moving stories

most are moving the other way tami;)

I want to hear how it is to ship things OFF the island with shippers. moving furniture etc. is it easy?

Ditto, Dixie. And pets! Tell me what it's like to get a large dog off of this rock.

triple here too

The moving stories were a big part of this forum several years ago. Part of the main relocation forum for a very long time they were eventually compiled by Islander and put into a separate category under the "The Move" pull-down menu. Since they're just as pertinent today as they were when written dating back to 2002, it's a shame that they're rather buried.

People new to this site inevitably jump right onto the forum which I suppose they find on a "google" and then some posters chastise others who nicely guide them to all the information already in place. Yes, I know the admonition about answering questions and not telling people just to "look here, look there" but you have to retain some common sense, and guiding people to the information right at hand is as easily done gently as abruptly.

Of all the information on this site I do think the moving stories are hugely relevant. Read back on them and you'll quickly see that the basics of moving just don't change over the years. The initial excitement remains the same, the settling in process with all its ups and downs remains the same and even the sometimes eventual disillusionment remains the same.

Very few stay for the long haul and there's nothing wrong with that at all. When I moved from the UK to the USA I didn't think in terms of "forever" and when I moved to St Thomas I didn't think "forever" either. Of all the people (transplants) I met in my first 10 years here, I don't think one of them is still living here and that's something you just get used to. Life is a perpetual change and each move and each transition is a new experience and a new adventure.

What I do find just a little dispiriting is the comments of those who are planning on leaving which so often take on such a negative bent. So for one reason or another, living here didn't work out for you and you've decided to move. But please don't take that as an opportunity to knock everything and everyone who decides to stay on. Your negative opinion is as valid as the positive opinions of others but don't get carried away. One thing I have found interesting is that many of those who've left have, through their experiences here in such a small environment, found themselves getting far more involved in local stateside and national politics than they would have done had they not lived here where everything is pretty much in your face every day. That would seem to me to be a big plus.

I'd like to suggest to Islander that the moving stories be given a little more prominent position. Repositioning them may inspire others to contribute their own stories.

What I do find just a little dispiriting is the comments of those who are planning on leaving which so often take on such a negative bent. So for one reason or another, living here didn't work out for you and you've decided to move. But please don't take that as an opportunity to knock everything and everyone who decides to stay on. Your negative opinion is as valid as the positive opinions of others but don't get carried away.

I agree on this point; if you hate it leave. Stop whining about how horrible life is here, buy a ticket, pack your junk and hit the bricks!!

 

I have also have read a lot of the moving stories. I really enjoyed them. I won't be moving there full time but my family and I and two dogs will be staying for three months. We will be coming in next Thursday. The stories that I have read have really helped me with getting things in order. The whole site has been a blessing and I find myself on here at least an hour or two a day and I haven't even gotten there yet. So thank all of you who have contributed your time and thoughts on this board.

have lived here almost 25 years and not moving totally for reasons you may think are negative.
geeshh

i know, people think just because a person wants to leave we hate everything about the island which is not the case at all. there is a lot to love about the island

When people make up their mind to leave they begin to trash the place they are leaving; read all your negative comments. Some are just plain silly.

i am not doing that there is . no need to.

thanks speedy.

I never trash talked when I left. I miss my friends and alot of the island. Some stuff was difficult
at times. I went to Walmart to watch all the fools fight over Christmas gifts on black Friday. It
was so pathetic. I think that is one of the main things I miss from the island. People didnt act
like that..didnt seem having all the best "stuff" was that important...its not~~~

have lived here almost 25 years and not moving totally for reasons you may think are negative.
geeshh

I hope you didn't think I was clumping everyone who leaves into one big bad posse of negativity as my comments were directed only toward the few who do bash the place once they've left - and who tend to be very vociferous in their negativity. People obviously leave for so many different reasons I've had several friends who've left when their children reached school age because of the less expensive educational choices on the mainland; others who've left for better job opportunities, for family reasons, medical reasons; many (which you of course notice as you get older) for the very obvious reason that living here on a fixed income is very challenging unless you're independently wealthy.

The transitional nature of so much of the population is one of the reasons which makes living here so continually fascinating and interesting. Not only are the islands a big melting pot of cultures and nationalities as they've always been, but you cross paths with such a diversity of people in such a small community. Major cosmopolitan cities have the same diversity but the "feel" just isn't the same.

i think it is boyd, he assumes that because we don't like certain things about the island-crime, cost of electricity cost of food etc..., those are
what most negative comments are about, that we are trashing the island in general. we are just frustrated by the things that negatively impact our lives on island.

to vacation here would be a dream especially if you live in the north states.

i do not think i have ever said i hated living here, i do hate certain things about the island. i love certain things about the island.

boyd, i think you are the one who is being so negative here.

Speee1dy--not referring to you. You almost always have great and fun comments.

thank you boyd

Had to leave STX because of family issues in the states. When I try to explain island life to statesiders, they just can't understand. It sounds like a lot of complaints. I think it's just me, trying to figure out why I love it so much.

its not that i dont like it here anymore. its just that i feel its time for another venture as i get a bit older( did i say that) i want to see america
again.
i will always have a fondness for this island. all the great friends i have made here.

hey i am not gone yet. just thinking seriously about it and wanted to know from those who have left how difficult it was to take container.

OT still friends?:@) lol trying your bread recipe tomorrow. 🙂 wish me luck

you will do fine on the bread

OT still friends?:@) lol trying your bread recipe tomorrow. 🙂 wish me luck

The only problem I'm having with that bread is the inability to stop eating it. 😀 I can so easily avoid store-bought bread but even this very simple recipe just draws me in ... I bought a bunch more flour and yeast the other day and am making Italian bread this week along with some onion bread. I fear I'll soon be seeing the Pillsbury Dough Girl in the mirror if I can't get a grip on the addiction.

By the way, I'm in the habit of keeping bread in the freezer to maintain its freshness but probably even more important with the home-baked. It doesn't take a minute to soften up and tastes as good as it did right out of the oven. Happy kneading!

OldTart,

I make several loaves in the morning, let it cool a few hours at room temperature (cool?), slice it, wrap each slice in saran, rebuild the loaf and put it in a plastic bag in the freezer. When we want some we take it directly from the freezer and grill it in a stove top panini grill. Deelish every time and no wait time. (tu) 😀 And we love a cranberry/pistachio loaf.............no matter what you put on it you always want more.
😮

Did I miss the bread recipes?:-o

the bread recipes moved away. hehe

lol, the only problem with homemade bread is that i can not slice it thin enough. well, that and i can't stop eating it