moving to usvi straight after highschool

Figure on $10,000. That will get you here, rent you something temporary for few weeks until you find an apartment and a job, give you $$$ for first, last and security on an apartment, and buy you a very cheap car.

i moved here with 3,000 dollars two dogs and no idea where to stay or work seven months later i have a home and a great job it all depends on your comfort level

But, Hal, the big question here is, would you recommend $3,000 for Corbin? I did it with $7,000, and that was to STT in January of '98. I'd say $10K is a good number to shoot for. I mean, let's face it, first, last and security on an apartment is gonna run at least $1,500, even on STX. Spend a grand on a car, $250 for insurance and now he's only got $250 to spend on food and entertainment until he finds a job? That's cutting it kinda close, for me, at least. Plus, remember that a very large percentage of people move down here thinking it's gonna be one thing, only to find that it's another. Without a PMV, I'd say that having a little extra cash handy 'just in case' would be a very prudent idea, indeed. JMHO, of course.

Corbin,
I dont think many of us here remember what it was like to be your age. I know I can remember surviving on beer and Top Ramen noodles in college. When it comes to money and moving to the Virgin Islands it just depends on what you are comfortable with. I needed $12k just for first months last months and a deposit but I am a long way removed from High School and my housing selection was probably a little different then what you will be looking at.
Bottom line is at your age you have all kinds of options and if it works out super if not you have your whole life ahead of you. If you want to come down here, I say go for it. Save a couple thousand dollars to get you started and find some roomates. There are always people looking for just a roomate so not much in deposits required.

I would say shoot for saving as much money as possible. If you can come down with $3k+ it will make your move less stressfull. As long as you have enough money left over are credit to purchase a airline ticket in case you need to eject, you will be fine.

Best of Luck

Dear Corbin,

My advice is to save all that money and use it to continue your education. Job options for a high school graduate here with no work experience are limited to say the least. Hope you've already researched this forum by clicking onto the first annoucement at the top of this page. Good luck to you whatever you decide to do.

What I would recommend was what my daughter did. Go to work with Club Med or another company like that. It will get you to different islands, and you will get some experence of what island living is like.

Club Med takes care of housing and food, and you work a 6 month season. Most kids work one or two seasons. My daughter did eight. It really taught her a lot, and helped her to be more independant.

Then if you want to move to the USVI, you will have a better understanding and a little work experence to market yourself.

Hello there. As odd as it may sound, I agree with all of the above. If you truly want to move, are willing to live in one room while you bust your butt waiting on tables at night and store clerking during the day, you probably will do fine. I did the same, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The caveat, however, is that I did it in the mountains of Mexico where the cost of living was ridiculously cheap. Still, if you are driven.......

I also would support thinking about going to college, either here or at home. It is something that once put off, could be put off forever. It is harder to prove yourself without a degree. The degree shows that you can maintain commitment, have the ability to learn in various disciplines, etc.

What are your skills right now? It sounds as if you have worked, but doing what? What would be your age at graduation? How much in savings bonds will you have (the closeout amount...not the face value).

I think these are kind of important questions. Will check back to see what the scoop is.

Warmly

Dan (from STX)

I just wanted to say - GO FOR IT!!

If you are going to do it, do your research and lay off the alcohol. If you can avoid the island's vices, you'll be ahead.

Don't burn your bridges with family and friends back home - and plan as though you'll be going back to college some day soon. Think of your island time as an experience, but not a lifetime. All the while, keep the future on your horizon. Life on the island is best lived by those who can afford to live well - whether by education, experience or sheer luck. Find a mentor while you are there.

Good luck Hon!

thanks for all the posts everyone,

to answer a few questions:

my savings bonds are somewhere around $600+.

i dont currently have a job but im looking, and planning on saving about 95% of the money i make in another bank account.

im perfectly fine living on top ramon and water, lol

im planning on going to real estate school

ill be 18 after ive graduated, but am thinking of waiting 1 year after graduation to move

and i think that was most the questions asked if not all

oh, and i was wondering if thers any hostels or something similar anywher in the USVI, that i could stay in while looking for an apartment and job?

No hostels in the USVI, unfortunately.

Hi everyone, I loved reading these posts because I'm also interested in moving to the islands except I will most likely be doing it after I graduate from college. I am only a freshmen right now so waiting 3 or 4 more years is going to be torture. I recently started considering living on STT or STX for 2 or 3 months during the summer between June and August. Almost like an extended vacation except I would of course be working. I was just wondering if any of you had any thoughts about this or recommendations. Would it be difficult to find places that will rent to you for that short of a period? Would I be fine without a car?/ are the taxi's still running even though its not really tourist season? Also would it be harder to find jobs waitressing or in shops because it's not tourist season?