Moving next summer!!!

the first question, is have you done your pmv yet?? Also, which island are you moving to, this will help determine the advise you are given.
I hope you guys have a great time down here.

I can not tell you HOW important a PMV is. Get it all lined up. f it does not line up then save yourself some pain.

billd

We are looking at St. Croix....but he has resumes in in STT as well. We have not done our PMV yet, but are def planning on it. Right now we are hoping it all works out with the job situation first.

You should really consider making your PMV before applying for employment. Come for a couple of weeks, if you can. Get the lay of the land, find out what it is like to live on the island - don't stay in a beachfront resort and act like you are on vacation as that's nothing like everyday life in the islands. After the PMV you'll have a better feel if island life is really for you. You are much better off doing that than moving down to accept a position only to learn later you don't like living on an island. Remember, it's not all pina colodas and sitting under a palm tree. You are going to encounter the same everyday stresses and strains that you do "back home" as well as some new challenges. It's best to find these out BEFOR not AFTER you make a permanent move.

In the meantime read EVERYTHING on the relocation website (use the links at the top of the page) - you'll get great insight. Also, be aware that many employers won't hire you until you are actually "on island" so save your money in case you decide to move before you or your husband find gainful employment.

Good luck following your dream.

Advantages of each island. I chose St. Croix over St. Thomas. Less crowded. Fewer cars. Relaxed atmosphere. Friendly people.

Is your husband planning on teaching in the public or private sector? There's a huge income difference. Currently, the government has placed a hiring freeze on hiring new teachers. Our school is soooooo short-staffed that it is making life very "interesting" this year.

My husband and I are both teachers in the the public school system on the island. Feel free to read my previous posts and/or PM me for answers to any questions you may have.

Good luck!

I moved to STT thinking I would spend the rest of my life there. Visiting is nothing and I mean nothing like living there. The first year I was in love with the notion. The second year, I started questioning if I liked it. The third year, I decided it sucks big time. The fourth year I planned the move out.
The following recaps my 4 years on STT.
There is no water, you must buy and drink bottled. You shower and do everything else in rain water, and pray for rain.
There us no garbage pickup. You haul it out in your car and dump it in nasty dumpsters all over the island.
There is no mail delivery, you must rent a PO Box.
There is no gas, you must have a tank refilled when it runs out.
Utilities (WAPA) are a joke. Electricity is so expensive, its ruining the island. Power is off regularly. An IHOP opened for one year, with constant lines and very successful, he closed after 1 year cause he couldn't afford his $12,000 per month elec bill. The only thing every one talks about is WAPA.
The "slower" pace of life, is really people who have a pathetic work ethic and are basically very lazy. If you are a person of color, you will get bad service. If you're white, you will get horrible or no service. I'm white, I had bank tellers steal from me, was served stale bread at Subway and much more.
The government is corrupt, healthcare is dangerous, and the cops are a joke. You do not want to get involved in any of these systems. Thankfully I didn't have to.
I could go on and on about how awful it was. I will go back to the Caribbean, but never-never-never to St Thomas.

Formersttresident:

You registered on this board today and posted the same rant on 5 different topics. You must be very angry and disappointed in your stay here.

However, as Smokeey7 will discover, life here, while not perfect, is not as bad as you make it out to be. As with most places, there is good and bad in the USVI. New arrivals who bring enough $$$$ and don't get caught up in drink and drugs and find gainful employment quickly can have a good life here. Being a 2 - income family is a definite asset. Not having a long "must have" list is another plus.

But you before you start applying for teaching positions, PLEASE plan on a 2-3 week stay on the island of your choice. Rent a place with a kitchen, do regular stuff, not vacation fun, visit the schools, both public and private.

Good luck.