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Hi, Y'all!
We are a family of four (kids ages 11 & 8) currently living in the Midwest. We are considering moving to St. Thomas and would welcome your advice on moving, housing, neighborhoods, schools, etc. We've been told (on a different message board) that private schools are the only option and to expect to pay a lot. We're not opposed to that, but I'd like a different opinion. Are some private schools better than others?
We know everywhere has it's own problems, but things here seem to be getting out of hand. The competition between adults we can handle (who really cares?) but our kids are feeling it from their peers and it just seems wrong that a third & fifth grader should be subject to "the rat race". Oh, and winter is highly overrated. With osteoarthritis in both knees year-round warm weather would be welcome. Also, what's the crime like? How bad are the bugs? We grew up in Memphis and can't imagine it's any worse in St. Thomas (crime or bugs). Is the cost of living horribly expensive? Is there anywhere stateside we can compare to? None of the sites I've been able to find allow me to compare the VI to major US cities.
We would love your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Anyone else out there relocated from stateside with school ages kids? Thanks!
Posted : February 29, 2012 9:45 pm
We are also moving to the Virgin islands having to Tye up some loose ends.
I have some questions you will face.
Are you sure you wont to move here with four kids? you are brave.
I hope you have a well paying job here the wage scale is very low so saving money will probably be out of the question.
Housing for 6 people will probably be expensive.
You will need transportation.
Electricity is very expensive.
A lot of the folks moving here are retired or have additional income coming in.
Not trying to talk you out of
moving but please explore all the options some folks come here on a cruise ship as we have done numerous times and think what a beautiful place to live and it is. If you haven't made a pre move visit for at least a month i urge you to do so, it will go a long way to answering your questions. We have put a lot of thought and asked a lot of questions into our move. Wish you luck.
Posted : February 29, 2012 10:38 pm
Topic starter
Thanks for responding, but let me clarify. Two kids, not four. We've already looked into having vehicles shipped from Miami and have been looking at housing online but it's not the same as getting feedback from someone who's already done it. We are planning a trip this summer for a month to get a feel for things. As far as income, we are covered there, too. Thanks for your concern. 🙂
Posted : February 29, 2012 10:54 pm
Good Evening,
This is a current thread which you should read:
Posted : February 29, 2012 11:33 pm
Sounds like you have already done your homework good luck.
Posted : March 1, 2012 1:42 am
The cost of living is high. Jobs are scarce but if you are a 'worker' you will always find work and there is such need on the island for hard-working creative people. what sells the islands for me, and I live in STX, is the weather, the lack of 'rat race', and the sense of community. Kids attending the private schools here grow up in what I think is a very close and supportive community and since I grew up in the same way (22 in my graduating class)... I think there is value in that.
that said... it is VERY expensive and getting more so. Make sure you can afford it and that you have jobs lined up. Your savings will dissappear in a flash here.
Posted : March 2, 2012 7:11 pm
much more expensive, gas just went up to just over 4.00. jobs could be scarce soon not just hovensa but teachers, cna's and lpn's have been laid off as well. i wish everyone luck but if you have 200 jobs available on island and 1000 people who stay on island without a job, what do you think is going to happen?
Posted : March 2, 2012 7:44 pm
much more expensive, gas just went up to just over 4.00. jobs could be scarce soon not just hovensa but teachers, cna's and lpn's have been laid off as well. i wish everyone luck but if you have 200 jobs available on island and 1000 people who stay on island without a job, what do you think is going to happen?
I paid 4.39 on STT yesterday. Ouch.
Posted : March 2, 2012 8:36 pm
thats a big ouch that is going to be a bigger ouch
Posted : March 2, 2012 9:09 pm
Last Friday, it was $4.149 for Premium gas at Boynes.
I wonder what it is going to be at for my next trip?
Posted : March 2, 2012 9:20 pm
