Job Availability + a couple random questions

" B) It just doesn't make since if the buses are reliable to pay for gas."
The 'dollar ride' safari buses are reliable BUT only follow the main route between town and Red Hook - if you do not live near that circuit or your destination is not close to it - it will not be a convenient mode of travel - also they are not operating after sunset - the Vitran buses are few and I wouldn't call the Vitran system reliable and again they do not operate in the evenings.

Also, on Sunday there are fewer safari dollar rides, so you have to wait longer. & always ask if they are going to town or country when it's getting late & on Sunday, some cut down service on their routes. Only stay in country, because they live in country.
The govt. cut Vitran bus service on the weekends.
You can always get friendly with a gypsy cab driver and get some rides that way when you can't get a safari or bus. They are cheaper than regular taxis.

This type of person is not a PMV type of person. He is looking for a job in diving and/or a restaurant. I have lived on 5 continents and I have never ever in my life done a PMV. The only reason I flew to STX and STT last month was to meet with nurse recruiters and those were hardly PMVs since I was 36 hours on each island.

The OP will be fine without a PMV and if he doesn't like it then off to the next adventure!

You sound ready to deal with the tough aspects of living down here and more power to you! You have a LOT more money to work with than when I got down here, and a year later I'm still here. It was tight, but I made it work. Not that I don't want one (because I do), but I also have survived a year down here with no car. It is possible. Just be aware that the safaris don't run once it is dark, and make some friends who have cars if you want to access places on the island that aren't on the general route. Good luck! I have thoroughly enjoyed the diving here and think you will too.

TropicalDenizen,

I'm moving down in January, I'm a healthcare professional. I too have a good amount saved, and if for some awful reason I can't get a healthcare job right away, I will consider anything.

Anyway, I like your attitude. It would be nice to have a real life friend down there when I/we get there. I've traveled quite a bit, alone, as well. I love it, and I'm very resourceful. Are you moving with a family, or alone, as I am.

Anyway, let me know! I hope your move is smooth!

Joe

Did you make the move down here yet??
I moved down here 6 monthes ago...no PMV and guess what i survived. its not easy with so many people on this site trying to convince you - you cant afford it, you will not like it...etc. Would love to hear you arrived and enjoy the island.

Did you make the move down here yet??
I moved down here 6 monthes ago...no PMV and guess what i survived. its not easy with so many people on this site trying to convince you - you cant afford it, you will not like it...etc. Would love to hear you arrived and enjoy the island.

Six months ago is still the honeymoon. Post again in 2 years.

Living on an island and in a culture where you did not grow up is a collection of compromises, -some of which are definitely worth making, and some of which wear out their welcome with time. This is the collective wisdom of this board which I've found to be largely true.

If you come by yourself, and don't have kids, or child-support, or tuition payments,or don't need to afford plane tickets to visit family, and don't care a lot about your living conditions, or if you're just plain 'young' and seeing the world, then you can move anywhere. But if you have a spouse, or kids, or need to live in the manner to which you've become accustomed, or need to work at a job that you feel passionate about, or get hooked up with the wrong people, or still want to travel, or want to have options like being able to get medical insurance, or get sick and tired of the lameness of the way things are run, then the dream can turn sour if you don't have the cash to cushion the reality.

Six months ago is still the honeymoon. Post again in 2 years.

(tu)

It does get tedious being jumped on for merely pointing out the realities. You may not LIKE the reality being pointed out and may not care for the delivery which you perceive negatively. But when you've been here long enough to have seen so many heartbreaking incidences of the reality doing someone in you'll better appreciate it. The attrition rate of newbies is huge and always has been, the honeymoon period can last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of years so all some of us try to do is make sure you know enough and have enough to enable you to get by for as long as your stay may be. If we didn't care we wouldn't bother as we do have lives outside forums.

Ridiculous.
If you don't make 5 million dollars and live to your dying on day in the VI, does that make you a failure?
Some folks move down because they are distatisifed with thier current exiistance.
Some folks relocate here because of work or school or adventure.
Some folks find what they had hoped for; achieve their goals; set new goals; and move on.
Some of folks stay on because they love it.
Some folks stay because they have no choice.
Some folks leave because they are disatisfied.
Some folks leave with re-alligned vaules and a new sense of self discovery knowing that isalnd life (expense, crime, poverty, lack of 21st century ammenities) is not for them.
Some folks grow, mature, progress into different life stage and The VI is no longer compatible with thier priorities.
Some people will be grumpy or bitter no matter where they live.
Some folks will be finacially and socially sucessful no matter where they live.
It's a matter of learning how to play the had you're delt. "know when hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em"
To borrow from another thread, "People's opinions say more about them then the isalnd they live on."
True happiness in this world is hard to come by. More power to anyone who is striving to create a better life for themselves, thier family and community.

ps yeah i'm crappy speller..judge away.

