Reasons for relocating to STX

wouldn't it be nice if the VI police dept hired you to give a seminar/course/whatever to our police officers in forensics....

Please think about renting for a year before you buy. Many people think they will love it and don't for a wide range of reason. Its exciting moving here but there's no need to hurry. The market's not going to change anytime soon and selling a house is has been hard well before the stateside market went bad. Even before the slump you were usually looking at least a year to sell, so seriously don't rush, because to sell quickly here it is usually at a big loss. I know the small number of house on the market are deceptive. One its a small island with only about 55,000 people but mostly the locals build their own houses and mostly keep them.

The island is so different from the west, center to the east. Take your time and get to know and see where you really want to live.

Or try it the crucian way. Buy the land, pay it off, build your cistern, pay it off, then build your house. You will have a much bigger equity in your home that way.

Good advise, Betty. Where've you been? The board isn't the same when you are away!

Thanks Betty,
We are planning on renting for a substantial amount of time before purchasing, I thought it would be the best idea. We may rent for 6 months, a year or maybe more before we find what we want. I am not looking just for a house to live in, we are looking to create a home with a lifestyle that works for my husband and I. I think that we need time to decide what our needs are after we live there for a good length of time. It is nice that our options aren't limited (rent vs. buy vs. build) and I do want to keep an open mind for all options.

During our last visit we tried to explore and spend time in different areas of the island to get a feel for each area but I suspect that after being there for a longer period of time we would have a better feel.

However, I can't lie, I am anxious to get out of the fifty degree and rainy weather. LOL

Do you think we are on the right track?

I think you're definitely on the right track, but I wouldn't bother looking too much until you decide where you want to live and until you've been here about a year. Wait until the honeymoon phase is pass then decide. Because you know if you go out looking in the beginning you will most likely end up buying. Go out window shopping for the perfect shoes five or six times and you're going to end up buying. Just relax and enjoy the islands at first, find your groove and your niche.

I mean what sounds more exciting then moving to the caribbean and buying a home? Resist that urge, go to the beach instead, go out for drinks with new friends. Take your time and see if you really adjust to life here with its beautiful pluses and definite negatives.

Well today i wish i was in the pacific northwest!!! haha

.....Its 90 outside and inside my house it feels well over 100...

I hope you have more reasons than just the weather!

Cory K

Here in az with the temp at 111* we can't wait to get there in your hot 90* weather

But, Terry, it is a dry heat! 🙂

Side note... I have some friends that bought two houses and a plot of land after having made several PMVs to STX. They intended to rent out one house and live in the other while building their dream home on the land. Well, they are renting the one house and living in the other, but they have decided that they hate where their land is located and can't imagine ever living there. Your sensibilities definitely change once you are living on island, as opposed to visiting.

You would definitely be able to tutor children at Country Day (in the summer of course)... Look it up online and give the school a call.

Lori - I moved here from Seattle 5.5 years ago and still LOVE waking up everyday to weather in the 80's. My reasons for wanting to live in the USVI were 99% about the weather and the active lifestyle it makes possible. There's something so satisfying about not living life with a year around sinus condition, 3 layers of clothing, and a permanent shiver. I no longer feel the urge to hibernate away half the year as a result of the depression that sets in from months of gray, murky skies. As anywhere, there are things that people don't like about the islands, yet for some of us just living in eternal summer makes up for a lot of "small stuff". Oh, the lack of traffic jams like on I-5 and I-405 is also a very sweet benefit to being here.

Anyone who wants to volunteer will have plenty of outlets for their available time. Educational needs are universal and your various abilities will be gratefully put to use.

You will find that your housing needs are quite different on St. Croix than they are in WA. Living here for a bit to get a feel for the lifestyle you settle into will help you identify the best type of property to pursue for long-term housing, as well as the sector of the island that most feels like "home". There are lots of rentals available right now to give new arrivals some good choices. Closer to the end of the year the rental market will get tight for a few months as the oil refinery is bringing in contractors for a special job that begins at the first of the year and the subcontracting companies are already lining up their crew quarters. The best availability is usually found prior to Thanksgiving before the Snowbirds arrive for the winter season. If renting, it is not unusual for new arrivals to move 2-3 times in the first year (usually start with a 6 month lease) before coming across just the right property to stick with.

Best of luck as you prepare for your move! There are LOTS of us PNW'ers living on St. Croix.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I had a heat wave here today......62 and rain.....couldn't contain myself, I was so full of joy. LOL

Thanks for the tips on potential volunteer positions, I will be pursuing those avenues.

Alexandra,
I know all too well about the permanent shiver. When I lived in Michigan it was colder in the winter than it is here but it wasn't as gray and chilling as it is here. For some reason it seems there is one season this year.....gray, and I just can't seem to warm up.

We will definitely be there before Thanksgiving, I just have to finish up a few things before we leave. I was thinking the end of October but the way it is looking now it will be the end of September (end of August if I had my way). I was hoping that would be early enough before the busier time in order to find a place to rent.

Thanks again to everyone....