higher cost of living, lower wages: is it true?

Deb: Are you coming as a traveler to see if you want to stay? As a traveler, you will be paid more than most local nurses. It will only be when you have to convert to staff nurse that you will feel the pinch. Most people who end up here do so because they find the trade offs worth it. Yes, we are paid less (unless you are chauffeur to the governor or such) and things cost more. People live a different life style here.

It really has to not be about the money, however, it will still add up for you. It's the trade off that's worth it and that's found in the heart and soul. I lived in Antigua for the last 3 years, now I'm on my way to St. Croix in 4 months. I was a grade 6 school teacher in Antigua and I don't have a clue what GOD will do with me this time in St. Croix, I do know that my soul was satisfied. I love Caribbean Living and that's the pay off.

Natural

Deb,
Will you be the only bread-winner in the household? If half of a two income family, then it can be quite comfortable, assuming the other half makes OK money. If you are alone, then possibly a roommate situation is a consideration. I don't know the staff nurse salaries, but I have known a couple over the years that did well on their own. There are other factors too, like if you have credit card debt, student loans, car payment, etc. If debt free, I'm thinking you could probably live well.

Deb, also look into the visiting nurse programs. The wages are good, and free housing with 6 month contract!! Most of the housing used for the visiting nurses is right on the beach too! It may give you time to look around and see if its "do-able"....

Some of us are older and have no children and other sources of income - pensions, savings, etc.

I`m always thinking of the possibility of a co-op, with Migros roots as our cost of living would make such a enterprise a shoe in!

Everyone is for it, sadly, with my 6 day a week work schedule, I cannot do this myself!
We can chose to change this for the masses good, or be complacent with the overpriced & expired goods we consume here.

I send myself a pallet of near wholesale goods whenever I`m in the states.
And, i have 3 visitors coming down next month, some of the perishable items they are bringing are rack of lamb @ #7.50/lb.(Fruitbowl $20/lb.),King Crab legs @ $8.49/lb(Cost U less $17/lb.)., Orchids 7 for $20(1 for $17 Home depot),Rose plants 2/$5($6 ea. When Plaza has them) & U15 shrimp @$7.50/lb(U15 Fruitbowl$22/lb.)
No, I`m NOT tacking orders, I bring these folks Liqueur & Cigarettes!

Oh sure, you state siders are looking @ my list going big deal, that`s the sale price!
But trust me, here were drooling over these prices!

Nice shopping list, DUN. Thanks everyone for your replies, helps to hear from you. I'm ready for trade offs, ready to make a new life. A little more about us, mid 50's, empty nest, no debts or loans, a house that we can't sell in current economy, but well-rented and managed. We would both work, nursing, and my husband will be pretty employable, I think. Both happy in our current jobs, not trying to escape trouble. Do want a different lifestyle and want to check out the island life. We want to "belong" somewhere and offer our lives to a community.
Thanks for reading and replying!
Deb in KY (it snowed here today 🙁 )

How much snow? I bragged a while back that we in SE Virginia only shovelled snow once a decade and today we had that snow/ice storm. In the western parts of the state they had nice powdery snow we got snow rain freeze yuk.

giving aeneas some tidewater :@) my brother was telling me about the snow up there today. i haven't seen any snow in....i don't recall.

jay: I believe she *was* looking at a traveling contract. It is great if they want to come down for 6 months and have fun, but they will be required to convert to NOPA status at some point.

If its true, how do you do it? I've read some great posts from the newcomers, the planners/lookers and the veterans. Some have children in private school, some come without a job, you ship your cars, shop on line for laptops, TVs, Ann Taylor clothing, cosmetics, books, and BabiesRUS. And apartment dwellers use a car wash. Impressive! I want to do it! But when I look at the charts of expected salary in my profession (RN) vs. the cost of housing and utilities it looks like a tight budget. Am I missing something?
May have to live vicariously through y'all for a while.
Deb

Poor shopping opportunities saves us money. We've trimmed back on a lot of that "misc" garbage, especially since moving reveals how much wasted garbage you have purchased over the years.

Don't need more vacations since we live in a vacation spot.

Don't need lots of clothing, expensive outwear, etc.

Here you don't spend lots of money on going to movies, shows, etc.

No need to spend money on really nice car, because it won't stay that way down here.

No sales tax.

That said, and I have said it before in other posts.... don't come down broke.

Dun, What time is dinner being served?:@)

Thanks for that list, Neil, good stuff. You didn't mention "no Starbucks", but I'm sure that's the case, huh? :S Seems that DUN should have a few dinner guests soon.
Thanks for all the replies. Learning a lot. Not sure about the NOPA status that EastEnder mentioned. I've conversed with an RN here that mentioned it, takes time for a spot to open, maybe? If we do stay while, definitely want to "belong" as a resident, employee and member of a community
Deb in KY, our 3 inches of snow melted a little today.

NOPA is a government position. The hospitals are run by the territorial government. There is a hiring freeze at the moment, but there may be an exemption for nursing, I don't know. Sometimes when you are hired, it takes a while for the NOPA (Notice of Personnel Action) to be scooted through the levels of bureaucracy, so you have to wait for a check. I think they have figured out a stop-gap measure for that though.

NOPA is a government position. The hospitals are run by the territorial government. There is a hiring freeze at the moment, but there may be an exemption for nursing, I don't know. Sometimes when you are hired, it takes a while for the NOPA (Notice of Personnel Action) to be scooted through the levels of bureaucracy, so you have to wait for a check. I think they have figured out a stop-gap measure for that though.

NOPA is in a huge slowdown/freeze right now. The VI govt is signing new workers/nurses to "contracts" -which is their way of not adding you to their already underfunded pension plan. (Note: "contract" is different than "traveling") They always need nurses, especially ones with specialties.

Contract nurses get the same pay and health benefits as "Nopa-ed" employees, and you don't have to pay the union dues.

Juan Luis "was" also offering up to $6000 in moving expenses if you promise to stay 3 yrs. (if you stay less, you have to pay some of it back)

Is it permitted to ship food/perishables? How are they shipped? How long does it take to receive them? I am moving from Michigan and friends said they would ship things I want if it is permitted. Thanks! BTW, it is 20 degrees today, with flurries! REALLY can't wait to get down there :@)

i only know of people who brought them on the plane when they came down. not sure if packed in dry ice or not.

Dancer: First, you would have to factor the cost of shipping food down. Second, many places will not ship perishables here (Harry and David, Williams Sonoma, etc) because of problems with delivery. One of the tricks to living here is to adapt to your circumstances. You buy stuff when it is available, you learn to do without when it isn't. You can be flexible in meal planning, depending on what you find at the store. You learn to eat some of the things available locally. You enjoy special foods when you make trips to the mainland.