Living situation

I'd go the dorm route for a while until you get that lay of the land settled.

Think of the easy access to the ladies.

At 28 years old, you'd have the pick of the litter!

I think you'll find that your age is not going to be any sort of a barrier as there will be students of all ages around you. In my opinion living on campus would be the best start possible. You'll have a chance to make friends, find your way around the island and settle in without worrying about how you're going to get from A to B, which areas are best for living in off-campus and countless other little things which can be very stressful in a new environment.

Moving into a shared place sight unseen is a recipe for disaster. Moving into a place sight unseen with total strangers compounds the disaster. Stay safe and take your time! Good luck!

another vote for starting out in the dorm. Had my son do the same when he went stateside for grad school. though it was grad student apt housing. Lots of others did the same, coming from areas not local to the school. Many (including him) moved out after 6 months or a year, when they made friends, and got to know the area, neighborhoods, etc.

You have 3 choices:

1) cardboard box

2) the dorm

3) a van down by the river

Since there are no rivers, I'd go with 2.

I really appreciate the opinions my only concern is i will not have a car will i be able to get to and from work in the evenings? Do the safaris or dollar taxis go around the university?

PLEASE! At this time of year Ron Lockhart of Crystal Palace offers great deals on rooms. His family has lived here for generations and everybody knows him.

Google crystal palace st thomas for contact info. Trust me, you won't have to worry about a thing if you contact Ron.

PLEASE! At this time of year Ron Lockhart of Crystal Palace offers great deals on rooms. His family has lived here for generations and everybody knows him.

Google crystal palace st thomas for contact info. Trust me, you won't have to worry about a thing if you contact Ron.

And it wouldn't surprise me at all if Ron gave him the same advice as has been given here ...

I really appreciate the opinions my only concern is i will not have a car will i be able to get to and from work in the evenings? Do the safaris or dollar taxis go around the university?

Wherever you live you're going to have issues getting around without a car. If you can get a position in Frenchtown at one of the restaurants/bars there the safari will get you there but they stop running pretty much after dark (which is very early here) and you'll take a taxi back which will run you about $5.

And where did Ron post? I don't see it which is why I posted.

And where did Ron post? I don't see it which is why I posted.

He hasn't, Re-read what I wrote.

this crystal palace seems to be a bed and breakfast i'm confused as to what he would do for me...

The safaris do not run after dark (6PM in winter/7PMin summer) and you won't get a $1 taxi. You may be able to get a regular taxi.

Frenchtown is the closest location to UVI that has numerous bars and restaurants aside for the couple of hotels like Best Western and Beachcomber closer to UVI on the road from airport. I have no idea of bus schedules and rarely see any except for school buses on the roads here and not sure they actually have a steadfast schedue if they do run and they probably don't late evenings.

The only reliable transportation is really having your own car.

You may try to inquire at Human resources at UVI or whomever deals with incoming students what you options may be. Do they have dorm curfews?

Don't hitch-hike.

hahah the hitch hke remark makes me laugh I definitely will not be hitch hiking. The curfew thing is a concern of mine I have a phone appointment with someone about the dorms this week and I put it in my notes to ask that I really would like to live off campus but just not too far right away since I wont have a car. Another thing I was thinking is I plan on coming in june so I am pretty sure I wouldnt be able to move in the dorms that early anyway

Without a car, your best option is the dorm unless they have a curfew and your job entails working past those hours. Write down all you questions so you're good to go when you speak with someone about the dorms.

The only thing that is reliable is that the pubic transportation is not.
Safari's don't have any regular schedules that I know of and you might wish to inquire about buses/schedules when you have your chat about dorm living.

If you can work buying a used car into your budget, you will have many more options and freedom to do many more things.
Good Luck.

this crystal palace seems to be a bed and breakfast i'm confused as to what he would do for me...

Ronnie used to have a big villa as well as Crystal Place and he rented out rooms to primarily newcomers settling in, helping them out with all to do with island living, advising them the best places to look for a permanent place to live depending on where they found work, etc. He was a godsend to many newbies! He doesn't have it any more but still does the same thing at CP when space is available. In your case, the dorm option is a great opportunity but if that's not an option in June when you arrive then Ronnie's place would be an excellent next choice until the dorms open up.

Crystal Palace is also within walking distance to public safaris and town.

I actually saw a VITRAN bus today! Looked pretty beat up but hey, there was one on the road!

Well, Alana, wait until you see the brand new one! Only saw it once, though. The "others" are probably parked like the new ferries.

There is one small one parked at the STX port. Let's see how long it sits there.