pre-move visit questions

Good Morning.

1. I don't think this is a problem but someone else could verify.

2. The only drawback is that when you're issued a VI license you have to surrender your current one. I would wait until you actually move here.

3. A few employers offer health insurance here but there's usually a waiting period to qualify. Right now there's virtually nothing in the way of individual health insurance coverage which isn't wildly cost prohibitive.

4. Unless you already know where you'll be physically working, finding an apartment during a PMV isn't advisable. There are short term rentals available such as B&Bs and also some private landlords who rent on a short term basis but it's advisable to utilize one of these when you actually make the move while you find your way around the island and get to know the different areas. You could certainly spend some time on your PMV looking at what's available so you have a better idea of what's generally offered.

5. Most visitors get the hang of driving their rental vehicle within a few hours. With a max speed limit of 35 and usual driving speed around 25-30 it's not too difficult.

Hope that helps!

As far as the bank account goes, I was not able to open an account without a physical address. That said, we don't receive mail here at our physical addresses, everyone either has a PO Box or receives mail at work so it's not like the address you give them matters, you could give the bank your PMV address and just change it when you lock down a place. Your main choice of banks are Scotiabank, Banco Popular, First Bank, and Merchant's Commercial Bank. If you need to physically go to your bank often, First Bank and Banco Popular seem to have the most branch locations and the Altona branch is open until noon on Saturdays which can be really handy, but be prepared to be standing in line even longer than usual. I have always used MCB, they will let you open a personal account, and your account earns interest. I also know people that use them because they do not use the CHEX system. The drawback is that if you have to go in, there are only one each on STT and STJ.

As far as the apt goes, yeah it's really unlikely that any landlord is going to do that as they're eating the monthly payment every month there isn't a tennant.

For the driver's license, go to your DMV and get official driving records and bring them down with you. If you're worried about giving up your stateside license for some reason call your local DMV before yours expires and tell them you lost yours and they will usually mail you a new one for a small fee.

1. I didn't get one on my first visit but I did on my second visit when I bought my condo on STX. However I have it registered (?) with my AZ address, we are Tweeners - we split our time.
2. I know some people who have lived on-island for 15 years who still keep their stateside license. I know it is not legal but they have never had a problem. Of course they still have a stateside address.

5. what is the hardest it some of the intersections. Especially when you come to a intersection with a light and you are turning left. If the road you are turning onto has a right turn lane for the on coming traffic and no one in the lane that would go straight . Many people will tend to go around the car in the right turn lane into the lane that LOOKS like where you should go but is in fact the oncoming traffic lane.
Also I found I had the most problems on small streets where the is little traffic.
I still sometimes have a brain fade in parking lots, and have talked to others that do as well.
In the stores everyone seems to walk on the right. Go figure.:S
On STX you need to get used to when you are turning right onto or off of a side road that has someone turning right out on the road you are on. In the states the car on the side road would wait until you turn and go behind you. On STX the car on the main road would wait and let the car coming out of the side road go first and go behind them ( instead of going around them ). It is actually much easier and makes you wonder why they do it the opposite stateside. The only problem, is not everyone does this especially PMVers, taxis, and tourists. So you have to be careful if you are the one that pulls out in front of the other car instead of waiting for it to go around you. I am not sure who is in the right if a accident occurs.
Another thing, everyone on STX uses their horns. Toot-toot means for you to go ahead. Toot means thank you. When I first started driving there I kept wondering " what am I doing wrong?" Why are they honking at me?:@)

For the driver's license, go to your DMV and get official driving records and bring them down with you. If you're worried about giving up your stateside license for some reason call your local DMV before yours expires and tell them you lost yours and they will usually mail you a new one for a small fee.

I wouldn't go through all that (telling the stateside DMV you lost your license). As the previous poster mentioned, there are people here who've driven for years on their stateside licenses. Legally I think you're allowed something like 60 days to get a VI license so there's plenty of time to get it done once you make the move. Not a priority at all. While here on your PMV you can pop into the DMV and get the up to date information. It's worth noting that although until quite recently the local DMV wasn't hooked up to the mainland licensing system, this has now been done. No doubt using it will take a while to figure out (!) but it's on its way and everything relative will be available to the authorities here as it now is interstate.

For the driver's license, go to your DMV and get official driving records and bring them down with you. If you're worried about giving up your stateside license for some reason call your local DMV before yours expires and tell them you lost yours and they will usually mail you a new one for a small fee.

I wouldn't go through all that (telling the stateside DMV you lost your license). As the previous poster mentioned, there are people here who've driven for years on their stateside licenses. Legally I think you're allowed something like 60 days to get a VI license so there's plenty of time to get it done once you make the move. Not a priority at all. While here on your PMV you can pop into the DMV and get the up to date information. It's worth noting that although until quite recently the local DMV wasn't hooked up to the mainland licensing system, this has now been done. No doubt using it will take a while to figure out (!) but it's on its way and everything relative will be available to the authorities here as it now is interstate.

Oh yeah, I've been humming along with my stateside license for 5 years. You've got 90 days to do it, I just got pulled over and almost got a ticket for it for probably the 4th time in that span. It's just less of a hassle if you have a VI license. Some police actually seem really irritated when I hand them a stateside license. From what I understand, nowadays you have to have your stateside driving record to get a VI license and if you don't turn in a stateside license you have to take the tests. Maybe I should just stop buying island cars so I don't get pulled over for minor vehicle issues? I'll tell you one thing, if you have any car issue that could get you pulled over stay off Main St.