StX Crime, healthcare and schools

Where/Whom are you working for?
I say PRIVATE school is the way to go.
Yes on private insurance.......make sure you get air ambulance too.
If your job does not offer relocation information, check out some local realtors & possibly sign a short term lease until you find a place.

Without being from Ireland it would be hard to compare the crime level to here. We definitely have it. As a transplant the worst that you most likely will come across is being robbed or burgarlized. As long as you are not involved in the drug community.

Our govt does not provide healthcare. So you will need it with three children. Usually if a company is willing to move you from somewhere like Ireland they will provide insurance for you. Mostly americans get insurance through their jobs. To pay for it yourself is extremely expensive.

Speaking of expensive. Schooling. Private is the only way to go. But it is outrageously expensive. About 8k for pre-k and kindergarden and then it goes up and up. The public schools here have a lot of crime and fighting and drugs. Most public schools are not at the same level as stateside and no way are they the same level as European schools as America is usually behind them.

As far as housing you should really be here to find it. Most rentals are advertised in the paper. And you really need to see it in person. There are not really good and bad areas to live in here, its sometimes street by street deal or by "estate". Most landlords will also not rent to you unless you are here in person. So many people say they will come and then don't.

I agree with most of what was said with the exception of bashing the public school system, I went to public school here as well as my entire family, I guarantee there are more drugs in private schools here than there are in private schools. As far as the quality of education. All of us graduated with honors from college. Yes some of the school are rough, and I went to the rough ones...Central and Elena. But trust me when I say the drugs are in the private schools. I have two kids in public school right now. 3rd and 7th.

My son is a typical Asian over-achiever and honors student. He attended one of the best suburban school districts in Houston until this year. This is his first week at Country Day and he is complaining about how hard it is and how much homework he has to do. So I've got believe the curriculum is tougher.

On the other hand, I went to a private school in London and did the bare minimum and did get involved with drugs. So I think Yearasta demonstrates that even under adverse conditions, a child can learn provided the parents care and the student is motivated. From what I've heard however, educating your child is that much more difficult in the VI public school system.

I just think that too much is put on the teachers...If parents do more at home then things will be smoother in schools...Teachers have a hard enough job teaching, we need to help them out more.

My husband and I moved to STX, from Indiana, specifically to teach in the public school system. I realize that we've only been in school one week, but I absolutely love my children, and I find that they are much more respectful than where I was teaching. Is there poverty in the schools? Yes! Are there rundown facilities? Yes! Are there learners that are challenged? Yes! Are there fantastic teachers that are trying to make a difference and love their job? Absolutely Yes!

I have met some of the most amazing teachers and administrators that are there for the children and want to see them succeed! I can only give you this perspective, based upon my week at Ricardo RIchards Elementary (and from my husband's perspective at Elena Christian Junior High), but I see children who are excited to learn and teachers that are willing to help them achieve their dreams.

It may be tougher to transition children in when they're in junior high or older, but 7, 4 and 2 looks like a 2nd grader with siblings at home. Just stay involved in your children's education and they'll succeed - regardless of where they're at.

(Yearasta - I'm so sorry that I didn't get your son as a student. I ended up being moved from Pearl B. I hope things are working out for him so far.)

He's at Lew Muckle...my daughter is in Elena. I agree the schools are run down. I admire people like you and your hubby Meowruff, taking the steps to make a change and remove the bad stigma attached to the public school systems. There are A LOT of problems with the public school system, but it is not as bad as everyone makes it all out to be...what is being conveyed is hearsay...I've been there. Ricardo Richards is one of the sought after schools next to Pearl B and Lew Muckle...you should like it there in Strawberry....is it Pink and Gray?

First you say I'm bashing and its all hearsay because I didnt go to public school here and then you are an expert on drugs in the private school system even though you do not go to private school. Come on...

There are a few of you on the board that recommend public school, but I have NEVER met anyone on stx that does. I have some friends that do send their kids to public but the cannot afford private school, otherwise they would. Those are the people that usually end up leaving earlier then the expected.

TRW lifts his head and sniffs the air on this one and wonders why the search feature on this site was not used and lays his head back down

I too thought this question way to broad and uninformed to try to answer - no disrespect Nene.

If I had answered, I would have said not to worry about crime, and healthcare here is all private- if your employer doesn't furnish it, you're on your own. Your biggest concern should be the schools. Many residents do fine in the puclic schools, but I would not bring 5 and 8 year old irish kids to STX and expect to put them in public schools. At the very least, I would plan on private school for a 6 months or a year until you get a feel for the island. Your budget should include $15,000 to $20,000 for tuition.

a job in the Kingshill area on a 2 year contract suggests that you may be coming to work at the courthouse building. If so, you probably should take a little extra caution in where you house your wife and children. The average person coming to STX will be safe in most neighborhoods, especially if they are openly friendly and don't have a chip on their shoulder. Unless people live lives that get them involved with the criminal element or seriously offend their neighbors, such as by involvement with drugs or sexual involvement with the neighbor's wife or girlfriend or daughter, etc., then they are generally unlikely to become a victim of violent crime.

Someone coming to work in law enforcement (DEA, ATF, FBI, Justice Department, etc.) has the added potential of being targeted by a criminal or his family/friends in an active case you get involved in. In that case, selecting one of the more guarded or secluded Continental majority neighborhoods would be a safer choice and give you more peace of mind.

