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Sorry if this has been exhausted to death within this message board but I just started reading it today as an off-shoot from the main VI board which is terrific. I would love to hear some opinions from baby boomers, post children, who have moved to either STJ or STX and have decided to stay or go back tothe states and why. My husband and I have tossed this around for years and are visiting again to STJ for the 4th time this fall, just for vacation. We are very realistic people but the times we've been to STJ have been like no other and we have to at least consider moving there. We thought we'd start with a work/volunteer situation, if we can, at the Maho Bay resorts and see what we think after the month long stay there, working 20 hours a week. We are from the Boston area- will the permanent heat get to us despite the fact that I HATE the cold of New England? He's a long time sailor who's very mechanical- could he find a job at age 58 or so in a boatyard or would there be biases against an older non-native guy? I'm pretty versatile and "assume" I could either write or work in a restaraunt but again, are their biases against older non native women who are job hunting in their late 50's? What did you do about health insurance? We never considered STX but it seems to come up as the most affordable of the islands- we don't play golf- would we still find activities to do (beyond sailing and snorkling)? Any opinions, good and not so good would be appreciated as we begin the homework! Thanks
Posted : May 23, 2005 7:21 pm
Good Afternoon.
Read the moving stories on this site. They will answer many of your questions. Ric and mine are there, but I can't remember what number they are.
Linda J
Ps. Rics moving story is #6 and mine is #9.
Posted : May 23, 2005 9:53 pm
Kari-
My husband and I are somewhat in your position. Our kids are 23 and 28 and we've decided to pull up stakes and relocate to USVI. Probably STX but possibly STT. STX is more in our price range. Coming from Boston, STT may not seem that expensive to you. (we are from Kansas City and us midwest folks are spoiled by low housing costs 😉 I worry about "rock fever" on STX; seems that STT has more options for week-end jaunts.... Good luck in your searching.
Linda J - How does one get to 'Moving stories"?? I would love to read them! Thanks
Posted : May 23, 2005 10:55 pm
Yes, those of us from Boston are definately used to high prices so when I read what its costing people to settle in, I'm really thinking "big deal", actually the car insurance prices seem lower than we pay in the suburbs! Anyway, I still would like to hear from folks about issues finding a job as an older, non-native person and what do under Medicare age people do about health insurance. We wouldn't make this move until maybe age 58 or so so we have tons of time but I don't want to ignore the consequences of getting sick or injured with no insurance. Thanks again- love the stories, very detailed and helpful!
Posted : May 24, 2005 4:53 pm
Hello Travelwoman & others,
We have a little over 30 moving stories on this board that relay the personal experiences, suggestions of people who have moved to the VI or came for a pre-move visit. Click here to go to that section https://www.vimovingcenter.com/what_to_expect/
Have fun reading.
--Islander
Posted : May 24, 2005 5:06 pm
Karrie,
Finding work here is not often an age related question. It has more to do with your length of time on island and your committment to staying as perceived by the employers. Marinas, restuarants, etc. hire non-locals without discrimination as a whole. I've been here 11 years and now in my 50's but have never found a lack of employment a problem. Sometimes it has been working at something I would never do in the "real world" until something else came along but as long as you are not concerned with what a job will look like on your resume you should be fine.
Health insurance is always an issue. I've had good luck with LifeBoat here. You need to be a member of VICL (but we can make that happen 🙂 look for them at www.lifeboatmedical.com for rates and info.
Come on down.
Pamela
Posted : May 24, 2005 7:49 pm
Thanks a bunch Pam! We're thinking of starting with a work program at the Maho Bay Resorts where you work PT for a month in exchange for room and some board- just need to convince hubby to take a months leave of absence from work to do so. We go back this Nov for a weeks vacation to STJ (4th time) and will reassess then too. He is aiming for his Captain's license with the idea of chartering a sailboat (he's a long time sailor and we've sailed Buzzards Bay for years) and I'm in the medical field but leading towards restaurant work and have taken courses, done some assistant cheffing and plan to get a master of wine certification in the Fall from Johnson and Wales.
My biggest concerns I think will be rock fever (if I've named that right) and missing our two kids who I think would continue their lives up north. But both think they're heading for the west coast anyway so what's another thousand miles! Anyway, thanks for the info, including the insurance stuff. If you're on STJ from Nov 5th on for a week, maybe we can hook up at Woody's or someplace and hear about the "50's" experience!
Posted : May 24, 2005 9:15 pm
karrieb: IMHO women (and men) of a certain age have their act together more and frequently get what they want out of a VI living experience. If you are in a skilled health care field, make sure to look into that- very great shortage in health care. There is always room for people with good work ethic.
Posted : May 24, 2005 9:37 pm
IMHO?? Maybe its just too early in the morning but what's that? I agree that as we get older we're clearer on what we want and know how to get it but I think I'll leave the medical field as I'll be ready for a change. Based on what little I've heard of New Englanders who head south (including the mainland), they are driven crazy by the slow paced attitude of health care workers in those regions. I can't wait to kick back and do fairly well at going with the flow but a patient in immediate need of care and a slow, don't worry mun attitude would probably drive me out of it in short order so I'm probably better off not putting myself in the position to be upset. I also read the salary ranges and can imagine working my butt off to compensate for my more relaxed co-workers for lousy money-yuck! Anyway, I have years left before I can actually head down but this message board is a fabulous way to do some homework!
Posted : May 25, 2005 12:29 pm
Sorry! IMHO= In my humble opinion.
Posted : May 26, 2005 10:24 pm
