Moving, Work, and other

Well, I dived in St John and we only run into one sand shark. I would assume that they do excist. StX is a the largest of the 3 island and might therefore have a lot more option for children. I know they have a great choice of private schools.

From what I have read land which does have well water is more expensive. If you buy on the wetter side of the island I understand that you will be able to collect enough rainwater.

STX has plans for a large consruction project. Convention center etc. It also has still enough building land. I would contact local firms and send them my resume. Perhaps pick a month in which you can travle to the island to interview in person. Let them know when and you might just get an appoinment.

I do understand that many people tell you that you do have to be on the island before finding a job. But for a family with 4 children that is too high a risk to take. I would only hope that a person who sees your qualifications is understanding enough to give you at least an interview.

I am reading the daily news on line everyday to get a feel of he ongoings.
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/

Can you build bubble/doom buildings? 😉 I am interessted in this kind of structure because it seems to be perfect for the VI enviorment
http://www.zdomes.com/

Iris

Hey Michigander!

Had to jump in and say hello and reassure you that you cannot ever ask too many questions about sometnhing as big as relocating yourself and your family from mid-Michigan to the USVI.

I lived most of my life in Michigan (Walled Lake/Novi area, college years in Ann Arbor and Saginaw, and most recently in Lansing), and moved to St. Croix at the end of May this year. I adore it here -- don't think I could have done anything better in my life -- but it is very different from where you're coming from. Even though there's only 50k people on the island of St. Croix and there are no cities (I consider C'sted and F'sted towns), living here might have more in common with urban life in Michigan than it does with living in small towns/rural areas:

--You indicated "redneck" in your description of your current location. While the specific demographics vary based on where you read them, the population of the USVI is about 75% black/West Indian/African-descent, 15% Hispanic/Puerto Rican/folks from other Caribbean Islands, and the remaining 10% are Caucasian, Arab/Middle Eastern, Asian and such. People who identify with some of the values found in rural "redneck" communities might find it difficult to make the adjustment to being in the minority. On the other hand, the pace/way of life here is very much like small town Michigan (it's amazing how everyone seems to know everyone else), and STX offers many options for rural living because isn't as developed at St. Thomas.

--Despite the small town feel, crime rates here are higher than what you find in many Michigan small towns (Big Rapids comes to mind). This doesn't mean that there is reason to live in fear and let paranoia run your life -- but it does mean that it's wise to practice the same common-sense preventive measures you'd engage if you lived in the city (locking your house and car at night and when you leave, being cautious of where you travel alone and/or at night, being aware of your surroundings, etc.)

--I'm not sure the added cost/effot of getting land with a well or where one could be drilled is worth it. My hubby and I have made the adjustment from wells/city water to using a 25k gallon cistern for everything except drinking and cooking. After watching how our first few months of usage have affected our water levels, we're pretty certain that we're not likely to run out of water, and have heard others on this board say that they also realized that they didn't have to conserve as much as they originally thought they would. Even if we do have to buy a truckload of water now and then, I think I'd rather pay the $170 for 4-5k gallons when I need it than getting a house with a well.

I dont have kids, so I'll leave it to the well-educated others who do to answer questions about where they would benefit most.

Would be happy to chat about the mundane -- and want to welcome you to this terrific community.

HC

Well Iris, that's funny because I was thinking of the same thing on the way home the other day. All that I know about them; The design is strong, less construction mat'l used but to get the local building inspector to pass it. It is like pulling teeth because it's rare, ugly, and it's hard to figure out for the old guys. About everything just can't be approved by an Architect that is desiging it. You have to have a Civil Structural Engineer to stamp it as well. (then you have Zdoom or alike) their own Architects and Engineers has to have a licence to practice in a state or any other place.
But thanks for your help

Hipcrip,

That's cool your from MI. I live in Midland, but work in Saginaw "sagnasty" So how would you rate it for being near or alike, I go up to Mackinaw and St. Ignace allot in the summer Then Higgins,and Wixom lake. I love that feel of life. And I am hoping STX will be similar in nature. For being a Minority I wouldn't feel it, maybe a little at first. Hell, I grew up in the Sanford Lake area I'm sure I'll notice a little LOL. But I'm real sad; born, raised, bought a house, had a family in Midland Co. "I need a life, a change!" But ya, how about an area to look for a house, I was thinking of getting a apartment first to get the feel of the communities before I think about buying. For a decent house I been seeing a price tags of 150k and up. is that about right? But the real deal is finding work if you know what I mean.

Michigander

On the plus side, construction is up almost 100 percent on STX over last year. I live on the east end, and there are quite a few houses, including mansions, going up.

I almost moved to Midland a couple of years ago. It looks like a very nice city and a great place to raise kids.

Hello,

1. I have (4) Children ages 4-11yrs. Which island would be best to raise them?

The public schools in general have issues; do research on this on this message board, on the internet in USVI newspapers online. Some of the elementary schools are Ok but the junior highs and high schools can be a challenging in terms of different factors from peer pressure, drugs, sex ect. to large classrooms, teachers ect. There are private schools but they are pricey; most of the private schools have family discounts. Education is definately something you need to research well. As for activities you will have to search them out but there are lots of fun things for them to get involved in; school plays, theatre groups, boy/girls scouts, baseball, basketball... sports... diving, sailing, fishing... watersports, church activities, kids tournaments (fishing, kayaking, walking/running...), father day hikes, mom/baby or toddler groups....

2. You guys have shark problems? No we don't. There are sharks but shark attacks are rare.

3. Finding work! I know employers would rather hire some one in person than being on main land, My back grounds are; Design Build to suit in Architectural and Industrial, Project Management, Concrete Design Testing, and Estimating. You think I may have a chance?

Check out the yellow pages for companies/agencies and start calling around. www.viphonebook.com

4. Water?? How hard would it be to have a well drilled I noticed on the national geological web site that they are around 100' to 150' deep.

Not many people have wells. Most people have cisterns and collect rain water. If your rain collected cistern water runs out then you buy water and its delivered in big trucks and put in the cistern. The wells that I know of are in low lying areas/valleys.... I have no idea how deep they are.

5. Crime, compared to living in the country as in if you forget to lock you door at night it will be o.k.

Do a search on this topic, lots of threads. The search option is at the top of the message board.

6. If anyone out there would like to chat about less inportant things to help me out, I would sure be happy.

What other topics are you interested in... ask away!!

--Islander