One Week to Decide between Louisville or St. Thomas

So far, the only thing going for STT, in this thread, is the weather!

jj224, just a couple more days to decide....how are you leaning??

So far, the only thing going for STT, in this thread, is the weather!

jj224, just a couple more days to decide....how are you leaning??

Depends on the time of day. At first I was sold on USVI. My housing would be subsidized so that my rent with utilities would be 1400$ and would come right out of my paycheck 700 every two weeks, the place I would be staying would be Maghoney Run, there is another option that is apparently similar. However, both locations do not allow dogs. That is a big problem for my 5 year old as she refuses to go without our pet. I have spoken with some of my fellow employees down there and to quote one of them, who is a black man from the U.S. and has lived there for 10+ years.

" I have experienced more racism here than I ever did in the states and its not based on the color of your skin, when I walk into a room they can tell I'm not one of them, they just don't Fking like us,man"

So needless to say that was somewhat disheartening. He was basically talking me out of coming or at least trying to give me his perspective on the situation. When I mentioned trying to decide I made a comment about Louisville i said something like "yeah, but its not St. Thomas" . His response was "thank god". It was very clear he wants off the island.

Giving up my Dog and all the uncertainty is really making me lean towards Louisville. I haven't heard too many bad things about there and it is a great place to raise a family. But I still have a few more phone calls to make

If anyone knows anything about the subsidized housing from the Us Gov. I would really like to talk to you...Thanks

I would say go for he USVI all the way when do you get the chance, and it's only a year. BUT if you have to give up your dog then don't come. That is horrible for the animal that is connected to you emotionally and relys on you. Figure out a place that'll take your pup too, otherwise stick to louisville. We're moving down with our to dogs. Even though it's an obstacle we wouldn't have it any other way.

I would say go for he USVI all the way when do you get the chance, and it's only a year. BUT if you have to give up your dog then don't come. That is horrible for the animal that is connected to you emotionally and relys on you. Figure out a place that'll take your pup too, otherwise stick to louisville. We're moving down with our to dogs. Even though it's an obstacle we wouldn't have it any other way.

(tu)(tu):@)

Louisville has 6 times the population of the Virgin Islands but it has less murders than the VI in 2010. You have a kid, its a no brainer

Louisville has 6 times the population of the Virgin Islands but it has less murders than the VI in 2010. You have a kid, its a no brainer

Actually, it is a 'brainer' ... having lived in Louisville, I can tell you there are plenty of places there you should not go.
Same here.

I have 2 kids and live on STX, not STT (thank God -- way too many people!), but my vote is for Louisville. It's beautiful, much less expensive, and your wife will have easier access to family support when the need arises.

Louisville has 6 times the population of the Virgin Islands but it has less murders than the VI in 2010. You have a kid, its a no brainer

Actually, it is a 'brainer' ... having lived in Louisville, I can tell you there are plenty of places there you should not go.
Same here.

Louisville is no different from most any other city in that regard. You need to be aware of where you are regardless of where you live. By the way, have you checked today's weather for Louisville? Heavy snowfall and more predicted for next week.

The weather may be colder in Lville but at least your chances to be alive to enjoy that weather will be greater in Lville. The numbers don't lie, 6 times the VI population and with less murders. The welfare of one's family is the most important thing in life. Weather and beaches are secondary to one's safety.

The problem with using statistics is that they can be used to prove almost any argument, regardless of the position you take. For example, according to the FBI crime statistics for 2009, a quarter of the murders committed in the USA were by one family member against another. A majority of all murder victims were killed by someone they knew (friend, relative, etc.). 90% of murder victims were male, and most white victims were killed by white offenders, and most African-American victims were killed by African-American offenders. Most women were killed by their boyfriends or spouses.

http://www2.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2009/offenses/expanded_information/homicide.html

Those in favor of making STX their living choice would argue that most homicides in the USVI are friend against friend and racial identity against racial identity, and that there are few "random" victims of murder anywhere, including the USVI. I don't dispute the raw statistics, but I also would argue they do not give a complete picture of the murder paradigm in the USVI, as it relates to an individual's personal situation.

