Job Offer / Is 38K Enough?????

That's a really loaded question which is difficult to respond to because we don't know what standard of living you're used to on the mainland and what you expect your standard of living to be on St. John. Do you have a yearly contract? Is housing included with your job offer? What field are you in and what are your expectations?

It really depends, as resident stated, upon what you view as necessities and what you other financial obligations are. It is quite possible to live what I consider comfortably on that. However, I don't mind driving an island car, living in a place much smaller and much less plush than I did in the states. It is a series of trade offs. If you do some searching on the board you can find current grocery prices, electric and water prices, etc. Do a budget for yourself and see.

Thanks...you raised some valid points. I certainly dont mine the down-sized house and "beater" car. Living in an American paradise is worth it. THanks for the info.

I went for a job interview a couple of yrs. ago to STT and STJ and was offered 38k/yr. Several of the employees told me that it takes 50k/yr. and that is with modest living and I think that would be very close. I have spent time on all 3 Islands and 50k would be my minimum

I know many ex-pats that make less than that and they live just fine. Remember, you won't need to pay heating bills, buy warm clothes, leave you car running to warm up, etc. If you have a significant other, then the two of you could live well on $25K each. $38K won't make you rich, but what you lack in monetary richness, you make up for in mental richness.