Moving from cali what should I expect?

Cigs are $2 per pack in the stores and $17 per carton at places like K-mart and Cost-U-Less.

I would bring one pair of jeans, one pair of Docker-type khakis, 10 pair shorts (5 sundresses, if you are female ), sneakers, sandals, 10 T-shirts, 5 button up shirts, a razor, a toothbrush and paste, some shaving cream, sunglasses, swimsuit(s). Won't need much else. And you'll find that what you didn't bring, but end up needing, is easy to get.

Marty,

We must meet you when we come to the islands; your humor and insight have brought many many smiles and laughs to two desert rats working to relocate!

First round's on us, and we'll bring some cigars!

I would like to expand on Marty's phrase of "easy to get". 🙂 Yes, you can get just about everything you Need to survive on Island, however what you may have a harder time finding is the brand, flavor, type, or anything specific that you want. For example, you will be able to find toothpaste and toothbrushes, but they may be out of a certain brand or they may have the brand, but it is a paste not gel. I know that sounds detailed, but just knowing that you may not find the brand of cereal you want, etc. helps to know what to expect. Okay, this all comes from the fact that I can't find the dark chocolate M&M's that have been advertised all over t.v. If anyone sees them, post on the board for me where they are so I can buy them out. 🙂 STT preferred. Good luck KT!!! The beautiful water awaits you! I went to the beach in Cali and wasn't totally impressed, although San Jose is gorgeous!

Teresa

Start with Marty's list and add a digital camera and a laptop computer... and scuba or snorkel gear if you have it! Oh, and bring about 10 pairs of sunglasses. Somehow the island eats them. As many as get lost around here, the sidewalks should be littered with them.

In addition to dark chocolate M&M's, if you like licorice, you have to bring your own. They don't sell Red Vines here. Can't figure out why, since it doesn't melt in the heat like chocolate does, but they sell that!

Cigarettes are cheap, so there is less incentive for smokers to quit here. Rum is cheaper still, so AA has their work cut out. Gasoline is cheaper than in the states, but still not "cheap".

Hello! My best friend and I are thinking about moving to St. Thomas in May 2006. Do you know of anyone that rents apartments that we could meet when we go to visit and check out the island? I have a dog and would love to bring him with me. We will be working in the service industry and are looking to stay for a year, preferably. Thanks!

Jamie

Jamie Regan,

Your best bet is to check the Island Trader when you get here. The apartments are not like stateside apartments, at least not most. It is hard for me to describe, but you can find all the listings in the paper (Island Trader, The Daily News, etc). Some realtors show rentals as well. Well, I wasn't much help on that one. Can anyone help describe the rental situation down here better than I?

Teresa

Hello Teresa.

You told KT, "I went to the beach in Cali and wasn't totally impressed, although San Jose is gorgeous!" KT's post refers to California when he says "Cali" and I wonder if perhaps you're referring to Cali, Colombia, and San Jose, Costa Rica, because you're the first person this native northern Californian has ever heard refer to San Jose, California, as "gorgeous"!!!

dntw8up,

You crack me up! (in a good way) 🙂 I am sorry, I was really choppy in my writing. I was quickly comparing the little bit of California that I had seen with the Carribbean. Not really that fair, but here is what I meant. I have been to the following beach areas: a beach near L.A., CA (name long forgotten), Hawaii, Maui, Pensacola Beach, FL, and here in the Carribbean - STT, STJ, and Puerto Rico. So California didn't get a good rating, mainly because I was only at one beach and look at what I had to compare too. Anyway, you should see the pics my husband took along the coast near Santa Cruz down towards Monterey (that is where the 'gorgeous' fits). While San Jose is more industrial, I was referring to the seaside area near San Jose on highway 1. All in all I was trying to make KT feel good about leaving CA for the VI. 🙂

Teresa

Teresa, I'm glad you took my post in the spirit in which it was intended! My folks live in Monterey and I agree that the area is gorgeous. My husband telecommutes for a company in San Jose so we have to visit there once or twice each year and the concrete and strip malls choke my spirit.