planning scouting trip

Tiffany,

FIrst great idea to take a premove visit.

Many hotels don't charge extra for little kids. So it would just be a room charge for the two adults. Airline - you would be paying for 3 tickets I don't think the baby has to pay - as they can sit on your lap. Check with your airline - there is an age cut off and I don't know what it is. You should rent a car.

The cost will be very much like a vacation cost. You might go to www.AA.com and see what tickets will run or try yahoo travel or travelocity, online for airline price ideas.

How long a trip will you make and what island is it that you are going to, will you stay in a hotel??? This will affect cost of accomodations and food. Rental cars run between $50-$80 dollars a day or there abouts.

If the cost is too much for the whole group - perhaps your husband can go and stay in a b&b and take a look around at the island and accomodations.

--Islander

Thank you for your rapid reply. We will be living on St. Croix and are hoping to stay in the least expensive accommodation as possible. We are up for anything. My husband will be moving ahead of time, if we accept the job, and our family will come at a later date. We will have to save money in order to make the move.

Another question: My husbands potential future employer warned us to seek out 'good' neighborhoods. Unfortunately, we will be on a tight budget. Do you have any suggestions of neighborhoods to avoid at all cost or perhaps affordable, safe neighborhoods? Thanks for your time. Your advice is appreciated!

J. Have you any suggestions for this family moving to St. Croix??? Thanks.

--Islander

Tiffany,
Good luck with your move, I am quite certain you will enjoy life on St. Croix. Islander repsonded to your temporary lodging for your scouting trip. I'll do my part for your permanent loding...

As far as the neighborhoods are concerned, I think you guys will be in a much better shape if you work with a realtor and give him/her all the parameteres of your wants and needs. Farchette & Hanley, and Pivar are two local realtors who have been around for years, and then there's a whole bunch of the stateside chains. You can tell us what you're looking for, on this b-board, but your audience is limited to only those who look at this board. Talk with the realtor agencies, I know the local ones both have websites and I'm sure the chains do also, and pick a realtor that matches your personality. Another avenue would be to ask your husband's future employer if they have a relator they work with. Often times, if the employer's big enough and has a realtor or two on semi-retainer services, the realtors can significantly discount your commission/fees on a real estate transaction.

Good luck in The Big Virgin!!!

Sorry so Slow in responding! I've been in St. Thomas for carnival for a whole week and this one just got past me.

Good neighborhoods, there are lots of them. It's a big island so convenience to work is going to be a big factor. I lived in the lower level apartment of a house with my wife and dog in Queen's Quarters. (Found it in the Avis, which is "the St. Croix newspaper." The Daily News won't have anything for St. Croix in the Classifieds.) QQ is a great neighborhood for a newcomer. My small Apartment cost $800 a month, with all bills paid including cable. It's right in the middle and you aren't too far from anything. Very close to Hovensa, if that is where you will be coming to work. But not to far from Christiansted or Fredricksted. It will give you plenty of exploring options.

The west end is the cheapest, but does have more crime problems. The east end has less crime, but is more expensive and VERY DRY.

I now live in a nice neighborhood called Cotton Valley. East end, Buck Island view, guest house, $725 a month no bills paid, no AC. Perfect for me, wife, and dog. (Found this one by word-of-mouth.)

My best advice would be to look in Queens Quarters, or any Neighborhood near Sunny Isle, since that is mid-island. Not the best views, but reasonably safe and affordable. Go look at the apartment first, and drive around the neighborhood. Sign the shortest lease you can, and talk to everybody you meet. The really good apartments aren't advertised!

Good Luck!
&
Bless Up,
J.