Moving to st. Croix, need tips!!

Have you gone through all the information in the drop-down menus top of this page? Apart from that you'll also find answers to numerous questions by using the search engine - just be sure to change the sort date to "all" as the default is "past year".

Have you made a pre-move visit?

Trying to find employment before moving here is in most cases a total waste of time.

You do know that there is currently no individual health insurance available here and we're not covered under the Affordable Health Care Act?

You'll also need to seriously consider what schooling is available for your son.

$10-15K including air fare is not very much to start off with. You need to be prepared to cover first month's rent, last month and one month security plus any utility hook-up charges, cable/satellite, internet, etc. If you're not shipping a car you'll need to purchase one here as getting around without is virtually impossible. Once you start to get settled you'll likely need a second vehicle too.

That's a start, anyway. Good luck!

There's a big difference (50%) between $10k and $15k. Whether either of those is enough to tide you over for 2 months is something only you can decide - it depends totally on YOUR standard of living. Better to have a larger nest egg than a smaller one.

A 2 or 3 bedroom home is going to run you somewhere around $1,500 to $2,000/ month for a basic home - nothing fancy. As Old Tart mentioned you are going to need to put up 3 months rent just to walk in the door. Add to that your 2nd month's rent and that means you've used up around $8,000 without covering the cost of utilities, food, transportation, and other normal everyday out of pocket expenses. So ask yourself if you think $10k or $15k is enough. I personally think even your higher number is on the low side.

To answer your other question about how much you need to make to live in that 2 or 3 BR home that too depends on your lifestyle. Generally speaking you can expect your living costs in the VI's to be around 30% to 40% higher than you'd spend to maintain the same standard of living you do where you now live. So, assuming you live a comfortable lifestyle "back home" on your current salaries you'll need to earn a salary that is a minimum of 30% higher in the VI's. The problem you may encounter is wages in the Caribbean are often substantially lower than for comparable positions back on the mainland. That's the big Catch-22 about living in the Caribbean.

Th truth of the matter is the Caribbean is an expensive place to live so bring as much money as you possibly can. If you are lucky and find gainful employment sooner than later you can put any "left over" money in the bank.

Good luck following your dream - having more money rather than less will help prevent that dream from becoming a nightmare.

From all that I have read on this forum, $10-15 K per person might be a reasonable amount to make the move. Shipping a car, $1200.00-$1500. Paying any import duty and road tax and inspections and permits and insurance, another grand. First, last and security deposits on a decent rental, another 3-4 thousand. Flights for 2, another thousand. You're now looking at almost $10,000 just to step off the plane and have a place to drive to and sleep. Keep the dream alive but has been said,...bring a lot more $$$ than you think is the minimum necessary. And then there is the lack of any health insurance unless you are fortunate to get a job with a company that offers a group plan.

Do a PMV first. Don't move here on a whim. Better to lose a couple thousand instead of fifteen to find out it's not for you.

Ok, I have to ask...

Why does everyone respond with the 40% more to live here answer.

I have comparable sized condos in Hatteras, NC and STX. Just from a property tax perspective, I pay 5x more in NC, condo fees are also higher in NC, food and fuel costs are equal, however, electricity is higher in STX. So for me, it actually costs less in STX.

Where are they from? That should be the first question, a lot of people live in areas where moving to USVI would cost less...

Ok, I have to ask...

Why does everyone respond with the 40% more to live here answer.

I have comparable sized condos in Hatteras, NC and STX. Just from a property tax perspective, I pay 5x more in NC, condo fees are also higher in NC, food and fuel costs are equal, however, electricity is higher in STX. So for me, it actually costs less in STX.

Where are they from? That should be the first question, a lot of people live in areas where moving to USVI would cost less...

That's what I was thinking. I live in northern Minnesota, originally from NC. There is a 30% tax on my income, and I live in a area with less than 1500 people so cost for everything is ridiculous. I am taking a pre move visit in September. Hopefully all goes well!

That's the best way to really see what the costs are relative to where you presently live. Rent a condo for a month and live like you would at home, that's what we did. Also, keep track of all costs and take a lot of pictures, for comparison when you return home and crunch the numbers...

Enjoy your visit!

Ok, I have to ask...

Why does everyone respond with the 40% more to live here answer..

The COL is generally acknowledged as 30% over stateside. Why? Because it's an average which has been extrapolated many, many times over many, many years and found to be a reliable constant. Once you really settle into living here it'll probably become a lot clearer.

... a lot of people live in areas where moving to USVI would cost less...

Just another clarifying point but it seems that your situation is vastly different from that of the OP. You own property stateside and on STX and are building another home here; you're either at or close to retirement age and likely have a very healthy retirement income.

The OP is scrambling to amass $10-$15K to move here, including airfare, which everyone agrees just isn't enough. The OP is going to have to find work here. The OP has a 3 year old child so schooling is on the horizon. If both husband and wife need to work, child care services are a big issue and expense. As pointed out, there is no individual health care insurance available here and we don't subscribe to the AFHA. These are all very real issues for those of very modest means.

