Safe areas, areas to avoid, adjustment??

Which island you work on and proximity to where you work will pretty much dictate location choices of where you live. There is no 100% "safe area." Neighborhoods vary and aren't like those stateside but there are many safe locations but one must still use common sense.

I'll leave it to newcomers to address their biggest adjustments as I've been here way too long. You'll need to bring some flexibility and patience. Not everyone is suited for "island life."

If your job is on St Thomas then look for accommodation on St Thomas. If your job is on St John then look for accommodation on St John. Commuting between the two gets very old very fast. Other than that, go through all the information you'll find in the pull-down menus top of this page which you'll find invaluable.

Hopefully the people for whom you'll be working can help you with temporary accommodation until you get settled in, get a car and familiarize yourself with the island(s) layouts.

EWilliams: Welcome to the board!

I agree that you should live where your job is. If you decide at a later date that you want to commute, you will have a better understanding of the time and effort it will cost. Do you have a temporary place to stay? This is a great idea, so you can check out the available housing units. One of the most common statements on this board is: "Do not rent anything sight unseen!" You will want to see the area, the drive to work, the amenities...

(We had a temporary employee who had rented a place from afar. On the first day at work she asked if it was common that "the windows don't close"- turns out she had louvers but was accustomed to stateside living where everything is sealed off and the a/c runs 24 hours a day! P.S. Yes, it is common for the windows not to close all the way and for the tropical breeze to be your a/c. LOL)

To your question about the biggest adjustment: I have to say, I still say to myself "Did you forget where you live?" There are so many differences, it is difficult to pick one.Today, for example, the darn current kept going off and on all day long. I'm not sure why, that is just the way of WAPA (your new love-to-hate acronym, the Water and Power Authority). The Lord said, "Let there be light!!" and WAPA said, "Not so fast..."

Anyway, enjoy your settling in phase and ask any questions you wish!8-)

Normal Reliable internet at 2mbs is $50.00 a month.

There are gated communities. Those who live in those communities chose them for the safety feature, I assume. You should contact a realtor who can explain the advantages/disadvantages of the different communities.

I'll never get used to grocery shopping here. The stores have improved considerably the last 5 years or so, but it can be very frustrating when you're looking for a common item, and all stores are sold out. You have to be very flexible when planning meals. Brands from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands are usually better quality and cheaper than Stateside brands.

Thank you all for the feedback. The most difficult thing for me right now is finding an affordable long term rental that can accommodate my wife, mother in law and a small fifteen pound dog.

Thank you all for the feedback. The most difficult thing for me right now is finding an affordable long term rental that can accommodate my wife, mother in law and a small fifteen pound dog.

That shouldn't be a big problem but what would be the easiest thing to do is for you to come in advance of the family. Find a temporary place to stay (Crystal Palace B&B above town is hosted by Ron who's helped settle innumerable newcomers over many years), get yourself a vehicle if your company doesn't supply one, get your bearings and then start looking for a place. It shouldn't take you more than a couple of weeks tops and then the family can follow and move right in without a lot of muss and fuss.

Do NOT take a place sight unseen - that can't be stressed enough.

Lots of rentals available on St. Thomas right now.
Summertime, (thru Sept.) generally has more options.
Contact a Realtor to help with search, look at the classifieds in the online Island Trader and Craig's List - just beware of the scam ads on CL. Don't rent sight unseen.

Yes, down town after dark and especially Back Street, Tutu area.

mike