rental and transportation suggestions for pre move STT

Fall/winter sees the onset of high season so your options are smaller and prices greater. You might see if Ronnie at Crystal Palace above town has space available as he's been an invaluable help to prospective newcomers over many years.

I strongly suggest you leave your pet at home during this visit. Some vacation residence owners who spend several months a year here bring their dog or cat with them but a PMV is a business trip, not a vacation. It's difficult enough to find pet-friendly accommodation on a permanent move and, if your pet is a dog, there are very few dog-friendly beaches, no dog parks, public transportation doesn't allow pets on board and taxis will only take caged animals (not all of them either).

A concentrated two week visit should be sufficient to enable you to reach a decision about whether moving here is a good idea for you. Maybe a two week car rental will be less of a financial strain than that of a month (the rental agencies do offer term rentals but they're not inexpensive). Public transportation service is limited and unreliable and, if job-seeking is also part of your PMV plan, relying on it isn't a good idea.

Hope that helps a little and good luck.

I always suggest that a one-week PMV is enough, if you treat it more as a research trip, and less as a vacation. There isn't much you'll learn in weeks two or three that you didn't figure out in week one. The exception is if you're looking at more than one island.

In any case, I agree with OldTart that a one-month PMV is more than you need, given your circumstances. Without a car the whole time, your research will be hobbled.

ok, I guess I was mistaken on part of the reasoning for a PMV. I always thought it was "to see if you liked day to day life" there not just job and house hunt. I have been several times for a week at a time but always at resorts. I did get out and about but didn't feel like I had the full effect. I figured a month would let me know everything but a job as a job for a month doesn't really make sense.

I hear you on the dog... I understand what you are saying as far as transportation and all. Like I said I thought the PMV was to as closely mirror life there as possible and my dog being a major part of my life he would have come.

Maybe I will back it down to 2 weeks.

It's way more difficult to find a short term rental with a pet. The majority of condo rentals don't allow pets. I understand your pet is part of your life but on a short visit it will be a hinderence as OT mentions. Try to schedule your visit off season when rates are lower for accommodations. Mid-Nov. - end of April is our high season and most vacation rental owners will be reluctant to lower their rates. Rock bottom rates usually available in August and Sept.

I may have an option for you for a weekly car rental. I'll pm you info.
You do need a car to get around, shop and explore.

You can also try www.vrbo.com and www.flipkey.com for vacation rentals. There are vacation rental listings also on Craig's List.

ok, I guess I was mistaken on part of the reasoning for a PMV. I always thought it was "to see if you liked day to day life" there not just job and house hunt.

Some people advocate that, but it's more helpful if you're active and learning what the island has to offer. Just hanging around not doing much is uninformative, and you can do that anywhere.

Again thanks OT for the plug. I have fostered many a newbie to the island. Have some already lined up this year.

I agree, if I didn't have relatives on the Island to stay with, I would opt to stay at Ronnie's hands down. It's a great clean place and your located in town, around everything.

mike