stxdreamer, I agree with you 100% but stray bullets do happen even in tourists areas and then there is also the matter of the health system here, education system, the cost of food and the electricity rates. At 75k a year that's not enough to pay for a private school, Again if you are a single adult or married couple without kids I may have a different answer but family comes first so I would stick with Louisville. Just my opinion

Also the food prices, have you seen the price of a gallon of milk here, it may be cheaper to go out and buy a cow and have fresh milk every day

The homicide rate is just part of the picture. I've read a number of articles stating that the overall crime rates parallel the homicide rates. None of the articles I've read are worthy of a link.

If true, then the exceptionally high homicide rate in the VI would indicate that the overall crime rate in the VI is also exceptionally high. No crime statistics are published for the VI, at least none that I can find. These crimes have a much broader reach and can most certainly affect the quality of life here for many of us.

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/homicides-in-v-i-1.1089794

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/homicides-in-v-i-1.1089794

Heh heh...I mean other than the homicide rate, crime statistics are not published.

Thanks everybody, I chose Louisville, but not because of any of the crime, cost, or schools or weather. Simply because I would have had to get rid of my dog to go to USVI. That for me was a no brainer! I that that PUP

Greetings,
And that PUP loves you! Excellent choice for an excellent reason.

Swan

Thanks everybody, I chose Louisville, but not because of any of the crime, cost, or schools or weather. Simply because I would have had to get rid of my dog to go to USVI. That for me was a no brainer! I that that PUP

Hard to argue with that choice! Although we love STX and hope to live there someday soon, Louisville is a pretty nice place as well (we live about 40 miles south of there now). Be sure and check out the Bardstown Rd/Frankfort Avenue area -- a really neat area. Good luck with your move.

Steve

Thanks everybody, I chose Louisville, but not because of any of the crime, cost, or schools or weather. Simply because I would have had to get rid of my dog to go to USVI. That for me was a no brainer! I that that PUP

(tu)

Well you could always come to St. Croix for a vacation

Great job, we kept another from clogging the roads, stores, beaches, and restaurants!
If we could now just get rid of the tourism board so fewer people would visit we could keep the island a total secret.

I don't think the point of this board is to tell everyone what they want to hear Terry. The island has a huge turnover rate of newcomers. You yourself do not even live here. If people know what the negatives are going to be when they get here they should be able to prepare and adapt much easier. If it's not something they want to deal with in their daily lives then we are saving them a lot of time, money and grief. All we are giving is advice from experience. It's not negative or positive, it all what you want it to be, your either a half full or half empty kind of person.

I have been on island for just about three months now, and the information I have learned here has been invaluable. Hiya is correct, in my opinion. I've saved myself a lot of irritation and hassles and been able to embrace more fully what brought me here in the first place! Knowing and being prepared for the challenges has almost turned those challenges into just another bit of the charm of St Thomas.

Your are right Hiya I don't live here, but not by my choice. Yes there are a lot of things wrong in the islands but there a lot of good things that "some" people never admit to.
I think the people here are more friendly and helpful than in most large towns, I have never lived in a small town.
The drivers may not be good drivers but are far nicer than in Az or Ca.
I guess the education system is really a shame but do not have first hand knowledge of that . In many areas stateside there are many problems as well. I know in my neighborhood in AZ most of the kids go to private schools instead of the public school four blocks away.

Some posters only point out the bad. When I came down to buy I met a lady and her husband that were from AZ who were here for a year contract. She hated it here, couldn't wait to get back to AZ. Still friends with them there.
I have other friends from AZ who came for a PMV and never went back.
It's not for everyone but I sometimes wonder why those that seem to dislike it so much stay.
I know if I was that disillusioned that much I would leave.
If it wasn't for the fact that we now have grandkids and my wife won't move, I would be here on a heartbeat. I don't dislike AZ I just like it here more. Maybe as my wife says we have the best of both worlds.

i think 3 months here and the rest in the states is the perfect mix.