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I am planning on travelling to St. Thomas soon with the hope of finding work there so that I may live in the Virgin Islands. Is there much hope of an American finding work in the resorts or the restaurants in Charlotte Amalie for instance. I was also wondering if there are places such as beaches or hostels where one can sleep so that I don't have to waste money on a hotel every night. Thank you for any help or information that you can provide.
Posted : January 17, 2003 6:45 pm
Topic starter
I just wanted to add to my previous posting. I would like to find a place that I could rent by the week or even for a month so that I can really get a feel for the island and find a job. Is this possible? I have seen some mentions of a man named Rick on this site. I also wanted to tell you how helpful this sight has been to me and I'm sure to others. I have been thinking about moving to the Virgin Islands for a while but have been growing frustrated and depressed because I haven't found much information. This site has given me new hope and has me looking forward to my move more than ever. Again, I appreciate any info. or tips and hope to meet you when I get to St. Thomas.
Posted : January 17, 2003 8:17 pm
Hello Rick,
Congrats on your future move to the USVI, sure to be quite an experience.
To answer your questions:
As an American you should have no issues with jobs - all residents of the USVI are Americans - so you should feel at home, in terms of your natinality. Of course there are some differences between the mainland and the Caribbean :-). Be flexiable - youll learn to adjust to island life.
Finding work in restuarants and bars - sure, lots of both of these, you could work as a bartender, waiter, bus boy, cook, cooks aid, dish washer, host..... High tourist season, December - May or there abouts is a great time to find work in that industry, often times its a good idea to get here at the beginning of season. But sometimes even the summer pans out to be good, as the part time residents who come to work this industry during season go back to the mainland leaving openings. Your best bet is to go to as many restaurants and bars as you can, talk to the manager, fill applications, and really get out there looking. Sometimes after you have been here for a while you get a better idea of where the good bars are, the ones where youll make more tips are - and you can maybe switch jobs, or get two jobs. At first just try everywhere busy or not busy.
No students hostels or anything like that. This is a tourist place - hotels often come with a great big price tag.
There is a frequent poster named Rick, however in your train of thought - looking for a place to stay - I think you might be looking for Ronnie - he owns an establishment that rents for short term, by the week and month stay. He's on this board somewhere, write him a post and ask about his place. 🙂
I am happy to hear that this site has benefitted you and your plans, and very happy to hear that you enjoyed the moving guide that we recently added!!!
Good Luck.
--Islander
Posted : January 17, 2003 9:00 pm
Forgot to answer about sleeping on beaches.....
Well, I have to say, I would not recommend it, and it sounds sort of scary and upsurd to me. However I have met several people who do this. Acutally I met one guy on St. John at Cinnamon Bay about a month ago, who said he was tired of the cold, packed a little bag, saved some money, flew down to the USVI, took a ferry to St. John, and slept on the beach, met folks - some who eventually let him 'couch surf', and he loves it, had been doing that for a couple months. I did not ask for more details. Sounds like a real Survivor type thing really... 🙂
Good Luck.
--Islander
Posted : January 17, 2003 9:06 pm
Also, if you want a bar/restaurant job, you will have to get a health card at the clinic housed at the RLS Hospital. This takes a bit of time, so go get it first, then you will be "hireable"!
Posted : January 17, 2003 9:20 pm
Thanks East Ender - forgot about that. Health Card - Definitely - do that first, as soon as you get here.
--Islander
Posted : January 17, 2003 9:23 pm
Yes Rick, this is "Rick" actually Ronnie. Islander is right, I do offer housing for folks like you. Check my website at villafairview.com. Just setted in 2 ladies today. Do have an opening coming up on Sunday.
Ronnie
Posted : January 17, 2003 10:40 pm
Thank you very much for all of your help. I have contacted Ronnie and hope to be able to stay there. Much more affordable than hotels and safer and more healthy than the beach. Thank you for the info on the health card as well. Two questions about that. Where is the RLS Hospital located and about how much will the health card cost me?
Posted : January 18, 2003 4:47 pm
The hospital is in Sugar Estate (not that youll know where that is either, lol, until you get there of course.) It is a couple blocks from the cruise ship docks, a bit outside of Charlotte Amalie, the main town. Its 'THE' hospital on St. Thomas, so you could just ask someone how to get to the hospital.
Not sure on the cost.
--Islander
Posted : January 19, 2003 5:05 am
Are there any technical jobs on the islands? My husband and I would like to relocate, but he is a chemical engineer. Didn't know where we would look to find non tourist based jobs. Thanks!
Posted : July 19, 2006 2:16 pm
Jenifer - you're better off posting a new question rather than tagging onto a post from 2003!!!
Have you gone to the top of this page and researched what's on this forum already under the, "new to this forum" announcement?
Cheers.
Posted : July 19, 2006 2:49 pm
