Moving May 1 to St.Thomas

I saw this...thought it might help give you a place to start looking. Where will you be working?
http://www.realestateusvi.com/search/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flink.flexmls.com%2Fuc5k7s5wrg3%2C7

welcome and good luck!

Check the classified section here (see "forum list" above) and craigslist too.

Will be working out of an office at Nisky Center. I arrive May 1, start work May 2, and plan on starting to look for housing after work on the May 3. I'll have a relocation specialist, but I'm the independent type. I'm not officially out of my Massachusetts apartment until June 9, and although I'll take the right fit as soon as I find it, I am under a relocation package, so I can take the time to find the perfect spot for me. I will be downsizing from a 4 1/2 bedroom here to a 2 or 3 bedroom. Empty nesting, but anticipating a lot of visitors once the cold weather hits Boston. I want earn the local resident honor, and not be considered another snowbird temp. I'm there for the long haul. My goods aren't being shipped until June 9. I want to rent not buy. I actually prefer furnished, cause my stuff is all heavy dark wood, etc-not a fit and I'm not sentimentally attached to anything but my books and craft supplies. I'm also a very active volunteer here, especially with Boy Scouts and Eagle advancement (my son earned his Eagle in 2008, so involved on both district and local level in advancement and merit badges.) Involved in history, preservation, nature, theater-not even starting to research this stuff until I'm settled in the job (# 1) and have a new home (#2)

Thanks Old Tart. You are a fantastic resource. A lot of the good information I've gotten while stalking the boards here has originated from you. Got a few spots lined up to go look at if they are still available when I get there. Doing my due diligence, and these boards are making it possible. Coming down with an open mind, looking forward to the next phase of my life.

If you'll be working at Nisky you should consider properties on the west side of the island where it's less congested. Upper Contant is very convenient and there are some new buildings going up close to Plantation Manor that someone said would be rentals.

Estates Pearl, Crown and Hawk, Sorgenfrei, Santa Maria, Hope, Santa Maria, and even some Caret Bay properties are on the cooler and higher parts of the North side and very convenient to accessing Nisky center if the places you are looking at have any of these addresses it will be worth looking into.

I just wanted to say Good evening. I found out Wednesday that I was selected for a job on St. Thomas. I immediately started checking out all the great info on this forum.

Thanks so much for all the great advice I've received so far. Because of you folks, I've decided to ship my car instead of getting one on the island.

I also plan to drive around and look for a place to rent after work for the first week or so. I'm staying in a hotel until I find an apartment.

If anyone has any good leads on a 2+ br, with off street parking, washer and dryer (or hookups) let me know. I need safe area, mold/mildew free, and a balcony/deck with a view.. From reading the forum it looks like generators/hurricane shutters are a plus. I'm an empty-nester, professional and quiet. Furnished is fine, so is unfurnished. No pets so not a big deal if they are or are not allowed. I'm there for the long haul, probably a permanent relocation for me.

I'm hoping you have spent some time on St. Thomas before you proclaim a permanent residency. Where will you be working? If you want to live on the Northside of the Island, my wife's aunt has a 3 bedroom 2 bath with washer dryer, off street parking with front porch to enjoy the view of Magens Bay. She doesn't require a lease nor rental references, if you got the cash, she's got the rental. $1800.00 a month plus utilities and is furnished with most furniture.

mike

Hi Mike,
I have spent some time there, and I'm aware it's not the tropical paradise many Northerners think it is. Going into this with fully open eyes, and frankly the job offer is not one I want to pass up. It's at a perfect time in my career.

When I arrive my priority is going to be getting settled into work, so I'm not going to stress over much other than that initially. I've seen your other postings on your aunt's place, and would definitely like to check it out if available when I arrive. Been paying more than that for rent here.

Crime? Used to it. Pay attention, watch where you are, don't be stupid, don't stand out, and hope for the best.

I know I'm probably not going to find my Chobani oat yogurt to feed my addiction, but c'est la vie. Kind of laid back. And actually the first time there's a blizzard back here, I'll be sending tropical pix to all my friends. But I've told them they could get even by sending me fall foliage pix.

And from reading all the fantastic postings on this board, I know I'm bringing my craft supplies and books!

I've seen your other postings on your aunt's place, and would definitely like to check it out if available when I arrive. Been paying more than that for rent here. I'll get in touch about your aunt's place. Thanks!

Awesome Exitzero and ms411. I'll check out both areas. Thanks for the advice. This board is fabulous. I've gotten some great info from it.

So far, my bigest adjustments are going to be lack of recycling/composting and litter. I'm really into the environment, so will have to see what I can do about recycling/composting etc. It's gonna kill me if I have to throw a plastic into the trash. And coffee grounds/egg shells make such great compost.

Part of my relocation package is they are shipping my stuff. Most of it I'm leaving behind. But.... Would love to know if there were a few things you wish you had there that are hard to get, what would you bring?

My daughter is thrilled, she's getting my 2016 Hyundai to take to her new Americorp City Year posting in California. She graduates from college in May, reports to CA in July.. I'm on the lookout for a used jeep/suv with good brakes that can handle hills easily. I'm getting it here and shipping it as I can ship one car as part of the relocation. Thanks to the advice on this board.

Some people compost and our Waste Management encourages it. Not sure if there's an entity that refers you to people who use it.

Mostly government offices at Nisky.

