Thank You! Pre-PMV

Things always look beautiful when looking through rose colored glasses hahahahahahaha. That is what I find facinating about pre-move visits and people that suggest them. Yes, it's always nice to check out the place you intend to spend the rest of your life at or at least most of it. But lets face it, have you ever seen a post where folks were hell bent and damned determined to move to that tropical paradise only to have their dreams shattered after a less than perfect premove visit? I haven't, which is why most don't last on the islands more than a couple of years.

Yes, as a matter of fact, we have. A couple of years ago a couple arrived on stj for a pre-move visit of 10 days, I think. By the second day, according to their message board posting, they realized the would not be happy moving here. So the regrouped and had a wonderful vacation instead. There story might be in the "what to expect" area.

Yes, as a matter of fact, we have. A couple of years ago a couple arrived on stj for a pre-move visit of 10 days, I think. By the second day, according to their message board posting, they realized the would not be happy moving here. So the regrouped and had a wonderful vacation instead. There story might be in the "what to expect" area.

I don't recall that one in particular but there certainly have been a similar few. In fact I've been in touch with someone very recently who just came down for a job interview/PMV and after a couple of days of really looking around I think he's realized that this sort of a move isn't going to work for his family right now. A PMV is an excellent tool.

I know a few different people that have come on vacation often, did PMV's, moved here, rented or bought a house or condo.
After 2 years of living and working here, couldn't wait to go back to states and left.
It is different living on a small island than vacationing on one. Island life is not for everyone.
That being said, time and time again, enjoy it while you are here and have no regrets when you leave, if and when you do.

"enjoy it while you are here and have no regrets when you leave, if and when you do."

I LOVE that phrase. So true, So true.

This reminds me of the time back in the early 70's when I lived on St. Thomas full time. I went to the Tutu market to get a six pack of beer for my Step dad and while standing in line at the cash register, I was like the next person to check out, a tall black gentleman cut in front of me who had several items to pay for. I said, "excuse me, but you just cut in front of me and it's not your turn and I started to step in front of him when he took his right arm and pushed me into a rack of chewing gum or something there knocking it over. I then hit the fellow in the face with the six pack of beer, which was Miller Highlife if I recall, which knocked him to the ground and told him "now wait your damn turn". He jumped up and ran out of the store when the manager yelled he was calling the cops. I decided since my Parents lived just down the road, I better stick around because I visited the TuTu grocery quite often.

Well, the cops showed up, spoke to the few patrons there and then hand cuffed me, hauled me down to the Police Station while they searched for the other party. But after an hour or so, the cop let me go and told me that they couldn't find the other guy, but if he shows up to press charges, I would be arrested for assault. I asked if he was kidding me, and he said NO, you hit the guy with a six pack of beer, but like I told the cop, I know it was a crime to waste good beer on that worthless piece of $*&$%, but it was the only thing I had in my hand at the time.

My parents showed up at the station to get me and all I heard from my mother all the way home and for the next few days was "don't you realize we are a minority here and if anyone is going to get arrested or go to jail it will be YOU", "and that I need to realize that sometimes discretion is the better part of valor and pick battles you know you have a chance of winning and getting into a fight over someone cutting in front of you in line is not worth getting arrested or worse."

I wouldn't want to move here after reading through the posts on this board...this must be the most hated place on the planet...even those who were born here and moved away hate it. Apparently, this is the only place on earth that has:

decrepit buildings
run-down neighborhoods
gangs
home invasions
rude people
potholes
murders
robberies
rude taxi drivers
corrupt public officials
etc....

...either that, or this is the only place where such nuances of human behavior are unacceptable. Apparently, the vast majority of people in the VI are criminals, and so one is much more likely to be a victim of a crime there than any other place on earth.

Rather makes you shake your head when a thread about a new fried chicken outfit opening up quickly becomes one of the most highly responded to threads of the week ...

Rather makes you shake your head when a thread about a new fried chicken outfit opening up quickly becomes one of the most highly responded to threads of the week ...

LOL! You're so right, OldTart 😀

I have a theory and it goes like this: most people in the islands live perfectly normal lives and go about their daily business fearing absolutely nothing...I am one of those. There are others who lurk about in the vast reaches of the Internet, posting dire warnings and predictions in order to fill their time. It is like those 'open carry' gun freaks in the perfectly safe United States who live in such fear that they feel a need to carry an AK-47 with them wherever they go.

