New to the Forum

Welcome!

Most feedback you are likely to get will be related to your 4 children. Education should be one of your main concerns and expenses. I don't have kids in school so can't comment more but I'm sure you'll get plenty of input from others.

STX is a wonderful place to live once you adapt to island ways. Very important to have a sense of humor - sorely missing from most of my critics! 😎

Two of the kids will be out of the house by then, unless they choose to come along. the other two will likely be in 3rd and fifth by then. I know public schools are an issue there. But by the same token if cont-nentals aren't putting their kids into the public system, what reason is there to do anything with the issues plaguing them? But I have time to research that later.

Well works done. Off to the house to day dream about warm weather as it is only 30 here today. BRRR!

Welcome to the forum!:-)

welcome to the forum-education will probably be your big issue. but dont just brush off the crime as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. it can find you even if you are doing nothing wrong and it is not just isolated to the "projects" just be aware like you would anywhere. be nice and have patience lots of it.

I don't discount crime as just wrong place wrong time. I've read back a few months and saw that a forum member was a B&E victim. I suppose I mean that I am not going to let it rule my life. It certainly happens that way here as well even in the best neighborhoods. But it will not deter me from making a go of it. 😀

I guess my only concern with the schools would be how would non natives be treated? The are very smart so the education being a little behind isn't my worry. More will they be shunned or mistreated for being from off island?

As a fellow New Englander who has relocated to St Croix, USVI, and a 22 year retired Rhode Island Army National Guard veteran...............you will love the weather. Its awesome waking up 80-85 approximate 300 days a year.

First, I work for the Virgin island Army National Guard as a civilian, and can not say enough how great it is working for Guard and how I am treated. I work for the CFMO office which has a mix of civilians(local), and federal technicians. If you PM your email, I will forward you positions which come up, AGR and technicians, and occasional civilian(ie we just opened a new RTI facility). The system seems to work for the best qualified......some off-island selections of current guardsman from the states is not uncommon.

Suggest you do some visits first before you make any decisions. In my opinion, your children should be your final decision making. Not just the education, but how island life will be for them as they finish their education. Don't think they will have any issue being accepted in their new school------but meeting new friends in school and out of school will be a challenge. Pool of potential friends will be smaller. If they don't like going to the beach and alot of beach related activities(snorkeling, surfing, diving, etc.....), they could be bored and have a limited pool of potential friends. Step one should be a visit to the islands on a vacation with your children..............and go from there. If you come to St Croix, Im sure while enjoying the islands they will meet other children from the island. This could be a start of a friendship .....that could be important to any relocation for them in the future.

Reading the board will tell you alot.....especially my posting. The wife and I absolute love living here----thou we miss our family and friends from RI. But when you compare the pros and cons of the lifestyles........St Croix US Virgin Islands is our choice. And for the record, when I had the opportunity to relocate 20 years ago with my son I choose not to----didn't think it was the right choice for my son, it was the right decision. But under the same circumstance today, I think I would relocate.

If visiting St Croix is in your future, keep in touch as I could probably help you out with getting an affordable weekly rental for your family.

Best of luck..............brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, just thinking of Vermont weather as I sit typing this in summer shorts at 530AM and enjoy the 70 degree morning weather----------------------------and no MIGRAINE headache, which since relocating to St Croix I seldom get due to the great weather.

for you, education for your kids should be your top priority. try to talk to others on this board who have kids in the public and private school system. they will give you good info.

certainly you dont want the crime to rule your life-nobody does. this years murder rate is low so far-good thing-just be careful and watchful and dont take chances but remember sometimes it finds you

Dan
i sent you a P.M.
i summer in vermont and love it. will not go in the winter. but summers are beautiful.

i can understand why you want to get out of there this time of year.

Good morning all, it's a wonderful 20 degrees outside right now! 🙁

InnAtPH I will get you my Govt email today. I have looked at some of the postings on STX for ARNG jobs. All of them state you must be a VIARNG member to apply. I can always do an interstate transfer first and work out on the economy until Fed jobs open up. I was a line chef for 15 years. Which also meant dish dog, bar tender, waiter or anything else that the owners needed done. At least in food service there never seems to be a lack of jobs.

We are planning to make a one week trip with the kids, let them run around and find the kid friendly things to do.
Then a two week or longer trip without them to really look into jobs, housing, shopping, etc.
When we were on STT we got off the boat and blew right past the tourist trap and beat feet to where the locals live. I have wanted to move to the islands for a while and after two deployments 1 Iraq 1 Afghanistan, I really liked the way they lived day to day. And in a lot of ways the islands are much the same. I wanted my wife to see the rough real way the locals live. Beautiful views and people mixed in with Trash, beat down homes gangs and all. And even in a few places that almost had me a lil nervous, I greeted every person I passed and nothing but kindness was given. Stopped at Dog Flea Alley for a quick picture. Best street name yet, lol.

We walked a good five or more miles looking at rentals and ended up at the WAPA. At least if we end up on STT I already know where to cue up to pay my bill. It was a Wednesday and the line was out the door. I asked what it was for and the couple at the end told me it was to pay their elec bill.

Is there an armory on STT. I looked into it but only see ARNG on STX.

So the public schools sound like they are how they were in the states 25 years ago. I used to get the ruler across the hand all the time.
But I was a horrible student as well so I deserved it.
But what are some of the specific issues with the public schools? Would it be too much for transplant kids to adjust? Or is it that they are just that bad in general?