Single girl moving to STT-any advice??

Just finished packing up apt for construction company. Site manager transfered back to states.

All electric 1 bdrm..with w/d $142.22 electric bill.

Hope this helps!!!

I have a couple of studio apts. in Red Hook. They are air conditioned. Water and electric combined usually run $130-$150 (ish). Most people just run the air at night.

I have a one bedroom with air in the bedroom only, with a washer and dryer. Water and electric run $200-$250. A large part of that is the laundry. Water alone is .05 per gallon in our complex.

Quite often you can find an apartment with the utilities included, since they are part of a larger house and don't have a separate meter. Even more often, water is included, if not electric, because the house has a cistern for rainwater. Lots of different scenarios. The landlord might require you to buy water if the cistern runs out.

Rents are high in Red Hook (my studios go for $1200, plus utilities), but if you're going to be looking for restaurant / bar work, that's a great area, and you can get by without a car. Lots of good beaches on the east end, plus the ferry to St. John. Lots of daysail boats in the area, so you might be able to get a mate's position and combine being a server with being out on the water.

Also, being a single lady alone in Red Hook shouldn't be a problem. There is a hugh social scene of 20 somethings (and up). People make friends quickly, plus Red Hook is as safe an area as you will find.

All the best.

Thanks Peggy and Juanita! 🙂 I was so happy to have responses-yay!

Wow, 1200 in Red Hook huh! I was hoping for maybe 1000 or so. Maybe if I found a roommate and a 2 bdrm or something. That would be really nice. It is really good to know that Red Hook is a good area. The extra $$$ might be worth the peace of mind. One more thing-could I survive money wise serving tables? I'm thinking I'll make at least a bill each night. That sounds doable, what do you all think?

Thanks again! 🙂

Absolutely can survive as a server, particularly in Red Hook.

When are you planning on coming down? We are in off season now, so not as much $$$, obviously, but still doable, in the right restaurant. During "season" (late fall through Easter), you can make a couple of bills a night. Day shift, less, but still $100 plus per day. Bartenders generally make more.

Hi Juanita-

I'm thinking about coming down in Dec or Jan. I know that's into season a little bit so I hope I won't have trouble getting a place or a job. I wish I had enough saved now to come as I have come across a few good-sounding apts and I saw that the Greenhouse is hiring bartenders! But I seriously need to save more $$$ before I make the move. I'm thinking I'll need 5 or 6 thousand total.

Other than Duffy's, what are some good restaurants in Red Hook to check out? I've always been a server but I would like to get into bartending. Do you think I could get a bartending job with only serving experience?

Gracie,

In Dec. and Jan., it's easier to get a job but harder to get an apartment. Not all that hard, though.

The Greenhouse is downtown. I'm sure you can make good money there year 'round. Even during off season, they run promotions to bring in the local, late night, party crowd. Will be harder to find an apartment close to town where a single lady will feel safe. If you work there at night and live in Red Hook, northside or Frenchman's area, for instance, you will need a car or taxis will cost a fortune.

There certainly are safe areas closer to town, just a little harder to know. If you find an area, come back to this forum and ask. Even then, it can depend on which side of the street you're on.

I can't speak for the bar owners or manager, but usually bartenders hired during high season need to have experience, so they can hit the ground running. You can always start as a server and let them know you would like to bartend and I bet you'll get a chance eventually.

In Red Hook, I recommend checking out Molly Molones. They usually have server openings and you can definitely make good money. There are about 10 +/- bars and restaurants in Red Hook. That's not counting the hotels/resorts in the area that have multiple restaurants. Can't imagine a server, with experience, not finding a job in that area in Dec.

If you are not going to do a PMV, hard to find an apartment. You mentioned making friends when you were here visiting. Are they still on island? Maybe they could go look at places for you, if you trust their opinion.

Good luck, Juanita

Juanita-

Yeah, I would definitely want a car either way. I have always had a my own vehicle and I think the transition would be a lot more difficult without my own transportation. When we visited recently, we were appalled by the taxi rates, as I'm sure most people are! One thing I have to decide though is what to do about my car. It is a 2002 Ford Focus and from my research I think it would cost about the same to ship it as to buy an island car there. I don't really want an "island beater" because I do want a reliable car. On the other hand though, I don't need something really nice, a decent running jeep under 5000 would be great.

