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am 80 and want to spend what time I have left as comfortably and happily as possible. I plan to lease a house in the UK for the summer month and to use as a base for traveling in the UK and on the continent. I want to find a warm place to spend the winter months. I have spent some time checking and have decided that St. Croix is high on my list. My winter months would be spent for the greater part in sitting, viewing, eating, watching TV and conversing with friends by e-mail. While I am pretty up on the good things on St. Croix, I would like to hear the “other side” of the story from those who live there. For instance, how is TV there. I hate U.S. Commercial TV with all of the insanity of the “reality shows” and commercials that take up much of the time of a thirty minute show or an hourly show. I love PBS and any comedies, even repeats. I love fruit, vegetables and fish. I like a cocktail before dinner and wine during a meal. I have read the post about violence on St. Croix and find it confusing. One of the reason I would choose St. Croix is that I am a Unitarian/Universalist and St. Croix has the only fellowship in the VI that I can find . I read the fellowship bolg and saw that the Minister had taken training with Alternatives to Violence there in St. Croix,which suggests that there might be a problem. I, However, have not heard any reports of mass murders by gunmen, which is a rising problem on the mainland. Essentially my requirements for comfort and happiness are not demanding. What advise have you that I might need to consider as being a hindrance to my objectives.
Posted : August 20, 2014 4:04 pm
Do you have a generous income? Do you have health insurance? Have you ever been to stx? Are you mobile? If the answer is yes, then I say go for it. But DO NOT buy anything. Find a beachfront condo and rent.
Posted : August 20, 2014 4:13 pm
For your TV needs, I suggest Dish Network. Local cable is terrible from what I hear, and forget about over the air programming.
Internet is good if you use Broadband VI.
Posted : August 20, 2014 5:09 pm
Do you have a generous income? Do you have health insurance? Have you ever been to stx? Are you mobile? If the answer is yes, then I say go for it. But DO NOT buy anything. Find a beachfront condo and rent.
Not to be ageist, but since you mentioned your age, my biggest concern for you would be adequate health care if you have health issues. The hospital on STX is ... not great (I'm trying to be diplomatic, some parts are apparently okay, others are horrific) and there isn't much in the way of private specialists on island. Many residences are not handicapped accessible and could create problems if you have mobility issues. Air ambulance service would also be, I think, a necessity in your case. Heck, *I* want air ambulance service and I'm half your age!
Best to you in your search!
IT
Posted : August 20, 2014 5:21 pm
Your health insurance would be the biggest issue, so somebody who has British health benefits should be consulted.
Have you made contacts with any of the St Croix Universalist members?
Are you able to get out and about on your own and fix your own meals? Most people your age have family or life long friends as a support network.
Most of the things you want to do is what many residents do everyday.
Posted : August 20, 2014 6:10 pm
Topic starter
I would like to thank everyone for their responses. They are enlightening. Specifically for your questions: I am a U.S. citizen with both Medicare, supplemental heath insurance and prescription insurance. I am in fairly good health for my age and seldom go to a doctor or take medicine. I do have some difficulty walking as a result of slight arthritis in my hip, as most people my age do. I have a personal assistant who does most of the chores, cooks and drives for me, as well as helping me while flying.
Posted : August 20, 2014 6:39 pm
Come on down!
Posted : August 20, 2014 6:59 pm
I would like to thank everyone for their responses. They are enlightening. Specifically for your questions: I am a U.S. citizen with both Medicare, supplemental heath insurance and prescription insurance. I am in fairly good health for my age and seldom go to a doctor or take medicine. I do have some difficulty walking as a result of slight arthritis in my hip, as most people my age do. I have a personal assistant who does most of the chores, cooks and drives for me, as well as helping me while flying.
Okay, I retract my previous statement. I'd trade air ambulance for a personal assistant! You should be fine. Come visit! STX is a great place to retire.
IT
Posted : August 20, 2014 7:02 pm
come on down. we have netflix streaming, roku works here. you can get amazon prime here and hulu plus. plenty to watch without mainstream tv stations
Posted : August 20, 2014 7:08 pm
Yes, come this winter. Do you have an idea as to where you'd like to live? You should start looking for housing now. Someone on this forum should be able to help you find something appropriate.
Posted : August 20, 2014 7:33 pm
Topic starter
I have browsed the listed houses on STX. Some are interesting. I am still trying to decide between a couple of places--Key West and Monterey CA. When I have made up my mind Iwill get back on the forum and will also contact the UU Fellowship for more specific help. I really appreciate all of the comments. You all make STX sound like a very friendly place.
Posted : August 20, 2014 7:44 pm
Since you mentioned you only found it on STX, St John does have an active UU community - http://uufstjohn.com/
Posted : August 20, 2014 8:22 pm
key west is awesome
Posted : August 20, 2014 9:34 pm
I am interested in air ambulances as well.
I found 2 listings:
A ACLS Advanced Air Ambulance 800-633-3590
AAA Air Ambulance Anywhere 800-327-1966
Does anyone recommend either one or are there other local ones that are better?
Posted : August 20, 2014 9:41 pm
if you are not a full time resident on the VI you should look at MedJetAssist.
Posted : August 20, 2014 10:08 pm
When I was injured overseas, my MAPFRE insurance paid for my air ambulance back to VI. I was SHOCKED! Not even a deductible.
Had a long talk with the nurses on the way home. The company was Canadian. I told them someone said one of our local air ambulances could not take passengers over 250 lbs. The nurses said their company had access to planes of various sizes, and the nurses have to assess your condition and the size of the assigned plane. If they don't think the assigned plane can carry you, they have to find another plane.
The carriers here have many types of plans, so you have to carefully read the fine print and pay for the plan that best meets your needs.
Posted : August 20, 2014 10:25 pm
Thanks, CruzanIron!
rmb2830, we are coming down to STT to check it out for a year with intentions of becoming residents.
So how does this work? Covered by Medicare or out of pocket?
Posted : August 20, 2014 10:28 pm
Topic starter
Thank you for the info on the UU Fellowship on Stt>
Posted : August 21, 2014 12:04 am
Key West is very expensive - especially housing costs. Also, it is very much a tourist and partying place. If you are looking for a UU community, lovely scenery, and friendly people, check out some places in the Panhandle of FL, like possible Destin or Pensacola.
Posted : August 21, 2014 1:13 am
Petra: Medicare does not pay for med-evac, you have to buy a separate policy. Make sure to check the small print, as usually you will be taken to the closest facility that has the services you need. This usually means you will go to Puerto Rico.
Posted : August 21, 2014 1:24 am
Great, thanks, East Ender! And as I was typing my post and submitted I did see the above post as well by ms411. All of this info is very helpful.
kycol: I agree Destin, Florida is a great area as well and looks like they have an Unitarian Universalist Fellowship nearby in Valparaiso which is 20-30 min north of Destin.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Emerald Coast
@30.4663573,-86.5732665,12z/data=!4m18!1m15!4m14!1m6!1m2!1s0x88914379c940f4b7:0x17a48bdb46584c32!2sDestin,+FL!2m2!1d-86.4957833!2d30.3935337!1m6!1m2!1s0x8891698f3da4d905:0xc16afea61ae0cf99!2sUnitarian+Universalist+Fellowship+of+the+Emerald+Coast:+Sunday+Services+10:00+AM,+1295+N+Bayshore+Dr,+Valparaiso,+FL+32580!2m2!1d-86.493896!2d30.513863!3m1!1s0x8891698f3da4d905:0xc16afea61ae0cf99">Map of route from Destin to Valparaiso
Good luck narrowing down your spot for the winter months! 🙂
Posted : August 21, 2014 4:01 am
