Moving to St.Croix July13

Cultural climate is a great point Linda. I went to high school with an exchange student from a major metro city in Europe and she was exchanged to a fairly small town in Idaho. Very conservative, very different. She was so culture shocked that her hair started falling out and she went into a deep depresion. I don't think social and cultural differences are something to be ignored. I think it would be an incredible experience for Danielle, but open mindedness is important too. Young and naive most definately but how will she learn if she doesn't try? Buying a round trip plane ticket in lieu of a one way might be something to consider. Same small Wisconsin town for 22 years, if she doesn't test the waters how is she going to learn to swim? ONLY MY OPINION, but an extended visit seems to be a good solution. That way if it isn't what she is looking for, she can go home. If it is, she can still go home, but it will be to ship her things back to STX.

Chris,

When 80% of your economy is based on tourism, then yes, an attitude is established that tourist are money, so come, drop your cash, and LEAVE. And guess what. Reallity check! That's exactly what they do. Don't tell me that you don't breath a gentle sigh of relief when tourist season is over, that is my favorite time to travel. I have been to enough places and done the tourist thing enough to know that I look for the local sceen and hope to make a friend or 2. A lot of tourists don't often show respect to others homes and it's not always a race issue. Sometimes it is a flat out personality issue. Littering on the beaches, acting like the locals are a pain, and that it is their job to wait on the tourist hand and foot, when in some cases it is, but a little respect goes along way. There are ignorant people everywhere Chris, not just on the islands. If your talking about people being territorial. It happens, the residents are the ones that clean up after the party is over. Many tourists visit and expect the locals to adapt to their time line rather than adapting to Island time. I've seen it. Hell, I've done it, but I've also learned from it. So if the West Indians think that some statesiders are invading there land, it might be because to a certain degree they have. They lived in paradise long before there were cruiseships, 5 star restaraunts, all inclusive resorts and shuttle service to San Jaun. We'll of course keep the Native Americans out of this discussion but it is a good example of a territorial can of worms. Also, the Hawaiian Islands have an interesting story of oppresion as well and talk about hating white people? Holy cow. I felt there more than anywhere. It's everywhere Chris, and it will never go away. But it is up to us as individuals to do the right thing, I'm the one that I have to look at in the mirror everyday, I would certainly hope that if I hurt someone's feelings or inadvertantly said something that offended someone (which I may have) that they would hold me accountable, how else am I going to know what I did, so that I don't do it again? It can be tough to put principal above personality but it can be done.

Elle

Why is everyone so supprised at Danielles comments. Considering her geographic location, age, and limited life experience.

Anyone with preconceived notions of personality based on skin color is naive, at best.

The facts of the matter are related to poverty, and education. Not skin color.

The reality is the majority of poor, and poorly educated just happen to be black, but being black is not a predisposition to the previous conditions. May it be reminded blacks have only been enjoying the freedoms of white americans for little over 30 years.

Blacks don't have a monopoly on poor education, and poverty. Anyone visiting the deep south can tell you that. Ever visited Appalachia?

JET

I think we've scared poor Danelle away. She hasn't posted in days. Danelle, come back. We sound a lot worse than we are!! Don't let us discourage you from what could be a really great adventure. Our bottome line is -- be careful and look before you leap. Lots of us "oldtimers" have scars and broken legs from not heeding that advice.

Elle,
Ok, you have a lot of valid points. I would also like to add that in addition to the problems of tourisms, the benefits far out weigh the negatives of no tourists. Isn't it our job in nuturing tourism, which is the basis for the economy, to clean up after them and deal with a few inconvienences(like tourists wondering in the road,etc.). Every industry has it's negative effects but whether people are tourists or locals,shouldn't they all be treated the same? I think it is ignorance to mistreat or ignore tourists. The lack of tourism really could be the downfall of the islands. It just doesn't appear to me that some people realize that. I mean little STJ does get crowded but we just find less crowded beaches to go or other things to do. There are lots of other places these people can go with their money other than here. As far as natives go, many of the people living on these islands are from other places than the USVI. (Like Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Hatii, and all the other islands...) This is true especially on STJ.
I mean it is pure ignorance to claim these islands as your own to be territorial about. Unless, maybe you are Dutch or a former slave of the Dutch. But even then, they were new to the islands as recently as a couple hundred years ago. That is just a blink of the eye in the history of the Earth.

