Just want to say hello!
I only recently discovered this forum, and after lurking here for a week or two, wanted to publicly say hello to everyone, and thank you for this forum and the opportunity to learn from it. I am recently retired, and my wife and I are starting the early stages of hopefully moving to the USVI, probably STX. We don't anticipate an actual move for another couple of years at the earliest (one child still in high school here in central Ky).
I have already had several PM's with Ric and Linda, once I discerned that they were former Kentuckians, and I have enjoyed their gracious responses. We were at the Buccaneer for a week in early July, before discovering this group. Otherwise, I'd have made an effort to meet some of you face to face.
I am 56 years old, and have had "island fever" since a teenager. As a child growing up in Ky, our family owned and operated a marina/hotel on one of the many lakes in Ky. I have always been in love with water and boats. For many years, STT was my dream, but now STX seems better suited, as we want to avoid the hustle and bustle that now exists on STT. I have read everything I can find on the caribbean, and the USVI in particular. I'm aware of the "problems" involved in moving there, but so far they don't intimidate me.
I'll continue reading this forum, and may jump in from time to time if you don't mind.
Most sincerely,
Steve
Hi Steve!!
Nice to meet you. Good luck with your moving plans, and keep looking on this board as it is a GREAT tool! I have been studying my move for two years now and I will arrive in STT permanently at the end of September. Welcome and cheers!!
Pink
Hello Steve,
Welcome. Definitely jump in when you have a question or comment. With a couple years before you would consider moving you have plenty of time to research, ask questions, make a couple trips to the island to visit. 😉 You mentioned reading; there are a few books written by folks that moved to the USVI like Life in Left Lane (about St. Croix), Desiring Paradise (author moved to St. John), Glassbottom Days (author grew up in the VI). There are also several written by folks that moved to other islands of the Caribbean. A lot of folks like Don't Stop the Carnival. You can find the USVI related ones at http://www.vitraders.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=V&Category_Code=rel.
--Islander
Welcome, Steve! Ric and Linda are an invaluable source of information, as is the entire board. If you don't have the Settlers Guide, make it your new favorite book if you haven't already. Ric will tell you he and Linda went through 2 copies before coming here!
Again, may your planning be fun and filled with anticipation of a great island life that I know you will find on St. Croix.
To everyone, thanks for your welcoming responses. To Islander, I've read all of your suggestions, and just finished "Don't Stop the Carnival" for about the 3rd or 4th time. It is a great book, and actually gets better and funnier each time I read it. I have an old copy of the "Settlers Guide" that I bought a few years ago in STT. I will update that soon.
We hope to be back next summer for a few days, probably at the Buccaneer again (boy, is that a nice place or what?). But we will definitely be looking around some, and hopefully we can meet up with some of you and visit for awhile. Although I'm originally from central rural Ky, I've lived a substantial part of my adult life in various places around the country working for Uncle Sam, before returning to Ky. I'm used to moving, and living in various accomodations. To us, part of the appeal of the usvi is that they are what they are.
I'm enjoying all of the discussions, and everyone's opinions. I'll keep reading, planning and dreaming.
Steve
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