should i just go?

Read through the information in the relocation sections of this website as well as many of the questions/responses on this forum and you'll find answers to all your questions - they have been answered many, many times.

Simply put, most employers DO NOT hire applicants who are not already on the island. The reason is over the years employers have learned a great many job seekers from "off island" change their mind and never actually show up. Employers don't want to waste their time. Thus, you'll stand a much better chance of finding employment if you are actually on island.

Which island is best for you depends on what you are seeking. It sounds like you've never been here before. If that's the case you'd be wise to make a pre-move visit to find out which island fits YOUR desires. All three of the main USVI's are very different from one another.

No, you can't sleep in a tent on the beach it's illegal.

Yes, there are hostels and "relatively" inexpensive places you can stay until you find more permanent living arrangements but they are Not Cheap.

$2,000 is not much of a nest egg. You will need enough to put down the first and last month's rent and one month's rent as a security deposit. Housing is expensive - think in terms of $800 to $1,000/month for a one bedroom apt. You'll also need deposits for telephone, utilities, etc. Most people would advise having between $10,000 and $20,000 to tide you over until you find adaquate housing and employment.

Without knowing the full extent of your work history and experience I can't comment on availablity of jobs other than the hospitality industry is the toip employer in the USVI.

"...most resorts do not provide employment links, and despite tourist season revving up, i've been unable to find a job online..."

Lots of people talk about moving and then don't, so local employers tend to expect potential employees to be on island.

"which island would be my best choice?"

St Thomas probably has the greatest number of tourism industry jobs.

"can i sleep in a tent on the beach until i'm gainfully employed?"

No, it's illegal and extremely dangerous.

"can i store my things in a locker until i have a place?"

You probably shouldn't bring so many things with you that you require a storage locker. You can always ask family/friends to send you stuff after you're settled, should you decide to stay.

"will $2000 be enough to get me there and settled for the season?"

Nobody can know as that depends on how quickly you obtain employment.

"are there hostels or cheap hotels i can stay in until i've found a place?"

Nothing here is inexpensive, except perhaps rum.

"i have eight years of experience in hospitality--will that be enough to land a walk-in job at one of the resorts or hotels?"

Perhaps, but a lot depends on how you present yourself. Also, the economy has many employers reconsidering their hiring needs for season.

Many people do what you want to do, but more people come here and leave than come here and stay, so if you decide to give it a try, make sure you have enough money set aside for a return ticket in case it doesn't work out for you.

"Hospitality" covers a lot of territory. You don't really have enough money saved up & unless you're at a high enough level to get a housing allowance or housing itself you'll find it tough going. I'm guessing you're not at a higher level if you're considering sleeping in a tent. What might help is for you to find which resorts here are also in your area & get a job at one of those, such as Marriott, Westin, Ritz, etc. Some of those employees then transfer down. Best of luck!

All $2K will get you here is about 2 weeks of goofing off....then you'll be on your way back to America....I'd recommend not coming down with less than $7K. That's the amount I brought in Jan of '98 and it was just enough...may be not enough these days...a quick break down:

-Hotel while you look for a place = $1,000 (figuring about 10 days)
-Apartment (1st, last and Sec) = $3,000 (figuring a 1 bedroom)
-Transportation = $2,000 (minimum for a reliable 'island car' - yeah, yeah, I know, "I can walk or take the bus"...don't count on it, buy a car, as the VI is a real pain to live in without transportation...it can be done, but I wouldn't do it, myself)
-Insurance for your car = $270
-Registration = $200 (assuming you use a fellow that can get it all done for you without taking the car in for inspection...that $200 covers his fee, as well as registration and inspection sticker)
-Gasoline = $100 (just for the first ten days while you scout out the place and look for employment)
-Deposits for Utilities = $200
-Food for the first ten days while you are at a hotel = $300 (and that's being mighty stingy with the cash...I'm talking PBJ for breakfast and lunch, cheap dinners)

And this is just right off the top of my head....there are probably 20 other things that'll pop up in that ten days that will require cash...and that's NOT including any entertainment! So, for ten days, you're looking at $7,070, and you probably aren't even working yet....

A PMV is IMPERATIVE!!! I'd say about 80-90% of people that move here with grand ideas of 'paradise' in their heads are back in the States within 3 months....6 at most...the majority of those will be gone within a month if they haven't done a PMV. You really need to spend some time here as a 'resident', not a 'vacationer'. Go stand in line at the bank, the grocery store, Innovative, WAPA, try traveling during rush hours, etc.....nothing goes as smoothly here as you are probably accustomed to in the States, and that can get mighty tiring...plus, if you are white, then you will also have to get used to being a 'minority' and treated as such. It's not all 'paradise and rum drinks' like many think. For me, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, but it's because I have accepted the island's ways for what they are and I can go with the flow...many cannot. JMHO, mind you.

Good luck!

If you do decide to do this, have your $2,000 AND a round trip ticket. I would pick STT. The minute you get on island get your health card (necessary to work with any food). Try Villa Fairview for cheap accomodations. Spend ALL your time going to bars, restaurants, hotels, etc. looking for what ever work you can find. If you find work before your money runs out, then you can decide it you're making enough to stay. If you can't find a job, your decision is made easier, go back home.

Marty,

Your perspective is enlightening. Never seen anyone person break expenses down just that way.

Thanks.

mnjj

Yeah, I learned the hard way...I brought 7K with me, but I couldn't find STT on a map on a bet! Had never been here, didn't even know it existed! Bought a one-way ticket and ended up getting a job in timeshare on my first day (didn't even know what timeshare WAS!) and everything has just worked out well for me...but I sure wish I knew some things then that I know NOW! Like about this wonderful Message Board! How much easier it would have been for me....but I wouldn't trade the experience or the world....

well...looks like i should hold off on VI for another year then, and perhaps try my luck in hawaii for now. seems like there are a lot more resources there for the transient there.

i appreciate the feedback. it probably saved me from getting into a tight spot financially (and geographically).

tskill, not to burst your Hawaii bubble, the reason I live in the VI is I couldn't afford Oahu. 2500/ month 1 bedroom condo, gas $4.00+ a gallon, pizza $25.00, food prices @ the same as the VI. I was into real estate and everything went to a million or more for an old plantation house on 1/4 acre fee simple.

Plus the cost of geting back and forth is much more expensive.

Yeah, I wouldn't bet on Hawaii being any easier...buckle down and save some dough, then make your move...AFTER you've done a PMV!!

tskill,
If you can't locate an "employment link", try the telephone! Call the HR departments of the major resorts, etc. You can find numbers at http://www.viphonebook.com . I don't know how helpful they will be, but they can at least tell you if they have openings and where to send a resume. I have a new tenant, who arrived last week, job in hand, at one of the resorts on STX. I don't have any idea how he got the job, but it is doable.

Is your $2000 after the plane ticket? If so, you might just be able to do it. You would need to be frugal and maybe a little creative and willing to take whatever job comes along at first. The quickest job to get is server or bartender, usually server. In December/January, you can often walk into a place and start work the next day. This year may be a little different because of the economy. Tourist related businesses are a little shakey.

Contact some of the people on here who are looking for roommates. Have you considered working as crew on a boat? Sometimes a captain will take you on, even if you don't have much, or any, experience. Depending on the boat and type of charters, it might come with accommodations. That one may be a long shot, but I mention it because there are crew placement companies you can find online.

Where do you live?