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Good Morning, Good Afternoon and/or Good Night, depending on when you read this.
Thought I'd put in a few cents of info., I've enjoyed many of the comments on this board and take heed on a lot of the advice that is thrown out there. My girlfriend and I have done the PMV and are cautiously planning our strategy if we will decide to make the big jump. We will probably end even doing a test stay for a few months as well.
From what I keep hearing, from the people that we came across and the people that post on the board, is that you need to find your niche in order to suceed and be happy. Wondering what someone's take is on that.
Also on a side note, I was wondering how the market is on household goods over there? I know there is a Kmart, Home Depot and I forget the name of the other store, but what about smaller types stores like clothing stores, not so much for the tourists but for the islanders or a small home decor store, or home furnishings (bedding, kitchen, bath), during my search while we were down there I didn't get a good sense of that nor have I seen to much of it listed in the directories that I have found. I could be wrong.
Posted : January 24, 2006 2:06 am
Which island, DW? I am assuming STT?
Posted : January 24, 2006 4:04 pm
DW: On all islands, check out the house sales! There is always an abundance of people leaving island who sell household furnishings and stuff because shipping back to the mainland is not cost-effective.
If you're on STT, check out the Humane Society of St. Thomas Flea Market. Located in Estate Nadir (775-0599) their flea market (which I believe is open on Sunday and Wednesdays right now but call for times) is a great place to get great buys and deals on a plethora of furnishings.
Yes, there are several home furnishing places but not as many as you're accustomed to and which alternate between low-end to high-end with not much inbetween. The very transient society here thrives on second-hand goods so keep an eye out in the local media!
On the "niche" in re adjusting to life here, it's very hard to realistically be subjective or objective where newbies are concerned. As much as oldtimers and relative newcomers endeavour to help newbies and try to prep them for living here, there's no magic formula to relate or convey. Everybody moves here with some expectations, some very realistic and some very unreliastic.
My experience here as a newbie over 20 years ago might be very different from that of someone else who reached here at the same time. Likewise when I moved from London, England to Connecticut, it took a long time before the basic Yankees accepted me. I lived there for 17 years and grew to dearly love and appreciate the people around me.
Creating the "niche" takes time but don't let that basic tenet dissuade you from making your move. Good luck, and may the travelling and relocation Gods be with you.
Always remember that life is really very short. As young as you probably are right now, if you've done your research well (and your post indicates that you have) then just take that leap of faith if it feels good and right to you. Cheers!
Posted : January 24, 2006 5:41 pm
From my experience:
To find a niche in a job, there is really only one Rule: be flexible. If you're knowledgable about many things but a master of none, you WILL find a job-related niche. If you're gifted at one particular thing, you may find a niche, but then go back to the Rule; be flexible. If you're not into making gobs of money, and have lived by the Rule, you will find a ....well, you get it. 😉
To find a niche in society, there is really only one Rule: simply be friendly. You WILL meet people with whom you are comfortable in a very short time. This will lead you to other wonderful niches, such as a place to live, a school for your kids, your favorite hang-out, a church or club, long-time friends, etc.
To find a niche, or comfort zone, in your own mind & heart...ah, no rules, just a feeling. It also helps to be really open minded about EVERY experience; good or bad. If you've done the PMV and continue with a longer-term stay (which I highly recommend), you'll know. The niche will either be there or it won't. That, you cannot force.
Good luck,
Bou'ya
Posted : January 24, 2006 5:47 pm
Topic starter
Hey thanks for all of the replies.
I was reffering to STT. We will take a bit more time to decide if we plan to make the jump, my girlfriend and I are both pretty flexible when it comes to work, and can do a variety of things.
It also sounds like that if you have half a brain and that you're reliable it shouldn't be that hard finding a job.
Take care to all.
Posted : January 26, 2006 3:00 am
O.k., and this may be out of bounds, but I gotta tell ya'....I am a homeowner from a distance. Granted, my husband can do anything - perfectly - according to code - and I can follow his direction (until he's told me for the 3rd time that I've done it wrong and then, ok, I'm sorry, I'm freakin' going to the beach) - BUT, what would REALLY be nice if we could find a truly turn-key person who would take charge, be responsible, and keep the project moving until end of job AND come in on budget (because they are able to keep their subs on-budget). There's no one that I know of like this....with a Period(.) on it.
Example: We need doors & windows. I need a person to come in, listen to what we want, give us recommendations, provide us with proposals (based on actual measurements and actual bids they went out to get from different soruces), then....YEAH! coordinate & be responsible for QUALITY work getting done in an within-1-month-time-frame-from-originally-estimated-time-period (ok, give or take a COUPLE weeks), within the commited budget.
OK....I know....its the VI....if you're looking for a niche, this might just be the ticket. Say what you do, do what you say, in the timeframe you're gonna do it (more/less...I'm not that anal really), do a quality job, and manage the whole thing for me within 10% of the budget, and (oh goodness YES! She's going to say it - STand by their work!)......how hard is that to ask????? There you go. That is truly a niche worth paying for.
And, puuuulllleeeease.....we have all been here and yeeeeessss I know its the Virgin Islands.
(forgive me, a couple of cosmos and I'm dreaming)
Posted : January 26, 2006 4:00 am
Oh, now wouldn't that truly be Paradise! 🙂
Posted : January 26, 2006 7:02 pm
Topic starter
I can't believe that the construction on the VI is that bad.
I did home remodeling and new construction on the states for about 6 years. I know there are a lot of bad people out there, but I think a lot of times contractors get a bad rap, some of it has to do with the homeowner as well. And what can you do if something gets put on back order? or the homeowner can't make up thier mind or bad weather hits.
I think people don't really understand what it takes to do remodeling in a house, sometimes you just never know what you are going to find.
Anyway, maybe I found my niche if I decide to live down there, open up a bruttaly honest home cronstruction business. Ha! Ha!
Thanks for your comments.
D
Posted : January 27, 2006 10:36 pm
DW,
I would enjoy hearing your perspective on this matter after you've lived here for a few months...
Posted : January 27, 2006 10:42 pm
