lifestyle change

Hey what's up? I was wondering the same thing my parents and I are thinking about moving down there in about 7 months cause they want to retire and maby starting some kind of business that I would work at. My dad started his own phone company that's done pretty well considering it's been in business 22 years lol. So if anyone has any ides let us know and if you wanna chat Chris that would be cool to know someone else that's moving there I'm 22 and from Austin Tx.

Unless you are able to get a government job, it will be more difficult to match your current lifestyle. Most island employees, even professionals ,are underpaid by mainland standards. You can get by but you won't live high. Many government employees are paid very well, but you usually have to be related to a Senator to get one of those positions. The other option is to start your own business. If you have capital to invest you will be welcomed with open arms. If you are trying a "skin of the teeth" startup that competes with someone already here, you will have a tougher fight. It can be done, but it is tough. In a totally different resort location (mts not beaches) , I started a restaurant/bar some years ago. After settling my divorce and picking up the pieces from my bankruptcy, I went on and had a nice life. That doesn't mean you cannot be successful if you have the smarts and the drive to succeed. Ask lots of questions...Don't be satisfied with the answers...Don't "assume" anything...Get good employees........good luck
b

Hello Chris and Bryan,

B is right... only part i would add a little note to - is that not all government jobs pay well... closer you are to the governor is where the jobs described in his post are.

I would not be concerned over an age problem. Your youth will not keep you back or become an obstacle. Your obstacles will be like anyone elses... start up monies, good business plan, patience and determination... there are quite a few individuals who are entrepreneurial and suceed here. It really is a matter of finding a business that you could make work... really really do your research. And no being from the states won't be an obstacle either.

You really have to see what is being done already, what you could do better, what is already staturated with businesses, whats lacking that you could fill...

--Islander

Bryan,
Hey dude my name is Justin and I am moving there as well. 21 years old here! LOL We all gotta hang.

Thanks everybody for the good advice. I think that the post "entrepreneurial minded" also helped to answer some questions. "Standard of living" and or Lifestyle is a personal perception. Just because you do or do not have money does not mean that you cannot enjoy life to the fullest. There are obviously trade-offs to moving to St. Thomas. Can I for go my salary to wake up to fresh air and birds instead of police cars and smog.......the only way to tell is to give it a try. Thanks again & have a great day

Chris,

Amen to that! I had to really sit down and consider similar things. At one point I commuted 130 miles a day round trip, worked 4 doubles a week and 2 jobs. On my days off I slept or read mostly because there is 10 months of torential down pour in Seattle and I had nothing better to do. My line of thinking was, If I can live on a tight budget here, I can do it there. At least on my days off, I can have some free fun and go snorkel or watch a sunset. There are some days in Seattle where it is so dark with rain and cloud cover that the street lights don't turn off. My job isn't my life. My life is my life, and the stuff I love to do, I had to wait until I could go on vacation to a warm place to do them (thank God I work for the airlines!) Your right, everything is a trade off and you'll never know until you try!

I am trying to mentally prepare for potential hardships (which, if and when they come, will be lessons learned and will make me stronger) but even if I go and decide to come back or worse yet, crash and burn totally, at least I can say I tried. Knowing that I gave it a go is what matters to me and doing everything with in my power to be successful in my dream.

Good luck to you and your girlfriend and keep the positive outlook!

elle_rock: DON'T FORGET THE OF SUN SCREEN!! (Ha, ha!) I had a girl friend who moved to Seattle from Northern California many years ago and she said it was hard getting used to going out in the rain to do stuff. In California you wait for the sun to come out...in WA you would sit home your whole life and never get anything done!!!

East ender,
Don't I know it! When I first moved here I fought the weather. I was determined not to let it alter my life. I would go play volleyball at the sand courts in one of the local parks in the pouring down rain in the middle of July. Would cruise downtown with my little umbrella (until the wind turned it inside out 1 too many times). After a while the traffic, the rain, and the cost of parking just didn't seem worth it. So, working for the airlines, I started enjoying other people's cities (Venice Beach, CA is one of my favorite day trips!) Long weekends in Mexico or Hawaii, anyplace where there was some sun. My heart has always been in the Caribbean but it was difficult to get there standby unless you were on at least a week long vacation. The point being, no matter how positive and determined I was not to be ruled by bad weather...It won...

PS. I'VE ALREADY BOUGHT SUNSCREEN IN PREPERATION FOR THE MOVE AND JUST GOT SOME NEW SWIMSUITS IN THE MAIL YESTERDAY!!! 😉 (big grin with an eyebrow wiggle)

Hey Justin that's cool where u movin from?

I am moving from Miami, Florida. I have been going to school in Orlando, Florida for four years now and am looking for a huge change in my lifestyle! I have been searching for something my whole life, but havn't quite found it yet. Hopefully, I will find it in Paradise! LOL. We def should chill in St. Thomas, stay in touch.