how much is needed

There have been many threads discussing this topic. Try a search and you'll have lots of thoughtful opinions. Which island you're on will make a difference.

St croix
did a search topic not found

Hi Chris,

Here is a link to a page on this board regarding cost of living. To the left of the page you will also find several other useful links regarding the practicalities of living here:

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/cost_of_living/

This will be a good start.

I am sure you will probably have some additional questions, and when you do, please come back and post them.

Best,
Mell 🙂

chris,

Click on 'home' at the top of this page and then click on 'what to expect' and you will pull up a bunch of moving stories. Mine (I think) is #13. We moved to STT and lived for two years on island (we moved back stateside last August). We have three kids, two in grade school. I can't answer your question as is, but if you want to read my story and maybe ask me something specific about it, feel free.

Cost of living may be less on STX. We were on STT. A lot depends on your lifestyle. If you home school or do public school or need private school for your kids, etc. I recommend private school for anyone moving from the states. The kids will adjust better with less frustration. I have said a lot on the topic, so feel free to pm or ask on the board any other questions. I am pretty honest about living on island so you can prepare for living there with family.

Teresa

Hello Chris,

Since this amount might vary depending on your personal circumstances and way of life how about trying to make a rough budget. Check out the cost of living page Mell linked to. Write down all the utilities & rent and the costs. For electric you can do an estimate by taking some of your current electric bills and multiplying the amount of electric you used by the cost of electric here in the VI. If you have children that are in school and intend on parochial or private school on island then check some of their websites for tuition fees and put that in your budget. Figure car insurance in there. If you have car payments, school loans, other loan payments and so forth put those in. Put some amount for misc. costs and recreation. A figure for the amount you would like to save. You may also want to put a figure for your start up, first/last months rent, security deposit, deposits for utilities, moving expenses. Hope that helps.

--Islander

From what I have heard, be willing to spend alot - so you will have to make alot. My guess is $100,000 minimum a year.