How many of you live in neighborhoods.......

Jane - thank you! That was a very nice thing to say.

I never feel questions are stupid and that they are all deserving of a full answer. Questions that are asked repeatedly by every newcomer are the MOST IMPORTANT questions on every newcomer's mind, obviously, and therefore I don't feel that those requesting information should be bashed over the head. Relocating is nerve-racking enough without feeling like you can't even ask a question on a message board dedicated to providing answers. I've heard from a number of people directly who were afraid to ask questions on the board after seeing some of the responses other new posters occasionally get. Fortunately most responses on this board are made in good faith and with a positive attitude. It can be painful sometimes to see a vicious response and know that someone is taking a bad day out on a newbie who doesn't deserve it and won't know what hit him/her.

Newcomers almost always need to be directed to the Search feature before they will know it exists. This can be done gently! When you look at the sheer volume of messages in the archives, it is fairly easy to see why new posters try a shortcut by asking the questions on the top of their mind without reading for weeks and weeks first. It's also easy to miss topics you are seeking even if you scan through 100 pages of headlines, as many topics that are discussed don't have that much to do with their headlines.

THIS topic, for example, has gotten a long ways away from the original question. But the reminder from one poster about the board rule of: "if you can't say something nice, don't respond" is a good thing to keep in mind.

My other personality is Island Ted. There is a 3rd one I don't let out much, his name is Island Ned. Oh, I can't leave out his other half Island Jed. They all post under Island Ed, so if you see some different personalities in the posts, it's because there IS! LOL

Sure you get crotchety sometimes, Ed. But we still love you!

LOL... you make me sound like an old man!

I'm not crotchety! I'm just an ol' geezer who revels in starting trouble. He he he...

Island Jed

Stop Jed, STOP! You're going to make Island Ed look bad.

Island Ted

I was born and raised on St. Croix. Our neighborhood is not a typical stateside neighborhood in that you can't easily look into your neighbor's house from your own window, and the area is not lined with sidewalks. We have plenty of neighbors, but when I am at home, I feel like I am in my own space - can't see the neighbors really, can't hear them, BUT we do know them. There are Neighborhood or Homeowners Associations that have meetings, get to know each other, organize neighborhood watch, will help you out during a hurricane, might stop by to use your phone if theirs is not working (by this I mean individuals, not the WHOLE association - hah ha!). We made friends with some of the kids in the neighborhood, and we've been friends for life! Basically, we are not physically set up like typical stateside neighborhoods. Plot numbers may not always make sense (which is aggravating when giving directions), so you feel a bit more isolated than you might in a typical neighborhood, BUT it does not mean you are without the benefits of neighbors.

By the way, I think this is a VERY valid question, and I apologize for any negative reactions you may have received. Unfortunately,there are lots of people with superior attitudes that move here, and it's easy for residents to be on the defensive. This was a great question because this one of the many areas that are certainly different than what we are used to in the states.

Welcome to the Virgin Islands!!

Bravo, Alexandra. Although I am coming up on living, and loving the life on St. Croix, I still ask questions that some folks will find very, very redundant. It is because I honestly don't know, have asked others, and can't find it in the archives, probably because of the key words I am using.

Pointing people gently in the right direction, which folks have done for me (such as suggesting key words) has been enormously helpful, and it also makes me feel welcome in the greater scheme of things.

I have gotten terse answers once or twice, but I assumed it said more about the writer than the question. I am glad that most people I have found to be, like yourself, wonderfully supportive. My RAM (short term memory) is full of scar tissue due to an accident, and I am glad when I do ask "duh" questions, people have still treated me with dignity and respect.

It allowed me to move, and now supports my loving my new home more every day.

Warmest regards,

Dan

Hello STT Resident

I have been off line for a coupla weeks. (neighborhood)Is this the thread that will not die?

I have been looking at/contributing to VInow and the relocation board almost from the very beginning. Occasionally I too get a bit impatient and forget how excited I was to find this amazing exchange of information.

STT Resident...Regarding your 5/30/06 post. I wanted to add a solution to getting your "tired old knickers in a twist". We only need follow the example of that great American poet James Buffett when he emotes in his little known work "Pencil thin Mustache". He tells us all how to not twist our knickers when he says.."Now I'm getting old, don't wear Underwear, Don't go to church, don't cut my hair.

Well I have that out of my system, hope you all are having fun today.

Stxer