MISTAKE! A Thunderstorm update

You know what? It's been barely over a month since your first post, when you were higher than a kite on the islands. I wondered, at the time, if you were for real, but took time out of my day to try and help you. I only bother to respond, at this point, to draw attention to the possibility that you are a troll.

That is rude, I read his post when he wrote them. He made a choice and he made the wrong won. There is no need to call him a troll. Thanks for the follow up Norm.

I take Thunderstorm at his word regarding his posts.

But this is an excellent example of why island residents/landlords/ employers hesitate to get too involved with POTENTIAL residents. Thunder sounded like he was all set to move -- even wanted personal contact from posters. And it turns out that he, like so many other we've seen over the years, was really just dreaming.

Nothing wrong with dreams, but one shouldn't confuse them with reality.

My 2 cents. And Thunder, try and settle down and make the most of your time in Indy. It could be worse, you could be in STT and feel the same way.

It's only a year. . .

Norm, there is every possibility this could have happened to you on island as well - and that's what people don't get. Where you plant your feet is important, very much so, but many people think relocating to the islands will make them happy and solve all of their problems. Sometimes it works out very well, and sometimes it doesn't - but you might have been posting this same thing in a month from STT. You are anticipating a great lifestyle there, and I'm sure you will have it - but some don't, so temper your enthusiasm with a dose of reality.

I think you should follow your heart and your promise and complete your year as promised. The VI isn't going anywhere - placate yourself with your dream. A year is a year, you made a promise.....if you can get an on island employer to buy you outta Indy, then by all means do what you think is best. Right now you have a financial obligation and a moral obligation to do what you've said you will do unless everything goes south and over the cliff. Why would you lose $3K in moving expenses and $2500 on a contract? That's almost $500/mo. you'd be wasting up and you'd leave the company in the lurch......not to mention, if you ever wanted to return stateside, you have burned a bridge with a former employer that you may need in the future for a reference for the perfect job on or off island.

You can make Indy work if you set your mouth and do it - in the meantime, you will have the opportunity to whet your appetite for the islands and possibly lay in some more cash, which you can't have enough of when making the move.

Cool your jets....you will be fine, and you will be another year older and wiser when you start your grand adventure. There's a reason for everything under the sun, I believe it with all my heart. You may not see it now, but you will one day. In the meantime, maintain your integrity.

Becky,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I don’t like your advice (lol), but you are none the less spot on correct. It’s nice that there are still people around that understand moral integrity and the importance of keeping their word...it seems to be a fleeting concept in the world today. I’m going to do my best to make this year fly by, but STT is all that’s on my mind.
Best regards,
Norm

Linda,
Thanks for the response. It is with respect that I offer you a different take on all this.
If I had been able to find housing with at least a six-month lease, my decision might have been different. It ultimately seemed unrealistic to me to just move and have no long-term housing arrangements. If a property owner had been willing to rent to me and charge a deposit and two or 3 months’ rent, then what would the property owner be out once the check cleared and I never showed up? I gave up to easy on my search for living arrangements in STT. I should have kept plugging away, even done a PMV to make the arrangements. I will not make the same mistake as I plan for next year’s move.
If I had been able to secure some kind of employment, with at least a minimum living wage, then (again) my decision might have been different. When it comes to people saying that they want a job and then never showing up, well you’re preaching to the choir here…lol. As I have mentioned, I work for MCD’s and have interviewed literally thousands of people over the years that have wanted jobs, interviewed for them, accepted the offer and then never show up for work. Or, even worse, they do show up only for me to find that the person I interviewed is not the person that shows up for work…if you know what I mean.
The point of my original post…and it would seem that I did not express myself very effectively, is that people need to follow their heart and drive. Take chances, and yes, even live a dream…or at least attempt to. I am not suggesting that people just move to STT based on a pretty picture from a postcard, or move because they think life will be all “fun in the sun”, but the only thing worse than failure is regret. I took the easy road instead of following my own advice. I moved to Indy because I had family and friends here, a job with employers I have known for years waiting on me, a place to stay lined up waiting for my arrival, and an essentially full ride scholarship to IUPUI (college). It was the safe decision…and I now realize it was the wrong one. Great things rarely fall into your lap; they require a leap of faith, a positive attitude, and some drive and ambition.
My move to STT is not a dream, it is a delayed reality.
Thanks again Linda for your response, it has given me food for thought…which is always a good thing.
Best regards, Norm

I am not a troll, just someone trying to use this board for the purpose I assume it is designed for; mainly to gather information, make contacts, become informed, ask questions, and at times even to just log in and read the posts and use them to keep motivated to make a move to STT a reality.
Best Regards,
Norm

Norm,

My really good advice is this: Be happy where you are are or you will be happy nowhere! It is true! That's about all I have to say. BeckyR said everything I wanted to say. Good luck and wallpaper your room with Caribbean calandar pics or posters. Be happy, life can always get worse or better. You choose. Thus endeth my phillosophical note for the day. LOL. Peace.

Teresa

**If a property owner had been willing to rent to me and charge a deposit and two or 3 months’ rent, then what would the property owner be out once the check cleared and I never showed up?**

The problem with what you are suggesting is that some realtors/private landlords have a one time or another trusted someone to send a check and taken a unit off the market losing vauable advertising money and possible renters and never seen a check. The "might be coming" usually do not follow thru and actually send a check. So the landlord is almost never in a "better" position as you mention. And this is why it is so hard to get a rental if you are not on island.

I'm sure you're a very nice person and would never do that but it will be better for you to find a very cheap hotel before you come then trying to rent sight unseen from the mainland. Things are not like stateside, there are not many (or any depending on your island) apartment complexes like you would find stateside. So you Cannot expect the same service from private landlords which make up most of the market wheather its condos or private homes.

And a pmv is always important no matter where you plan to move to.

Hi Norm, welcome back!
Hang that pic I sent in your office and look at it everyday.....The year will pass quickly if you are keeping busy.
Meantime, contact the lady at the Marriott that I gave you and she will put together a package for you for relocating.
I believe she recruits for Ritz also......
Good luck!

I think your mindset of integrity and keeping your word will serve you well on STT, as it would anywhere in the world! I appreciate the fact that you approached the board, got a number of opinions, and factored them into your decision. No one can tell you the best thing to do for YOU, but caution is sometimes the keyword when making such a massive life change.

Jay sent you a picture....now you have something to look at while you Zen out 🙂 You have the opportunity to network, network, network prior to arriving on STT and it will pay off for you in the long run, I'm sure....and just think what inspiration your dream will be during the winter in Philly!

Good luck - keep asking questions - the good people of this board will help you even if they don't give the answer you were hoping for, lol! Keep an eye on those Indy airfares, maybe you can slide down over a long weekend before your year is up and soak up some sun!