Mermaid,
Well, that is interesting that you can discard my posts. I am surprised that you don't think STT and STX are urban. Hmmmm, let's see: STX has one of the largest oil refineries in the world. Then let's consider the amount or restaurants, hotels, retail chains on STT and STX. Then lets consider the population to land. There are over 50 thousand people living on STT and STX. That is the size of a typical suburb. Now obviously, STT is smaller than STX so you will feel more crowded on STT than STX. Now, take into account the amount of crime for a city of 50,000 people. I think STT, at least, has the businesses to support a city of way over 50, 000(to support tourism). Now, you are trying to tell me that isnt a city? I was told even STJ has over a million visitors a year. I just don't want to live in a Carribean city. That is my choice but I am not ignorant about what a city is. I grew up 15 minutes from St. Paul/Minneapolis and I suppose you don't consider that a city because they only have over a million people in the combined cities and suburbs.

actualy chris i believe the twin cities population is now over 1 million without the burbs as of a year or so ago. could be wrong but i thought i remember hearing that last summer just before donning some trendy sunglasses, exiting my stylish uptown apartment and driving my german engineered auto the six blocks to chang mai tai to enjoy cocktails with my equally stylish and trendy friends. ta ta.

Chris,

Thank you for being open minded to my post. And you are right, because tourism is such an important part of the economy they should be treated well. I was just trying to point out that the tourists need to respect, number 1) the people who occupy the island, transplants included and 2) the land itself. I certainly wouldn't want the tourists to leave the VI, because it is something to be embraced, the customs and celebrations, the music, the food, the people, beaches, shoot even the iguanas (for those of us who have only seen them in a pet store in the past). I mean, you live on STJ right? How many people get to say that 1 of the 10 best beaches in the world is practically in their back yard? I think it is important for visitors to respect that, and I can see why anyone who lives there could get frustrated with a percieved or litteral defiling of their community.
Unfortunately, I'm sure some of the natives don't show that respect either. I guess the point being there are 2 sides to every story and the truth meets somewhere in the middle. I appriciate your candidness and point of view. As an outsider it helps to see the bigger island picture.

Jet,
You said it all baby!

Danielle,
It's okay to come back. Your moving to STX on July 13. Let this message board help guide you on your journey, not scare you. People are just expressing their opinions based on their experiences. Learn from it if you can. Ask your questions, people want to help and hey, we all got to be part of an interesting discusion. Danielle, don't let fear stand in your way or you'll never go anywhere.

Good day all. Elle.

Sorry Chris, no. I don't consider St Thomas or St Croix to be a "city" or particularly urban. Many non urban areas in the states have industry but a population of 50,000 in around 30 square miles just doesn't cut it.
Manhattan island has fewer square miles than St Thomas and has 1.5 million people living on it.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this. You'lll never get me to call anything in the USVI "urban" or a "city".

Hello All,

Danielle - my suggestion to you would be to read the guide to moving on this site, order a Settlers Handbook and read about the islands so you have facts and reference. Leave the preconceived opinions others have formed at home and come down with the excitment you have, be aware of your new surroundings, take it all in with care and enjoy. Yes you will meet up with mean people, and ignorant people and you will also meet wonderful, generous, friendly people. The latter outnumbers the mean ones. You will never know what this experience holds for you unless you do it - plan correctly and make it happen; it will be a great learning experience and growing experience.

In reference to the comments on the population's mentality and attitude. I have to agree that there are people here that are rude, bitter, aggressive AND there are people who are not ! Some behave because of past experience some are from ignorance. The problem exist - the solution really I don't know as this has exsisted for centuries - does that mean its OK - no - but we certainly can't round up all the people deemed as negative and put them on another island. In summary; There are quite a few people that live here that aren't so nice but the majority of folks are friendly and open. Be aware that this exisit and don't let a brush with negatively spoil things for you.

Chris I know you and I and others have discussed this several times - what would you suggest as a solution???

--Islander

Mermaid,
If you compare the majority of the US to NY city or manhattan, obviously it isnt a city compred to that but it is all about your reference point. Some people would consider most suburbs of major US metropolitan areas to be citys. There isnt much of farming or ranching going on down here. But yeah compared to one of the largest cities in the world, it seems small.

Islander, my solution is education. Racism, judging people by their heritage, is pure ignorance. The only way to combat it is proving every racist wrong and teaching them that they dont benefit from hate and ignorance. Maybe one way is speaking out on forums such as this and following through in everyday life.

Chris,
Education is the key to eradicating racism!! That is a point we agree on 150%!!!!!!
Mermaid