Securing Apartment Before Move and Car Things...

Welcome, gshank.

Legally, you should get a VI drivers license within 30 days of moving to the VI. Actually, people do it months or years after moving here (or never), without much issue. So, no need to have an address before you move here.

You can register a vehicle without a VI drivers license, although you probably need a VI address.

You just need to get the insurance before you register the vehicle.
It might be worthwhile to have someone do all the running around and register the vehicle for you.

Move here
Register car
Find apartment
Set up utilities
Get mail box
Get DL when u can - we waited several months. We also got a duplicate in the states before we moved to the VI so we have both. Not supposed to do that but I've found some bars in the states will not take a VI DL so we take both when we go back to visit.

Thanks, STXBob!
I hadn't thought of that...If the job comes through I will definitely try to put a deposit down on an apartment before I get there so I do have an address.

Thanks for the reply, I am looking to have Crowley ship my car and I had emailed them about having someone to the grunt work. Waiting to hear back!

Thanks for the reply, I am looking to have Crowley ship my car and I had emailed them about having someone to the grunt work. Waiting to hear back!

Would you let me know what they say about shipping costs? Are u shipping from FL?

I hadn't thought of that...If the job comes through I will definitely try to put a deposit down on an apartment before I get there so I do have an address.

It's highly NOT recommended to do that. Don't put money down for any long term rental until after you've physically seen it and checked everything out. You could perhaps use a short term condo vacation rental, even a month, when you get there while you're looking for someplace permanent. It won't be cheap but it's option. On the other end of the scale are the guest rooms at Villa Morales. Don't see having an address immediately as being that important.

I agree mostly with Scubadoo except Villa Morales. Isn't that about as far away from Frederiksted as one can get?
My new neighbor's arrived and stayed at an air B and B while looking for a place.

You'll, more than likely, arrive a few days before your vehicle, so a car rental would be advised and then get a place. You'll then have an address and insurance papers for when car arrives and gets tagged.

Best advise, do not rent until you get on island! Although we did lease a house before we moved last time, (we had lived here before) knew the area we wanted and I had a friend do a walk through before I sent money and signed a lease. Most people arrive for first time are amazed at just how long it takes to get from one place to another.

it took almost a month for my vehicle to get here. just know it might not always be in a weeks time.

i had an out of state license for years, florida for a while and then maryland. i only got a dl for here when i got called for jury duty in maryland.

I got a quote from Crowley for $1300 to STX from Port Everglades, FL.

Don't forget to add road tax, inspection, registration, customs duty if car and all its parts aren't U.S. made/manufactured, new license plates, insurance, etc.

Don't forget to add road tax, inspection, registration, customs duty if car and all its parts aren't U.S. made/manufactured, new license plates, insurance, etc.

This is another thing I've done with math on.... It looks like it's going to take about $2,200 to get my honda fit shipped, registered, customs duty etc all that jazz. I'm beginning to wonder if I should save that $2,000 and just make the move without a car for the time being.

SHIP THE CAR!
You'll spend more buying one here and you'll need a car to get around.

Do you have the $2,000/$2,200 in cash ready to spend? If so, have you thought about selling your car in the US and then use the proceeds plus the additional $2,000/$2,200 to purchase a car after you arrive on STX?

SHIP THE CAR!
You'll spend more buying one here and you'll need a car to get around.

Yes! Bring it for sure!

Villa Morales has an F'sted address. It's only a few blocks from the F'sted police dept.

Liberty Hall on Hospital Street in Fsted is being renovated and the owners are great!

ship your car, you will spend more than that to get a nice used car here.

I have short term avail.