Moving to the USVI: Yes or No?

Moved her from SF in September 2000 and love it. I am in a bit different situation - married with one child so don't go out partying but there are places to go. The weather is fantastic. You will miss the restaurants in SF. There are great restaurants here but all the good ones are expensive. Not like SF where you can get a great meal for $5-$10. You will miss not being able to have food delivered to your house. And there are no places where you can walk and shop and people watch like Haight Street or Union Street. There isn't the huge diversity of cultures here although there is diversity. People are very friendly if you are friendly - say Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Night (yes, that is hello here) and you will receive a warm reception. Tell me any other questions you have. I love SF, lived there for 18 years. It is one of the best cities to live in. But after living in St. Thomas for over three years now I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

I would answer yes to all your questions and second the advice given by Donna above, adding that many of the places that we've each come from, have had their own special things that we were used to and of course St.Thomas, St.John and St.Croix offer very unique special charms of their own to be added to your life experience.

I loved to ski at Breckenridge, I love Chicago (in the Spring and Summer), the Lyric Opera - a very similarly sized program and company to the SF Opera.

You have the blessing it seems of getting to not only continue to be surrunded part of the year with that which is known to you, while at the same time, taking on the joys of our part of the world.

Embrace it with open arms!

Soon come!

Donna, et al:

We're a couple in our (early) 50's looking to purchase a (vacation) home (condo) in STT. What we expect to do is visit for 3-4 weeks each year for the next 3-4 years and then spend about 5-6 months each year there thereafter (while keeping our primary home in New Jersey). We've visited St. Thomas several times during a cruise, but really haven't spent a lot of time there. We're returning for a week in April to determine if "Island Life" fits us. (It's either STT or Florida).

Questions:

We would appreciate some insight regarding "transplanted" living on the islands. For example: geting started, places to shop, cultural activities, things to do (other than the obvious water sports), etc. (we're both very active people).
How are "partial term" residents received by the (long term) residents?
Any additional info on the East End would be appreciated. (We're currently considering Point Pleasant Villas).
Are there any groups (or web sites) for people like us in the V.I.'s.
We plan to purchase a boat............any insight regarding where to purchase, marinas/yacht clubs to join, sailing the islands, etc.
Note: We're not treating our week in April as a "vacation"...we're looking to do a lot of investigation, shopping for food, visiting marinas, etc., other things that a "resident" might do.

Thanks,

Mike

Thanks so much for your responses. I am very excited to explore a whole new part of the world. How fun!

Mike,

Where do you live in NJ???
I'm a Jersey-ite as well, and also looking at places in STT during April...that would be funny if we have the same realtor.

Sandi

The Jersey Shore.

Brick.

What places are you looking at?
Have you done any research?

My .02c:
My hubby and I moved here from SF/Oakland 1.5 yrs ago. I am a 33-yo attorney and the hubby is a 47-yo goldsmith: we do not have children.
There is a social group of 30-something professionals, many of whom appreciate the occasional beverage with alchohol. As Donna mentioned, the restaurants are significantly more expensive and there isn't much of a destination-spot, like the Mission, but you make do.
We spend most of our time: eating, meeting for drinks at local bars, seeing movies at the only theater in town, thinking of ways to get off the island, drinking (did I say that already), and attending every cultural event to come to town.
Your happiness on-island will depend a great deal on you. Perhaps your new work colleagues can assist in your transition to the STT social scene?
As with all places, the key to having a good time will be your attitude and finding a fun group of folks to hang out with.
Feel free to drop us an email when you are on-island in April so that we can try to give you a preview of what you may expect.
Tommy's anyone?

Mike,
My b/f's company relocated there, so the realtor has lined up places for us to see. He has been going back and forth for a year now, but we only just recently agreed to make the move...The only research so far has been done via eating and drinking at the local restaurants and bars.
As far as what type of place? I would like water-front on St. John, will prob. end up with a 2 b/r condo on St.Thomas..Champagne taste, beer budget.

And you, Brick is nice, are you looking for something similar.

Sandi

Hi,

I saw you found a home..Congratulations!!!!

Sandi

Mike...

Seem like your situation and mine are pretty similar. My wife and I are in our mid to late 50's, looking at retirement in the next 6 or 7 years, and want to buy a condo as an investment until then. St. Thomas & St. John are out of the question for financial reasons (is there that much of a difference from one island to another?), but we've looked at St. Croix and so far we've been pleasantly surprised.