Do you now what kind of fees are involved with getting a car on the road there? I've heard something about not only having to pay to ship it, but also to pay more money to put it on the road in STT. What about registration? I will search more on the board for this, but any info you have would be great. You have been so helpful already! 🙂

As far as my PMV goes, I don't know if I'll do one or not. I would only be coming up with some suitcases and maybe my cat if I made the move. I figured I could get a short-term rental with Ronnie (I've read great things about you, Ronnie;)) and get an apt and job within a month. And of course, I would have some back up $$$$$ for a trip home, just in case. If I don't like it, I'll come back to Reno.

Yes, the friends I made are still on island. I guess they'd be considered "locals" cause they grew up there. However, I don't really know them all that well. I have their numbers and could definitely contact them though. I was just going to find an apt when I get there. It would be nice to have one by work, but if I do end up working at the Greenhouse (I really liked it there, although Molly Malone's sounds good as well) and living in Red Hook, if I had a car I would be good, yeah?

Thx again!

If you come without a job or apartment lined up, consider leaving the cat with family. When you find an apartment will be time enough to bring the cat.

Hi Linda-

That's a good point! What would be the best way to get my cat here once I am settled in? Do you know how much it might cost to ship through airlines? I wonder if a short-term rental would even allow pets.
Thanks for your input!

With a car, you're gold. The whole island is only 13 miles long. However....it takes about an hour to go the whole length because of winding roads and hills, etc. Also, believe it or not, STT has rush hour.

I don't know too much about shipping cars and the costs. I do know that the car will need to be "cleared", registered, inspected and insured. That all costs money. If you have done that search yet, you probably know more than I.

You can definitely get reliable transportation for $5000 or less. A Jeep would be an older model and probably some body issues or top issues, etc., but not too bad. You might decide an economy car, with working a/c is a better buy. Check out the classified section of this forum. You will get a good idea what to expect.

You will get a lot of advise to leave the car and the cat with relatives, if possible. I agree. It can be hard to find a rental, particularly a short term rental, that will take pets. I totally understand "pets as kids". I have three of my own. So, if you can't separate from the cat, be assured, there are rentals that will accept him (her?).

Juanita-

Hi there! Yeah, I really like my cat. I'll probably have him (E.J., black cat, so cute) shipped later I guess. I'll have to look into the costs on that.

It seems simpler to just leave my car here and get one there. I don't really care if I get a jeep, I just thought 4x4 would come in handy. Could I get to most places on the island in an economy car? I guess it'll come down to which option is cheaper. I've heard the islands are especially hard on cars, do you agree? I definitely don't want to bring my Focus up and have it be destroyed in a year. What about registration and insurance,is the VI comparable to the states? And AC is definitely a must!

BTW, how long have you lived on STT?
🙂

Hi Gracie

When you say economy, you are talking $10,000. Not anything less than $5,000 will get you through. Especially if you want a decent running 4x4. Those that get rid of theirs are doing so because they had it out baaha-ing. Be sure to have someone check the soundness of the frame, engine, etc. before you buy.

Good luck.

Marlene

As far as kitty cat....lst time I shipped mine, it was $175 through the airlines....in summer though, the airlines will not ship due to heat issues.....

If your cat will fit in a small soft-sided carrier (one that is made for airline carryon) you can take the cat in the cabin with you. The airlines will charge a small fee for this. You also have to let them know about the cat when you book. Only one cat per cabin/flight is allowed. If you take the cat in the cabin, you don't have to worry about seasonal temperature restrictions.

Thx for the input everyone-it is much appreciated!

So, Jay, 175 is sounds pretty good to me. Where did you ship him/her from? Do you live on STT?

10,000 for a little car like a Honda or Ford?! Yikes, if that's the case, I just might ship my car. Although, upon further research last night, I discovered all the other fees involved with getting my car there. All that personal use tax and per pound tax, etc. seems to add up! I'm not sure what to expect to pay for ins and registration.

But what do you all think about how rough the island is on cars? Will my car be trashed in year if I bring it down? Can I get to places like Neltjeberg in a 4 cyl car?

Thanks again everyone! 😉