please read my general questions

B,
I can't answer your question about too many lawyers, but I can comment about St Croix. My wife and I have found the USVI just as you described. Remember, that's our opinion. Not everyone agrees with us. I recomment a trip down to check out the islands before you decide. We're 56 years old. You're not. What works for us won't work for you and vice versa. As far as being safe, again because of our interests we rarely to never put ourselves in a situation that could turn dangerous. Having said that, I can tell you I have never felt unsafe. We come from a middle sized city so I know what feeling unsafe feels like. The people here have been great to us. If you start off your conversation with a "Good Morning, Good Afternoon, etc", you will find the people here to be much more friendly. I'm actually starting to get that way myself. I personally have met with no racial discrimination or any other discrimination for that matter and I'm an old transplanted redneck.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that the USVI and St Croix in particular, are a very good fit for my wife and I. Island life isn't for everybody. Check it out. If it is for you, pick your island and be happy. If it's not, well, you gave it a shot.

First off, I know a few lawyers. I may be able to answer questions related to that, so write me off-board if you would like. Yes, there are too many lawyers here. There are also too many lawyers everywhere in the states. Life would be better if peopled didn't sue each other so much. IMHO, of course.

I live on St. Thomas, and do not find it "too busy." It's far less busy than, say, Des Moines. It's just more busy that the other USVI. Otherwise, I echo the sentiments of Ric.

St. Croix is less busy but less lawyering to be had I would suspect. St. Thomas is NOT all that busy, it is an active busy island. St. John, great to live there, but as a practicing lawyer, I'd think St.Thomas is hands down where you need to be. How many lawyers? Like anywhere else in the states, too many, for my money. But as Ric says, you've got to visit us to see for yourself. You may choose to live on one island and work on another. Good luck.

Hi B...

You did't say what kind of laywer you were studing to be. That might make a difference as to which island you want to work on. Some demographics might be handy here for choosing.

My laywer on St Croix, handles all my real estate transactions, and civil matters. From the bills I get from him, he's not getting rich off of me! There should be a bar association, maybe through the VI college here, might look them up and see what they have as far as numbers and types are most active.

The islands can have a profound affect on transplants, you might move down here and start a bed and breakfast or dive shop. We can only hope anyway.....

Enough laywer jokes B, good luck, hope you get the info you need to find what your looking for.

Andrew

spell check please......sorry......

Hello,

I have to agree with all the suggestions made... a visit would be great... why suggestion would be do lots of research, read this board, search for topics you migh think of, read the Settlers Handbook, read the local paper, read visitor booklets - all to give you a picture of what to expect... contact the places you need to contact and then plan a pre-move visit to check things out, meet with law offices that might have openings.... this is something you need to do in person in many cases. There are a lot of attorneys here - here being St. Thomas - check out the yellow pages and do a search and you will find a list of them http://www.viphonebook.com

The island choice depends on you entirely... too busy, too small, too rocky... too few things to do.... too many stray animals... too many whatever - thats all opinions and for each of them there is someone who thinks the complete opposite. It is safe for nonlocals here... there is crime though. There is a certain level of apprehencion towards new people but not along racial lines as much as you are new and if you stick around long enough to show you really want to be part of the community your exceptance level will change.... but like crime there are some mean people here too.

Check out:

http://www.onepaper.com/vibarherald/

http://www.vid.uscourts.gov/

--Islander