Saving for the move

Danie, When you open the relocation guide look under the navigation column and read as much of this as possible. Under "what to expect" read the stories on the right, (especially #11) all are good and will give you a lot of insight. You can also checkout different jobs and what the average pay is (under employment/jobs, then job/wage information), worthwhile reading.

Best wishes on your upcoming marriage. When you're here for your honeymoon you can get a lot accomplished by checking out rentals, costs of different things/food, etc. which will give you an idea of how much you'll need. Much depends on how simple your requirements are but remember that most places you'll rent may require first & last month + security. There will also be security deposits for utilities so that needs to be factored in. Plus a little more for a slush fund.

However, your background should serve you well for living in STT. Best of luck!

"My question is how much do you all think per month we should have saved to live off of until we can find jobs?"

$1,700 a month bare minimum, for the two of you. Groceries, no eating out, all public transport, no unforeseen expenses (i.e. medical).

My girlfriend used to be Goofy at Walt Disney World. She told me stories about the head room.

Good luck,

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"My girlfriend used to be Goofy"

What a great set-up..

Has she straightened out? LOL

Sorry, Danielle, I just couldn't help that one..;)
It used to be said that you should have $10,000 cash to start out. That will go pretty quickly. I hope that your fiance will look into teaching.

You said "all public transport". That may or may not work depending on where you work and where you find a place to live. I wouldn't want to live here and relay on public transportation. Consider shipping a car and/or planning to purchase an "island car" once you arrive.

I said public transport because the OP asked how much to save per month to get by until they have a job. Most young people would not want to take on high insurance payments and maintenance costs for a car until they have a job. I'd add at least $600/month to my original estimate for car stuff (not including the purchase price of the car).

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As I recall, liability insurance is only $300-$400.00 per year. It would be tough to be on STT without some kind of car.

On the subject of transport again. I sort of agree with Trade about needing a car on STT. You can use public transport (dollar buses - modified pickup trucks that stop at marked bus stops - charge $1 in town or $2 out of town all the way to Red Hook at east end) for the travel between town, Tutu mall, and Redhook, but not elsewhere. I walked to work on out-of-town roads up the hills above Charlotte Amalie when I first arrived last March and it was quite dangerous walking I thought. On the other hand, having been here a while, I have come to realize that many people are able to get around quite well by hitch-hiking, especially in pickup truck beds.

Now, I have a small beat up pick-up and I almost always give any pedestrian a ride. I found that it was common when I was out walking that a car would approach from behind along the road and honk once as they approached. At first I thought it was just a warning honk so I'd stay clear, but later I realized it was usually also an offer to get in. If you are out and about looking for a ride, just keep making eye contact with the passing drivers and keep a finger pointing up and out (like pointing up the hill). Somebody interesting will be stopping soon.

Antillean, I agree that might be an OK thing for a guy to do but I don't believe it's too smart for a female to hitchhike.

Thanks so much to everyone who responded! All your advice has been much appreciated. I have been reading through the the what to expect stories and they have been really helpful as well.

We think that in a year and a half we should have enough to move! Although reading through the board I have heard different opinions on when the best time to move is. Since our lease is up in June that is when we plan to head down, is that a good time? We are already looking at switching our cell phone plan to AT&T or Sprint, since those seem to be the two that work on St. Thomas. As for transportation, we are probably going to ship my fiance's truck and sell my car to help with the move, since I have a two door sports car that seemed to be the smartest way to go. Then once there decide if we need to buy another car, or just share.

I am thrilled to begin planing and I am sure I will have more questions for the experts before to long. 🙂

I'd switch the cell phone after you move here. You don't know where you'll be living & as an example, Sprint won't work where I live at ALL. It's easier to find a place to live in June & it's not impossible to find work then.

Yes, wait to switch the cell. I did it two weeks before I moved and it was tremendously annoying to lose caller i.d. Of course living down here you have to put up with it, but I was still on mainland for those two weeks.

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