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Hello, good people of VI.
Please forgive the windy post, as I have a thousand questions, and will try to ask a few important ones.
We are going to visit VI later this year to see for ourselves what St. Thomas is like. We are considering a move to a less busy, more tropical climate. No kids, two spoiled dogs.
ISLAND LIVING- What exactly is "island lifestyle"? I have heard locals warn potential transplants about this. My wife and I are from the west coast, and are looking for a more relaxed pace and fewer angry people. Seems difficult to be angry when steel drums are playing and the sun is shining! We would have no problem with the remoteness of VI...it's one of the features that has us interested.
HOMES- We have two dogs, and would require a home or some townhome with a little yard space. I see quite a few condos. We're far from retirement age, late 30's/early 40's, and don't see getting into a quasi-retirement village. Are there town homes with some space for planting and dogs? We'll be meeting with a real estate agent but local input is helpful. Any places/areas to avoid, or recommended developments? Any particular advantages to condos? Types of construction to avoid (hurricanes, etc.)?
COST- Aside from Marion's flaming comments, knowing the cost of staples like milk and gas and utility costs would be helpful. How is the selection of produce/fruits?
WORK- Access to high speed internet? I would be working from home. My wife would be interested in temporary computer-related positions, is there a market for someone who wants to work for a month or two at a time? What does this kind of work generally pay?
NEIGHBORS- This can be touchy...I am Anglo, my wife is Asian...there are some places in our state where couples of mixed origin are harrassed. How tolarent are people in VI, generally speaking?
OTHER ISLANDS- How accessible are other islands (not St. Croix or St. John) but St. Martaan, BVI, etc? Do these islands reflect some of their original soverignty, or are they all pretty much the same?
CAR- We plan to bring a paid off 4WD truck.
I have read through some back posts and feel like I've done some groundwork for our visit. Any other suggestions, recommendations or comments are most welcome.
Thanks.
Posted : July 29, 2002 8:10 pm
Dear Steve: (Best Roseann Roseanna Danna Voice) You ask a LOT of questions! But ask away! Moving to the Virgin Islands is not like moving across the state lines to say, Idaho. You need lots of input, your own onsite impressions and even then, make sure you have a safety net to return to the States. You said you are coming for a visit later this year? Good. Ask lots more questions.
What is Island Living? Well, it is not worrying about the dings in cars and it is not worrying about what kind of car you have, as long as it runs well. It's about going to K-Mart, Cost-U-Less or Price Smart for all your staples, because those are the only places to buy things. And it's about buying 2 of whatever if you see them on the shelf, because the next time you go to the store it won't be there....for the next 2 months. It is about the cable guy/phone guy/painter/electrician etc. telling you he'll be there today and not showing up, and not showing up the next day, too. (Although this has improved a bit). It is about finally having DSL come to your island, but then the power goes out. It is about carrying your bathing suit and towel in the car in case you want to stop at the beach on your way where ever... It is about new food items like kallaloo, curried mutton, saltfish pate, soursop, and new fruits like genip, mango, yellow plum, fig banana. It's about gasoline approaching $2/gallon. It is about looking at ceilings in buildings to see if they have proper hurricane clips. It is about getting on a boat and going to White Bay, Jost Van Dyke for a fun Sunday, or sailing in 15 knot winds to a secluded anchorage. It is not about orderly government nor about laws being enforced in any consistent manner. It is about not being able to vote for the President of your country. It is about spectacular sunsets and the time to appreciate them and huge full moons over sparkling bays. It is about a community of people whose families came from the Virgin Islands and people who have come from down island, the Middle East, India, Korea, China, South Africa, France, Austria, The Netherlands, Uganda, Zaire, Brazil, Australia, Canada, New York and even the west coast, all to carve out a life and find out what island living is about.
Posted : July 29, 2002 10:12 pm
Hey EE, my present tenant list has people from Poland, Vietnam, Nepal, Columbia, Denmark and Argentina! Just saying that to say, not to worry about the Anglo/Asian mix. Everything's mixed here!
Ronnie
Posted : July 29, 2002 11:39 pm
Ronnie: I only listed the origins I personally have known, and I forget a lot!! I agree that "mix" is a good verb!!
Posted : July 30, 2002 12:23 pm
Zaire? Haven't met one yet!
R
Posted : July 30, 2002 1:41 pm
Topic starter
Ronnie and EE:
You've listed several of the reasons we want to "unplug"...we don't care about having a nice car, and perhaps if we can't find something at the store, we really didn't need it. We have traveled out of the country a fair bit and have always enjoyed meeting people from different cultures and regions of the world. i am looking forward to visiting and hope that some day we can call the VI our home.
Regards,
-steve
Posted : July 30, 2002 4:23 pm
Sounds like you are good island potential!
Ronnie
Posted : July 30, 2002 7:27 pm
EastEnder,
Just wanted to thank you for your post in this thread.
My wife and I have been dreaming of retiring to the USVI in about 10 years and made or preliminary visit last week. We'll be returning in Apirl/May 2003 for another visit as well.
I have no problem with (and am 'pretty sure' that I desire) the 'simpler life' available on the island, but we also had some general questions about affordability of regular food, utilities, etc.
Here in Pennsylvania, I guess we're considered 'middle class'? We're wondering what an average home and normal living expenses will require $$-wise annually down there, but that is very hard to get an idea of.
I'm thinking that when the time comes, unless I get a lot of really solid information, we'll just have to rent for a year or so while we 'really' live there and look for an affordable home.
We have plenty of time, but I like to get an early start for planning.
Thanks again,
Chris
Posted : December 19, 2002 4:16 pm
