On island for a year. --- What now?

It is different for everyone. Tabra and I were here for six and a half years and there are a lot of things I love about the island and a few things I don't like. I am in Ohio now and there are a lot of things I love about it and a few things I don't like. You won't know until you try. The thing that decided us back when we made the move is that even if we ended up leaving island at some point, no one (including us) would ever look back at 2005 and say, "remember when we ALMOST moved to the Caribbean that time?" You are more likely to regret the things you don't do. If you hate it, move away. If you love it, stay. Stay for a year or a few or forever. You won't know until you try.

bethburnett, you are right. don't live in the what ifs. just do it and make sure you have money to go back if it is not a good move for you.
i never wanted to move here but i do like it for the most part. i would still prefer to live where i lived before i moved here.

I'm just getting caught up, but I suggest following all of the St. Croix resources on Twitter - every day there are announcements on there of many different things to do. The St. Croix Lime is one but there are many others.

On STX, you can find plenty of activities at http://www.stcroixcalendar.com/

Is there one for STT, too? I think the original poster is intending to come to St Thomas.

As far as I know, there is no website that's specifically for STT calendar events similar to stcroixcalendar.com, but there are probably websites that have STT calendar pages as part of their content.

stcroixcalendar.com is run by Joe Hazi who has worked for Hovensa for years. If Joe leaves this year, who knows if the calendar will be maintained by someone else. It might disappear. But lots of our entertainment schedule may disappear, too, once the Hovensa $$ are gone from the island and the restaurant/bar venues can't afford live entertainment on such a liberal basis.

stcroixcalendar.com is run by Joe Hazi who has worked for Hovensa for years. If Joe leaves this year, who knows if the calendar will be maintained by someone else. It might disappear. But lots of our entertainment schedule may disappear, too, once the Hovensa $$ are gone from the island and the restaurant/bar venues can't afford live entertainment on such a liberal basis.

Who knows. I've been many places lately that have been packed, and not with Hovensa employees/contractors. It is the season right now of course, so we'll see over the summer - since many places close over the summer anyway who knows, who knows. 🙂

Hopefully someone will take over the calendar if Joe leaves - the St. Croix Lime does a pretty great job too.

That description of diving in the freezing ass red lake with crap floating in it and nothing to see, 3-5' visibility, that just made me sad. No matter what. Come down, bring your gear and scuba as much as possible here. Plan a LONG PMV so you can really really REALLY scuba to your heart's content, enough to last a lifetime. You owe yourself that.

If you have a physical, mental and emotional character that allows you to be bored now - moving anywhere, the VI included, will not change that part of you. If you enjoy life and finding things to do now, the VI has just as many opportunities for living an interesting life as anywhere else - with some beautiful water, excellent weather and an accepting society overlaid on it all.

Very true. Where ever you go, you will take yourself with you.

I arrived on St Croix two weeks before Omar, which was thankfully milder than expected and I'm an experienced camper so being without electricity, as long as I have ability to cook, have good books and candle light - oh and STRONG insect repellent, I'll be fine. Since moving here I've known many people who came on a whim and some who never left from a business trip. They are exceedingly happy here and cannot imagine moving back from whence they came. I've met others with rosy colored glasses who didn't last the year. I've met people from all over the world with all sorts of expectations or none from island life. Those with no expectations seem to be the most content. From the beginning I was hoping this would only be a temporary move, I'm still hoping....

I personally never wanted to be here. Growing up in southern California and living in 9 different states coast-to-coast, I knew instantly on my first visit island life is not for me. I prefer small town living and think the island is too over crowded and dirty. Not enough personal pride in the natural beauty of the islands and it's the worst area for crime I've ever lived in. Still have problems remembering to lock my doors and cannot get use to bars on the windows. Where I grew up the neighborhoods we passed through with trash, graffiti and barred windows and doors were known as ghettos. I have many acquaintances, but no close friends as everyone is busier here on the island than the small towns I've lived in. So to fight isolation I took a job, any job, since they are difficult to come by. I am bored and over qualified. I enjoy the people I work with and meet in church and community events, but still there is no time to build close relationships. I really miss the small communities I've lived in and most importantly being able to join family for birthdays, holidays, camping and just plain old picnics and shopping. In a perfect life, I'd learn how to make money on-line so I could spend time going back and forth to visit family and friends in the life I sacrificed to be here with my husband, who was brought here for employment in a secure position and loves the life. The only thing I finally found relief in is we now live on an isolated beach where I enjoy being next to the water. The consistent action of the waves and the color of the water brings me some peace from an otherwise high-strung life driving, shopping and trying to "survive" daily encounters on the island. I work only to afford more escape trips "home". I even found Omaha in the winter more peaceful to drive and daily encounters with people easier and more relaxed than any of these islands. Like other places I've lived, I enjoy the many people I've met, appreciated the new experiences and would consider coming back to visit WHEN I finally get to move away, but this isn't "home" and I can't wait to leave. I'll take small town America, fresh water lakes and rivers, snow and most of all FAMILY over the high-stress of daily living on the islands.

