Moving to STT in October!

Are you dead set on STT? I honestly don't know much of anything personally on STT but I do know that STX is a bit more affordable when it comes to housing. You could get a 2 or even 3 bdrm place in that price range here on STX. I'm sure someone will have some great STT advice for you but thought I'd throw out the price difference if you're flexible.

I would not ever secure a place site unseen here. I moved here in July 2014 and after seeing 30+ apts I can tell you MOST are not as they appear in pictures. My best luck was pounding pavement here calling on every roadside sign I saw. I was lucky enough to have 30 days accomadations to give me some time, but it took that entire time.

what sparty said, no matter which island you choose

Try Craig's List Virgin Islands.
Your best bet for finding people looking for roommates and apts.
Don't rent sight unseen and depending where you work will affect where you choose to live. Most areas do not have public transportation and what there is, is not convenient.
On STT, you'll find you'll need a car to get around.
Bring $$$$$$$$!

Are you moving on a whim or have you already done a PMV?

I suggest you up your budget if you want to live solo. There's precious little on the lower end of your scale unless you want to live in a basically unsafe part of town or w-a-a-a-y out on the West end. Look for the share situation in that price range. There are usually several people advertising on craigslist for roommates.

Thank you all for your help. I need all of the advice I can get.

I have visited before but at the time I wasn't planning to move there. I have recently graduated from college with my bachelors in biology and I am wanting to try and get a mammal training internship or apprenticeship with Coral World on the north east side of the island. I know that this job would not pay much but I don't mind having two jobs. It's more about the experience for me. If that doesn't work out I have waitressing experience and am willing to work wherever I can get a job. I have always wanted to live in St. Thomas since I visited and I figure now is the best time before I'm settled down and married with children.

As for money, I'm figuring I'll have around $10,000-$15,000 saved up by the time I move there. I'm not sure if that is a realistic amount of money or if I will likely need more. I'm not a high maintenance person and will do whatever to make it work.

As for the apartment search, I'm figuring I need to wait until closer to October before narrowing down my options.

Sorry to see you pursue training in keeping marine mammals in capivity such as Coral World proposes with their permit application for creating a Dolphinarium which has not been approved by Army Corps of Engineers. Hopefully, it won't be.

It's bad enough that they are allowed to keep those 2 magnificent sea lions in a tiny concrete tank unless they're being trotted out to do tricks to entertain ignorant humans for food rewards.

I'm sure there are other jobs in which you can utilize your degree.

$15K won't go far by the time you pay, first, last and a security deposit, buy a car, pay for deposits for utilities if they are not included in rental amount, furnish, buy food, cleaning supplies, sheets towels, etc. It's not easy to get around without a car on STT. it can be done but will prove trying.

Check with Fish & Wildlife to see if they have any jobs, UVI has an excellent marine program, Maybe the National Park needs a biologist?

Read "The Case Against Marine Mammals In Captivity by the Humane Society International and the World Society for the Protection of Animals:
http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/marine_mammals/case_against_marine_captivity.pdf

"The Humane Society International and the World Society for the Protection of Animals have stated that they believe that "the entire captive experience for marine mammals is so sterile and contrary to even the most basic elements of compassion and humanity that it should be rejected outright."

Coral world also does restoration projects and research with the mammals.

I also don't see anything wrong with the sea lion encounters as long as the animals are being cared for and treated properly. It's just a difference of opinion.

Read "The Case Against Marine Mammals In Captivity by the Humane Society International and the World Society for the Protection of Animals:
[www.humanesociety.org]

"The Humane Society International and the World Society for the Protection of Animals have stated that they believe that "the entire captive experience for marine mammals is so sterile and contrary to even the most basic elements of compassion and humanity that it should be rejected outright."

I'm all for restoration projects, just not keeping marine mammals in captivity.
There's tons of info out there if you wish to really educate yourself on the ethics involved on this subject and the harm captivity actually does.

Coral World will love you as you're not even here yet and already brainwashed to toe their party line. The love interns who they can get to work for very little. The words, "indentured servitude" comes to mind. At least, you'll be free to leave once they are done using you.

The sanctimony aside... If you are not high maintenance as you claim that much money should be fine. I moved a family of three here with that much. It can be done. Remembering you are here to live and not on vacation is most important thing I can tell you. Follow your dreams

Educate yourself? Does the sanctimony ever end? We get it. You like bees and dolphins better than humans. Don't expect everyone to feel the same. I, personally, do not like captive marine mammals either but I'm not going to preach at and shame others. Don't like sea lion exhibit, don't go. Don't like GMOs, don't eat them. This person had questions about moving here and you turned it into your personal soapbox.