Couple of quick thoughts - make your own yoghurt. It's SUPER simple to make. The price of store bought is crazy and I make luscious Greek yoghurt for half the price.
Composting easy. I have a simple heavy-duty composter I bought from Amazon a long time back. Everything settles really fast in this climate, no turning necessary and mine sits right outside the door for all my non-meat kitchen waste and yard clippings.

Make sure if you buy a car there that is has no bank loan or that the lender if there is one will allow you to take it to the VI. I would use an agent like Beep business service --- https://yellowpages.cybo.com/VI-biz/beep-business-service -- ask for Daniel -- to ease the import scenario for you.
Composting is the easy part - recycling -- not so much.
I would bring the kitchen stuff I really use and like having - but I cook a lot. Good cotton sheets - good pillows - both cheaper there and harder to find here.

Great tips everyone. I plan to pay cash for the car I ship so it's got a free and clear title. Again, good advice I garnered from stalking these boards.

I will bring composter, and cotton sheets,towels and pillows. Already shopping for a lot more cotton clothes, and donating the polyester. Stocked up on deodorant. I have a very warped sense of humor sorry folks.

What do professional people wear to work there? And yup, I'm a fed, hence the Nisky office location. Been one for 36 years. Damn I'm old. But it's all in the attitude, and in my brain, I'm 32.

Never considered making my own yogurt. Do I need anything special Old Tart? Is there like a yogurt maker or something? I can order one and bring it with me and give it a shot. Then I can throw in my own oats. Yummmmm Mouth watering already.

You folks are awesome. I'm so glad I discovered you. Funny cause I'm on the Salem, MA boards as the local giving the tourists advice. Not a lot of call for relocation advice here.

Better get off here and get back to sorting.

Is there like a yogurt maker or something? I can order one and bring it with me and give it a shot. .

There probably is but you don't need it! When you're ready I'll PM you the recipe but there's nothing you need to bring with you to make it.

Awesome Old Tart. Can't wait. Good to know I don't need anything special.

Here's another question. Do people have small patio gardens? What kinds of things grow easily? Can I do deck herbs and tomatoes? I usually have a herb garden, tomatoes, variety of leafy lettuce and strawberries here.

You can grow your herbs, spices, seasonings, lettuce, spinach.. all kinds of things but....you must be vigilant! The bugs here will destroy your garden, if you're not.
I've never had great luck with tomatoes. Others have. Start small with things you'll use the most and will continue growing after they're cut back. Good luck.

Awesome Old Tart. Can't wait. Good to know I don't need anything special.

Here's another question. Do people have small patio gardens? What kinds of things grow easily? Can I do deck herbs and tomatoes? I usually have a herb garden, tomatoes, variety of leafy lettuce and strawberries here.

We have a small built in planter (10 x 3 ft) attached to our house where we grow herbs (right now oregano, rosemary, chives, cilantro and mint) and pepper plants. We grow tomatoes in pots on the patio, and are also babying a small potted lime tree. You DO have to keep on top of the birds and bugs. Not a set and forget project.

Best to keep some of that polyester. You'll mostly be in air conditioning and on days when power is out I put on polyester because I don't iron in advance.

People dress biz casual for the most part.

More great tips, thanks folks. I will definitely do a small garden once I get settled. I'm used to garden pests, but they are of the New England variety. Will have to learn how to repel a different variety entirely I'm sure. My dad was a grower in a greenhouse for over 50 years so it's in my system. I have to dig up everything here and take it to Dad's yard before I vacate this place in Mass.

When the time comes I'll do my garden/pest research and take it from there. Love hearing what herbs you have growing now Watruw8ing4. (Sure I've got that wrong, sorry.- hope that's your life philosophy cause I love it.)

That's just about the size herb planter I have here. Is mint as prolific there as it here? I have to really keep an eye on it or it will take over the neighborhood. Are there any gardening essentials that are tough to get there that I should bring when my stuff is shipped over in June.

Right now taking a quick break, going thru stuff here and sorting into piles, tackled the den today. So much to shred.

Thanks again everyone. These boards are just a tremendous resource. And the VI Settlers guide folks have agreed to send my stuff to my office there instead of here since I report there on May 2, not vacating this apartment until June 9. Have 2 trips to MA for daughter's college graduation and to work with relocation company beginning of June.

Lists, lists and more lists. After this I will be so ready for island time....

Couple of threads on gardening which may interest you:

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,252842,252859#msg-252859
https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,242329,242875#msg-242875

I used mint as ground cover in PA and VA. But here, I have to keep on top of it, or it fizzles out. I pin root the runners to form separate plants, give them plenty of water and a bit of shade. (It grows best under the rosemary). And I prune often. And by prune, I mean I make lots of Mojitos.

As for gardening supplies, I only brought a OXO gardening plow hand tool I can't live without. Everything else we accumulated new from Home Depot or local hardware store.

(My User ID is a more of a personal shaming technique against a lifelong tendency toward procrastination. Since I'm better about not putting things off now, I keep meaning to change it, but . . . .)

Been crazily preparing for my move. Flight is Sunday. Work Monday. Have a hotel/car rental for 2 weeks.. Priorities! Work is first. Then find a home.

Tons of potential apartments to look at after work next week. Keep those leads coming.Hopefully will have a 2 BR, great view, safe, no mold, furnished (negotiable) washer, deck/patio room for small planters , off street parking. hopefully a 15 minute drive to Nisky.

You folks have been great, thank you!

Alana,
My friend has had great success with a variety of tomato named Cherokee Purple.
They taste really good and are decent size.

I seem to spend more money growing them for thrushies and mealy bugs than buying them! Thanks for the tip, tho!