PMV checklist

If you're planning on taking your trash to the dump, add that to your list.

Which island? If in St. Croix, add driving thru Sunny Isle/Sion Farm when Hovensa (oil refinery) has shift change. AAAAA!!!!:-o

You should definitely see if a realtor can show you some properties. Things are SO DIFFERENT here. Things that I have learned to consider:
Size of cistern
Presence of generator
View
Access to trade winds (east facing doors/windows)
Presence of mold/mildew/termites/etc
Wacky driveway/parking situation
Air circulation in closets- clothes get musty here
Weird furniture- most places come furnished
Ceiling fans (due to electricity costs it is preferable to avoid using a/c)
Porch/pool/other amenities
Also a lot of houses here have bizarre layouts or other unfamiliar features (lack of a ceiling, for example)

I know many of these things are easy to fix if you want to buy a place. I just wanted to put them down since the concerns in a tropical environment are so different.

Let me know if you need help finding a realtor.

Good luck!

Also, in many older houses you'll find backwards plumbing fixtures. Watch out...hot may be cold and visa-versa...doesn't mean they don't work.

When you go to the grocery store, see what your groceries are going to cost you for a week not just what they have. Take a calculator with you. Its a big eye opener. A family of four can easily spend $300 to $400 if they are not careful.

Kmart....I can count the number of times on two fingers that I've gone in there and paid less then $150.

Go look at rentals and see what your money will get for you, then drive back there in the evening and night and see if it feels safe and quiet. I've had more then one cruzan neighbor who didnt understand why I was upset when my windows rattled because his music was so loud. Also my first rental was far from the safest. Ask locals their opinons of the exact area you're thinking about. As others have said, expect nothing fancy in a rental but try for a nice view.

Try living without a/c. Cause when you get your first wapa bill you will be shocked most likely.

I don't know the point of going to the bank or post office, unless you are setting up a bank account, the post office won't let you without a mortgage, realtor lease or notorized lease. A place like Mail Box etc will however let you set up one just not the usps. The important thing to know is if you go in the coarse of your daily errand running you can spend anywhere from 15min to 45min in line. Pick a bank with a drive thru 😉 Or keep your stateside one.