need info

Thanks rusty
I live in mobile Ala and I am pretty much a minority here
We have a 9.5 % sales tax the police are going after all citizens in the form of traffic tickets power is high here as is state income tax. I can go to the VA if need be but I am incredibly healthy. We are self sufficient and make do with what we have.
We have some monies and monthly social security will take care of rent and power. Being away from the cruzins or other people is fine with us
Thanks again.

Good day all
Has the oil refinery already closed And how will it effect,in ur opinion, my
Family moving and living there.
Thanks

If you plan on using the VA on STX please no that there is only 1 doctor and that can cause problems. My husband just tried to make an "urgent" appointment and was given the first available time on November 7th. His is frequently told he can have faster service if he goes to the VA in PR at his own expense of course.
Hovensa has ceased refining operations but is still operating as a storage facility.

Yes the refinery is closed, about 150 employees remain to operate the oil storage terminal. Another 300 will be involved in the tank cleaning operation for the next year or so. The government has yet to negotiate a deal to permit the continued operation of the terminal and local sales loading rack. By this December the subsidized fuel rate Hovensa provides to WAPA will end, causing our already outrageous electric rate to increase. GasolIne prices will rise to St. Thomas prices it higher if the loading rack is not operational.
The largest immidiate effects on the island is the loss of tax revenue from HOvensa and the former employees. The general community has no clue how many millions of dollars Hovensa and employees paid in income tax, property tax and gross receipts tax. The largest employer on the islands is the VI government, the second largest employer, Hovensa, paid a significant portion of the government salaries.
So you can expect some social and political difficulties these next few years until the community readjusts their expectation of government services to realign with the new fiscal reality.

The general community has no clue how many millions of dollars Hovensa and employees paid in income tax, property tax and gross receipts tax. /quote]

And don't forget the huge contributions made to the community in the form of scholarships and other substantial donations. I understand that Hess/Hovensa is committed to continuing its pledges in several of these areas but there'll nonetheless be a substantial economic setback where many programs are concerned.

USERNAME, be careful with your choice of words. You said, "Being away from the cruzins or other people is fine with us." I think the intent of what you said is understood but people from St Croix are known as "Crucians" and you are planning on moving to a community where you are the minority race. Some don't find the transition difficult but others most certainly do and you can't survive here "being away from" other people whether they be black, blue, pink, purple or multicolored.

Use your PMV time wisely and absorb as much as you possibly can of day to day living so that you can come to an educated decision as to whether or not this proposed move really is the right thing for you and your family.

 

"Being away from the cruzins or other people is fine with us."

One of the great things about living in the Virgin Islands is exploring the local customs, culture, and colors. If you are away from the Crucians you will miss out on a unique experience that you can not replicate ANYWHERE else in the world. If you want an insular community within which to live I do NOT suggest that you move to the VI.

That being said - Crucians(and that includes ANYONE who has lived here on STX for a LLLOONNGG time) are some of the most friendly, warm, and loving people whom you will ever meet. They will pick you up on the side of road if your car breaks down, invite you to family only functions, invite into their homes on holidays, be the people who will take you to the hospital if you get hurt, or offer up their old time remedies if you are sick.

As for you stating that your 18 year old knows how to stay out of trouble - yeah - well as a former 18 year old who grew up here, our types of trouble are different than many stateside troubles. They are more insidious and sneaky. Be Aware of whom your son is with and where he is at all times. GPS chip him if possible - joking aside - drinking age here is 18 so if you have a problem with that, just be aware.

Living here is not easy as some posters have stated, but it can be WONDERFUL. There are many unique opportunities here to be had.

Be aware though that it is a small community and what you say here might just go far as to how people think of you.

Good day and thank u all
Just so I am not misunderstood my intent was that I and my family can stay away from those people that we don't care for no matter who they are. As for the culture and the people, it is one of the biggest reasons for our move. I have read over and over how friendly the resident there are. We have no doubt that it will be hard at first but its hard here. My son hates to drink and he will be OK. My guess is that govt programs will shrink houseing will become cheaper and people will.become more involved and closer. As for the VA or doctors if we need to it is only 203.00 to fly back to penscaola Fla. Thanks to all

Good day and thank u all
Just so I am not misunderstood my intent was that I and my family can stay away from those people that we don't care for no matter who they are.

Not really that easy as you get a grasp on how small the community really is.

As for the culture and the people, it is one of the biggest reasons for our move. I have read over and over how friendly the resident there are. We have no doubt that it will be hard at first but its hard here.

What you've read and the reality can be very different and the way you'll be treated by others all depends upon you and their perception of you, not the other way around. It may be "hard" where you are but it's something you're familiar with there.

My son hates to drink and he will be OK. My guess is that govt programs will shrink houseing will become cheaper

not to be assumed

and people will.become more involved and closer.

Again not to be assumed.

As for the VA or doctors if we need to it is only 203.00 to fly back to penscaola Fla. Thanks to all

Again, use your PMV time wisely and absorb as much as you possibly can of day to day living so that you can come to an educated decision as to whether or not this proposed move really is the right thing for you and your family. No harm done if it's not.

Oh by the way oldtart
Did u get moved
Hope it went well

Good day all
I hope everyone is better after the last few days.
my last question for anyone is
In each of your options. What dollar amount do u think it takes,per month, to live on St croix. Assuming rent is 1000
And we are very conservative on the power useage. I have gotten very good advice from most people and I thank u for that. Others have made me feel very unwelcome and have caused me to not want to use this forum. As before this is my
families future and no more questions. Any answers will be used and appreciated
thank u one and all

We spent on average, about $4,000 a month for a couple. That includes all our living costs, (rent, wapa, cable, internet, cell phones), vehicle costs, including repairs, food costs including eating out once or twice a week, Ric's diving, our gym membership, and my amazon addiction (big cost!) and misc costs. It did not include travel off island.

Hope this helps.

Edited to add that we had two vehicles, and, for the most part, spent what we wanted to. For example, when we first moved to STX, we shopped at Cost-u-less, plaza, and at k-mart every week - each had better prices on certain items. After a while we decided it wasn't worth the trouble to us. That estimate also includes moderate alcohol use.

Last edit. Figure out what you think you will spend per month, then add 50%. You'll probably be about right.