Perfectly stated blu4u love it! 😀

Someone is looking for sailing catamaran crew and captains. Job posted in VI Daily News. 340-775-5939.

Captains are required to have US Coast Guard licenses as well as be experienced in boat handling and local waters.
Crews not so much but knowing the basics helps get one hired over someone with no knowledge.
There are many Dive Operations here in STT, and not all located in Red Hook so depending where you work, you might want to seek housing within a managable commute.

A car is a must! You will need a vehicle when you arrive just to get back and forth to look for jobs and housing so plan on renting one unless shipping yours. You'll need to rent one while you wait for yours to arrive or to go look for one to purchase. We do not have public transportation island wide and even the buses we do have, do not keep to schedules, The safari's only travel certain routes.
There is no bus service at all on north and south sides of island. Most business owners shall be reluctant to hire someone without a car.
Traveling unencumbered by significant others, kids and pets allows one more freedom and options as to what they wish to do but you are still going to need a car.

Giggle Blu. We don't realize how often we use that spell check. Don't worry about it.:@)

Still on the honeymoon phase....yeah maybe but I would say the first months are the divorce phase lol Trying to get use to grocery shopping, expensive and no options, getting use to island life and island time .....lol. I would still tell anyone to come move here if it doesn't work and you go back home well then consider it a long vacation. consider yourself lucky that you had enough courage to try something so adventurous if you spend all your money trying to make it work....there is always jobs out there that will pay you 🙂 And if the honeymoon phase can last a few years well then perfect since I never moved here for the rest of my life( just moved here till the next adventure arises) thankgoodness too cause I would never wanna be raining on everyone's parade just because the island can make some ppl bitter.

And if the honeymoon phase can last a few years well then perfect since I never moved here for the rest of my life( just moved here till the next adventure arises) thankgoodness too cause I would never wanna be raining on everyone's parade just because the island can make some ppl bitter.

The island itself and the people you meet never makes people bitter just sometimes disenchanted which is why people that have lived here, 25 years and more, that know the score, advise "new-be's" that "Island life" is not for everyone. Some times it is even not for those of us that have lived here, forever.

Just saying............................If you want expansion on this topic we can start a new thread.

Also important to consider is that people who have lived solely on a small tropical island for 25 years often loose touch with "state side" reality and lack the prospect of a "recent relocatee".

A lot of folks leave the islands, not because they want to, but because life, family, work or health call them away 🙁 Some leave behind great lives, are happy here, have jobs they like and friends they love and activities they truly miss.

Leaving and saying goodbye isn't always easy and intended. It's just life and stuff happens! And alot of us are yes loosing a lot of friends aka family.. lately and it is not what they had planned! Some going for work, going due to unforseen health issues that need specialized care, their familys are aging, familys growing and lil' grandkids coming etc.. "It is what it is." ..."Enjoy the time you are given. Each day is a gift."

So maybe folks say "don't bring everything" or "don't give away everything", or don't... right away...because they have had unforseen life changes "Happen" ...never say never. And maybe they are saying..You can succeed and be happy here and still have your life change in the blink of an eye in a way you never imagined or can control. And maybe it is that the intent of the written word is hard to understand at times.

Good luck in your adventures(s) no matter where they lead you 🙂

Just because people have lived here longer then me does not mean my opinion has no value. As far as i know you dont have to have lived on this island for any certain time before you are allowed to post on here and have an opinon on the island. Maybe the people who have lived here for so long are just so pushy with their opinions that no one wants to talk to them and the only way to get there opinion heard is on this website, where "new-be's" are the only ones to put up with these "old-bes's"

I apologize to the "old-be's" i have enjoyed this island for 6 monthes and will continue to encourage anyone and everyone to live out their dream. Hmmm....i think i am encouraging tourism, encouraging people to spend money on this island. Guess the other option is to point out the that its expensive, its different from home, to basically discourage people from coming here and spending money and helping local companies make money and survive. Remember if it was easy to adjust and cheap everyone would be here and it wouldnt be a dream anymore.

Also i am not saying my 6 monthes here have been all peaches and cream i dont live in a fantasy world - i just dont see why to discourage people. If my family couldnt talk me out of moving to this island i sure as heck would not let a complete stranger "old-be" talk me out of attempting this move.

Sometimes those "old-be's" have lots of wisdom to impart. Maybe we should just show some respect and listen. You don't have to do what they say or follow their advice. Just listen and show respect for someone who has "been there, done that." I used to get very impatient with my mother and think she had no clue because she was old. I would give anything now to just listen to what she had to say and I have so many questions to ask her because I didn't listen when she told me the first time.

I think the point is that respect is TWO WAY STREET. Just because someone is "new" to the Terroitory or the forum, doesn't mean thier opinion is invalid. Espeically opinions about relocating.