My other pet theory is that the Black-ness of this place is the underlying reason behind a lot of the vitriol. Nobody is telling you to not move to Sandy Hook after a perfectly normal guy shot and killed twenty-plus children in a perfectly safe neighborhood in their perfectly safe kindergarten school.

Agree.

I wouldn't want to move here after reading through the posts on this board...this must be the most hated place on the planet...even those who were born here and moved away hate it. Apparently, this is the only place on earth that has:

decrepit buildings
run-down neighborhoods
gangs
home invasions
rude people
potholes
murders
robberies
rude taxi drivers
corrupt public officials
etc....

...either that, or this is the only place where such nuances of human behavior are unacceptable. Apparently, the vast majority of people in the VI are criminals, and so one is much more likely to be a victim of a crime there than any other place on earth.

You are right. Every place has those. But we have WAPA!

I wouldn't want to move here after reading through the posts on this board...this must be the most hated place on the planet...even those who were born here and moved away hate it. Apparently, this is the only place on earth that has:

decrepit buildings
run-down neighborhoods
gangs
home invasions
rude people
potholes
murders
robberies
rude taxi drivers
corrupt public officials
etc....

...either that, or this is the only place where such nuances of human behavior are unacceptable. Apparently, the vast majority of people in the VI are criminals, and so one is much more likely to be a victim of a crime there than any other place on earth.

You are right. Every place has those. But we have WAPA!

They don't have WAPA, but they do have fracking, coil-fired power plants, and nuclear power plants. WAPA is going to look pretty good after there is a Fukushima-size event that makes the entire east coast un-inhabitable for 20,000 years...can't happen, right? Of course you'll never hear Fukushima mentioned in the news, although the meltdown of that plant's components will probably result in the death of large sections of the Pacific ocean...but I'm just a doomsayer, right? It can't happen. Look up Chernobyl and Fukushima some time.

Because those power plants needs fossil fuels to run, the energy companies are busy "fracking'...you may have heard of it. The areas where there is "fracking" going on have increased occurrences of earthquakes, and some people can actually light their tap water due to the contamination of their groundwater caused by "fracking". Cheap power comes at a high cost to the environment.

One of the side effects of having to deal with WAPA is that more people are going solar. The ones who say they can't afford it are probably driving a 45,000 dollar SUV...where did that money come from? If you qualify for a 45,000 dollar car loan you can qualify for a 20,000 dollar loan to put solar panels on your roof.

Interesting responses. I guess it really depends on what the individual wants out of life. Some love the excitement of the big city others just want the simple life. Pros and Cons no matter what road you choose. When I tell people I could be happy in a 4 hundred square foot studio apartment (not sure how rose colored that is) they look at me as if I am nuts. By the way, there are plenty of people doing just that to live in the big city. I currently live in a medium sized city in Ohio where there is plenty of crime yet I have yet to read or hear about a gang invading a home to steal a few books. HaHa. Life is what you make of it. New fried chicken place? Sounds like Andy and Barney on Nick at Nite. If you are unhappy with your life than do something to change it. Though, I vaguely remember Howard Sprague doing just that in Mayberry only to return. Oh, and mom usually knows best or was that father? Cheers everyone.

Interesting responses. I guess it really depends on what the individual wants out of life. Some love the excitement of the big city others just want the simple life. Pros and Cons no matter what road you choose. When I tell people I could be happy in a 4 hundred square foot studio apartment (not sure how rose colored that is) they look at me as if I am nuts. By the way, there are plenty of people doing just that to live in the big city. I currently live in a medium sized city in Ohio where there is plenty of crime yet I have yet to read or hear about a gang invading a home to steal a few books. HaHa. Life is what you make of it. New fried chicken place? Sounds like Andy and Barney on Nick at Nite. If you are unhappy with your life than do something to change it. Though, I vaguely remember Howard Sprague doing just that in Mayberry only to return. Oh, and mom usually knows best or was that father? Cheers everyone.

Cheers back at you 🙂

My advice? Live your life in a way that makes you happy. Fear nothing, but respect all people.

