I BLAIME IT ON JIMMY BUFFETT

Beats me but eons ago I went to Jamaica. When I stepped off the plane, literally I felt like I was home. I disliked Jamaica but knew the Caribbean was it.

I'm the opposite of what most people think is the right "personality" for the Caribbean. I'm a total Type A but that hasn't stopped me from living in this region for 25 years. I never believe in geographical cures but I have always loathed where I came from & was quite happy to get away from a rather dysfunctional family. It helps to not be dependent on others, to be quite happy with your own company & to not have a drug or alcohol problem.

If you're whiny or need every type store/restaurant/entertainment it might not be the right place but it's sure a lot easier now than before the internet, ebay, satellite, cell phones & other fairly recent amenities.

I moved because I always dreamed of living on an island and the Caribbean was it. The warm weather, the color of the beautiful water, the people - aloof at first but warm and caring and friendly and loyal after a bit of time. Every day when I awake and look out my window I feel like God painted the beautiful picture just for me. There is nothing like being able to wear thongs everywhere, go barefoot when you please, jump in the ocean and swim whenever you can.

A man lol... And if not for him I'd have left with in 6 months That was in 1982. Need I say more!! Cheers!

Peg.

The weather was a huge factor. I came from the Seattle area and lived all my life under murky gray skies that leave you feeling depressed and shivering and put you into hibernation mode. Any time I was able to make a trip to the tropics, I felt so much better physically and emotionally that there was never any question that I wanted to make the move. It was only a question of timing. Ultimately I moved to STX about 3-4 years earlier than I had originally planned when the opportunity came up and I got engaged to a man who had already moved to STX from Seattle/Tacoma. We both do much better in the warm weather and sunshine. I handle the cultural differences and slow service better than he does. He's definitely a Type A with serious ADHD that makes it very tough for him to cope with standing in lines. Of course, he also objects to traffic jams when we visit the mainland, so it's not just a problem with island life. I like the small town atmosphere of STX and the friendliness of the people I meet.

We had been to many different islands in the area, South Pacific, and Hawaii. We never thought we could nor want to live at any of them. We were supposed to go to the Caman islands in Dec of 04, but the hurricane did a number on them. Someone suggested the Virgin Islands, so after looking at the dive websites, we chose to go to STX for Christmas.
We didn't have a rental car, They were all booked, and the only time we got out of the Divi resort was a taxi trip to C'sted, and a tour with Sweeney's. I did see the route between Divi and Salt River everyday on the way to the dive boat.
On the way home, we looked at each other and said "we need to get a place there". We went back in April and bought a condo thru Alexandra.
I don't know what is about STX, but I feel at home there. We still live in AZ. (I was born and raised there, and NEVER figured I would want to leave), and won't be able to spend more than a couple of months until my wife retires in 31 1/2 months. At that time we are planning to split our time, and then decide if we could live there ull time.
I don't think it's the "small town" feel, as I have never liked small towns. Maybe it's the life style. I love the beaches and ocean view. I love that the weather is always about 84*. The people seem very friendly, and the drivers are much more polite, ( it takes me at least a week back in the states to get back into the offensive driver mood :)).
We have not been to STJ yet, but couldn't afford it there, and was only to STT once. Didn't care for the traffic, all of the tourists, and all of the pe3ople standing outside of their shops hawking they wares.

31 and 1/2 months until retirement... not that you're counting or anything! 🙂

Beth - you KNOW how jealous Terry is of you and Tabra for coming on a PMV that never ended while he has to keep getting on the airplane back to Arizona. I figure in about 6 more months he'll be counting it down in WEEKS and at the six month mark it will be counted in DAYS. Kind of like a parent of a newborn, but in reverse.

You're right, Alexandra... every time he comes here, he tries to get us to give his asylum, so he doesn't have to go back. We've told him that we would give him political asylum... We would even hide him from the law... But we will NOT give him marital asylum, when his wife is telling him he has to go back. 🙂

Yea, and I always thought you were my friends.:) 🙂

We ARE your friends, Terry! That's why we won't let you stay on the island permanently until Annie can live here with you. Admit it, you wouldn't be happy in Paradise without her for very long.