katstx, i am with you on that. sounds just like me

I arrived on St Croix two weeks before Omar, which was thankfully milder than expected and I'm an experienced camper so being without electricity, as long as I have ability to cook, have good books and candle light - oh and STRONG insect repellent, I'll be fine. Since moving here I've known many people who came on a whim and some who never left from a business trip. They are exceedingly happy here and cannot imagine moving back from whence they came. I've met others with rosy colored glasses who didn't last the year. I've met people from all over the world with all sorts of expectations or none from island life. Those with no expectations seem to be the most content. From the beginning I was hoping this would only be a temporary move, I'm still hoping....

I personally never wanted to be here. Growing up in southern California and living in 9 different states coast-to-coast, I knew instantly on my first visit island life is not for me. I prefer small town living and think the island is too over crowded and dirty. Not enough personal pride in the natural beauty of the islands and it's the worst area for crime I've ever lived in. Still have problems remembering to lock my doors and cannot get use to bars on the windows. Where I grew up the neighborhoods we passed through with trash, graffiti and barred windows and doors were known as ghettos. I have many acquaintances, but no close friends as everyone is busier here on the island than the small towns I've lived in. So to fight isolation I took a job, any job, since they are difficult to come by. I am bored and over qualified. I enjoy the people I work with and meet in church and community events, but still there is no time to build close relationships. I really miss the small communities I've lived in and most importantly being able to join family for birthdays, holidays, camping and just plain old picnics and shopping. In a perfect life, I'd learn how to make money on-line so I could spend time going back and forth to visit family and friends in the life I sacrificed to be here with my husband, who was brought here for employment in a secure position and loves the life. The only thing I finally found relief in is we now live on an isolated beach where I enjoy being next to the water. The consistent action of the waves and the color of the water brings me some peace from an otherwise high-strung life driving, shopping and trying to "survive" daily encounters on the island. I work only to afford more escape trips "home". I even found Omaha in the winter more peaceful to drive and daily encounters with people easier and more relaxed than any of these islands. Like other places I've lived, I enjoy the many people I've met, appreciated the new experiences and would consider coming back to visit WHEN I finalI have been on ly get to move away, but this isn't "home" and I can't wait to leave. I'll take small town America, fresh water lakes and rivers, snow and most of all FAMILY over the high-stress of daily living on the islands.

How sad for you! I can't emagine living in a place hating everyday that I am there. I have been on STT for years and have made so many good friends (they are my extended family). You seem to have the mine set..of I don't want .....

kay: Your post is an example of one of the very sad realities of living here. It seems that the dream of Paradise is frequently not shared by couples. I have seen people either move back to the states or break up over this.

You are very correct about people without expectations. I see a red flag when someone says they "must have" X, Y, or Z.

Thank you for posting your observations.:-)

I think along the lines of what kay said whenever I read of a man who is "moving his family" here on this board. I always say a little prayer that his wife is just as motivated. 🙂

I can't imagine living somewhere where I hated it every day. Well actually, I can. Years ago with my ex we lived in a horrible house that was falling down around us. I couldn't wait to get out of it - I do think it actually contributed to my decision for divorce. And that was just a house.

I'm sorry kay. I hope you can find some more fun and peace here. I'm loving it and have already made several good friends that are long-term residents. I'm hoping for more. 🙂

I arrived on St Croix two weeks before Omar, which was thankfully milder than expected and I'm an experienced camper so being without electricity, as long as I have ability to cook, have good books and candle light - oh and STRONG insect repellent, I'll be fine. Since moving here I've known many people who came on a whim and some who never left from a business trip. They are exceedingly happy here and cannot imagine moving back from whence they came. I've met others with rosy colored glasses who didn't last the year. I've met people from all over the world with all sorts of expectations or none from island life. Those with no expectations seem to be the most content. From the beginning I was hoping this would only be a temporary move, I'm still hoping....

I personally never wanted to be here. Growing up in southern California and living in 9 different states coast-to-coast, I knew instantly on my first visit island life is not for me. I prefer small town living and think the island is too over crowded and dirty. Not enough personal pride in the natural beauty of the islands and it's the worst area for crime I've ever lived in. Still have problems remembering to lock my doors and cannot get use to bars on the windows. Where I grew up the neighborhoods we passed through with trash, graffiti and barred windows and doors were known as ghettos. I have many acquaintances, but no close friends as everyone is busier here on the island than the small towns I've lived in. So to fight isolation I took a job, any job, since they are difficult to come by. I am bored and over qualified. I enjoy the people I work with and meet in church and community events, but still there is no time to build close relationships. I really miss the small communities I've lived in and most importantly being able to join family for birthdays, holidays, camping and just plain old picnics and shopping. In a perfect life, I'd learn how to make money on-line so I could spend time going back and forth to visit family and friends in the life I sacrificed to be here with my husband, who was brought here for employment in a secure position and loves the life. The only thing I finally found relief in is we now live on an isolated beach where I enjoy being next to the water. The consistent action of the waves and the color of the water brings me some peace from an otherwise high-strung life driving, shopping and trying to "survive" daily encounters on the island. I work only to afford more escape trips "home". I even found Omaha in the winter more peaceful to drive and daily encounters with people easier and more relaxed than any of these islands. Like other places I've lived, I enjoy the many people I've met, appreciated the new experiences and would consider coming back to visit WHEN I finally get to move away, but this isn't "home" and I can't wait to leave. I'll take small town America, fresh water lakes and rivers, snow and most of all FAMILY over the high-stress of daily living on the islands.

