Other Islands?

Steve: The main problem with all the places you named is that they are not America. Most foreign countries are happy to have you bring your money to spend, but if you need to work for a living, they aren't as welcoming! 😉 The other island I considered was Oahu, because I had a friend there. It was too remote for me in the long run.

We felt the same way, wanting the US flag over us.
We have been to Fiji, Roatan, Tatati, Bora Bora, Bahamas, Martinque,3 different Hawaiian islands,and Turks. Never felt like we did when we saw STX.
They were all pretty, some prettier, but not US.

Steve, I've been following this site for a while also, planning on moving this time next year, finally. Been to a few islands but not STX or SKN. Like you these seem to be my choices for moving, my only doubts about SKN is it's not the US,but only because I'm concerned about how annoying it will make collecting social security when the time comes. I'll be visiting both(all 3?) islands sometime over the next 12 months and I'll be glad to share anything I learn from my trip.
Tom

Dear Steve (and Tom),

Just to add to East Ender's caveat, always bear in mind that if you're planning on relocating to an island to work (and presuming you're American) you will only be able to legally work on an island under the U.S. flag. Non-U.S. islands fly under different flags and all have very strict controls concerning work permits. Even collecting US SS payments on foreign soil can be an arduous process in some cases. Good luck whatever!

Steve,

We used to have a condo on STX and sold it a few months ago. STX is wonderful, but increasingly very expensive. Everything from construction cost to electric service. Didn't expect it.

After researching and having visited several islands including Roatan, the Dominican Republic, St. Vincents and Grenadines and others we decided Roatan was one of the nicest and the by far the best value.

Roatan is in the early development stage. Its rather "old Caribbean" in feel compared to most islands. There are only two paved roads on the island and much of the east end is not accessible by car and undeveloped. The island is green and lush from one end to the other. No desert. Beautiful white sand beaches.

But the best part is the price of real estate. A nice 3 bedroom beach front house can be had for under $500k (same house well over $1m in STX). A 3 bedroom hill top house with great view is under $200k (same house over $500k in STX). Since development is new on Roatan, building lots are the best value. High-end construction costs are under $100 per square foot (same house in STX would cost $275+ per square foot to build).

Hourly minimum wage on Roatan is 50 cents. Maids/Gardeners, etc earn about $150 per month. Locally grown food is cheap and plentiful. Restaurants are very inexpensive.

Honduras is a not under the U.S. flag, but is a stable democracy. The language of Roatan is English. It was British until the early 20th century.

The down side is that the only work available for gringos is in tourism and real estate. However, the government welcomes new businesses of any kind. There is a big need for various small shops and service businesses that simply aren't there yet because the island development is so recent.

Bottom line: If you can afford STX, go for it. It's a wonderful place and a lot can be said for living on an American island. But, if you want to live very well for much less, consider Roatan.

It's my understanding that a US citizen can't work on Roatan. You can start a business, but not take a job that a local could do.

I don't know the legal details, but in Roatan, most sales people in real estate and travel/tourism are American/Canadian/European. Commission jobs all seem to be held by gringos. But, I think "wage" jobs must be held by locals. Wages in Roatan are very low.

Puerto Rico tends to be overlooked in island discussions. The North West end of the Island is a great place to live. The beaches are sublime, people are friendly, the surfing is world-class (literally - the first ever World Championships) were held at Jobos Beach. The diving is magnificent, snorkeling too.

Music everywhere or total silence and solitude in the extensive rain forests - farmer's markets or bustling San Juan. I lived there and found it to be more European/Caribbean than American.

You are still in US territory with all protections. The cost of living is cheap and the opportunity to learn Spanish is everywhere and the medical care is John Hopkins at a fraction of the cost.

Great place to bring up kids.

Dear Jane,

If Puerto Rico tends to be "overlooked in island discussion," that might well be because this forum is a United States Virgin Islands forum.

I really don't mean to come across as either snippy or downright argumentative but when threads on this USVI forum segue into endless discussions about the merits of travel to Hawaii, the Honduras, the Caymans, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica. Anguilla, Antigua, St.Maarten/St Martin, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Curacao. Hispaniola and the rest that I've not mentioned versus the USVI, it becomes a little redundant, don't you think?

Sorry if anyone finds my comment in any way offensive but we posters who have knowledge about the USVI post here in all good faith solely based on the USVI and not the myriad Caribbean islands which fly under different flags and of which we have only limited knowledge where their customs and mores are concerned.

Cheers.

Actually, there are many posters who DO have firsthand knowlege about Caribbean islands which fly under different flags. It is interesting to hear their opinions and a nice change from the incessant "how to ship my car" or "how to ship my pet".

I see no harm in discussing a wider array of topics which still relate to life in the Caribbean. Seems to me too many of the reugular posters feel the need to respond to every post. While I appreciate the input, it is nice to hear other opinions and/or related topics once in a while.

Anyway, the posts always get back to the same old, same old.

Angela

Well, I started this thread, and surely didn't mean to post something inappropriate for this forum. It just seemed to me that, unless you were born in the USVI, or came here because of job transfer or military assignment, most people have a dream of "living in the caribbean" first, then spend time sorting out just exactly where it is they choose to live. I live in Kentucky, but have traveled the caribbean a lot. I always dreamed of running a charter sport fishing boat out of STT hunting for marlin, etc. "big game fishing." STT was always my dream, but STX actually seems now like a more desireable place to live. I was just interested in what some of you who obviously have landed in the USVI might have considered before making your choice. If I've upset anyone because of that, I'm sorry, but you know, most adventures start with a dream somewhere.

Hola Jane.
I do not speak Spanish, perhaps yet, is appropriate to say. However I am very interested in information about Puerto Rico. Did you live there? Please reply to me, or PM me from this post. Thank you, and Gracias. Fran

STT Resident,
You...snippy or argumentative???

Hello Jane,

My husband and I are also trying to narrow down our final island destination. Puerto Rico is on the list! Would you mind sharing with me also a little more info on exactly where you lived? I loved your comment about it being a great place to raise kids while also being affordable. If you don't mind sharing a little more, you can post here or email or PM me directly.

Thanks for taking your time to share your experiences with others!!