We just wanted to get some input from anyone who might read this as to what they think of living on St. Croix 6-8 months out of the year and spending the rest of the time back in our old territory (northeastern Mass.). For my part, I'd just as soon limit my off-island excursions back to New England to a couple of WEEKS instead of months, but I think my wife will prevail there.

Thanks for any input!

Andy

Onika: It would be fun to get together and talk about the Bay Area and St. Thomas. Email me if you are interested.

To the rest: about moving here - It is a great place to live. Quieter than city life which is great. People are welcoming. I would say after 3 years I have better friends here than I did in the states. People seem to have more time here. Not so rushed.

Andy and Mike,

Do you think it's midlife crisis? My husband and I are interested in relocating to STX within the next 5 years too. We're visiting STX next month for a couple of weeks hoping to find a condo to purchase for use 3-4 weeks per year for now with rental the remainder of the year. I am not sure that I could live there full time although my husband is ready to move tomorrow.

We'e in our 50's and have been here about 8 months. We like it. We've been treated politely by natives. We do try and avoid the government and costumer service is not great, but all in all, we like it and we're staying.

My fiance and I are moving down there this summer, probably late August. I'm 25, he's 32 - we're a fun couple that would love to grab a drink with you and your wife occassionally! We'll be down April 24th to May 4th if you'll be around and want to meet up. Email us at stuandjanelle@yahoo.com if you want to discuss pros/cons of moving.

Lot's of folks looking to "feel better"....We are a young/old couple who has spent much time in the USVI over the past 15 years. We were from Santa Cruz county in northern California (another St Croix). We no longer work and have relocated to the sierra foothills in northern california. Over the past few years (starting in 1990) we have spent time on St Croix. We have been to "many" other island locations. The right one for us is STX. We no longer consider our time in St Croix a vacation, but being at another of our homes. We now spend mostly winter months here to enjoy the sunshine and warm water. We will probably never be here full time, because as we age certain social and medical services are better back in the states. It is good to be realistic about our needs and wants. I wish all you "seekers" well.
go"gettum"

Youth is wasted on the young, isn't it...

PH

Thank to everyone for the comments. We are making the move, leaving the scene, gonna take some time to take some time.

All the best

Remember to keep us informed....
Congratulations!

Mike,
My wife and I are in similar situation (I am 49 and she is 43) although we are a little farther along in the getting on island process. We looked at Point Pleasant and it appears to be a nice place. However, the hills at the resort could be a little demanding. We both exercise at a gym 3-4 time a week, but being active walking around Point Pleasant would be demanding. The views from some of the villas are fantastic though!
We ended up buying at Sappahire Beach. I heard all the positive and negatives about both places and It best fit our needs. We actually close on the condo next week maybe..as you have read on this board about island time it could take some time. We signed the contract in January and are waiting for the title work to be completed. No big hurry we will not be back until October.
We have visited STT and STJ but not STX and heard some negative things about STX from STT "natives", but as many people on this message board that are moving to STX we will check it out. The condo is only temoporay to get to know more of the islands. We want to buy a home eventually. We too plan to be on island only part the time and travel back to where we live in Northern Kentucky.
We have met some great people on the island and end up spending several evenings at Latitude 18 on the East End. We have not ventured to any other local gatherings, but plan to seek some out when we retrun in October.I think the as Donna said above if you are friendly you will get a like response.

Good luck in your search!

Ric and I are from Louisville! Where in Northern KY do you live? And can you believe UK got beat soooo fast?

skt:

We've done a lot of investigation regarding many properties on St. Thomas. Two realtors that we have spoken to have been very negative on Sapphire. They indicated that there are severe financial problems there and recommended that we look elsewhere. One person told us that the hotel plan management company hasn't paid owners in two years. We'll check further when we get there.

Yes, we are concerned about the layout of Point Pleasant, but fortunately we're in good physical shape.

By the way can I ask what you paid for your unit and how much work is needed? Do you plan to rent it when you're not there? Any financials on Sapphire would be appreciated.
(mikehrom@yahoo.com)

Sharon:

No, it's not "mid-life crisis". This is part of our "early retirement" plan. We expect to keep our summer home in New Jersey. We were considering Florida, but St. Thomas seems so much better. I guess I'm a romantic. Of course we hope to be able to adjust to "island living".

Mike (alis Future Islander)