STX Pre Move Questions

Hello All,
I am new to the message board and have alot of questions so please bear with me. My wife might have a job oppurtunity in St. Croix. My being ex-military and wound a little tight...lol....make me want to ensure all the little details are accounted for. I have spent alot of time on the board searching for answers but figured it might be easier to lay it all out on one post. These questions are not in any particular order...rambling mostly. In advance I really appreciate any and all advice. Her job would be located in Christiansted.

1) Buy or rent housing? Should we look in Christiansted or other places (Frederiksted)? I would def Rent at least for a year.
2) Should we bring furniture or start new? I would not bring furniture until you have been here awhile - people tend to bring way more than they need.
3) What are the health care / medical facilities like? There is a VA clinic on STX but only the Vet (not dependents) can be seen there.
4) Should we bring our cars (Jeep/Ford pick-up) or buy used there? What are the service garages like if cars need to be repaired? I would bring the vehicles if they are reliable. There are decent mechanics here.
5) We have a 10 year old daughter. Are there good places to live with children? What are the schools like? Any recommendations? I have no personal experience with schools
6) We also have an 18 year old son. Not sure if he is coming with us at this point.
7) What is used for cell phone service provider? We have Verizon right now. AT&T is the best on STX. Sprint is also avail. Verizon will kill you with roaming charges.
8) How is tv broadcasting in regards to the mainland U.S. programmin? Depends on Cable vs. Sat. We use Dish Network and are happy with it.
8) I like physical fitness. Are there any local gyms or are they limited to the tourist resorts? There are a couple of gyms and also a couple cross-fit boxes too.
9) What is the availability of healthy/organic food items? Most stores sell a variety of organic/health food and there is also a health food store.
10) Generators. Should we bring our Generac 5500. Small I know but will it work temporarily when power goes out? It is always a good idea to have a generator.
11) What is the general frequency of tropical storms/hurricanes and how does the island weather (no pun intended) these? Tropical storms - we typically get a few each year (this past year was an easy one!). Hurricanes - we typically get them every couple of years, sometimes more than one in a season. There are many sources with good information on how to prepare. We get pretty good at handling them.

Thank again for any reponses!!! More questions to come I am sure 🙂

Hello All,
I am new to the message board and have alot of questions so please bear with me. My wife might have a job oppurtunity in St. Croix. My being ex-military and wound a little tight...lol....make me want to ensure all the little details are accounted for. I have spent alot of time on the board searching for answers but figured it might be easier to lay it all out on one post. These questions are not in any particular order...rambling mostly. In advance I really appreciate any and all advice. Her job would be located in Christiansted.

1) Buy or rent housing? Should we look in Christiansted or other places (Frederiksted)?
Rent. The island is different in different areas and you will need to visit to decide which area has the vibe you like. Schools tend to be towards the center of the island.

2) Should we bring furniture or start new?
Don't bother bringing it; many places for sale/rent have furniture included

3) What are the health care / medical facilities like?
All depends upon your perspective - the hospital has its troubles. There are some good doctors. You can read through some threads on this board for more information.

4) Should we bring our cars (Jeep/Ford pick-up) or buy used there? What are the service garages like if cars need to be repaired?
I would bring the vehicle(s). Repairs tend to be expensive in shops. There are informal shade tree mechanics who can be less expensive.

5) We have a 10 year old daughter. Are there good places to live with children? What are the schools like? Any recommendations?
Good Hope Country Day school is a good private school, but small. A to Z Academy is also good. Public schools vary. Kids live all over the island.

6) We also have an 18 year old son. Not sure if he is coming with us at this point.
If he did he would be of drinking age.

7) What is used for cell phone service provider? We have Verizon right now.
Verizon is not on the island and will bill you roaming rates. You will need to switch to Sprint or AT&T. Both have plans that work both Stateside and in the VI.

8) How is tv broadcasting in regards to the mainland U.S. programmin?
I don't watch TV but most people say Innovative is a pain to work with.

8) I like physical fitness. Are there any local gyms or are they limited to the tourist resorts?
There are local gyms - they are smaller than probably what you are used to. A new Crossfit location recently opened center island.

9) What is the availability of healthy/organic food items?
Local farms and farmers are easy to find. Organic certified packaged foods tend to be expensive and harder to find. CostULess actually has a pretty decent selection. Plaza has some as well, but nothing like Whole Foods. Quality Food VI also has organic and some gluten free items. Expect to pay more at all of them.

10) Generators. Should we bring our Generac 5500. Small I know but will it work temporarily when power goes out?
Yes

11) What is the general frequency of tropical storms/hurricanes and how does the island weather (no pun intended) these?
Depends on the year. Generally up to a Category 2 hurricane things are pretty business as usual, with some wind damage and flooding. Above that expect more damage. Major storms happen about once a decade, on average, but there have only been a few truly terrible ones (i.e. Hurricane Hugo).

Thank again for any reponses!!! More questions to come I am sure 🙂

Rent
Find a place that is furnished until you are sure you are going to stay
AT&T works well for us
TV service was
Beeston Hill gym

Stay away from Caribbean Auto Mart. For anything.

Stay away from Caribbean Auto Mart. For anything.

Second that Lou. They're so evil you must be jealous.

Yes, to all of the above.
I like to live near work for the convienance but that is a personal choice. Keep in mind Frediricksted is a30 min. Drive to Christiansted.
What type of living situation are you looking for? Condo, house, apartment, boat? Do you want neighbors nearby? Do you want to garden? Do you have pets? Do you.want to live up in the hills with a view or down lower near the beach? Or in the rainforest? What is your budget?It is a small island but so many options.
I have two kids, 10 and 12. They attend private school. We tried the public school but it didn't work for us for various reasons but that is also a very persoal choice.
Welcome and best of luck. We moved 2 1/2 years ago and we love it.

Stay away from Caribbean Auto Mart. For anything.

Second that Lou. They're so evil you must be jealous.

They are making me look bad.

1-rent
2-do not bring furniture but do bring things you can not live without
3-bad/good-depends on who you ask
4-YES YES YES
5-?
6-I am not sure how the 18 year old would like it long term
7-ATT
8-We have all the same net works as stateside, during the fall all the programming is on an hour later
8-beeston hill
10-yes, bring it. power goes out often
11-not often. rain and wind yes. hurricanes not often