need to be able to talk with a local for advice, questions, exc;

Ryan,

The USVI is on Atlantic Standard Time all year 'round so the time difference between the USVI and Phoenix is three hours. Like Arizona (and Hawaii), the USVI does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

Ryan, you have come to the right place for guidance, experiences, etc. Spend some time perusing the "What to Expect" which has what you ask in your post and also ....well.....this Message Board & VINOW is extrememly helpful.

thanks...

i did come to the right place huh! this web-site and reading the message board has been a great tool. The "what to expect" is where my time and energy will go for now.

Besides the pre-move,extended visit; to make sure thats' where i want to really be (at this point in my life), if you had one or two things you wish you would have known or someone would have warned you about before moving, or maybe what you would have done instead in retro-spect; what would they have been? Take your time on the reply and think about it if you need to. I'll talk to you soon,

Dear Ryan,

I seem to be sometimes the really feisty contributor to the board but don't have too much of a problem with that. Given that you're not planning on moving here for at least a year or two, delve into all the posts on this forum. As FL Barrier Islander said, get into the, "What To Expect" thread and then read EVERYTHING on this forum which pertains to moving here. Everything in the last paragraph of your last post has been covered to the nth degree if you take the time to do your homework.

Certain things may of course change in the next couple of years before you make your move but the basics remain the same and probably always will. After 21 years here I've found nothing much has really changed when it comes to moving here...

Cheers from the feisty STT Resident!

Thanks STT, and you know as soon as i sent that last post, and spent the next two hours reading all i could in that amount of time,i saw alot and then some; of what i was asking. I dont think i will need to ask anymore questions that i can not look up here first and find the answer to, but if i do; i know where to come and get the answer, thanks so much,

-god bless..

Ryan,
We live in the Valley also. We bought a place in STX last year, and spent 6 weeks there, ( before and after the purchase).
We are wanting to split our time after retirement in 4 years.

If you would like to get together and copare notes, email us at nxcess@cox.net.
Terry and Annie

If I could give you only three pieces of advice they would be:

Don't buy any property for at least 6 months - 1 year.

Bring enough money to keep yourself living comfortably for 3 - 6 months without income.

Don't burn your bridges at home. Put your stuff in storage and only bring your personal effects. You can have them sent later.

Good luck

thanks for your advice and time Linda.

I realy agree with what you said Linda the only question is how much money ect. That varies from person to person. You also,from what I have heard and read on this site generaly need less stuff than you would think moving. A long time friend told me when she moved to st x with her hubby. pack what you think you would use in 6 months and then take half of it out. I thought she was joking with me until I was there for a few weeks doing a PMV. Most of the things my husband and I brought didn't leave the luggage.
Just my 2 cents worth

Let me give one quick example. We found a small house to rent very quickly, within 3 days of arriving. Rent was $650. But the landlord wanted first, last and security -- that was $1950 right off the bat. The cost to license and insure our two vehicle (we shipped them over) was another $2000+-. So in the first week we'd spent $4,000. And that doesn't even get the electricity and phone turned on.

It does add up quickly.