Moving and Employment in StX or STT

Tatania,

Try contacting the EDC companies that work internationally. They would have use for transation skills and your multi-lingual abilities in marketing. They also tend to pay better than average. They need to hire a certain percentage of their employees from the local worker pool, but still fill specialty positions from outside.

When we eventually see more cruise ships coming into Frederiksted, some of the European flagged cruise lines would also likely have passengers who would pay for an escorted tour with someone who speaks their language. But that's probably a few years away from being in high demand.

If you do not ship a car, even living close to town is still going to be challenging without ready transportation. Public transportation is minimal and cabs are very expensive. You will understand better how important it is to have transportation once you visit next year.

Alexandra,
Thank you for responding. I will look into the EDC companies. What does it stand for by the way? I am very glad to hear that someone with multi-ligual abilities is a high demand, especially with a higher pay.

You mention cruise ships and needing escorts to tour. Do most cruise ships come into St. Thomas? Or do just as many come into St. Croix as well? I am definitely looking into St. Croix more so, but either one with the job possiblity will prevail, I guess you could say.

As for a car, we have definitely decided on getting a Jeep here and shipping it.

Also, for finding an apartment, the best way to find one is only with a PMV? I suppose it only makes sense to do it that way.

Thank you very much,

Tatania

Hello,

EDC = Economic Development Commission

Yes, most cruise ships call on St. Thomas. A few on St. John, but they remain at anchorage off-shore. And St. Croix at this time has minimal to no cruise activity; this is suppose to change in the upcoming years. They used to get ships; but even then St. Thomas got more.

Finding an apartment is most effectively done by being on island

Good Luck,

--Islander

Tatania,

If you are looking for an apartment, condo or house with a very low lease rate, you are best off waiting until you get to the island and checking out the newspaper or seeing what you can find through word of mouth. If you have a more liberal housing budget ($1200 per month or above) you can possibly find something suitable through a real estate agent or a property manager before you arrive. Timing is very important. We are approaching the winter "season" and prices are rising for long term rentals as occupancy rates also increase. I do have a couple of two bedroom condos available starting about November 1st. If you want info on them, let me know. I will have three one bedroom condos available for long term rental in 2-3 months.

When you come down for your PMV, you should check with the used car lots and also the rental agencies to see if they have a jeep you might like before you go to the expense and hassle of shipping one from the mainland.

Thanks for the update Alexandra,

Since we are not sure as to how much our pay will be, I cant say that 1200 would be in our budget.

I am curious, however, is it likely to find a cottage or a one bedroom that is not part of an apartment? I dont mind, I am actually asking for my boyfriend's sake.

How much is shared when living in an apartment, as far as ammenities with other tenants?

Also, would a one bedroom be available on STT for about 700 to 900 a month?

Thanks,

Tatania

In most cases, you don't share much of anything other than the parking areas when you rent an apartment or guest unit. They are typically self-contained.

There are a few cases when people ask for roommates to share rent on a larger property. In that situation, you would likely have your own bedroom and bath and only share kitchen and common living room.

With a condo, you have your own unit and share the pool, garden, parking, and beach areas with other condo residents.

Hi Alexandra,

What are the chances of buying a furnished apartment or condo? Are they common or harder to find?

Also, do condos run about the same pricing as apartemts or are they more expensive? Are condos there for rent or only to buy?

Thanks,

Tatania

Most condos and houses on STX come furnished, whether you are buying them or renting them.

STX does not have a lot of what would be called apartments by the mainland definition. There are a lot of low-income housing projects that are structured like apartment complexes, but require a government application process. There are some apartments, but vacancies are typically filled through word of mouth before they can even be advertised in the paper.

Quite a few private home owners have rental units in their houses, with each floor of the house often being a separate unit. There are also guest cottages on many properties. Many newcomers to the islands seek this type of privately owned apartment to rent.

Condos can be rented, as well as purchased. The lease rates for condos and apartments come in a wide range of prices, depending on condition, amenities, views, location, and other factors. Sometimes condos sound more expensive than an apartment or cottage you might seek to rent.. but condos often include things in the lease payment that you would pay extra for with a different type of rental... such as cable tv, terminix spraying, and other amenities you might find useful. That might make a condo a better overall deal in some situations. Also consider the proximity to where you will work and/or hang out much of the time, as the amount of gas money you will need is also different depending upon the home you choose.

I would suggest making up a budget sheet that lists all the expense categories you would expect to have each month and then make columns for what the costs would be for each property. Sometimes paying $200 more per month for the lease on a certain property turns out to be the better deal in the end.

Wow, this is a lot of really good, useful information. I am definitely going to take everything you mention into account and start from there.

Thanks for the suggestion of the budget sheet with the example of sometimes paying a little more can be worth it in the end.

I am going to do this. I am sure that I will be back for more.

Thank you once again,

Tatania

You're very welcome.

Keep asking questions. Sometimes one question leads to answers to a lot of things you didn't even know to ask!