Job ??????'s

"fairly cheap rent and not in the slums."

Nate -There aren't "slums" per se. There are some areas that are best to avoid walking/lingering around after dark, etc.

Parrothead-

I overestimated the more dangerous areas, but I was told that stt has a considerable amount of crime in "drug traffic areas". I guess I am trying to stay away from that type of thing. My roommate and I are looking for a 2 bedroom apt. for $600-$700 a month. I've been looking on Elgin County Market and i've seen quite a few in that price range, but I was wondering if those are out in the middle of nowhere or if there spread out throughout the island.

If you don't understand the question, I guess i'm trying to get a feel for the island before I move down there. My roommate and I will not have transportation so we are looking for a moderately priced apt. that won't be too far from somewhere we might be working. Probably at a restuarant or hotel.

Thanx

Nate of Montana

PS- sorry for the long message

go down first to visit , thats the only way. If you cant afford a plane trip then take a cruise get the cheapest inside cabin and you get a feel ,

Nate: You'll have to explain "Elgin County Market" as I have never heard of it. I also have not heard of any 2 bedroom places for $600 unless it is Section 8 or something... Did you read the section on moving on the navigation bar above? It has a good description of accomodations and costs. The VI is not an inexpensive place to live. Also, look back in the archives as we very recently had a discussion on good/bad areas and the need to see places in person before you rent. Re: your two job options...I think most of the golf course jobs are pretty home grown, unless you are Tiger or something. Boat jobs are somewhat easier, but you should have some sort of ability. Do you know boats? Can you take neophytes on a snorkel tour? Can you fix a diesel engine? Can you fix hors d'oeurves and rum punch while keeping guests chuckling? The more you know, the more you are marketable!

Rentals are extremely almost impossible to find at this time. The message board at the East End Secretarial service is usally filled with apts for rent, and jobs. I overheard the lady that runs it mention to someone that asked about a rental, that the board was practically naked in it's absence of postings. No jobs, no cars for sale and no apts to rent.

A lady I know just got a better job stateside and when she put up a notice for someone to take over her lease on a 1 bedroom apt at Sapphire Beach apts....she had like 50 calls within hours of her posting the notice.

I agree with East Ender, I have never seen a 2 bedroom for $600-700. Maybe a 1 bedroom in that price range, but definately not a 2 bedroom and definately not now in the midst of high season.

Thanx for the responses.

The Elgin County Market is an online classified ad page that I was referred to by the local Century 21 guy, and it has many apts. with the prices I was talking about. It is at
elgincountymarket.com. I know the listings are for stt, because many say things such as downtown stt. Most of the apts. are two bdrm. and they are between $600-700. I may be going crazy, but it seems legit. Check it out and tell me if it sounds right.

My roommate and I are going down there assuming we will love it. We are going down with plenty of money and round trip tickets in case we don't think it will work out, and that is how we will be visiting for the first time. Whether we like it or not.

Thanks again, and keep in touch.

Nate of Montana

I believe that you are referring to Quebec Canada's paper and St.Thomas is a street.

Thanks for the correction Kate. That realtor got my hopes up a little on the availability/prices with that web site. Nevertheless I must move on.

I am inquiring how easy it might be to get a lanscaper job. I have previous experience and it seems to pay a little better than a food service job.

So now that I know about this elgin market hoax, is it going to be tough to find a place around march 15.

Hear from ya soon.

Nate from Montana

Hello Nate,

Landscaping - you might try contacting the larger hotels for landscaping jobs with them. Once on island you might network with other landscapers and see if you can get something working with them on their jobs. Many landscapers run small businesses where they are the only employee or maybe have another person working with them and they do jobs for home owners and condos. The hotel jobs you might call and fax your resume -this might work for you.

--Islander

Thanks Islander - you run a great service here

Hi,
I was very intrigued by this conversation because I, too, and thinking very much about moving to the VI. I have some family that charter a catamaran down there and they are trying to get me to come down. I will go around March 13th and only have one week to find a place (if I don't get it before) and a job. I would love to work on a boat (not a ship, though.) Do you have any recomendations? I don't have sailing experience, but as you said earlier....I could definatley serve Rum Punch while keeping the guests chuckeling! Do you recommend I make some calls before I get down there?
Thanks so much! I will also look through the archives for more information!!
Whitney

Whitney: You will probably need to be here in person for a boat job. They usually want someone to start yesterday, so unless you are Capt. Nemo they aren't going to hold a place for you. Interestingly, some of the day boat companies want you to have CPR training, so if you have that you would be more in demand.

Nate,
Your dreamin. It is not as easy as it sounds. You will have to work round the clock to get a place somewhere where you can sleep with both eyes closed. If your lucky you'll make it through a HURRICANE and live with the after math and mess for months with no service and probally have no job to go to either. Have a few rum punch order a V.I. calander and stare at it same affect . Have you ever seen the price of some foods??
OJ it would be cheaper to go to Fla. and get some and bring it back. Play lotto the only way to do it. Good Luck

Landscapers and any thing that takes only a strong back are a dime dozen here. The islands need people with skills like nurses, technicians. By the way everything is just as expensive or costs more than the states.

Just out of curiosity, how hard is it to get a job on a charter boat if you have some sailing experience, had CPR, and EMT training, and new your way around the rum punch? Are we talking possibility, or rare openings available? Really kind of curious to how needed are hands that have some experience. I realize that being there on the spot is a bonus, but trying to gain some insight I have to ask. Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

If you are talking about day boats, you probably would have a good chance. They might put you on the schedule on a part-time basis to start, but if you stick with it, you'll find more consistent work.