Moving to St. Thomas, not for the fainthearted.

Pasta, rice, crackers. All go in a zip lock in a sealed tight plastic container, with a few bay leaves to keep the weavils away.

and everything else that doesn't go in the fridge plus anything that might rust or mold including those shoes and clothes.

And here's another secret. All those little packets of silica gel that come in the box with all sorts of things, including shoes, even inside pill bottles, that say throw away, do not eat. Well dem is little dehumidifiers. Keep the larger ones, they can be rejuvenated by putting them in the oven or microwave and they go in the zip lock bags as well. But even though it's non-toxic best to stick to using rice inside the salt shakers.

Well said.

welcome to our World.(tu)

This should be required reading! (My husband is actually outside putting a new tire on as I type). Well done.

The two things that I wasn't prepared for:

While warned that appliances don't last as long as expected here, I missed the posts about about everything else with a shorter life span: electronics, hard vinyl (that gets sticky), the soles of my shoes, the tops of my shoes, anything elastic, chrome that pits, roofing, and a host of other items I once considered durable. Not sure if I resent more the additional $$ I need to spend on replacement, or the time spent on additional maintenance to prolong the inevitable.

It should be common sense that if you live in a place with wonderful trade winds and leave your windows open 24/7 to enjoy them, that more than just air can get inside. And that humidity helps collect dirt on surfaces. But it just didn't dawn on me. Our place here is less than 1/2 the size of our house back in the states, yet I spend more time cleaning it. And I'm not a cleaning freak. Knowing this would not have changed our minds about moving here, but it might have affected the location we chose to live on the island.

Paradise does have its price. So I'm glad you are still happy with your move. We are too.

This is a great thread and should be required reading for everyone contemplating a move to the caribbean. It sums up perfectly why we keep telling people that life in the islands is "different".

When you point out one or two of the items mentioned as "drawbacks" most people who don't live here (but aspire to do so someday) always respond with what I call a "Yeah but" as in "Yeah but, the weather is great and the beaches are beautiful so those little things don't matter.

Of course, when you add them all together you get a much better picture of the frustrations that everyday life here offer. I tell people that I would love to have just one week go by where I don't have to fix something, replace something or deal with any of those little "problems". It hasn't happened yet in my 15 or so years living in the Caribbean and I don't hold out much hope I'll get that week anytime soon.

Anyway, it's the price one pays for admission to paradise. Paradise it may be but it is not heaven.

The cistern pump won't burn out if the power is off BUT can run until it burns out once the power returns IF it has lost its prime. Most pumps are self priming these days and this isn't likely to happen. However if you do have the older type pump a little pre planning will save it.

There will be a good sized raised plug on the top of a small tank built into the pump that needs to be opened, and water poured in to prime the pump.
So have a small wrench that fits that plug and a gallon jug of water together in some convenient place.If the pump is running a long time after the power returns it has lost the prime. Unplug the electricity or turn off the breaker that controls it , open the plug on the top - pour in water til it overflows - close the plug and reconnect the electricity.

I keep a small 2.5 gal bucket in the shower, collect the water usually wasted before it gets shower temperature and use it to flush into the toilet bowl directly once a day or when the power is off.

Keep up the Terro treatment for ants. Don't spray and kill the ants, let them carry the terro back to the nest. keep moving the terro drops closer to the point of entry if you can.
Take your garbage away daily - use the soon to be outlawed grocery bags, you can throw them away in many places besides dumpsters.This daily practice really cuts down on ants problems.
CostUless has much better cereal prices.

The battery light is not a good sign at all - don't ignore it - go to someplace like Caribbean Battery and have them check the alternator !!

Look into having a small low wattage heat rod for the closet - [ google piano rod] -- very effective for mold prevention. Put dryer sheets in among your stored clothing. Storing any clothes that are not newly cleaned mold quickly.

Brewers Bay is close by your home and work - go before or after work for a sea bath - you will meet some very nice like minded folks and stave off your beach deficiency with even a 1/2 hour visit a few times a week.

Keep adapting -- keep enjoying the good parts -- schedule a visit to Magens for a walk and swim during your errand day if you have to head out East.

excellent post

Sticky this thread.

excellent post

If you meant mine - thank You -- although after rereading it it does smack of my Mothers old "Hints from Heloise" books.
If you meant the OP -- I agree wholeheartedly.

I tell people that I would love to have just one week go by where I don't have to fix something, replace something or deal with any of those little "problems".

Paradise it may be but it is not heaven.

But I much prefer dealing with the little "problems" in paradise vs. the alternative elsewhere.

Well balanced.
Hopefully will be an eye opener for some dreamers.

Knowing and experiencing the advercieties and challenges of life here and generating same income off the mainland I would still vote for Orange County in Cali or south florida.

The one thing I can't agree with OP is frendliness of locals. Beyond ample greetings of blessed day they are really an oblivious, mindless and often commatose bunch. Indifferent to new comers and often reverse racists to boot. "Not the there is enything wrong with that" to qute Jerry Sainfeld. It's their turf so I play by their rules.

Glad you're settling in so well, Idlewood.
Great observations on island life for those contemplating a move.
Welcome to VI.
Warts and all.

At least you have a dumpster (for who knows how long) on your way to work. I usually give mine a scenic tour depending on my route of the day before I can get rid of it. I'm looking forward to having my garbage picked up at my home, recycling and having mail and packages delivered to my door when I move. What a treat!

What happens when power goes out and you use water is that it drains all the water out of the pipes and pump will need priming before you can get water when power returns.

Always good to keep a few bottled gallons on hand as well as a couple battery operated lights, fans and a radio. As you may have noticed, WAPA needs no reason to have outages. Good to have your electronics on battery backup/surge protectors.

