Moving to St. Croix

Ideally, try to line up work ahead of time. Either way, be flexible about the work you're willing to do. Maybe your current employer will let you keep working via telecommuting? There are a few computer shops on island, and there are some freelancers who do what you do for local customers, and I imagine for stateside customers. I'm a freelance web develope who brought my work with me, and I eventually took on local customers as well. Maybe you can freelance here.

Wherever you rent, you won't be more than about 10 minutes from some beach, by car.

Most people will discourage you from using a bicycle here. Our roads are windy, hilly, pot-holey, shoulderless, overgrown with brush, and generally treacherous. We have a lot of bad drivers. Courteous, but bad.

It's easier to find an apartment if you avoid arriving in high season (December to April), or the month or two before high season, because that's when a lot of other people are looking. You can find something for $800 if you're lucky, or you're willing to have a small and/or crappy apartment , a crappy location, or roommate(s). With electricity, figure on another $100 per month, and possibly much higher. Plan to pay first and last month's rent, plus security deposit.

I would say that anyplace near a housing community is likely to be "bad," since there is high crime in a lot of housing communities here. No place is completely safe, but some are better than others. Wherever you're thinking of renting, ask the neighbors how frequently burglaries occur.

Bring a few month's of savings to live on, even if you have a job lined up. Sometimes the job falls through.

Thanks STXBob for the information.

I did not think about the telecommuting thing. That is a great idea and I will ask them about it. My job is all done over the phone as an inbound call center, so, that may be available. Lets hope so!

I guess it would be better to purchase a car there then? I cannot afford to purchase something too expensive, so are there "cheaper" ($500-$1000) cars available either through individuals or car lots? Is there a local paper for classifieds?

I do not mind living in a small, crappy place.... as long as I can afford it and hopefully, it will be CLOSE the the beach. LOL! (If I have to get a car, it will not matter how close it is to my job which is what I was worried about before).

I will definitely do what you suggested. Thank you!

Also, are there such things as Temporary Agencies in St. Croix?

Thanks!

I guess it would be better to purchase a car there then? I cannot afford to purchase something too expensive, so are there "cheaper" ($500-$1000) cars available either through individuals or car lots? Is there a local paper for classifieds?

I do not mind living in a small, crappy place.... as long as I can afford it and hopefully, it will be CLOSE the the beach. LOL! (If I have to get a car, it will not matter how close it is to my job which is what I was worried about before).

[and]

If I have to get a car, it will not matter how close it is to my job.

Most people will suggest that you buy a car here. There is an active used car market, through individuals and car lots, and there are newspapers and web sites with classified ads. I don't think you're going to find anything too awesome in the $500-$1000 range. There tends to be a mark-up on new and used cars because of the extra expense of getting them here. At the end of high season is probably the best selection of used cars.

I would avoid any commute longer than 30 minutes. It's all relative here. For example, there are people on the east end who refuse to take an occasional drive all the way to Frederiksted, even though they might have commuted daily one hour each way in the states.

I figured I would not be able to find something super good in that price range. But, I just need something to get to work and back. So, it does not have to be something new. Is it possible to have the "local" paper mailed to my home here in Orlando, FL?

Is it possible to have the "local" paper mailed to my home here in Orlando, FL?

You can have the local paper delivered anywhere and anytime. http://stcroixsource.com/

Best wishes,

Edward

The Avis is a print-only paper, and it's probably the most-read paper on STX. I think the rate for a mail subscription to a stateside address is around $200/year, and they have monthly and quarterly rates. The local rate is about half of that.

You can call the Avis at 340-718-2300.

They have no online presence, and I think they still don't take credit cards. They operate in a different century.

Thank you, Edward. Appreciate the information.

Any other suggestions you have on topic?

Thank you. I will contact them.

Also, I did not receive a response for the question about Temporary Agencies... anything there of that sort?

There is at least one temp agency on STX: Alltemp Services, Inc. in Christiansted, 340-713-0688

I don't know anything about them, or about the temp industry here. Here are some other threads in this forum containing "alltemp", from 3-6 years ago:

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/search.php?4,search=alltemp,author=,page=1,match_type=ALL,match_dates=0,match_forum=ALL,match_threads=0

The main thing you need to know is, unless you have specialized, super-dooper, sought-after skills, you will not be able to find work until you are on-island, standing in front of the employer. Have you visited the USVI before? In any case, you should plan a visit to check things out before you make a move.

So much to consider when planning a move... I can't wait to plan a short trip to arrange the details.

Select Temp at Golden Rock does staffing--anyone have their number? (I went on what my friend Missy used to call a "tidyrant" and now I can't find half my stuff, including my phone book!)

Select Temp Staffing LLC in Golden Rock on STX is 340-719-4994 or 340-719-7114

Also, Phoenix, public transportation, while still a pain, is a lot easier to maneuver here than it was where I'm from (about 45 minutes outside Charlotte, NC), so that's an option you have until you get the car thing sorted. It does limit you, though, because the bus and taxi don't go everywhere.

...the bus and taxi don't go everywhere.

In other words, some taxis operate like buses here. They have set routes along major roads, and they charge a few bucks for each ride.

Hello,

I'm subletting out the master bedroom I live in at Pelican Cove Condos. Very nice condos in a great mid-island location steps from beach. Rent is $1000 a month, a little out of your range, but PM me if you want more details and/or pictures. It's a 3 bed 2 bath with a large balcony and you will have a large master bathroom with two sinks and a lot of space. Complex has an amazing pool/jacuzzi/outdoor bar area for hosting parties (if you are so inclined). You'd be living with two mid twenty white males who have steady jobs and are clean and easygoing. I'm moving out because my lady and I want to move into a one bedroom closer to work. PM me at your convenience if you want to schedule a day or time to check the place out (I don't know when you are arriving). In any case, good luck with everything and don't hestiate to PM me with any questions about the island.

Thanks,

Rishi

No, I have not visited the Island before. My mom and dad have been there a few times and it was their wish to retire there. However, my mom passed away on the 24th of last month. It was her wish that I go to St. Croix and make a life there.. which is what I want to do.. for me and for her.

I have extensive IT knowledge and have had my current job for 2.5 years.

Thanks for the information!

Phoenix

Thank you to everyone for the great information.... keep it coming! 🙂

Phoenix