Looking to move and have questions!

I would suggest bringing at least $10,000, not including the cost of shipping your car. That will give you money to rent an apartment and have a cushion until you find a job.

Linda's advice is right on. It's expensive to get started here.

The only things I've found, so far, that are cheaper to buy here are alcohol, cigarettes, Tang, and tapioca pudding. Do be careful what furniture you bring, though... many types will get moldy and musty fast. Oh, and sometimes you can get things fairly cheap from people who are moving back to the states, especially if their time is short and they're getting desperate. Most apartments come furnished (many even include silverware, linens, etc.), so don't worry too much about bringing that sort of stuff.

Finding a job is easier if you're already here, though not impossible to do before you arrive. There are a few new restaurants that might be hiring, and even those that are not new seem to have people coming and going.

Extend your research to this forum; read the archives and do searches for things you're interested in. But continue to ask questions here, too, if you can't find the answers!

Have you ever visited these islands? If not, I would suggest that you put most of your stuff in storage, move on down. If after 6 months or a year you still like it, move your stuff.
I have met people who couldn't wait to get off the island, (they were under contract) and others who came for a PM and never went back home. Cashed in their airline tickets and had their friends move out their stuff so a agent could sell their house.
It is expensive to move things, especially if you do it twice.

I WOULD FIRST SUGGEST A TWO OR THREE WEEK PM VISIT!!!

Just noticed a post on the classified from someone who was really ready to move down and assimilate. On his way back, after just a few months. It's not for everyone, but for some, it truly is paradise. Just be sure which you are before making a hugh financial contribution. You can't always be sure before making the move, but look at his post (I dont' know how to insert a link here, but it's kingofpossibility, and he just posted a short while ago. Look at all the furniture/fixtures, etc. he is now selling, at a yard sale. Bring as little as you can, burn no bridges, bring cash and be very, very flexible and open. Keep reading, and good luck!

I dont' know how to insert a link here, but it's kingofpossibility, and he just posted a short while ago.

Here is the link to kingofpossibility's posting:
https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?5,143104

To post any link into this forum, paste the entire URL, starting with http. This forum will recognize it as a URL and make a link out of it, shortening it for display purposes if needed.

As usual, I agree with Linda J. $10,000 is reasonable.

I offered this advice earlier: Do a "scenario budget": best case, middle case, worst case. You can't predict what will happen with any degree of certainty, but the scenarios will help you to prepare for whatever might be the outcome.

And be careful about making permanent commitments until you are certain you will be staying. I did lots of research, got lots of help from members of this forum, and did 3 pre-move visits. I was sure it was right for me. When I bought a new car, that was a commitment!

St. Croix is everything I expected - and more!

If you have restaurant experience, you will have no problem finding a starter job. Trust me, I know. We moved here 1 month ago. Both hospitality industry people (servers/bartenders), and we found jobs day 1 of applying here, multiple offers in fact... If you are a competent, hard worker, it will get you far.

Definitely have a savings though, the little start-up fees for car registration, shopping, health cards, etc add up quick.

I think you can do it with $5,000. But then again I don't know your lifestyle... We live simply and have not been struggling. We shop around, often buying different groceries/toiletries at numerous locations, instead of making a trip to just one place.

We also signed a short term 3 month lease so we could really decide where on island we want to live in the long run that would be suited best for our lifestyle/ job locations etc.

There is a great need for teachers/ daycare help here as well. I am returning to the university this fall to finish my degree in education and have been hearing of lots of teaching/ childcare opportunities. They are here.

I love where I live and have found the people on this island to be very helpful and kind. People help each other here and for the most part are willing to share what they know and offer advice and help.

Check things out before making any hard decisions, ask lots of questions, and make as many contacts as you can. We made many trips down here beforehand and even brought the extended family down to show them where we were going to live. PM me if you want and good luck!

Ellen (and Matt, too!):

WHY do you want to move to "the islands?"

Come down, bring money. Don't burn your bridges back home. Give yourself a trial period, for example, "We will stay for one school year and then re-examine our desires." Decide to set some goals on what you want to do with your time. Life here is very different from life in Big America.

I know someone who moved here on a Friday and back to the States that Monday. I also know a guy who came for vacation 25 years ago and sent for his clothes. You never really know unless you experience it. If you are young folk without baggage and substance abuse problems, you might just carve out a happy life here.;)

There are some new teachers on this forum-screen name is BytheBodhiTree (meh son, I hope I am not botching that). If you want to go the teaching route, there is http://www.doe.vi/ , http://www.vimsia.org/, Antilles (can't seem to link them at the moment), http://www.allsaintscathedralschoolvi.org/ and some others. Good luck!

Thank you all so very much for the advice! We have a goal set in mind of going for one year, then re-examining from there. We will also be traveling with 3 dogs. I have heard most landlords do not really like having dogs. Is this something that will probably be an issue for me? Thanks again for alll the great advice!

Ellen

Having 3 dogs will be a problem. It cuts your rental possibilities to apartments in private homes. Most condos do not allow renters to have dogs.

Even landlords that do accept dogs will have a problem with 3. Are they large or small? You might want to come down first, without the dogs. Rent a place short term, 1 to 3 months, if you have someone to leave the dogs with for that long. Take that time to scout out a rental that will accept them. Nothing is ever impossible, but it will be extremely difficult to find a place from off island that will take them, and it may take a while, even here in person. Also, be sure to do a search, on this forum, about flying with pets. Lots of good advice and information you might not have even realized you need.

Then, when you bring the dogs down, that's when you might want to think about shipping a car and other stuff.

Two of the dogs are small dogs and one is a larger dog (approximately 50 pounds). The other two weigh about 4 pounds each.

Okay, now you've got baggage! 😉 Come for a visit and see if the climate would be conducive to the health of your dogs. It is pretty tough here for many breeds.