Looking for advice, moving to STX

You establish residency by moving here and living here. When I got my first job they asked for my date of residency - the day I moved here. After one year, I counted on their list of "resident employees" EDC companies must have a certain percentage of employees who are legal residents of the USVI (lived here for one year.)

https://www.usvieda.org/eda_beneficiaries.php

This is the EDA website list of beneficiaries (companies that currently take EDC benefits).

Thank you Linda J and divinggirl - that was just the information I was looking for.

I think it's a much simpler life here. It also teaches you patience and humility.

It's not one bit like living in the states. If convenience is your idea of simple, you may not be happy.

A RI who relocated here over 3 years ago, who has experiences both highs and lows living here on STX-----but absolute love it and convince STX will be my final destination for wife and I, and hopefully some more of our family and friends that will migrant here.

Alto of good advise from many posting already. However, from someone who can talk the talk about coffee milk, NY Systems, Havens Brothers, "Buddy" , Chowda, and many more RI unique things.......VISIT. Have a plan.

Things in your favor is being vegan.....plenty locals are vegans and vegetarian. . This will help you learn more about island life, Like RI, STX is a small community and everyone knows everyone.

Plan should include a buffer of monies , one year at least of expenses, say $1500 a month, or about $20,000 for year backup. This will allow you time to job hunt and find the right position. Both seem to have marketable careers........however, timing is everything. The stress of restarting your career and making ends meat isn't a good mix--------and than you mix restarting your life thousands of miles from home---NOT GOOD, and often leads to not enjoying the lifestyle of living in America paradise. WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE BUFFER MONEY.

Shipping cars from RI will cost you about $700 each to get to port in Florida, and I think its about $2500 from Florida to islands. Add another 6% excise tax of book value if the car is foreign, registartion....etc......you about $4000, You can get a good reliable vehicle(tends to be older ) for about $5000-$7000. We shipped two vehicles , along with a trailer of our stuff. Smart decision shipping wife's 2009 Nissan Versan. If you have 2010 or above, paid for, I would consider shipping if right car for island---SUV, Honda,Nissan, Toyota, Ford, ie roads in STX alot like Providence side roads----however, pot holes tend to be slow fixing. You will have roads in RI with potholes like Post Road and Elmwood Ave, maybe month or two to fix holes in RI, here 6-12 months. PM type of car you have, will give my thoughts on whether good island car.

If after a year you don't find job and island life not working for you..................with buffer money you would have experienced the true flavor of island life, and if you have to relocate back to RI, who the hell is going to make mockery of you for living a year in the Caribbeans. If you have to relocate back to RI, do it in Jan/Feb after a snow storm or cold spell, you will have a free place to stay........IE they will committ you to Butler(former RI residents understand) from leaving the Caribbeans.

As far as pets, it will be hard on them. If outdoor pets, it will be even harder. We brought a cat, and had to leave behind our husky. Cat has done well, but he is an indoor cat and spoiled by wife. Pets would limit options for rentals, especially in a condo, however, lots of affordable rentals in $900-$1200 range range that are pet friendly. A MUST WHY YOU SHOULD DO AT LEAST ONE PRE VISIT, AND PROBABLY A SECOND BEFORE MAKING A DECISION OF RELOCATING. Simply put, the place you choose to rent....even if for a year, you should be able to call HOME, and your entire family----pets included all should be comfortable living in the new home.

If planning a future visit, stay in touch with me, ie PM , with your email as I will send me my email. I usually have weekly and or a month vacation rentals available($approximate $350 for week, $1200 for month). All units turnkey ready---kitchen, pots, dishes, etc......

From the 1/2 dozen RIs in St Croix.......hope to meet you on your next visit.