Moving/Finding work

I forgot to mention that I would be moving with my other half who is a Special Ed teacher. We are used to living modestly. We dont want a big place; even a studio apartment. No kids or anything like that. Will we be able to make it despite the debt we would be comign to the island with.

sand86,

Sorry if this sounds flip -- it's not meant to be at all -- but the only person who can really answer that question is you. Everyone's idea of (and comfort levels with) living modestly and "making it" are so very different that it's just impossible to answer you with any level of accuracy.

Please do a search of the board -- there's a lot of discussions about the types of questions to ask yourself and issues to investigate. Look for posts about how much money you will need to tide you over after you move and while you look for work, discussions about the need for patience and being willing to take one, maybe even two, jobs outside of your field to make ends meet while you wait to find the right job in your field. Talk with your other half about being willing to keep working outside of your field because it pays more to wait tables than it does for a position in your area of expertise.

Then plan a pre move visit in which you live here like a resident, not a tourist. Go grocery shopping to see if you can afford the foods you like, and discuss if you're willing to change your diet to have money for other things, like paying off your loans. Do laundry, figure out how much it will cost to get around, and how much rent/utilities you'll pay to live where you'd be most comfortable. Take enough time on island to help determine how well you deal with the slower pace of life, the reality of lizards and other critters that come wkith island living, life with "navy" showers and other water condservation necessities, and how it feels to be on a pretty small rock in the middle of a whole lot of water.

You're asking the right questions for sure -- hopefully the previous discussions on this board plus a PMV will help you find answers that allow you to make the big move decision with confidence.

--HC

I have waited in fine dinning for a few years so I have serious waiting expirience. Ive read quite a ways back in posts in the last few days, but I also did the same about a year back. Soo I have read quite a bit. Thankyou for the advice though. It just seems like such a daunting move. We have been discussing it for sometime and feel that the slow down in life would be good for us. I think the real thing that I am worried about is making enough to live and pay back my debt. Maybe I will have to try to get it paid off stateside. Thankyou in advance to anyone else who offers any tips or advice. I guess hurricanes are a compromise. I mean i definitly won't have to drive through feet of snow and over icy roads which probably kills far more people annualy than hurricanes.

One other thought -- ask Alexandra Marshall, a real estate agent and regular on this board, about opportunity and earnings in your field. She moved here a few years back and has developed a pretty impressive understanding about the real estate and property management industries of STX. If there's anyone on the board who can let you know about prospects in your chosen profession, it's her.

As one who grew up in Michigan and lived in Pennsylvania and DC, trading off wintery hell, air pollution, traffic and some pretty darn rude folks for wonderfully nice folks, fabulous blue skies and even bluer water, time to breathe clean pure air, and the risk of a hurricane (an even to not be taken lightly) is a pretty good deal for us.

You're right, this is a big, big decision. It may be hard to believe, but even though my hubby and I were a bit older and more established financially (e.g. no debt except a mortage, decent accessible savings, and money set aside for retirement) when we looked at moving, we didn't do any less thinking, or stressing out, over the decision than you are. I'm glad we did, as there were almost no surprises for us throughout the adventure, and we were united on all of the major fronts, which took the stress levels down before, during and after the big move.

It actually took us a year and a trip to Kauai St. Thomas to decide we think we'd like to live in the USVI (December 2002 to December 2003), then 2 more months to decide that if we did move we'd go to St. Croix. After that, it was a whirlwind of activity. By the end of February 2003, we had the PMV planned,and came down on April 12, 2004. Bought out house three days later, returned to DC on April 20, 2004. Then we moved to insane chaos: started packing, put our condo on the market, sold one car, worked out how to telecommute to my current job, arranged for shipping our car and our belongings, sold off all our furniture and the condo, got our plane tickets and cat travel reservations set, got a mailing address set up on island before moving -- I am still astounded that we got all of this done in just over 30 days! We arrived on STX and, aside from one moment in which I first saw the fixer-upper home we bought and just how bad off it was and what it would take to make it liveable, let alone MINE, we knew this was exactly where we needed to be.

THings will work out for you -- your posts send out a feeling that you know how to balance your cautious nature with your desire to slow down and taste the coconuts. Talk to Alexandra for sure, then come on down this summer when its cheaper and get a first hand feel. You'll know after that if and when living on STX would be right for you.

--HC

Sorry to ramble on and on....

Also, not to be a bummer; but you've just finished your degree. It is difficult to get a professional job - especially for a decent amount of money. We met a young man who has now been on island 5 weeks - still looking for a job. And a bona-fide social worker who can't make it on the $16,000/year salary she was offered. So, will you probably have to live differently -yes. How different you're willing to go is the question. You will 'probably' make more money working as a waitress, or in retail. Having just finished your degree, is that what you want? Only you know.
On the plus side, it is a gorgeous island, and there are wonderful people to meet from all walks of life. Its a laid-back casual life style that can't be beat.
Life is all about trade-offs. You need to come for yourself and see what is worth a trade-off for you.

