. is 2000 for a car unrealistic? just know i'd like it to have air and decent brakes - other than that could really care less... (selling my awesome car to help finance this).

Eight pounds....Ok, not a beast....$2K....Its doable. Not sure about the AC but I thgink you can find something dependable in that price range if you look around.

My experience with the 2k and under price range of cars on island is that you will end up spending 2k to 6k to keep it running, within the same year you get it. If you're mechanically inclined then this is not a bad option. But cheap island cars are driven till they are ready to fall apart. There is always a reason for the bargain. I would come with a good car or plan to get a loan to get a decent used cars if you cannot fix it yourself or afford any emergency car repairs.

There have been a couple of ads for legal assistant help in the papers lately. Write a great cover letter and maybe you can arrange an interview via SKYPE or something and at least get a feel for it.

$2k car - AC will probably not work.

PAmela

I don't know STT well, but you might be able to delay the car purchase for a little while and get around by foot, taxi van, bus, and friends. Lots of people are car-less on STX and get around that way.

You seem to have a pretty realistic plan. My observation is that moving here with a dog or kids makes it more difficult. But hey...you love who you love. You will find it a bit more difficult finding a place that will accept your dog. One person I spoke with had friends in the states keep their dog until they were settled and had a place where they all would be happy. Just a thought

You will likely find work - you will surely find an apartment - renting a car for a week might give you a few xtra days to assess your car needs - AC is really not that imperative for example - it sounds like you have a bit of a support system - that will help - don't let the alcohol and party atmosphere suck you in and deter you - with a little focus and drive it should all work like you want it to. Welcome and good luck - it is a fine place to live once you see past the basic frustrations.

just when you start to think - hey, most people are jerks, you post basically your whole deal onto an internet site and spill your whole story - how much money you've got and everything... and strangers write back with free, nice advice to help out. really refreshing.

tonight i got some responses back on some phone calls i made on apartments and believe that i have found just the right thing. it's small but clean, the couple that owns the place lives upstairs with thier own dogs, and i am really hopeful that this is it. they sent me pictures and it seems great, but we are still talking ane emailing back and forth. it will be ready a little later than i planned to come down but just by 2 weeks so no big deal. they also turned me on to a few more places that match what i'm needing. also, the dog im bringing down is little, so in general haven't run into much resistance on the rental front on that. i have learned for a fact that any and all 'condo' rentals don't allow pets and can understand why. again, not a big deal. thanks to all of you for helping so far. any more input on the job stuff would be great - i'm nervous about that. man! this all will be awesome until its 4 weeks into it and i can't get hired anywhere decent to make a living!!

Don't rent anything sight unseen. Photos don't count; you must see a place in person. There are a lot of skeevy rental units here, so if you insist on taking the risk, at least have your friends check the place out for you.

If time is of the essence, then don't be too picky about your first job here. Lower wages may be better than no wages, and you can switch jobs when you find something better. Networking is also important for finding jobs (and apartments, etc.). Talk to everybody you can.

I know that Pineapple Village on STT allows pets. My renters have 2 small dogs.

when people say " $1000, utilities included", does that generally mean everything? gas, cable, water, electric? also, my car insurance is with usaa. they say i can transfer my policy to the car i buy in st t with no problems because usaa covers me internationally.. do you think that woulkd work, or are you required to get insurance from an island insurance comany?
thanks for helping out.

when people say " $1000, utilities included", does that generally mean everything? gas, cable, water, electric? also, my car insurance is with usaa. they say i can transfer my policy to the car i buy in st t with no problems because usaa covers me internationally.. do you think that woulkd work, or are you required to get insurance from an island insurance comany?
thanks for helping out.

Depends on who/where you're renting from.
Some places don't have city water so you're on a cistern.
Some places don't have gas/propane.

I know of some folks who have USAA and prefer it to local.
The island doesn't care where you have it from, as long as it's good here.

my car insurance is with usaa. they say i can transfer my policy to the car i buy in st t with no problems because usaa covers me internationally.. do you think that woulkd work, or are you required to get insurance from an island insurance comany?
thanks for helping out.

USAA is accepted by the BMV here and works great. They also provide Renters insurance for contents (no Homeowners coverage yet.....I keep hoping).

oh good. thats just what i was hoping to hear. one more obstacle down.

good info. thanks!