Stuff it Sparty. I'm tired of your rudeness and your sanctimonious attitudes. It's like having a forum stalker dealing with you. I've been polite and ignored your continuous jabs but pretty much over it.

Really? She asked simple questions and you took it upon yourself to basically crap on her plans. How am I sanctimonious here? Get over yourself. Pretty sure I commented first on this thread.. Who is the stalker? leave your judgemental attitudes for Under the Coconut Tree. Again, I offered constructive advice, you offered craigslist, sanctimony, and nonsense ideas that a single person would need more than $15k.

As I recall you came here with a good paying job and a place to live for a month while you sorted out your more permanent living accommodations and had time and resources to do.

You may have posted first, I didn't really notice but you continually dog my posts and have had a couple removed due to your rudeness towards me and it's tiresome.

I also gave callienicole other options for employment in case she should wish to explore them. She may find it more expensive to live here than she anticipates so it's good to prepare for that. I do wish her the best of luck. I do happen to be passionate in the fight against marine mammals in captivity.

Craig's List has options for her to explore room-mate situations.
Just as long as she doesn't rent sight unseen or send $$$ upfront.
Old Tart also mentioned that as an option to check out.

Alana, I removed them myself after regretting my language and personal attacks. I know you are passionate but your language was not nice. Calling her an indentured servant? You can be passionate but less rude. I am a big boy. You can come at me. Let her at least catch her breath. I am giving coconut tree a break. I'll find a new outlet to share pro science material so you can have your soapbox back. So, I did come here with 30 days accomadations but I did rent a car until I found one, I still had to pay for meals.. Wasn't exactly a place I could cook. 15k is a reasonable number to come with if you are smart about budgeting, do not expect a new car, don't mind buying used furniture. I did all that for less than that. I even bought some new furniture. I am all for making newcomers realize that STT is not a cheap place to live but every person is unique.

callienicole: That amount of money will set you up well but definitely look into the sharing situation to start off so you have a chance to settle in, find your way around, and get a vehicle (you'll really need one) without the commitment of a term rental. If you DO land a position at Coral Bay, you could rest your head at Rhoda's Guest House in Tillett Gardens for a week or so - sorry, I don't have the link to hand but you can easily find the website. From there you can hop on the $1 safari bus to get to CW which is about an 8 minute drive from there. As you start looking at possible apartment or share options, concentrate on the East end (not "north east"). Good luck!

http://www.rhodasguesthouse.com/

I have a friend that owns one of the townhouses at Pineapple Beach Villages. She has an studio rental that is presently available. It has its own courtyard and entrance, is furnished, there's a pool on the property and is a very short walk to its beach (Pineapple Beach) on Water Bay.

You can easily walk to Coral World from this location as Coki Beach is just across the road. Pineapple Villages is on the safari line so easy access to Red Hook. There's a 24 hr. manned gated entrance to the property so safety is not an issue.

They'll be opening Margaritaville later this summer at this location.
It might be a good fit to rent for a month and have time to look for other options or maybe you'll decide to rent longer.

You can't beat the fact that you don't need a car right off the bat to get back and forth to work which is a 10 min walk from the beach.

PM me if you want her contact info.

I have a friend that owns one of the townhouses at Pineapple Beach Villages. She has an studio rental that is presently available.

The OP isn't coming until October.

She rents both long and short term and has a couple rentals since as you know they constructed those villas to be able to rent to hotel guests overflow from the old Wyndham. They're 3&4 bedrooms, each with own bathrooms and with each having their own separate courtyard and private entrance. It's an option.

I know the units very well - have friends who own a couple of them. Good to know if she has something available by the time the OP decides to make the move later on in the year but I only mentioned it because you said she has a unit available now.

That's true. Thanks.

Callienicole,

I'm glad I saw this post. I can get you in touch with the internship coordinator at Coral World (if you haven't already been in contact) and you two can chat about the program and feasibility of moving here and all those details.

I completely agree with Sparty as well (EVERY point he made here, in fact)...$15k is enough to move here for a single person. My husband and I moved here and I'm pretty sure we didn't even spend this much. Its for sure good to err on the side of more money than you need rather than less, however that sounds like a good number as far as we were concerned.

As for "indentured servitude" of Coral World interns....well I can get you in touch with several if you want to talk with them and see what they have to say! In fact, many interns actually end up getting full time positions after their internships as well.

And yes, it is DEFINITELY good to fact check, and if you "wish to really educate yourself" on some of the finer details, I think it is very funny that Alana doesn't even know the correct number of sea lions Coral World is actually housing. Amusing.

Anyway, callienicole, feel free to send me a private message and we can chat, and I can also give you some correct, fact-based information about some of the rescue and rehabilitation projects Coral World currently has going on as well!

Talk to you soon!