Here we Come!

Which island. There's a sleep center on St Thomas. Not sure if they have one on St Croix.

Which island. There's a sleep center on St Thomas. Not sure if they have one on St Croix.

Good point!

OP, this advice has been given time and time again but is worth repeating. Do NOT buy property until you've lived on island for at least a year. When you're ready to make the move, first stay in a short term place for a few weeks until you get your bearings and jobs and then look for a rental in a location which suits. Likewise with household belongings - move with the basics of a few clothes and, toiletries and, whatever else you have, put it in storage for the future. Good luck!

We are looking in St. Thomas.

Thank you for your advise! It sounds very logical. We are trying to budget ourselves for a month to month basis until the permanent residence is acquired. Obviously there is no set timeframe for this as well as job security. This is all expected, within reason of course. We both know prior to the move this will be a learning experience, but looking to enjoy it at the same time. Without specific monies disclosed, between equity in selling home here in N.O. and the sale of vehicles and misc. items here we are figuring $30k in (short term) living expenses.

Jessica: You should definitely contact Dr. Shapiro et al at http://www.sleepvi.com/, which is a part of http://entvi.com/. They have a fairly big practice.

I also agree. Don't buy anything until you have been here a while. And don't rent anything sight unseen. 😉 And welcome to the board...

Thank you EAST ENDER!!

$30k in (short term) living expenses.

Very short. We brought 20k and used it in three months. First last and security about $4500 (2bd 2bt northside $1400mo) two cars about 8k furniture and setting everything up (wapa, gas, dish, internet) It goes fast but it's really nice to have that to start our so u don't struggle. You can rent a cheaper place and firnised but I found quick that "furnished" here ain't nothing like what you'll want. Pretty gross from my experience lol. STT is twice the price of STX for rentals. Nothing liveable IMO under &1k month. That's MY OPINION. There's studios and 1 bd rooms but cheaper than that they're usually small - very small. Most nice-ish with a view $1200-2000 mo. Keep 5k tucked away as a oh S*#T fund to get off the rock if u need to. Don't buy here, for at LEAST a year - three years would be my honest suggestion. As we are rounding out our second year and the honeymoon is completely over we are just now entertaining the thought of buying. Sooooo much drama owning a place here. From mold to structural issues, cistern issues - not fun. It's kind of like buying a car here. There WILL BE ISSUES. Lol. I HATE paying someone else's mortgage but buying here is really tough. Not much under 500k really worth it from what I've seen. If you've got that kind of income you can find a nice place. My house in AZ was $150k for 3800sq ft on 2 acres lol!!! I looked at some houses here for $200k and well.... A bread box is bigger lol.

As our honeymoon phase is officially ending I can really see why people leave. The trash and the loose dogs and the safari drivers are really getting to me but I feel very at home here. I can't imagine not living here at this point. It is tough to see lots of friends leave thou as many do. There's just sooooo much you learn in your first couple years. No amount of reading can prepare u, ya just gotta do it. And hold on it's a crazy ass ride. But fun! 🙂

Now if I could just find a rental or a place to buy that's QUIET lol. We just moved into a cute place and finally got my vaulted ceilings but realizing it's louder than the old place. Sigh. #6molease FTW lol.

AandA2VI, THANK YOU for your honest opinion. It is nice to get all this feedback. That is one of the main reasons we are really excited to move there, the hospitality and the honesty. It seems as though making friends/acquaintances will not be hard to do. We are going in knowing it will be a learning experience, just how much we will see. But I think that will be part of the whole concept. As stated earlier, we are not very materialistic but we won't live in a shack! Please feel free to give any other suggestions as you think of them as they are very welcome! Once again THANK YOU and hope to see you on the ROCK one day!! 🙂

After 10 years on STX, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. We're at the point where we've bought a home, the lot next door, own a business, a boat, 4 cars and put two kids through private school. Despite all the negative stuff you read here, I like living on STX. But STT...that's a whole different world from where I live!

You definitely need to look at some of the housing stock while you are here. There are a good number of "shacks" being rented out. Whether you feel it is adequate or not will depend. I know of someone who came down here with the strong possibility of a job (just didn't go in and sign on the dotted line),was here for two weeks and returned to the states. The quality of life was not what they had envisioned.

Wow, Vicanuck! That is wonderful news! We do hope for the same results. I also have envisioned opening a small business on the island. I am not expecting anything to take shape right away but once accustomed to island life will peruse that endeavor! If you don't mind I would like to pick your brain on the process to opening a business there, so that I have some realistic expectations beforehand. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Mike

The best source for information on business licenses is the V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs website. The application is online. Many people use an "expediter" to do the required paperwork to avoid the run around headache.

Thank you ms411!!

The best source for information on business licenses is the V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs website. The application is online. Many people use an "expediter" to do the required paperwork to avoid the run around headache.

If you decide on what type of business you wish to be licensed for,
I know of 2 reputable people whose businesses are helping people navigate the red tape involved in starting a business herein STT.

Thank you Alana33!! Will definitely keep that in mind!

If you decide on what type of business you wish to be licensed for,
I know of 2 reputable people whose businesses are helping people navigate the red tape involved in starting a business herein STT.

We bought our business prior to coming to STX. It had been established for 22 years and had a good reputation. I hadn't worked or had much knowledge of the industry but we figured it out pretty easily. Never looked back.