If your job in Kingshill is with the post office and not at the courthouse, you wouldn't face the challenges that law enforcement agents need to consider. There's not much other industry in Kingshill, so if you're not working at either the courthouse or post office, I'm trying to think of any other company that would hire people on a 2 year contract. 😉

Rental properties in Estates Judith's Fancy, St. John and La Grande Princesse would have about a 10-12 minute commute to your job location and the most likely private school for your children (Country Day) would be on the way. You're bound to hear from people who suggest you live east end, but that greatly increases the commute and the transportation complications for getting children to and from school and activities. Estate St. George would be another good option and you'd be midway between Country Day and Good Hope schools and less than 10 minutes from Kingshill.

Expect to have rental rates quoted in the $2500 per month range for 3-BDR houses and condos. Sometimes you find something for less, but you have to be here for a while to find them and to be sure you are OK with the neighborhood and condition of the property.

Alexandra, you truly are a rock star when it comes to real estate. You gave me a great response regarding the real estate market on STX a couple of weeks ago and I really appreciate it.

Hi nene,

I have short term rentals in a nice area of Estate St. John, fairly close to Kingshill. Our largest apartment is a large 2 bedroom, 2 bath, which rents for $1650 per month, plus utilities. The apartments are furnished and equipped with basic house wares. I have availability now, and future dates listed on my website, http://www.virginislandsrentals.com.

It's a great option for relocation. We are well located, fairly central, so you can get to know the island a bit before you decide on an area for you. Our minimum rental is one month. We offer longer leases, too, but with three kids, you will probably want to end up in a three bedroom. Please let me know any questions, but check out the FAQ's page of the website. Lots of answers there.

Welcome to St. Croix!

Juanita

sugarlander - you are very welcome. 🙂 I hope your relocation goes smoothly. If you need any help from me along the way, just ask.

Hey, thanks for the info, sorry about the broadness of the question I'm new to this forum thing.

The replies are really worrying me.

My position will be in industry rather than a government connected post and being from Ireland we tend to be open, friendly and chatty almost to a fault, but the replies are putting us off bigtime. we are used to gong anywhere we want at any time except for a very small number of ghetto type areas in the bigger cities.

Would my wife be OK on the beach during the day with the 3 kids if I was at work or would this be unadvisable?

Most beaches are safe & usually empty!
N Shore has nice sandy beaches & restaurants real close....snorkel & diving!!!

East End has a really nice sandy beach at the Divi & super snorkeling. Plus restaurants close.
Smugglers Cove is very private & one of my favs........you see Buck Island & have nice sandy beach. No bathroom or food there! A nice picnic lunch is perfect.
Duggans has a great restaurant & beautiful beach..........Same goes for Buccaneer.
During the day light hours your wife & kids should be just fine!!
Use common sense, lock car doors & don't leave or take any valuables to the beach.

Chatty is fine & a great way to know people, just be wary of how much personal info you give out.

As a woman I wouldn't hang out on an empty beach alone. Its just not safe.

But the good new is there are plenty of popular beaches. And they're usually popular for a reason, sandy beach or good snoreling. No one can own the beaches they are open to the public, so there are plenty of nice beaches at hotels and restaurant locations where you can take the kids.

I would not move anywhere with three children without visiting first, to see if the location is someplace I would want to rear my family.

If you have a job in industry, they will probably provide insurance but best to ask them.

Most companies will pay for you and spouse to visit before making the decision to move. You should check with them. Even a few days would be helpful.

I think all the comments on this have totally scared this family to death!!!
This is a small tropical island with it's problems and crime happens to be one of them.
Trust me is NOT Haiti here & they don't roam the streets with M16 riffles raping & pillaging the white folks.
I live on the East end of STX and the Divi, Smugglers Cove, Duggans& Grapetree Bay beaches are SAFE & usually empty. I walk to Smugglers or Grapetree all the time & I'm a 5'3" skinny female.
The N Shore has a wonderful beach , close to the full moon restaurant & there generally folks there on the beach.
Most of the West Indian people here are very friendly and helpful.
Perhaps we should tell them more of the benefits of island life, be it not for every one, but it's an experience some of us tore up our return flight tickets & stayed!

yes and as Trade once said "we do not wear bullet proof vests to go to the corner store to buy milk"

I spent the last year in south Florida & every night it was like COPS in my back yard.......helicopters w/search lights buzzing over & honey I was in an upscale neighborhood!
Plastic breast, more botox foreheads then you can count, Coach bags w/matching shoes, Holister jeans & huddies & pocket puppies all dressed in frilly clothes & diamond studded collars & NO habla english! Now that was scarey!!!!!
All I can say is I'm glad to be back to STX!!!

No we don't wear bullet proof vest but we don't anywhere else in the us either, and there is crime there too. Thats just silly. Like Linda they should be worried moving to another country without visiting first. I

It will be a massive change for them no matter what. It they would open up a little and tell us what they will be doing (it is anoymous) we could tell them better if they will even be able to afford it here with a family of five.

From what they are talking about it does sound like crime will be worse here then it is in Ireland for them. If it is definitely tempory and the company will send you back after a certain amount of time you can always treat it as an adventure. I think it would be a massive culture shock, you wouldnt really have much from home, no family or friends, different food or even familar tv shows.