Brewers Bay is very nice, as mentioned, for a quick dip after work.
Keep on enjoying.

both (tu)

excellent post

If you meant mine - thank You -- although after rereading it it does smack of my Mothers old "Hints from Heloise" books.
If you meant the OP -- I agree wholeheartedly.

Hello,

Which Island do you currently live on? And what happens to the electronics over a period of time? My husband and I are considering moving to St. Croix in April-May.

Thanks

Hello,

Which Island do you currently live on? And what happens to the electronics over a period of time? My husband and I are considering moving to St. Croix in April-May.

Thanks

Same as the other two islands. Salt air reduces the overal life of electronics. I said good-bye to my Bose stereo just this year! TV should be next to go!

Please read, read and read some more on this site. Over the past 20 years I've said good-bye to more people leaving here that just could not adjust than I've ever said hello to people. Not everyone comes here understands that it's not a vacation to just live here. What you see on HGTV is all the good things and never the dirty underbelly you see when living here. Do NOT move here without a PMV! (Pre-move visit) and, my advice, do not buy until you've lived here a year or two. At 18 months many come down with "island fever" and find to need to move back to the states.

Hello,

Which Island do you currently live on? And what happens to the electronics over a period of time? My husband and I are considering moving to St. Croix in April-May.

Thanks

Same as the other two islands. Salt air reduces the overal life of electronics. I said good-bye to my Bose stereo just this year! TV should be next to go!

Please read, read and read some more on this site. Over the past 20 years I've said good-bye to more people leaving here that just could not adjust than I've ever said hello to people. Not everyone comes here understands that it's not a vacation to just live here. What you see on HGTV is all the good things and never the dirty underbelly you see when living here. Do NOT move here without a PMV! (Pre-move visit) and, my advice, do not buy until you've lived here a year or two. At 18 months many come down with "island fever" and find to need to move back to the states.

Just in the past year:

The 5 year old vacuum cleaner, a 2 year old iPhone, a 4 year old iPad mini, our 8 year old car's electric circuitry, a 6 year old Blu-Ray player, an 8 year old microwave, and a partridge in a pear tree. Bear in mind we've only lived here full time for 2 years out of 9+. So only a few months a year usage before then.

The year before: the washer/dryer (OK, that was really old), and a 5 year old Kindle.

Happy to say the 7 year old Bose speakers and two LG tv's (6 and 8 years) are still going strong. (Knocking on wood).

Great post and replies.

Plan on moving early 2018.
PMV in Feb.

I try to always tell myself that I may end up hating it, but I know it's one of those things I would regret if I didnt do it. Especially after all the time spent researching.

I started a catering business with the same thought. I enjoyed it but got burnt out after two years. Sold it, but have zero regrets and learned a ton doing it.

You just gotta do it sometimes.

One thing that I think is very important, and rarely mentioned here, is that living here can any maintainers nightmare (but with a better view).
My point, is that you've got to be a somewhat self sufficient jack-of-all-trades, or have huge amounts of disposable income to pay someone for constant repairs and maintanance.
I built my own home in the states, and for years maintained my own vehicles. I thank God I'm a "tinkerer". I find having basic "McGyver" skills is a must down here. I'm very greatful for St. Croix Marine, Gallows Bay Hardware, Sears, and Home Depot. Between them all I can always scrounge up what I need for any repair project (stainless steel and lithium grease are my new best friends).
So if your planning on buying your own home, I think being handy is far more important here than it is up in the states. You can't be turned off by getting down and dirty here, be inventive, be hands-on, resistance is futile!

resistance is futile!

Preventive maintenance is imperative.

(stainless steel and lithium grease are my new best friends).

Using a high grade automotive paste wax on any SS surfaces is worth the effort. Any lubrication should be regularly scheduled. I find a silicon spray attracts much less contamination then a WD 40 type product in places where Lithium grease is hard to apply.

I find having basic "McGyver" skills is a must down here.

Many projects can be done with iniative and common sense and maybe even a YouTube search.

Below I have included a quote regarding 'Rock Fever/ Island Fever' as expressed by one of our forum members. Stated so beautifully, it simply has to be shared:

"...Yup. I've got it. It hits me hardest in the springtime.

Yup. I've got it. It hits me hardest in the springtime....."

Insects, dust, mold, mildew, premature corrosion on appliances and failure of electronics seem to be more a symptom of the prevalent construction methods than anything unique with respect to the climate or geography of the Virgin Islands. Stucco coated concrete walls tend to absorb moisture, and "breeze cooled" living spaces are going to import humidity, dust and salt laden air.

My point, is that you've got to be a somewhat self sufficient jack-of-all-trades, or have huge amounts of disposable income to pay someone for constant repairs and maintanance.
I find having basic "McGyver" skills is a must down here.

True dat, I almost posted this myself and I think this makes all the difference in the world when it comes to the psychology of coping with the daily challenges. If you move here expecting convenience of the mainland with paradise living you're more likely to be disappointed. I you are prepared to expect and deal with the inevitable challenges that are the price to pay for paradise then you'll likely do just fine.

PS- We have a new little hardware store in Princesse. And silicon spray is definitely the way to go for lube and corrosion protection, not WD 40 which is really more of a solvent.

2000+ uses of wd40:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0ahUKEwjSof37o8fQAhVJESwKHfkbBDEQFgg1MAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwd40.com%2Fimg%2FWD-40_2000_uses.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHBhkAhiNa-hbERUSy2YIKXyUe2tw&bvm=bv.139782543,d.bGg

Silicone spray works for me.
It doesn't evaporate as quickly as WD 40.
I spray moving parts on windows, their handles, sliding, glass door tracks, latches and locks, hurricane shutters latches and tracks, key holes on door knobs, etc. Always have a can or 2 handy.