Jobs-Own/Rent

we rent. i am an A/P clerk .

We own. I'm retired!

Just like where you now live you are going to find some contributors here rent others own. The percentages are probably not much different than there are anywhere.

Same with jobs, some of us are retired and others work. Those who work have many of the same types of jobs as anywhere else. There are a few exceptions - igloo builders are few and far between in theCaribbean - you get my meaning.

I was an executive assistant in the corporate world for 10 years, then ran a small supermarket for a year, then owned and operated a restaurant for 16 years and am now in the process of setting up a home-based internet business entirely unrelated to the aforementioned - which only demonstrates that you can embrace diversity (just as you can anywhere)!

Never been interested in owning property here and it's generally not a good idea to even think about it before you've lived here for a few years. Good luck with your plans!

i will say that i know a few people who bought and wish they had not

... igloo builders are few and far between in theCaribbean - you get my meaning.

But even they might find a job opportunity at Magic Ice on St Thomas - you never know!!!

There's a mix.

It is good to figure out if "island life" agrees with you before committing to buying, here, as properties don't "fly" off the market here as readily as they do, elsewhere. That being said, you'll be making a substantial financial outlay to rent. Properties are more expensive here for what you get and not everyone can afford a down payment or qualify for a loan.

I own my own home here but am planning on moving to FL.
I was considering renting there for a year but when I calculated all the costs, it made more, sense, in my particular situation to buy a home instead of wasting $30-$50K renting, furnishing, buying a car and finding a good rental with a fenced yard that allows 3 dogs, for a year.

I'll be keeping my home here, renting it long term, until I figure out if the relocation is permanent.

If you believe that island living is for you, you might as well buy rather than pay someone else's mortgage and have nothing to show for it.
My mortgage on my home here is a fraction of what I would pay to rent something similar nor do I have to deal with any landlord's rules and regulations. If and when I sell, I'll make my money back and then some.
That's true for the FL property as well so, I'm lucky.

Whatever floats your boat.
Good luck!

(tu)

One of the most sensible posts on the subject I have seen on this board!

We've been here 5 years and have rented a few different places and are now buying a place this year. We took our time (we knew we were staying from the get go) but we waited anyway. a few ups and downs and job changes but it is the place for me. I am the oddity, moved everything I own from the get go, wife and kids. But i'd recommend renting a place in an area you "might like" then looking for other places as you get settled, friends, interests, etc. Take our time find your dream home. It may be here it may not. Take a chance, take the leap. don't want to be on your death bead saying "i wonder what if........"

We bought our house before we moved here. Now we are selling and moving on to our boat.

Tammy

Thanks everyone!

Hiiiii! My goal is to move to the VI once we have a good amount of money saved up.

The biggest point is properties sell slow and you don't want to be stuck with owning a property and possibly a mortgage you can not get out of relatively quickly if you decide you're in the wrong location or wrong island. It's recommended to rent for a while until you are sure you want to stay and the location you want to be in. If you can afford to hang onto a house for many months waiting for a sale due to a wrong decision while moving to a new location then it's less of a concern.

Since it sounds like you have a long term goal you should have time to do several PMVs and perhaps buy when you are ready and reduce the chances of making a regrettable mistake.

Business owner and home owner here.

Retired now. Husband ran a stateside engineering business from here. I was a work at home programmer. I still run some blog web sites for fun money.

We bought our house long before we moved here for good. But that was under unique circumstances, and we lucked out. We're happy where we ended up, but I join the others who recommend renting for a while.

Owner here. We bought a condo that we're using as a vacation rental until we retire, at which point we'll be living on STT part-time.

I have to say that, of all the houses I've bought and sold in my life (a lot) this was the very first time I didn't have any buyer's remorse or 2nd thoughts. Our condo is a dream come true for us and we are joyful!

Good luck to you!

My wife and I rented for a year and then bought a place. We both work. Moved here for a job opening within my company and wife was able to find a good job very quickly. We may be the exception. Neither of us work in the service or tourist industry. I'm in telecommunications(not telemarketing) and she works in the veterinary field.

I have had to replace a water pump and pressure tank since buying the house. This could get pricey and time consuming if you're not handy enough to install or replace some things on your own. I've also done some sliding door roller replacements, electrical work and landscaping that could have turned into a wreck if I couldn't have done so myself. I think that's the key to home ownership anywhere though. I love being able to fix things or do work around the house on my own and my wife is amazingly patient with me if it takes me a bit to figure something out.

If you know a little about a lot of things like building, maintenance or a handy man or person, there is always a need for this as well as lawn work or bush cutting if you are into outdoor work.

mike

After a year, we bought the coolest little simple wood house on 1/2 acre with a great view.
Raised a son here, have good jobs.
Plan to live and work here as long as possible. I'm not the type to retire as long as I'm able to work. I get bored easily.
Love it!

After a year, we bought the coolest little simple wood house on 1/2 acre with a great view.
Raised a son here, have good jobs.
Plan to live and work here as long as possible. I'm not the type to retire as long as I'm able to work. I get bored easily.
Love it!

Ha Ha. We said the same thing. But, there's plenty to do after retirement to keep us entertained and challenged. We both just kind of fell into other interests we liked doing better and wanted to free up the time to do them, so we bailed out early. If your work is something you love doing, it's not really work, is it? Whatever makes you happy and fulfilled. 🙂

This is exactly what we are evaluating right now. Whatever you can share is appreciated. Is this a sail or motor boat? Where will you call home, a marina, mooring? Do you have estimated costs associated with where you will stay? What are your emergency plans in the event of a hurricane? Will you or do you have boat insurance and does it cover hurricanes? Thank you kindly!

Boat insurance with hurricane coverage is three times what I used to pay in Annapolis MD. Also, dock fees are $1000+ Are twice of Annapolis area prices.

Home ownership can be a money pit here. Just basic upkeep like outside painting, roof refinish, cistern refinish deck refinish has to be done every 3 years. All my tools has rusted and corroded within 6 months. All electronics and even simple electric stuff doesn't last long. That jungle around the house needs a constant upkeep too. There are challenges to living here.

But we have nearly constant sunshine and pristine ocean around every day. I have to admit that my big problem is to decide where to go on vacation because going to typical vacation spot like Cancun or Belize doesn't seem like fun.

Ideally, I'd like off the grid living. Small concrete "cabin". That said,...with a proper job with health insurance. It's possible and I'm working on it. Reading all the postings every day and planning the move.

I've been here off and on since '95, husband came here in '90. We met here, got married here. Left to take care of my parents in Arkansas. Luckily I had a house there I owned. We came back in 2012. I sold our two houses as I don't plan on returning to Arkansas.
Here, we rent. Even after all these years living in different areas of the island, Spring Gut, Christiansted after Marilyn, Hermon Hill, La Grande Princesse Hill, we now live in Little La Grange and I STILL do not know where I would like to settle.
So, my advice is rent, eventually, you'll find that ideal place for you if you stay.
We met so many people that we've said good-bye to throughout the years because island just wasn't for them. It's not like the HGTV shows all vacationing.
We are on STX and the island and its people are different in each area. I'm enjoying the variety of the people we meet.
And, as said above, maintenance here is much much higher than in the states. Just the nature of the sun, wind, sea salt, etc. eating the good out of everything. I like picking up the phone and having the landlord either fix it or them call and wait on a maintenance person to arrive. I've remodeled my last house in my lifetime and don't care to do another one.
Oh, I'm retired, but, my husband has 8 years to go until he can.

Small business owner (lawyer here since the 80's).....We own a condo at Coakley Bay. Still love it after all these years.