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this is my first post and comes after two trips to STX, several conversations with medical and hospitality industry professional stateside transplants and after having read some (unfortunately) older posts on this site.
I'm interested in initiating a conversation about the general state of A) health care and B) the hospitality industry in the USVI and on STX specifically. Predictably, my interest stems from a budding desire to add to your ranks of northern transplants.
My most recent trip has left me with the impression that there seems to be a not inconsiderable number of medical professionals at all levels moving to the USVI and that a fair number of these are not simply retiring doctors, but active practitioners. Does this translate to an expanding and/or improved Health Care delivery system? What is the state of multi-specialty practices in the USVI?
In terms of the hospitality industry, is my (admittedly cursory) research inaccurate or is there not the same level of small hotel/inn development on STX as there seems to be elsewhere in the larger region? And is this a function of what appears to be a general lack of economic development there? I'm struck by the number of boarded-up or low occupancy retail spaces on the island. I guess this may be something of a mixed blessing for residents. If the island was booming it's character might be dramatically different. Still my entrepreneurial eye looks at the overall picture and says "Why isn't this place BOOMING?" Clearly I'm missing something.
In any event, any insight or discussion in this regard would be most appreciated.
Finally, allow me to add my own impression of the folk of STX. As stated, I have visited but twice. I stayed at a friend's condo and had the opportunity to "live" as a resident (I realize this will cause a good deal of eye rolling). Shopped at groceries, roadside stands, local stores, bought gas, drove around quite a bit and met a lot of locals, got what I think is a good feel form the people and vibe. My wife and I found Crucians across the board to be unfailingly kind, easy going and accepting. Hopefully the stars will one day align and my family and I can join y'all.
With thanks in advance,
Pete
Posted : March 31, 2006 6:06 pm
Pete - yes there are quite a few new doctors calling STX home. There are lots of other new arrivals swelling our population, also. Property sales have been extremely brisk for the past full year and the only thing keeping them from increasing to an even higher rate is the lack of properties to sell! We are booming as much as is possible at this time. It will take developers building more houses and condos before we can add all that many more full-time residents. The housing crunch is real. There are a few more rentals available at the moment as snow birds are starting to head north, but with new full-time arrivals taking over many of those properties there will be even less room for the seasonal vacationers when next winter comes.
Posted : March 31, 2006 9:22 pm
