So many questions/ moving to StX

Bring lots of money to pay your electric bill. 😉

For the most part, the island is pretty dog-friendly. I have a small dog myself and she loves it here. Some beaches don't allow dogs because of turtle nesting, but other beaches are great for dogs. Make sure she/he is spayed or neutered though. Lots of strays down here that aren't.

Most of the rental condo associations don't allow renters/guests to have pets, but I've found that, sometimes, you can negotiate, as a renter, with the ones that DO allow owners to have pets. Or you can probably find an individual lessor that is willing to allow a small pet.

St. Croix Animal Rescue is always looking for volunteers to help out, and they do a great job.

There are certain areas of the island that I would live and others that I wouldn't; choose carefully when you're looking for long-term accommodations.

And bring money for a return ticket in case it doesn't work out.

Since you have a friend to stay with initially, and a sense of adventure, and you've been reading this forum, it sounds like you're in reasonably good shape to start.

There is an animal shelter at which you can volunteer: http://www.stcroixawc.org/

thanks for all the input and tips folks. I'm really excited that I've finally decided to do this. I've been dreaming of it for a long time. Heck, it's one of the reasons I got into the restaurant business in the first place, travel. Seems like pretty good living down there.

I was looking at some of the different sites and it seems that unemployment is way under the national level, so I should be able to find a pretty good gig. I live in a tourist town on a river now. Our business is way off this year and the river next to my house flood all the time now, so I think I'll be mildly prepared for hurricanes and seasonal tourism.

Thanks for the link to the shelter as well. Hopefully when I'm fully situated I can start fostering different dogs and try and save a few pups.

The shelter here is great. Well run. Lots of wonderful programs. But, they do have a lot of challenges and could really use your help.

Seems like pretty good living down there.

I was looking at some of the different sites and it seems that unemployment is way under the national level, so I should be able to find a pretty good gig.

Uh-oh! You might not have the correct picture of life down here. It's not necessarily easy. It's expensive, bureaucratic, service is often poor, crime is high, drugs and alcohol are big problems, and unemployment is about the same as the stateside average. http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/unemployment-rises-on-st-thomas-but-falls-on-st-croix-1.1226618

But most of us love it here anyway.

Seems like pretty good living down there.

I was looking at some of the different sites and it seems that unemployment is way under the national level, so I should be able to find a pretty good gig.

Uh-oh! You might not have the correct picture of life down here. It's not necessarily easy. It's expensive, bureaucratic, service is often poor, crime is high, drugs and alcohol are big problems, and unemployment is about the same as the stateside average. http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/unemployment-rises-on-st-thomas-but-falls-on-st-croix-1.1226618

But most of us love it here anyway.

LOL, sounds like the town I live in now. I think it'll be a great match for me. I don't think there are places without a lot of those problems anymore.

Again, I really do appreciate any and all input I can get. I'm pretty nervous. Almost as nervous as I am excited.

Shelter is active and needs volunteers. Bring money as others have said, and try to find a good solid group of friends ASAP. The people here will make you or break you. Fortunately, most people here are very welcoming towards newcomers (with a few exceptions). Other than bringing down a girlfriend, there's not much more you need.

Shelter is active and needs volunteers. Bring money as others have said, and try to find a good solid group of friends ASAP. The people here will make you or break you. Fortunately, most people here are very welcoming towards newcomers (with a few exceptions). Other than bringing down a girlfriend, there's not much more you need.

I wish I was, but the closest thing I have to a girlfriend isn't coming with me. Is it mostly guys on the island? Luckily, I will be introduced to a few people before getting down there, so I should do okay with meeting folks.

Here's an odd question, I have a lot of tattoos. Are they frowned upon on the island as far as work and personal stuff? They're nice, old timey sailor style ones, but they're visible. They've never really held me back from anything, as far as I know, but I worry about it in situations like this.

Ha ha ha!!! You'll LOVE it here and will fit right in...I feel odd sometimes because I DON'T have any tattoos!!!

I wish I was, but the closest thing I have to a girlfriend isn't coming with me. Is it mostly guys on the island? Luckily, I will be introduced to a few people before getting down there, so I should do okay with meeting folks.

I don't know that it's mostly guys, but the statesider population definitely skews older. Not sure how old you are, but by your posts, you sound on the younger side. In my limited experience, I just don't seem to come across young, single women very much here. That said, I am betrothed, so maybe I am not looking in the right places.

I wish I was, but the closest thing I have to a girlfriend isn't coming with me. Is it mostly guys on the island? Luckily, I will be introduced to a few people before getting down there, so I should do okay with meeting folks.

I don't know that it's mostly guys, but the statesider population definitely skews older. Not sure how old you are, but by your posts, you sound on the younger side. In my limited experience, I just don't seem to come across young, single women very much here. That said, I am betrothed, so maybe I am not looking in the right places.

I'm 38, but look young and am pretty immature. 🙂 That's hardly the reason I'm coming, but good to know. lol

The town I live in now is pretty gay. It's pretty everything really, it has nick names like Noahs Ark (2 of everything) or the Island of Misfit Toys.

Is there a strong gay culture down there? I'm straight, but have always joked about not being able to live somewhere without water or gays. haha

Another odd question. I live near Philly now and the flights are pretty cheap, but I was wondering if there was a way to get there from Florida, by boat. Is that at all reasonable? I could move some stuff and my puppy easier like that and I hate to fly, can't imagine the puppy is going to be too thrilled about it.

No, you cannot reach the USVI by boat. Not as transportation anyway.

Sometimes Cruise ships leave from NY, stop at Bermuda and on to St Thomas for re positioning this time of year but it is still @ $600+

"The town I live in now is pretty gay. It's pretty everything really, it has nick names like Noahs Ark (2 of everything) or the Island of Misfit Toys."

Ha - the Island of Misfit Toys - that would definitely be here!

If your dog is small enough, you can bring him in the cabin as long as he fits under the seat in front of you & weighs <20 lbs (including carrier). This is with American Airlines. We are taking the direct flight from here to Miami & our older dog handles it quite well.

I just adopted an older dog from the animal welfare center here on STX and was SO impressed at the dedication and kindness of the staff. The dogs have nary a flea on them and every single one of the dogs were sweet and happy (and most did not come from the best backgrounds). I myself might volunteer in the near future...you will love it!