Here is one thought. Go to Davescafe.com Find a job teaching Enlish in Korea; together you and your other half could easily save 20-25 thousand. Then, move to islands with that cash. My sister's friend came home with 30,000 after a year, working for a language institute and teaching privately.

Also, reconsolidate your loans if you have multiple loans. You call that debt? Hah

Yeah im making out well with scholarships so there won't be much debt. Thankyou for the advice. Not to offend any social workers who may be on this board, but theu dont make much anywhere. What I really want to do for a career is invest in real estate, but I know I will need other work. Bob2, I have to say that teaching in Korea thing is actualy right up our alley. Thankyou for the advice.

I have another question. We like to cook for ourselves a lot. I was going through the list on the main site. I was wondering how much a few things cost (Pasta, Fresh Fish, Other seafood) or anything that is abnormal high priced there that I should be warned about. I already saw how much milk costs. I may have to cut back. I drink around 2 gallons a week. Well thats all I can think of for now. We really liked that idea about teaching English in Korea for a year. Thanks everyone

sand86,

My mantra about prices of food here is "dairy is scary." It's not just milk -- all dairy products from cheese to ice cream are very pricey. My number one shocker: a 16 oz Breakstone's low-fat cottage cheese cost me close to $5 on my last shopping trip.

Produce can also be insanely overp[riced and for questionable quality items at some of the chain stores, but there are local vendors from whom you can get better products at a lower price. There's a woman nearby with a roadside stand that sells avacados the size of the small nerf footballs for a third of the price of a much smaller, and far more bruised, supermarket avacado.

Fresh fish is available in abundance from local fisherman. No problems with access to and cost for that particular item.

--HC

What fresh seafood is available there and how about their prices? Fish and other seafood happens to be my favorite kind of food. Still in the very early stages of considering this, but have been considering it for a year already. She and I have decided that a PMV is a definite although when we don't know. It won't be anytime soon. It has actualy helped our hectic lives even just talking about this as a possibility. Thankyou hipcrip for all of the advice that you have already offered us.

Sand86,
Believe it or not it is NOT a seafood lover's dream (I know, I'm a seafood lover!). Rarely do you see crab legs - and if you do they are expensive - like at Carambola's buffet at 30.00/person. (plus mandatory $6.00 tip). Lobster here is caribbean lobster and is different - sorry local lobsters, but you're just not as good- and priced about 25.00/dinner. Most fish in restaurants is Mahi, Tuna, Salmon and Wahoo typically. You can buy fresh fish from the local fishermaen but you have to know how to filet it and prepare it (I had a horrible battle with a live lobster...long story...). Seafood prices for anything in grocery stores is at least double of the states. I thought that was so strange! Even when I buy decent shrimp at Cost-U-less at $9.00 a pound, the label says 'previously frozen'. It was one of my shattered dreams when thinking of living on an island surrounded by the ocean...... I guess my favorites (crab and lobster) come from MUCH colder waters - and I don't wanna live there 😉

Well heres another point of view...........fresh mahi,tuna,wahoo, snapper, and lobster ....hours old ...is a far better product than you can get up north.....the "fresh" seafood in the northwest and northeast most times takes days or weeks in a boats hold to get to market....not hours .........and almost all shrimp must be frozen to be imported into the U.S...and I think the local lobster is much better than the New England lobster......but I grew up with warm water bugs...... like I said its aother point of view .......

Travelwoman et al...

You can get local lobster from the guy on the side of the road (we use the one up near Barren Spot) for about $10 apiece, but you have to get there early. They sell out of lobster quickly. I too have battled Larry Lobster - the best way is to stick his spiny butt in the freezer for a few minutes rather than have him trying to scoot away. He goes to sleep. I feel your pain, Travelwoman - nothing like battling the Big One across the kitchen! One day in Chenay Bay I found what I thought was dinner - forgot about water magnification - he was just a little guy when we got him to the surface, so he got to play Free Willy.

Conch is really reasonable - $10 for about 3 lbs. or more - we can easily eat off a bag of it twice...It's very rich. If you have a) all day to cook it, or b) a pressure cooker, you can have some mighty fine meals. But lord, get the stuff from the fishermen that is already cleaned...what a total mess if it isn't. And hold on tight, it's slippery....

Crab? Nope. Very sad. No oysters, either...very sad again. Shrimp? Not happening. Wahoo? Every day. At first I cringed when I saw the guy with the machete and the very large fish on the side of the road...now I step right up with everyone else. If you're smart, you'll talk to a local and find out where they get theirs and how much they pay...and there are a couple of fish markets on St. Croix, but I haven't set foot in them yet. If you talk nice to the guy on the side of the road, sometimes he will take pity on the poor mainlander and filet it for you! There's also the open air market at La Reine. Be there when the fishermen roll in about 11 - they will be gone by 1 o'clock to ply their wares at the hotels.