I think there is way too much "hazing" on this forum which distracts from the topics in question. At least that is my experience. When I first started posting ALL my posts were questioned or ridculed. I found it insulting, almost to point of cruel. The regulars (actually one regular in particular) assumed I was new to island and made comments like I'd "be wise to keep my mouth closed and ears open", "begs the question of how long you've been here", "knows precious little about the islands", "should have more respect for your elders". That poster made some very stupid assumtions about my ethnic origin in an attempt to discredit my opinions. That "person" doesn't know me. VI made me tough. I can hold my own, so tossed the crap back as fast as it came at me. VI has also made me tolerant of other cultures. (not too mention a $hitty speller) Something the reugulars here need to accept--tollernce (not the spelling).

Why degrade anyone's chracter because they hold a contrary opinion? Or have logged less time on de rox? Frankly, I just don't get it...

Why bully "newbies"? What is this the Marine Corps?

I don't read these posted as bullying, just shorthand two cents worth.

A lot of good advice all around. What I think many are cautioning about are those who seem to want to move to the VI without all the facts. It is not like packing up the UHaul and heading across the country to live near the ocean.

Metaphor: Go ahead and jump out of the plane. Just remember to bring a parachute.

And the younger, more unencumbered you are, the better. 20 somethings with a couple of thousand in hand and a willingness to work will do fine. They'll find other of their kind, get jobs through them and live with roommates. They will stay for a season, a few years or a lifetime.

Us old folks will plan carefully, have enough money to be comfortable,and, like the young, will find our niche.

The ones I worry about are the middle aged with children. We once had someone post who had accepted a transfer to the USVI. He and his wife had SIX kids. He would be making, if I remember correctly, $75,000. True story. They planned to live on his salary and she was going to stay home with the kids. We were pretty negative, probably seemed very unwelcoming, regarding the move. Old timers on this board will remember Teresa and her many posts. She and her family were here for about 3 years. If you can find her posts in the archives, they would speak volumes.

When I read such posts, or ones where people plan on living on foodstamps or asking about Section 8 housing, or trying to find accomodations on the beach for $500 a month, or with a special needs child, I cringe.

All I hear anyone saying is be cautious.

People have so many different reasons for moving. To be honest I would much prefer to stay and work in San Francisco/ Silicon Valley but that is NOT an option. No one in the Bay Area will hire a new grad RN without expirence. My classmates are finding themselves lucky to land a job in dangerous Texas border town where no one will move to or North Dakota with their awful weather and low pay. STT looks awesome compared to my other choices. SInce I have been living in Puerto Rico the past two years I know I like the weather but I also know that the population of STT is 1% of PR. PR has 4 million people, San Juan has 400,000 people and STT has 40,000. SO STT is 10% of San Juan and 1% of the island of Puerto Rico.

Yeah it is bigger but I know I will get island fever which didn't really happen in PR. Even so I flew home to San Francisco 6 times and spent the first THanksgiving in Panama and the first Spring Break in Honduras so I left the island 8 times in 2 years and it is not even very small.

Anyway I am moving to STT because I can work there but it would not be my first choice but at this point I can't be picky. I have a 4.0 GPA friend that is still unemployed and has sent out over 200 applications and has had only 1 reply in his 200 applications. He did a phone interview and it was for a super crappy location in TX and he was denied. It is really bad out there and the hospital on STT loves hiring new grads from our school so that is why I am going.

I have friends only applying in CA and over one year later they are still unemployed.

It is the only option I have right now. But even if I had another random option in TX or ND I would certainly take it STT over that but idealy I would be at home in the Bay Area. My point is people don't aways have options.

ChanelCinq, Try Raleigh, North Carolina and surrounding area. Greenville, Spartanburg area of South Carolina and surrounding area. Both places are booming right now. There are 10 hospitals in the Raleigh area and Duke is there. The weather is nice. The people are great. Winters are not too bad. Hope this helps.

Tam

ChanelCinq, Try Raleigh, North Carolina and surrounding area. Greenville, Spartanburg area of South Carolina and surrounding area. Both places are booming right now. There are 10 hospitals in the Raleigh area and Duke is there. The weather is nice. The people are great. Winters are not too bad. Hope this helps.

Tam

NO ONE wants to hire new grad RNs. And both North and South Carolina are pumping out a ton of new graduate nurses and many of them can't find jobs in their home state.

Yes the country still does need nurses BUT no one wants to hire a nurses with less then 2 years of experience.

So many people tell me about ABC and XYZ is hiring but they are all hiring experienced nurses. It's a different story.

Thanks for trying to help but it is very hard. One of my classmates moved back to NC and she is not having any luck.

The people that go to school locally have a little more chance as they may get hired after attending clinical at a local hospital.

ANyway, it's all good. I have a job on STT and I am looking forward to it.

I was just trying to point out to some others there are so many different reasons people move to one place or another.