JOB

You have already determined that St.Croix is the island of your choice? In terms of finding work?

You'll have no trouble finding a job on STX. Server jobs are a dime a dozen. The problem is MAKING A LIVING serving. If you have a friend/spouse/partner coming with you, the two of you together can probably make enough to live on STX. Anything more than that means special skills or another, parttime job on top of the full time one.

Hubby and I do allright, but I have an off-island pension. Between that, him working full time and me doing parttime office work, we do ok. At least we've stopped cutting into the savings -- smiles.

i want to live on st croix, it doesnt matter where i work as long as i can live. it would just be me ad my dog. i just need enough to eat and pay rent, other then that im used to living on a tight budget. are the server jobs not like in the US, cause i was making like 300 a week here serving tables

Kevin, How much money are you planning on bringing with you?

And this is the first time you mentioned a DOG. You really need to read the various parts of the moving section.

Let me try and make a list for you:

You come alone with the clothes on your back, a couple of suitcases of personal effects, your surfboard and your dog.

Airfare from California -- $600. You know you can't fly with a dog during the summer, right?
1 weeks rent while you look for an apartment -- $350 (if you can find a place to stay with a dog).
You find an apartment that will take your dog for $400 a month. Landlord wants first, last and security deposit -- total to rent $1,200.
You're gonna want a phone?, cable?, internet connection? Deposits -- $200.
On STX you're gonna need a car, it's a big island. So you ship yours over -- $1,000.
OR you buy an island car. -- $1,000.
You get license and insurance for your car. -- $300 (I'm guessing here)
And you have to eat, wash your clothes, etc until you get settled. -- $300.

That adds up to about $4,000, right?

Now you can start looking for a job.

I wish you luck and maybe you can do it on a wing and a prayer. Me, I'm old, I need a PLAN. And it doesn't sound like you have one.

that is why i am asking all these questions

Hello Kevin,

You will find work in restaurants; November-December are good months, beginning of season. Aug-Oct are slow... but this is more reflective of St. Thomas. Most beaches don't have lifeguards... in fact I don't think I have seen any on St. Croix's beaches. (Magens Bay on St. Thomas does and for a while Brewers Bay did on weekends... and Cinnamon Bay or Trunk Bay (maybe both) on St. John.)

Finding an apartment that accepts pets is challenging. So keep that in mind, not impossiable just limits your choices.

--Islander