Parts of your lament ring familiar, and should be required reading for all couples thinking of moving anywhere, but especially to an island. My wife found it harder to adjust than I did, in part, because we had two different types of jobs, and in her job she experienced much more of the island's dysfunction than I did. Whereas, in our previous location, she liked the town and I didn't, but both our jobs were fine. (This is why there are different perspectives on the board. Some are lucky to be retired or have few ties to the mainland, while others need island economics to make it work for them, --and therein lies the rub!)

Over time, the dysfunction WORE HER DOWN. Also didn't help that prices rose and wages were cut.

But... we kind of EXPECTED this might happen, and thus, never came with the expectation that this was our last move. We always referred to it as our "adventure." This understanding between us, and my lack of whining about wanting to stay, made it work.

So now we're adventuring elsewhere and looking back with many fond memories (both of us).

KaySTX.....Here's a big ole Midwestern.....HUG.Your sacrafice will be temporary.....Unfortanately His reality is also your reality.Use this time of seclution to plan (with him) what lays ahead of you.The where do we go after this experience may prepare him to start thinking of the evetuality of a state side job hunt.Any job he's doing now on stx can be found stateside.Be a team player liike you are now,BUT every game plays with a clock:-)

KaySTX.....Here's a big ole Midwestern.....HUG.Your sacrafice will be temporary.....Unfortanately His reality is also your reality.Use this time of seclution to plan (with him) what lays ahead of you.The where do we go after this experience may prepare him to start thinking of the evetuality of a state side job hunt.Any job he's doing now on stx can be found stateside.Be a team player liike you are now,BUT every game plays with a clock:-)

Except baseball.

Ric and I were like this and yet different. He wanted a lifetime on STX, I wanted less. We had income when we arrived 8 years ago but needed jobs to supplement. We found jobs we liked and good friends. We retired totally last year. But after 8 years I was ready to move on, him not so much. Last fall life intervened in the form of a daughter's failing marriage. We moved because we had to come back and help with the grandkids. Strangely enough, we both have regrets about the move. I hope that in a year or two we can split our time between Kentucky and STX.

But in the meantime, we're taking advantage of all the Louisville has to offer. And taking the car trips that I missed so much on STX.

I truly feel sorry for anyone who really feels trapped. And everyone is right, couples had divorced over this issue.

trainwreck...I knew i should have put that in...got me!!:P

trainwreck...I knew i should have put that in...got me!!:P

Couldn't find any way of watching the opening of spring training so I just tried to get mlb.tv and ran into this nugget: "All live games will be blacked out in the U.S. territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the MLB regular season." Ughhdfh.

With a VPN running either through your computer or on your router you can change your IP to most anywhere in the US or elsewhere in the world for that matter.

With a VPN running on your router you can use a Roku and watch the game on your TV.

When I checked my IP on MLB's website yesterday the only team that would be blacked out will be the Florida Marlins. However I could change that if I really wanted to watch the Marlins.

Not sure what you mean by using a VPN, unless I had access to another network somewhere else. Anyway, I could easily use a proxy to accomplish what you're saying but really it's an issue of my DSL being way too flaky to make it feasible. I had to refresh this page 6 times just to load it.

As KaySTX, there is a fine line between good neighborhoods and bad. A good one can be right across the street from a bad one.
For example, Pearson Gardens and Yacht Haven Grande. I've noticed after a certain time at night the gate at YHG is closed and you have to buzzed in or out. The sign posted on the gate gives the times. They just started that several weeks ago.

As wenchtoo said to KaySTX, " You seem to have the mine set..of I don't want ....."
I don't think it was very fair. She is attending functions and meeting people, but is having a hard time to find CLOSE friends, which is unfortunate. Sometimes people on the islands are stand-offish because they don't know how long you are going to stay and don't want to get too close.
I'm sorry you are lonely, but you do find comfort in other ways on island. My wish for you is that you do find a close friend that you can confide in and do fun things with before you move off island.

Some people think they have found good friends on island, but are they really? I see a lot of people being used because of what the others-so called good friends, have and you don't. It's a one way street friendship.