help with location

promoguy - what's zappo's? Since I haven't heard of it, there is no comment to make.

It's an online shoe retailer, Alexandra. I have no idea what it has to do with this & I understood you weren't yaying OR naying the original poster just giving requested info.

Dang it a girl that doesn't know about Zappo's.

Oh Trade, it had to do with buying things sight unseen. Guess you didn't get it. Sorry.

Promoguy, I understand what you're saying, if it's any comfort......shoes and some items can be purchased sight unseen because you don't have to wear them or use them every day if you don't want to and you don't have to sink your life savings into them and pray it pays off.......other things, like houses, planes, boats, and waterfront property, really DO need to be seen firsthand. Of course, you can research your a$$ off about those things but it's a little like the stock market - you just hope the Big One doesn't come along and reduce it all to rubble.....and that's true no matter where you live or what your lifestyle, you know?

Alexandra gave some practical advice to the OP. She also talked me out of buying a house sight unseen last year. I saw what looked like a pretty decent house at a remarkable price and advertised as being in a nice quiet neighborhood. I e-mailed Alexandra and she told me the reality of the neighborhood and how slow houses sell in that neighborhood. I was planning on selling my house in the states after graduating college and moving to STX, but I ended up going to graduate school instead. So maybe in a couple more years I will be planning on moving there again. Alexandra will be the first person I would contact. She seemed very ethical, knowledgeable, and straightforward about the real estate on the island. I have dealt with agents that just want to make a sale and don't have their client's best interest in mind so I really appreciated the way she corresponded with me and my wife.

Thanks to all for your input. A little bit of back round might be helpful. My husband and I both have full time jobs. When we are not at our regular jobs, my husband runs his other business (repairing electronics, t.v.'s, etc. In addition to that I also work a second part time job as a hairstylist. THEN........ in our spare time we re-hab houses. Everything from plumbing, electrical, wood flooring, ceramic tile, roofing, kitchen cabinets, ans so forth. Our regular jobs are.... I am a high school teacher and he works for a different school system as an electrician. We are very hard workers and by no means are we RICH. We just thought that we might be able to purchase now and rent it out, then when we make the move we will have at least an address established, kinda a home base to work from while we get situated. Everyone on this board has indicated that you need to be "ON ISLAND" in order to get things together. One of the reasons that I asked about that particular condo is because it allowed pets. We have 2 Chihuahua's 3lbs and 8lbs. We needed a place that they could go, also. We are tired of the hectic schedule that we maintain and want an easier lifestyle ..... But we will still have to work when we get there. I have purchased house SIGHT UNSEEN before... sheriff's auctions. WE can fix anything except the "LOCATION" This is what I am asking about. Neighborhood, etc. I have looked at maps but that doesn't help with what is really going on around this condo area. Any info about the neighborhood would be great.

Candy

candy,

What do you mean by 'easier lifestyle'? I don't mean to put you on the spot. I am just curious. We found that living on island was the most hectic time of our lives and not by any means easier. Lots of rewards and lot of frustrations. Good and bad, we just found it to be the opposite of laid back living. Sometimes people who have not come to the islands for any length of time just assume it is a laid back lifestyle where time slows down. It may be for some, but not all. I just wanted to make a point that for those moving to island - they should do their homework and not make assumptions about island living (not assuming you are - I just wanted clarification). I hope that makes sense, but anyway if you feel like sharing I am sure it would help others reading this as well. Thanks.

Teresa

Dear Teresa,

What I meant by easier living was "Out of the rat race"..... I currently drive 140 miles round trip to my job. Traffic and construction and of course snow in the winter is very stressful. We are fairly simple people that like to work on projects instead of answering to "the man" everyday. We hate cold weather and love the islands. We want to be able to make a living by calling our own shots. I am not opposed to working as a bartender part time. WE have even considered purchasing a bar and running it for income. This will all take time and it's best to be "ON ISLAND" in order to do this. I have enjoyed all the posts n this board regarding moving and I sure would like to meet the people from this board that are currently living there. WE have decided that it is time for a change. Candy

Candy,

That is interesting. Wow, 140 miles is crazy!

I asked this question, because before I moved to STT I wrote a post about how stressful my life was and looking forward to being on island and letting go of stress. I had an hour commute to work everyday and an hour home. I felt like I too was just running in circles and not enjoying life. Snow, ice and cold was getting to me too. I just wondered if others were more prepared for island living than I was or if they had the same feelings that I did. I think I got my answer.

Teresa

Teresa,

Thanks for the input...... I really feel our motives for moving are legitimate... and I guess you just helped to confirm it.

Candy, with all due respect - you need to hear from those that not only live on island, but those who have left and their reasons why. I don't think there's anyone who doesn't think they had "legitimate motives" for moving - to the islands or anywhere else. WE decided the same thing, as did Teresa and her husband - and then WE decided it just simply wasn't for us.

Before diving off into anything, why don't you just leave everything in place and go to whichever island you think suits you and try it, see the feasability of living there, start looking into applying for whatever permits you would need to fulfill your dream and the time period it would take to get them all. If your husband can do electronics repair, you can cut hair, and you both can do rehab work on houses, you should be able to find enough odd jobs to keep busy while you decide if this is really what you want to do.

My personal experience is this - and I tell my kids this every day of their life - you are NEVER your own boss unless you're Bill Gates....even owning your own business. I own mine, and my life does not belong to me and I don't "call my own shots" - my customers and contracts do. "The Man" is everywhere - even if he's the guy you're cranking out product for. If you have a great work ethic, are on time, and do what you say you'll do - you will find your way without jumping in with both feet. I think a lot of people wish they had made a gentler transition or taken more time to explore the idiosyncracies of the islands - otherwise there wouldn't be such a turnover. Some people find it is all they dreamed of and more - and some don't. Some walk away unscathed, some don't....but it truly is one of those places you have to live for a while to get the feel of, and as everyone has said - loving the islands and living in the islands are two entirely different concepts.

Flipping houses is not generally a good way to make your income on stx at least the market is sluggish at best. Its more about the view hear then having the lastest kitchen.

Candy: I can't help you with neighborhoods in St Croix, but here on St Thomas, you can be in a great neighborhood and have all sorts of sketchy things going on. There is just a lot less homogeneity here.

Regarding "Easier Lifestyle".

It has been my observation that you can have an easier lifestyle on the islands. The key is "work."

If you come to the islands with baggage and kids and expectations you will not usually have an easier lifestyle.

But, if you come as a retired person and have no need to work or take care of kids and stuff then you can really enjoy yourself. Even if you are not well off financially.

Simple answer, but I think it is the truth.

Many people come with families and must work hard to pay the bills and still have a nicer life than they did in the states. They are the exceptions.

Good point on Zod.

I often read about what folks are willing to do to have the easier lifestyle. How in the good Lord's name does working three jobs to make ends meet and easier lifestyle.

I have to say that our life is far 'easier' now that we have moved off island. I guess for us, the challenges were just not worth the "pay off'.

Not everyone does work 3 jobs. I've only worked one at a time albeit very hard at each job. Being single, the rent for me before I bought was the same as for a couple & so were the utilities.

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT RESPONDED. ; ) I do appreciate all of the advice. WE are not intending to re-hab houses down there... looking to be hired on a job to job basis. All of you guys (and girls) are really awesome and I am jealous that I am here and you are there. Have a great weekend STX'ers. Candy

I'm talking about the folks that say will work more than one job to live in a laid back paradise.

That ain't paradise to me.

"Have a great weekend STX'ers."

But it's only Tuesday...

OOPS....... I could say it was a blonde moment.... or I was just wishing so hard that it was the weekend I lost track of the days.