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Hello everyone! First off I want to say/point out how invaluable this message board has been. I've spent a lot of time over the past month reading all the different discussions and just taking in all I possibly can from it. Ronnie seems like a guy I would definitely want to meet up with when I arrive, as well as several others that stood out while I "studied" the message board. I do realize physically being there and actually beginning life on the island will still not be an easy task. But I truly look forward to it!
To introduce myself a little, I'm a guy in my mid-20's from Ohio. Not married or in a relationship of any kind, no pets, just livin the American bachelors dream 9-5 as an IT security specialist for Sprint lol ;). Which is far off from the path I envisioned for myself as I was very dedicated to baseball, got a scholarship to pitch at Southern Utah University and had hopes to make it a career. Beginning of my sophomore year my elbow popped resulting in either surgery or stop playing. For the first time in my life baseball was over and even until recently left me very confused as to what I want to do with my life. Yeah I make a decent living but I HATE what I do, it's boring and beyond repetitive. It's a job and I make money.
Several of my family members somewhat recently returned from a trip to the VI's and had nothing but great things to say about it. My mother had mentioned, just randomly, that "you could move there and it's just like moving to another state". As far as paperwork is concerned. As I've learned first hand just from reading here the culture is something entirely different. But that little comment got me more interested than even I would've imagined. The more I read about the USVI the more I became convinced it's where I want to be. And I'm in a perfect place in my life to make it happen. The only two things I even mildly worry about is 1. Finding a job, from what I've read I need to be there. Just wish I could secure a job first. And 2. This WAPA energy monster you all speak of LOL! What is the deal with that?!? Need to rally the people and straighten them out!
-One question I do have that I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to by reading some of the posts, would it be a bad idea to bring a Saab 93 2.0(4 door sedan)? Would the roads just tare it up?
I look forward to connecting with some of you! And hope you don't mind another newbie picking your brains for that island knowledge lol 😉 I love learning about all the different ways of life down there and hope to be welcomed member to that society, I plan to do my part 🙂
-PDills
Posted : June 30, 2013 3:24 am
Topic starter
Oh and I should say I plan on moving to STT...
Posted : June 30, 2013 3:27 am
The Sprint store here has a permanent sign saying they're hiring. You shouldn't have a problem relocating.
Posted : June 30, 2013 6:31 am
We do fly the flag of the USA, but we're not "just like living in a state". That being said, I say go for it. What do you have to lose? But do bring some $$$ with you, $5,000 would be my bottom line.
Posted : June 30, 2013 9:31 am
you are young enough and not encumbered by other people/pets. you only live once, go for it. if it does not work-so what-at least you tried.
just have an emergency savings account for if you need to go back to the states.
stt would probably be the right island for you. more to do there.
wapa-the bane of our existence. lol-dont know what else to say about that
welcome and have fun and please do not take what we might say as mean spirited. we like to debate and we all have strong opinions
Posted : June 30, 2013 10:21 am
Bring at least $10,000. That'll last you a couple of months, given the usual start-up costs.
Although you hate your job, maybe you can bring it with you by tele-commuting. It may be a while before you find anything here that pays as well, and the transition would be less stressful financially.
Posted : June 30, 2013 11:45 am
Topic starter
ms411- I really don't want to work for Sprint anymore lol, preferably no more IT/office work for a bit.... I'll definitely keep that in mind as a backup plan but I definitely want to find something totally new, something I just wouldn't be able to do here. Will take some searching when I get there but to me that's all part of the adventure.
Linda J- I misquoted, she had said it was "like moving to another state" and had only meant that as far as you don't need to get any kind of special passport or visa or anything of that sort. My family and I have done quite a bit of traveling over the years, my mother lived in Hawaii for several years. Loved the island life when I'd visit, she can't wait to get back to the island life. I once visited STT while on a cruise but I was only 11 at the time so I hardly remember. But I totally expect a completely new culture/way of life and that's what excites me. I'll fit right in with the boating, fishing, jet skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, etc. crowd. As far as finances I feel pretty comfortable where I'm at, as long as I have a job within a couple months. 3 at most. But I'm super flexible as to what jobs I'll take at first so should be okay.
speee1dy- Exactly my thoughts. Nothing to lose. I think you and I would get along, I respect strong opinion and love to debate. As long as we're debating facts lol 😉
STXBob- When you say bring $10k, does that include the shipping of the car and renting a place?
Posted : June 30, 2013 3:01 pm
I think the money part is the most important and most stressful. You do not want to get stuck on an island with no money. I am moving in 3 weeks and my calculated expenses with, shipping car, plane tickets, rent, deposits, etc are coming out to around $12,000 for first 2 months. We are a family of four, so you could probably cut all those expenses in half.
Posted : June 30, 2013 3:03 pm
PDills: Many of us moved here because the USVI is like the US, kinda. You don't need a visa or work permit, the laws mirror those of the US, etc. If you were only here for a day, I would recommend a longer visit to check out job oportunities, cost of living, culture, all those things that make a place home. My biggest piece of advice is : Don't burn your bridges back home. Could you take a leave of absence from your job?
Posted : June 30, 2013 3:10 pm
STXBob- When you say bring $10k, does that include the shipping of the car and renting a place?
It could include shipping a car, or buying a cheap one here, plus rent (first/last/deposit), plus other start-up costs and general living expenses for a couple of months. You'll have to budget based on how much you bring, your standard of living, how quickly you think you'll find work, and what that work will pay. If it doesn't work out here, you'll want an exit strategy, and funding to get to your next destination.
Posted : June 30, 2013 3:21 pm
Topic starter
I'll always have a way back 'home', I'm not worried about that. If it doesn't work out down there for whatever reason than that's fine. Life goes on.
Posted : June 30, 2013 3:49 pm
Welcome to the board. Thanks for the props. Always glad to help!
Posted : June 30, 2013 3:55 pm
PDills: I am going to add a second piece of advice regarding a move to the Virgin Islands. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed. It is okay to observe and ask questions, but until you have a better idea of how the culture works, you should be careful.:-)
Posted : June 30, 2013 9:58 pm
PDills: I am going to add a second piece of advice regarding a move to the Virgin Islands. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed. It is okay to observe and ask questions, but until you have a better idea of how the culture works, you should be careful.:-)
Yeah. When I first got there I got all excited about how things could change and improve and become more efficient and then after a decade STX beat that out of me and I now realize that no one gives a shit and no one gives a shit that no one gives a shit. The VI likes it that way.
That's basically what you're supposed to learn by keeping your ears open and your mouth shut. Save your energy for paddleboarding or something.
Posted : June 30, 2013 10:09 pm
if your car is in good shape and paid off, i would suggest bringing it with you
Posted : June 30, 2013 10:27 pm
PDills: I am going to add a second piece of advice regarding a move to the Virgin Islands. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed. It is okay to observe and ask questions, but until you have a better idea of how the culture works, you should be careful.:-)
That is great advice. (tu)
Posted : June 30, 2013 11:22 pm
Iris Tramm: well said!
Posted : June 30, 2013 11:37 pm
Message Removed: Please revisit Board Rules.
Posted : July 1, 2013 12:08 am
Message Removed: Please revisit Board Rules.
Posted : July 1, 2013 12:37 am
