questions about locations and government employment

Regarding breezes - you have to use common sense.

First, the prevailing winds usually come from the east so you want a home that has windows & doors on both the eastern & western sides of the structure so you'll get cross ventilation. If the eastern side of the home is blocked by hills, mountains, walls, etc. you'll get fewer breezes than you would if there were no obstructions. Also, the closer you are to those obstructions the more the wind will be blocked. The higher up on the hillside the better the better your chances are of catching the breezes. Conversely, the lower your dwelling is in relation to the water the less breeze you'll get. Lastly, you'll get more breezes on the windward side of the island than you do on the leeward side.

Second, yes, a wise person would ask to have the windows open when inspecting a house.

Third, wind speeds vary according to time of year, your location on the island and even time of day. On average winds are strongest during the winter months and lightest during the summer months but even during those times it can be windy one day and calm the next. You have to take all this into consideration.

As for checking on landlords, it's much the same as anywhere - there are good ones and bad ones. Ask for names of former and other current renters and contact them. Check with local realtors and sure, it would be a good idea to ask on this forum. Do the same due diligence you would if you were renting "back home".

I'm not an expert on government jobs but they are very difficult to come by unless you are a "local" and/or related to high ranking government officials. The odds of an "outsider" getting government employment are very, very slim even if they've been on the island for years.

Good luck with your move.

Try to get a job with federal govt. There is a DOH clinic on both islands run by local Dept of Human Services. They recently received more fed funds for expansion.

Most houses in the hills get breezes, but you don't want to be on bottom floor. Very few places have windows closed during daytime. Look for a place with cross ventilation. Others will have other ideas.

I can't add anything to the air discussion. North side always seems breezier.

How do you know if a landlord is good? Sometimes you don't, but meeting them in person and getting a feel for their honesty and integrity is a good idea. I lucked out and had the very best landlord ever! 😉

Re: government jobs... It depends what sort of job you are looking for. Nurses are always in demand, but they currently are mostly or all on a contract, not the old fashioned NOPA. It may be the same with other areas. If you are looking for an "office" job, I would think those are difficult to come by. The more education and special qualifications you have, the better. I gather you are looking for something with Department of Health. Have you checked their website? http://www.healthvi.org/

N.O.P.A. Notice of Personnel Action. Usually required for most local government jobs. Someone may be able to explain those details.

Try a Realtor first. So, far, I've rented three different places all using a realtor as their management landlord. I've leased from three different and all are professionally managed.
I plan to never buy again. Each home I've leased had wonderful breezes as well as views. Buying I would 've never been able to enjoy the beautiful different views and homes I've enjoyed living in here. Sold last home last year! Enjoying the freedom renting as allowed me.
Right now I am leasing a home on top of a ridge with three homes and the most amazing views and breezes. Last night, and it's still September, I actually had my windows closed as it was rather cool. I live on STX.

Thank you for the information. I didn't even think about finding the website for the health department. So is there a difference between DOH (department of human services) and the health department? These are federal jobs and not local government jobs? I am a little confused on that. I am interested in the Environmental Health Department. I currently work in Environmental Health here where i live. I was about to take a position that allowed me to have summers off but decided to stay where I am at for now. I love working with the public. So here we are in with the local health departments and each county has its own health department but all of the county health departments in the state are underneath DHR (department of Human Resources). My job is a state job, not local county government and not federal. So if someone knows and could expand on the health department/environmental health departments down there would be great.

Dumb question again. Which side of the island is leeward vs windward? LOL.

Thanks for the information about landlords and how to find out their reputation. Believe it or not I have only rented one time in my life and that was renting from someone I know very well. We get complaints all the time where i work from people who rent complaining about the conditions of where they are renting and how their landlords are terrible. Even if I am renting I want it to feel safe and like a home. Renting does have its advantages. Oh and I am looking at ST Croix. I love ST Thomas and have been many times but the older I get the busier it just seems to get there. LOL.

I believe the windward side of the island would include from North Side to East End and the leeward side would be Charlotte Amalie. Here is a decent site that has an overview of weather, breezes and waves.

Windfinder.com

That is a cool website. I booked marked it. Thanks Petra. I guess the windward side gets all the wind first then the leeward side gets the left overs if there is any. Guess I need a quick weather review lesson.

That is a cool website. I booked marked it.

It's for St Thomas, not St Croix.

Here is one for STX:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/st_croix

That is a cool website. I booked marked it.

It's for St Thomas, not St Croix.

Yea I just typed in St Croix in the search bar at the top of the webpage and it loaded the St Croix page. I didn't realize that until I started looking at the page that is was for St Thomas. This is a great site that can be used to look up other places also. Cool. I changed the booked marked one to the St. Croix one that you relisted Petra. That way it will open up to St Croix.

So is there a difference between DOH (department of human services) and the health department? These are federal jobs and not local government jobs?

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) are two different divisions of the territorial government. There may be some federal grants that are paying for programs, but the folks working there are territorial employees.

well even the federal jobs are hired by locals, so still might be difficult to get one

Lots of federal employees apply for transfers so they can work here. Check federal jobs website to see if there are openings.

well even the federal jobs are hired by locals, so still might be difficult to get one

There is a difference between Federal government jobs: Homeland Security, FBI, FAA, DEA, EPA, etc. and territorial government jobs: Education, Health, Human Services, Housing, Parks and Recreation, etc. However, many who are employed in the territorial government are paid through grants from Big America. A couple of examples are the WIC program and Medical Assistance program.

well even the federal jobs are hired by locals, so still might be difficult to get one

Most of the hiring is directed by VI Restore Hope, and they are not locally born. They have correct political affiliation. They endorsed deJongh in the last two election cycles, and now head several agencies including, Motor Vehicles, EDC, The Vi Lottery, The Economic Bureau just to name a few.

Your other local government bet is to have Senator Chucky Hansen as your mother. All her children have lucrative jobs at the Dept of Health, but are not required to show up for work. No Commissioer has had the power to fire them or make them show up for work and that commissioner is local.

If you want a sure local job, get one that requires national certification like nursing or teaching.

Otherwise politics determines hiring.

i also heard that you have a better chance of getting a good government job if you are on welfare-even with no experience

Welfare recipients with no experience have a better shot, if and only if, they support the correct candidate.

lol, thank you for the morning chuckle

Wow. Seems like government jobs are a lot of drama. Of course it is some drama here but doesn't seem like it is there. Maybe I will just leave government work behind and try to find something entirely not in my field. LOL. Before I finished school and started my career I worked in retail for over 10 years. I loved it. The interaction from the customers was good. I got to meet different people and deal with different people all the time. Now it could get very frustrating when the unhappy customers came in but trying to understand their frustrations and get things worked out with them was part of the challenge. Thank for the information.

Also the responses on the locations for a place to live are appreciated. Sometimes I do not have any common sense. If my husband knew I posted that about how to find out about locations with good breezes he would just die. LOL!

xenna: There are plenty of businesses on St Thomas looking for people who want to work in retail. I realize you are asking about St Croix, but don't count us out. 😉 Many people move here, do one thing while they make contacts for their "forever" job.