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Hi All,
This message board has answered many of the questions I've had in sorting out all the logistics it takes to make a move to the islands, but I have a couple questions that need some clarification:
1) I have a 2003 Jetta with a BlueBook value of around $4500. Is it worth the extra $ to have it shipped, or am I better of just selling it and buying a car there? Does anyone know the cost from California (I'm assuming much more than the $2000 estimate quoted by some members here since it is much farther than SoFlo)
2) Any random advice on what to bring? I'm planning on just bringing the essentials, no furniture etc. but was wondering if anyone got there and realized they should have packed differently or included items not usually thought of.
Thanks for all the help and see you October 15!
Madeline
Posted : August 12, 2010 4:32 pm
If there is any small, light thing - foodstuffs, toiletries, special coffee - that you can't live without, bring it with you.
Posted : August 12, 2010 5:30 pm
I'm going to guess "not worth it" on shipping the car, because of its relatively low value, and having to spend extra to ship from far-away CA. I think you'll come out ahead by selling the Jetta in a private sale in CA, spending $0 on shipping and import taxes, and buying a used car here in a private sale. Cars are more expensive here than on the mainland because of the built-in shipping cost, but you should still come out ahead by selling there and buying here.
Posted : August 12, 2010 7:11 pm
I just went back to the mainland (for other reasons) and brought with me some of the stuff that we found ourselves wishing we'd brought when we moved here in early July. Those things included:
a grocery bag full of spices (too expensive here, and dirt cheap at a middle eastern market in Phoenix)
small candles (for power outages, hurricanes, etc.)
extra flashlights/headlamps
random small kitchen gadgets like a grater, etc.
air pump for our car's tires
chocolate and other candy treats that are unavailable or too expensive here
winter clothes (for visiting the mainland when it's cold)
Most of these things are available here, but they tend to be more expensive, and since I had a free checked bag, it made sense to just ship them down here on the flight. Seems silly to let things collect dust at our home up there when we could be using them here. If I'd had room for my juicer, I would have brought it, too!
Posted : August 13, 2010 8:10 pm
I am considering a move to STJ as well. I am also debating Maui. Having gone over the pros and cons of each for many months I still find it hard to believe I am weighing both locations (and I have been to both). Since you are coming from California such as myself I am curious why you would choose STJ over Hawaii?
Dave
Posted : August 13, 2010 10:40 pm
Be sure to refridgerate/freeze your spices and chocolate.
Posted : August 13, 2010 11:18 pm
The longer I live here, the less I remember what I missed, or wish I'd brought, or what I left behind.
Truth is, you can get or order anything you decide you should have brought. Predicting "what" you'll really miss is likely personal and will be dwarfed by what you brought that didn't turn out . And if you have to bring spices to save money, you can't afford to move here.
Posted : August 14, 2010 12:26 am
The longer I live here, the less I remember what I missed, or wish I'd brought, or what I left behind.
LOL and amen. If you are worrying all the time about what you don't have, could have, used to have, you are on the short timer list.
Posted : August 14, 2010 2:05 am
I just got back from the states, where I bought a bunch of summer clothes and sandals, all half-price at end-of season sales. In the USVI, the clothes are not just more expensive, but there's little selection.
Posted : August 14, 2010 3:04 am
The longer I live here, the less I remember what I missed, or wish I'd brought, or what I left behind.
Truth is, you can get or order anything you decide you should have brought. Predicting "what" you'll really miss is likely personal and will be dwarfed by what you brought that didn't turn out . And if you have to bring spices to save money, you can't afford to move here.
Spoken like a true "I live here and you don't" or "I've been here forever and you'll never make it" snob. No wonder some people get the impression that this board is trying to encourage them not to come here.
It's not a matter of "have to." It's "want to." Why pay for new things when I already have perfectly good ones sitting around? Why intentionally pay extra for something when it's easy to get it cheaper and often higher quality? And what's wrong with bringing some of the comforts of the mainland to enjoy here?
Posted : August 14, 2010 12:51 pm
If you are worrying all the time about what you don't have, could have, used to have, you are on the short timer list.
The longer I live here, the more I think that the "short timer list" is not such a bad place to be.
Posted : August 14, 2010 2:00 pm
aussie: Then you are definitely on the list!;)
Posted : August 14, 2010 2:19 pm
aussie: Then you are definitely on the list!;)
Yeah, I think so, EE. I've been here 4 years but, by island standards, that still has me on the short list.
Posted : August 14, 2010 2:47 pm
(1) Sell the car and buy on island. A Jetta is not the most practical car for STJ anyway; 4WD and ground clearance are the name of the game here.
(2) https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,90834,90834#msg-90834
Posted : August 26, 2010 5:14 pm