I know that I can't expect New England sea food, but that doesn't mean it isn't as good. I don't mind cleaning and fileting my own fish and dealing with lobsters isnt an issue either. I have heard conch is good but haven't tried it yet. The issues that you have raised dont seem to be things that would bother me. Although the lobster in Maine freshly caught and boiled on the dock is the best seafood ive had to date, but Im sure the fresh seafood down there is fantastic as well. So this all sounds good to me. I was thinking more of what you could buy from local fisherman as that is almost always the freshest and cheapest.

There is nothing better nor sweeter than a freshly caught caribbean lobster, straight from the water, into the pot Yam..Yam.

On grabs, nope, no Alaskan grabs or Maine grabs there. Has to be sand grab, when in season or blue crabs..Blue crabs, Yam..Yam.. boil them up with a little hot sause or curry..You can eat the shell as you go..

Sand86, if you haven't tried conch yet, you don't know what you're missing, Yam..Yam. Of course, a pressure cooker is a must-have.

What about a fresh snaper? From the water, onto the cutting board, clean him up and cut him up while he's still shaking and then right onto the grill.Yam..Yam.

Can't wait to get back home to STX and go fishing......56 days and counting!!!!

Sorry Ive never seen conch around here although my girlfriend and I would love to try it. Fresh snapper sounds good though. The more I read the more the USVI seems to match my personality. Ahhhhh makes me wish I could consider moving sooner. Do most people treat their cistern water with chlorine? How many of you use cistern water as your drinking water? And finaly what are the most popular water treatment options other than chlorine? I really don't like chlorine if you can't tell. I know there are differences between each end of the island. So lets see if I have this straight. The east end is dryer than the west end right. Is the west end terribly muggy or is there usually a descent breeze? I like to be able to breath not drink the air. Well its St. Patty's day CHEERS

Yes im bringing my post back to the surface. I just don't see the need to keep adding new ones. I read on a post that younger people my be better suited by St T than St Croix and I understand what you are saying, but is STX really boring. I know it is definitly a personal preference sort of thing. I would understand if I was in the singles scene, but my girlfriend and I like it pretty quiet. We just like hanging out with a smallish group of friends. Is there other young couples on STX. We liked the sound of STX because of the quiet, price, population density, etc. I guess we will look at both islands. Also correct me if I am wrong but in a research paper I did for my statistics class; STX seems to be further from the main hurricane track (IE fewer hurricanes). We really are a intimidated by them. What do you expect there totaly foreign to us except from the news of course. I have to add that the people on this forum are really friendly which I like. A significant influence on my decision to go to this College was because the people were friendly, which you don't find everywhere.

Thankyou again
Sand

sand86

St Croix is a great place to live and meet low key people. the talk about night life is intended for short termers who come to the island to party for a while (sometimes years) st Thomas is usually the place they find more action.

So, yes St Croix might be more to your liking.

Hurricanes hardly happen ha ha....

Can you spell HUGO? In 1989 hurricane Hugo hit St Croix and destroyed many homes businesses as well as ripping up trees plants and coral. It has taken St Croix all these years (over 16) for real estate prices to get back to that level. St Thomas was hit to a lesser degree. But then St Thomas got it bad from hurricane Marilyn in 1955. So..o if you want to avoid hurricanes I suggest New Mexico.

More seriously, The ABC islands (Aruba,Bonaire and Curacao) are considered "hurricane safe. But,who'd like to live there?

Keep asking questions and be sure to come over for a visit soon.

I'm sorry marilyn was in 1995. But I'm not as sorry as the people on St Thomas who had to rebuild after Marilyn.

I wasnt saying free of hurricanes. I was just saying from the maps of historical hurrican tracks all the way back to the 1800s STX was hit less than the other VI's. I know they are a threat that we will ahve to live with. Also we are not thinking of the VI as a temporary residence or a place to party, but a place to build a life.

The islands are relatively small rocks in a vast ocean and though hurricane hits are infrequent, they have happened to all of the USVIs. Afterwards you pick up the pieces and keep going. Life is dangerous and nobody gets out alive.

I too am sorry that Marilyn was in 1995! I do not ever ever wish to live through a period like that. But to sand86- this is Hurricane Alley. You buys your ticket and you takes your chances. You try to be as safe as you can. You prepare for the worst and hope for the best. You get on your knees and pray.

If I could only think of a few more hackneyed sayings! 😉

Wait a second! dntw8up was on the same wavelength! 😀

Best place to get fresh seafood is on the island. There is a market across from Larein Shopping Center on STX where you can get Fresh Seafood, and ground provision to cook w/it. Also, do not hesitate to stop by the trucks that sells fish by the side of the roads, and also fresh vegetables. It is also the same on ST. Thomas. Healthier lifestyle when it comes to fresh produce/food is a guarantee on the Island than it would be in the States.

Gotta be better fresh seafood there if you can get it off the truck... In Texas you see the "Fresh" seafood truck too, but you dont stop... you STEP ON THE GAS!!!!!!!