Moving from Colorado!

Just saw you post, it is nice to know people from the states are planning on moving to the islands, I am from Utah amd am planning on moving to the islands come sep! But by myself as no one I know is willing to drop everything and go for it. 🙂

Just a comment from someone also from Colorado. We love STT and are considering it as a retirement location. However, I would not recommend moving there unless you have visited it. Others may disagree. As much as we have visited, I am not sure I would move there permanently without at least an extended stay. Just my .02.

If you are young, open for life's adventures, not carrying much baggage [both kinds], wiling to have roommate housing, work probably 2 jobs, drive an island car, and have a few thousand dollars to bring with you - buy a ticket and give it a whirl.
STT is smaller than STX - probably is easier to find a job - particularly in the service industry - and although most new arrivals leave after 6 months to 2 years you might make a great life here.
The VI is not a good place for anyone with drug or alcohol problems - or even a tendency towards those addictions.

I am picking up from Detroit and moving down in the beginning of October.

I am coming to STT for 6 days over Labor Day just to scope out the Island and make sure it is the new place that I want to call home.

I am going to have a little bit of an easier transition as I have a buddy that has lived there for the past 2 years and not only am I going to stay with him, but he is hiring me as well. I will also look for a bartending job for additional income. I am only bringing my golf clubs, 1 suitcase and a carry on. Working all summer and playing poker, I should be able to move there with 10G's in the bank to at least take the financial stress off of me when I first get there.

GL to you, you are probably as excited/scared/anxious as I am for moving date to get here.

A PMV is always the best advice...don't act like you're on vacation on your PMV, either...do all the things you would on a normal workday...drive during the rush hour and sit in traffic, go to the grocery store and stand in line, go to the bank and stand in line, go to the post office and stand in line, go to the...well, you get the idea! When you shop, you'll need to go to Peublo, then Plaza, then Cost-U-Less, then Pricemart, then Gourmet Gallery of Marina Market...just to get everything you need. Do the things the way you would at home. Avoid going out at night and partying, you will get enough of that when you live here...rememberm, the PMV is so you can make an informed choice as to whether the VI is for you...so many come and are gone withing 6 months to a year...you'll be amazed at how many moving off island sales are in the Trader every week...made lots and lots of friends over the last 13.5 years...but only two of them are still here with me...

PMV = Pre Move Visit, for any newbies.

I think standing in lines and waiting in traffic is overrated. If you end up doing it, great! But my goals in a PMV would be to get the vibe of the place, window shop for price and selection (groceries, rentals, jobs), and check out the beaches and social scene since that's probably why you're moving here.

And the VI is a GREAT place to be a screw-up! Drugs and alcohol are cheap and plentiful, there's always somebody to do it with, and law enforcement is lax. You've been warned!

But by myself as no one I know is willing to drop everything and go for it. 🙂

I hope to be on island before the end of July. ( not sure which one yet) I was lucky enough to find a person that was willing to drop everything with me and go for it. I ( we) are excited/scared. My biggest dilemma has been how much crap to bring with me. I walked away from my life with one SUV full of stuff, and I think that may be too much to bring. Not even sure about shipping my SUV yet. Everyone down there seems to agree on one thing though; bring less stuff and more money!! LOL

Good luck, and maybe we'll see ya on da island.

Do you realize that, if you do ship a car, you are NOT allowed to put anything in it? It must ship empty.

My advice wasn't to have a goal of standing in lines :S...it's just something that you will have to do quite a bit of when you live here...everything is a slower pace, and everyone knows everyone and they chat, so the lines do not move as quickly as in the States...it's something that newbies have to get used to...which is part of getting the 'vibe' of the place...STX and STT are unique, in themselves, but I've lived on both and Bob and my advice pretty much sums it up...come for a PMV and see if you 'fit' on the island you choose...you may have to do other PMV's to other isles until you find what you seek...but, my best advice I thoin would be to drop all expectations...of EVERY kind...it's not going to be like you expect it, so acceptance is the best thing you can bring with you...

I've been to all 3 islands over the yrs but always as a visitor. St Croix feels like home to me every time I'm there so I've bought a little piece of land right over the water that someday I'll build & live on. My current plan is to spend this July living in an apt on St Croix (am still looking btw) to feel what it's like to live as a resident. I work from my computer so at least employment is not an issue. I'd be cautious about moving there without a job unless you have serious savings to get you thru for a while. It's a unique lifestyle, one that keeps drawing me back from San Diego. I hope you love it!

After a year long process of purchasing a beautiful .68acre lot in the Company Quarter section of Christensted, we now are looking for help on our search for some reputable draftsmen and builders. We are really excited to get this whole process going and are open for any advice on these subjects. Thanks 🙂

Blue Fin Homebuilders, LLC Blue Fin Homebuilders

Kalie, Greetings from AZ!

I am in a similar situation as you as I am contemplating the move from AZ to STT. My fiance and I are making out first visit to the island mid-July to get a feel for island life. We are extremely familiar with extreme sunny days and the heat, just never been to the islands yet. I give you and your friend much credit for making the move "sight unseen"!

I am tired of the high stress city life & ready for a change. I assume that you and I have many of the same questions that need answers. I have no idea on housing, jobs (I luckily have many years experience in bartending), etc so let's keep in touch! My fiance are both 31 years old, fun, outgoing, and are ready to make new friends on the island. Btw I love CO; have many friends there & have visited often.

Good luck & best wishes!!
~Jill