Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
A few years ago, my wife and I moved down to St. Thomas for roughly five months and had a fabulous time. We worked in restaurants at night and took advantage of the water during the day.
While we were there, I concluded that there were two distinct crowds/cultures on the island.
(1) "Temporary" crowd. These are your 24-yr olds doing restaurant/ tourism work, traveling nurses, random folks with money, etc. who leave after 6 to 12 months.
(2) "Permanent" crowd. These folks have "longterm" jobs (small business owners, teachers, pharmacists, bankers, etc) and plan to stay in the USVI for years.
Being part of the "temporary" crowd, I found it very easy to get to know these "temporary" folks. But, I rarely got to know the "permanent" folks (understandably so).
QUESTION:
For someone considering a longterm move to the USVI with a "professional" job, does this "permanent" crowd exist, how many folks are out there, and is there is much of a social scene?
Any feedback would be much appreciated!
Posted : February 6, 2004 6:25 pm
Dear Red: You are perceptive! 😉 One thing about being "permanent" is that you aren't for quite some time... Even if you say "I'm going to stay forever", people will be looking you over and asking themselves, "Hmm, I wonder how long this one will be here?" Things that seem to make you more permanent in other's eyes are: getting a local driver's license, buying property, knowing what you serve with souse, being able to choopse, living and staying through a major hurricane...and even then you will run into people who will disavow your Virgin Islands credentials! And yes, there is a group of fairly permanent residents doing all kinds of things- volunteer work, social activism, self-improvement, athletic pursuits... As has been said on this board many times, you have to be here first...
Posted : February 6, 2004 9:32 pm
East Ender - I laughed at your credentials list... being able to choopse is a credential huh? LOL. The longer the choopse is - the better - and if you can do the look that goes with it - more points!!! (I think I will start a thread for what things you need to be able to do to - to prove your VI credentials.... going to copy your post to start it with)
Red Hook - East Ender is right on the mark - and there is a different acceptance and treatment (more respect) for those that are considered "permanent"! And you will often hear "oh no they live here" referenced to a permanent resident - which alludes to the belief that temporary residents are not really living here they are just passing through.
There are quite a few permanent residents involved in sports and watersports in my opinion... attend boating and fishing tournaments and there are often quite a few - but if you aren't into boating or watersports then you can find them in other groups.
--Islander
Posted : February 7, 2004 5:51 am
