Moving from maryland to VI

Never mind city or town (we really have neither except on St Croix where the two main towns are Christiansted and Frederiksted) - which island? Go to the drop-down menus top of this page and absorb the plethora of information there. Once you've narrowed down which island might best suit you then search relevant posts (when you use the search engine change the default to "all") for more information from contributors. Once you've done extensive researching, plan on a PMV (pre-move visit). Good luck!

We are looking for something under 1000$ but is in a safe environment with shopping near the water.

You will be on an island. Everything is close to the water.

On St. Thomas the main downtown area is called Charlotte Amalie.
It's really the business hub.

However, Red Hook on the east end of the island also can be called a small town as it also has plenty of businesses, bars, restaurants, beach resorts, the ferry to St. John is located there, it has grocery stores, marinas, beaches. There are usually apts. or condos for rent.

You just have to figure out what island will suit you.
There's more to do on STT and job opportunities for your age bracket, IMO.

Bring lots of money. You'll need a car.

Bring lots of money.

Lots and lots and lots and then another 50% more.

christiansted is downtown near the water. there is a small grocery store nearby. there are restaurants and shops downtown. either kmart is a short drive .

this is on stx

Have you been here before or did you wake up one day and decide to live on an island?
Do the PMV and "live" here for a month or two and act like an islander and not a tourist. Life can be difficult and you will have to learn to make big adjustments and do without. Some of the life you are used to is too expensive or not available here.

Have you at least been to the Islands before or are you one of those It's been a dream of mine for like ever...........since I saw an episode of Caribbean Life and got the beach bug? First off, do either of you have any work back ground that would benefit the Islands? They are always looking for skilled labor. Waitress or restaurant working are literally a dime a dozen here, which means expect to take a long time to find work. You also must consider restaurant jobs don't pay the rent here and living expenses here and it's seasonal. If you haven't been for a pre-move visit, come on down and see how things are BEFORE making that jump.

mike

First off, do either of you have any work back ground that would benefit the Islands? They are always looking for skilled labor. Waitress or restaurant working are literally a dime a dozen here, which means expect to take a long time to find work. You also must consider restaurant jobs don't pay the rent here and living expenses here and it's seasonal. If you haven't been for a pre-move visit, come on down and see how things are BEFORE making that jump.

mike

The OP already mentioned dentists' offices as well as restaurants. While it's true that there are always plenty of applicants for restaurant jobs, that doesn't mean that the pool is premium. A GOOD server/bartender isn't easy to find and the good ones DO easily manage to pay the rent and living expenses and their positions aren't necessarily seasonal. The good ones make enough money to take off on nice vacations when the restaurant closes for a month (and sometimes longer) in off-season.

The problem which many young transplants run into isn't not being able to find a position but hanging onto the money they make. Rather than going home when their shift is done they get carried away with the after-hours drinking routine and blow their money as soon as they get it. They crash into bed in the wee hours, don't get up before the early afternoon and then repeat and repeat until they burn themselves out.

June is the beginning of off season.
You may not readily find restaurant jobs then.
Tourist wise, things don't begin to pick back up until around mid October.
Depends what your skill sets are.
There are many dentist offices.
Check the online VI Phone book and call around as time gets nearer to your move date.

You'll need enough $$$$$$ to rent an apartment, pay first, last, security deposit, set up utilities, if not included, buy all those odds and ends that you'll need, groceries, linens, dishware, silverware, cleaning supplies, towels, etc., not to mention a reliable car to get you back and forth to do so plus get to jobs.

It's best to rent in or nearby the location you'll be working.

Yep and you may want to think about that nasty health care issue because most employers offer health insurance unlike the states and there aint no Obama care in the Islands unless you qualify for medicaid or medicare. You can buy your own policy for a couple thousand a month with high deductibles and co-pays.

mike

No. You can't buy your own policy. Many employers do offer health care. Depends on your field. We pay less than $300/month premiums for family coverage with MASA and Aflac add on between my wife and myself

I moved to STX from Maryland a few months ago and I highly recommend it. I didn't move from a small town, but from the Baltimore area, and I find all the claims I've seen on the forum about needing lots and lots of money to be highly exaggerated. I would advise you to have some kind of savings, especially if you won't have a job right away, but how much will depend on your standard of living.

I found a furnished apartment, including linens and dishware, with a sea view, for under $1000/month and paid first month's and a security deposit (no last month's rent). I would never have found a place like this in Baltimore for that price. I have found groceries and gas to be more expensive, but that's easily offset by the aforementioned housing costs. I moved here sight unseen, but I have lived in the Caribbean before and I already had a job waiting for me. I would say pick where to live based on where you'll be working because everywhere is close to the beach and there aren't any true shopping malls to speak of anyway. A PMV is certainly a good idea and could be a way to get a job before moving here.

I'd say the most surprising thing about living here is that it doesn't feel like living in the U.S. at all, which can be a good or bad thing.

Good luck and ignore the haters!

i have not seen any hate on here towards that poster,

but i have often thought that the amount suggested is over inflated, but i guess that depends on whet is included.

car
rental deposit
utility set ups
p o box
shipping furniture and household goods
shipping car-getting it registered
buying household items

so maybe its not really over inflated at all

I moved to STX from Maryland a few months ago and I highly recommend it. I didn't move from a small town, but from the Baltimore area, and I find all the claims I've seen on the forum about needing lots and lots of money to be highly exaggerated.

Good luck and ignore the haters!

Did you buy a car, and if so how much did it cost?