Ok, I have to ask...

Why does everyone respond with the 40% more to live here answer.

I have comparable sized condos in Hatteras, NC and STX. Just from a property tax perspective, I pay 5x more in NC, condo fees are also higher in NC, food and fuel costs are equal, however, electricity is higher in STX. So for me, it actually costs less in STX.

Where are they from? That should be the first question, a lot of people live in areas where moving to USVI would cost less...

That's what I was thinking. I live in northern Minnesota, originally from NC. There is a 30% tax on my income, and I live in a area with less than 1500 people so cost for everything is ridiculous. I am taking a pre move visit in September. Hopefully all goes well!

There are taxes in the VI

Though you'll save the 7%+ MN State tax

There are taxes in the VI

Though you'll save the 7%+ MN State tax

I was a little confused about that too but thought maybe MN has a state income tax over and above federal income tax. In any event, OP, you do pay income taxes here at the same rate and using the same IRS forms you're accustomed to. Exactly the same except that the taxes stay in the USVI.

100% agree that everyone's situation is different, I'm just pointing out that it isn't out of reach, especially if you have a strong desire to succeed. A PMV is a must, and naturally the more money you can bring is a plus...

I thing if more people came for a longer PMV, that would be the eye opener. One or two weeks is like going on vacation, a month or more is essential, to truly realize what life would be like living here.

Many of the people I know whop have lived in the USVI for years leave when their kids get to school age. Eith poor schools or very expensive 10K to 15K per year.
Also many of my friends who work in that industry either share living spaces with others or work two and three jobs to get by. Especially in the summer months.
Food is about 30% higher than in AZ. Gas is about 4.50 a gallon higher. Electricity is way higher but if you live where you get breezes you may not need AC.
Health care is much worse, don't know about the cost difference.

I thing if more people came for a longer PMV, that would be the eye opener. ... a month or more is essential, to truly realize what life would be like living here.

I disagree. In my opinion there's no equation that can determine anyone's adaptation to island living based on the length of a PMV. I've lived here for three decades, have been helping and watching the progress of newcomers for over two. I've seen people who've come for a long PMV and left in a couple of weeks, people who've made no PMV and have stayed for many, many years - and everything in between. A PMV is a definite plus but its duration isn't relevant to an individual's ability to adapt to such a move.

Gas is $2.77 in STT currently.And you don't drive as many miles a year.
Food is more expensive and less variety and quality than most stateside locales.
Clothing expenses are almost always less - no winter or seasonal changes, little need to dress up or business attire.
Property taxes are very low.
Very little of the attitude to buy things you don't need with money you don't have to impress people you don't like. No one cares.
Expensive cars are not the norm for most people - no long highway trips.
Much simpler home furnishings.
Travel costs can be much higher, schooling and healthcare are a concern.
Cheaper intoxicating bottled beverages in general.

Ha, ha! I have lived here for years, and there are surprises every day. A friend in the States who used to live here (St Thomas) still listens to the local talk radio shows. An herbalist, Ras Bobby, has been advertising these last few weeks. She made an appointment for a consultation and I'm supposed to pay him.

Called him today. Asked if he knew of appointment for my friend. He says no. I told him she made appt through his son, and he says, "If my son knows then I know." I told him he couldn't not know and know. I told him to check with his son and I would call back.

English is not understood the same everywhere. Make sure you both understand each other.

Ha, ha! I have lived here for years, and there are surprises every day. A friend in the States who used to live here (St Thomas) still listens to the local talk radio shows. An herbalist, Ras Bobby, has been advertising these last few weeks. She made an appointment for a consultation and I'm supposed to pay him.

Called him today. Asked if he knew of appointment for my friend. He says no. I told him she made appt through his son, and he says, "If my son knows then I know." I told him he couldn't not know and know. I told him to check with his son and I would call back.

English is not understood the same everywhere. Make sure you both understand each other.

Schrodinger's herbalist?

or rather Schrodinger's appointment

Gas is $2.77 in STT currently.

$2.09 average as of yesterday in AZ so don't know where that, "4.50 a gallon higher" came from.

And milk is like $6 gallon so you might need to use Paradise Rum on your cereal.

or 6 a half gallon of milk for the organic-which lasts longer and tastes better

Ha, ha! I have lived here for years, and there are surprises every day. A friend in the States who used to live here (St Thomas) still listens to the local talk radio shows. An herbalist, Ras Bobby, has been advertising these last few weeks. She made an appointment for a consultation and I'm supposed to pay him.

Called him today. Asked if he knew of appointment for my friend. He says no. I told him she made appt through his son, and he says, "If my son knows then I know." I told him he couldn't not know and know. I told him to check with his son and I would call back.

English is not understood the same everywhere. Make sure you both understand each other.

Ras Bobby is the man! His son is Niyorah, a world reknown reagge artist, excellent football (soccer) player, and overall awesome and humble person. Ras Bobby knows a lot about natural healing, herbal medicine, and the bush here in the VI -he should receive the utmost respect.