Relocating

Hi Fisherman,
St. Thomas definitely has more fishing charter boats than St. Croix, but when it comes to looking for a fixer-upper, you get a lot more real estate for your money on STX. You can access the yellow pages at www.viphonebook.com. Look under fishing charters. You might want to give a couple of them a call and see if they will even talk to you about signing on before you are actually here, and they can meet you. Good luck.

coming down without the dogs will make it easier for you to find a rental for a few months while doing your research on which island would work best for you. All the islands have both commercial fishing and charter/sport fishing, so it would really be a matter of you connecting with a captain who is in need of experienced crew to see if there is a fit and enough income to be made to support your family. The captains would want to meet you in person before even discussing any openings they may have coming up. You can get introductions to charter captains fairly easily by stopping in at the marina offices and inquiring. They often know which boats you should check out.

For affordable real estate, you can pretty much rule out St. John and focus on exploring options on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The cost of living is a bit lower on St. Croix, yet there are likely more charter jobs on St. Thomas, so there is no definite answer about which island will ultimately be your best bet. Come on down and check out both and you and your wife will likely prefer one over the other after just spending a few days on each as the islands have very different flavors. St. Croix is sleepier and is probably more like what you are used to where you are living now. I moved to St. Croix from Washington state, also. Which island are you living on?

It sounds like St. Thomas has more opportunity as a fisherman. As far as real estate we would get more for our money on St. Croix. Is that what I am understanding? Also are there any small 2bdr houses for rent for 4-6months that are around $600-1000?
Yes, meeting a captian face to face is the only way to get a job on his boat. But I haven't met one yet that hasn't liked me. I'm the greatest fisherman in the world you know(kidding). I just love to fish.
Thanks for the info. Also are there any other stay at home mothers with small childern that can give my wife some advice negative or positive? Herron Island in south Puget Sound
Thanks

Click on Forum List up top & go to the Classified sections to read ads for rentals, etc.

Finding a two bedroom house for 600 to 1000 on stt would make you the man. You might get really really lucky and find a 2/1 apartment for 1000 but its not the most likely scenerio. Start doing your research on this board so you can get a good idea of prices and the cost of living. Good Luck.

Are there many renters that would take some home improvement work in trade for a little off the rent? Plumming, electrical, fence, roof, you name it I can build it or fix it. I have bought and resold four houses that were in bad shape, doing all the work myself. I do amazing mosaic tile work if any one is into that. I'm not looking for free rent.
STT or STX ?
Thank you.

An owner in our condo association did that. He rented to someone who installed A/C for a reduced rent. Why not post that over on the Classifieds to see if you get any responses? Wouldn't hurt to try

I hook contractors up with landlords now and then if there is a good fit.