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Hey Everyone,
Just signed up for the board and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jack and I'm a 27 year old commercial real estate underwriter/analyst from Troy, Michigan. Ever since my first eastern Caribbean cruise, I've dreamed about moving to St. John. There is not a day I don't think about it, as I have a painting of trunk bay that i purchased on the island in my office. I am happy to say that I'm currently in the preliminary stages of making my dream come true.
My brother and I are planning a 7 day trip to St. John for the last week of July through the first week of August to have some fun and also do some networking . I have a million questions and am not the type of person to just pack a bag and go, so I thought this would be a great place to post some of them.
I'm sure, as with me, most peoples concerns are can they get a job, where to stay, and the best way to move items. Fortunately, in terms of a job I have a business degree and have thoroughly contemplated an upstart business idea that I think could be a success and I have a decent amount of savings to get me settled in. Otherwise, a job in commercial real estate, villa/property management, Realtor/agent, retail banking would be fantastic, while I'm also willing to wait tables/bartend or even work at the Maho work/stay program to get established. Overall though , my plan for now is to focus on having a fun vacation and see how many questions I can get answered over drinks on the island.
One question I do have is about cell phones. I have Verizon wireless, but I wanted to know from the locals who is the best carrier is with no roaming charges and being able to call the states to keep in touch with relatives. I have read both Sprint and At&T/Cingular are the best but the posts were old. Just curious whether I should cancel my phone here and sign up when I get there or buy a phone here and bring it down.
Thanks Everyone and I looking forward to getting to know you and starting out on this adventure. Also, any advice, big or small, would be greatly appreciated as many people have done this before me and I'm sure I have a lot to learn.
Take Care and I'll be keeping in touch,
Jack
Posted : June 14, 2008 4:33 pm
jack,
i sent you a pm - did you get?
Posted : June 14, 2008 11:57 pm
Hi Jack,
My experience was not planned but my background is the same as you. Worked in Michigan for several commercial property management companies. Probably worked for a company you know. I sent you a PM. Our experience of moving down here was, get a job offer, think about leaving the place you grew up in and raised your children in...and ony have 2 weeks to think about it. Needless to say we took the leap. And never have looked back.
Good luck. I think you should come sooner than later.
Marlene
Posted : June 15, 2008 1:44 am
From what I read it's very difficult to find a place to live in St John and 2/3 of the island is a national park.
Posted : June 17, 2008 5:36 pm
The two cell phone companies here are Sprint (with limited service, not good service in Coral Bay or Fish Bay) and At&t, pretty good service all over the island. It used to be hard to find a place to live on St. John, but I cannot even tell you how many ads there are for places to rent on the board at Connections. There is a lot of availability, but the cheaper places still go out word of mouth. I came down here from MI almost 9 years ago on a wing and prayer and I can tell you, it is different. It's not for everyone, but the thought of another Michigan winter was enough for me to give it a shot. I will take warm weather and sunshine over creature comforts any day! Now, I just go to Michigan in the summertime and keep my feet planted on St. John the rest of the year.
Posted : June 23, 2008 3:20 pm
Hi Jack,
I also have Verizon and when I visited there last year it is on roam and its very expensive, I just spoke to verizon a few weeks ago about this and the rates have went up even more. I'll be moving in a few months and my plan is to get a prepaid phone there since I don't do lots of talking on the phone. My concern is that I now have an aircard for my laptop that I can't use there due to the cost. Does anyone that lives there now know if there's any prepaid aircards through the local cell phone carriers there?
Posted : June 23, 2008 4:16 pm