Well put, Native Son.

native son, every place has that stuff. i do not think people care about what color a person is as much as you think. this is a beautiful place, but it can be a bit stifling. not being able to take a road trip for the weekend, go to the mall, go to a museum.....things people on the mainland take for granted.

for me the crime is not that much of a consideration though we have had more crime in our ten years on island than our 40+ stateside. that is not one of the reasons i want to move back. being closer to family and doing the things listed above would be my deciding factor.

when you work and live here, it is just like any other place on earth. when you are retired or on vacation, it is one of the best places on this planet

native son, every place has that stuff. i do not think people care about what color a person is as much as you think. this is a beautiful place, but it can be a bit stifling. not being able to take a road trip for the weekend, go to the mall, go to a museum.....things people on the mainland take for granted.

for me the crime is not that much of a consideration though we have had more crime in our ten years on island than our 40+ stateside. that is not one of the reasons i want to move back. being closer to family and doing the things listed above would be my deciding factor.

when you work and live here, it is just like any other place on earth. when you are retired or on vacation, it is one of the best places on this planet

I disagree...it is all about color, and to deny that fact is to have your head buried very deep in the sand. I wish I had the time or inclination to describe to you some of the numerous color-based situations on St. Croix. It can at times be very subtle.

You will be affected much more by crime when you move back to the mainland...you just won't notice because it will not involve someone sticking a gun in your face or some such overt activity. The truth is, the crime that you are not aware of is much more dangerous than the obvious things like someone breaking into your house and taking your obscenely large 75-inch flat-screen TV. You will have frackers, environmental polluters, GMO foods, and carnage on your highways to the tune of thousands dead per year. Of course, this will all be soothed by a visit to the nearest ChinaMart, in support of the bandits who have outsourced your middle class jobs to communist countries. In America today, you are more likely to be killed by a cop than by a terrorist. Your future consists of being a debt slave, and unending support for the criminal bankers who have destroyed your future without firing a single shot. When the crap hits the fan, I will still be able to draw water from my cistern (illegal in some states), grow food in my yard (illegal in some states), and swim in the sea (impossible in some states).

There are countless people living in Manhattan who have never been to the museums or even to a Broadway show...being stifled is mostly an internal thing. There are lots of stifled people in Chicago, Tokyo, London, and other major metropolitan areas. There are lots of people on our little island who do not feel stifled at all, including me. People on the mainland are spoiled by all of the supposed "conveniences". I prefer being spoiled by simplicity.

nativesone, i have had people treat me like shit based on my white skin. does it bother me, yeah. but you move on and be greatful that you are not ignorant like them

AND AS I STATED I HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF CRIME HERE MORE THAN MY 40+ years stateside. there was no not noticing it there, it just did not happen-not all crime is via gun.

omg, native son. i stopped reading your post. you went way off on a tangent

nativesone, i have had people treat me like shit based on my white skin. does it bother me, yeah. but you move on and be greatful that you are not ignorant like them

AND AS I STATED I HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF CRIME HERE MORE THAN MY 40+ years stateside. there was no not noticing it there, it just did not happen-not all crime is via gun.

omg, native son. i stopped reading your post. you went way off on a tangent

Not really a tangent...crime is crime. White collar crime does much more damage. If you're going to talk about crime and its effects on society you have to include all crime in the conversation, not just the ones that occur on St. Croix.

i did mention the crime that has affected me personally. no one else.

Not really a tangent...crime is crime. White collar crime does much more damage. If you're going to talk about crime and its effects on society you have to include all crime in the conversation, not just the ones that occur on St. Croix.

That is the catch, these boards are for the U.S.A. Virgin Islands... and other places (mostly the place where the asking OP is from) are used to have a reference point in order for said person to reach and informed decision... What your are posting belongs in "Under The Coconut Tree"... There you can talk about the amazingly broad concept of crime you have...

To the OP, glad you had a good time.. Whether good or bad, the VI's are special... All you have to figure out if the islands are also special for you... My trick: Be strong like metal and as flexible as rubber. Have tons of patience. Don't necessarily go with flow. I flow as I go too...

P.S. I know I am not the board police but so often things go way off topic too fast... Disagreement helps to see both sides, arguing makes for unwanted static... We are here to try and help and not confuse...

where did you get your info on cisterns being illegal in some states, same with gardening? just a question. sorry, but most of the stuff you posted, nativeson are not facts but just your opinions. and just about all your talk about consumerism is here in the vi's as well.
we get it you love the vi's. sounds like you were born here, raised here. good for you. you should always have pride in your hometown.
your pride is with blinders because you refuse to see what does go on here. that is okay too.
you focused on the crime more than any other point i mentioned.you are exceedingly blind to the crime here. here you are more likely to get killed by a gang member than a cop, so not really sure of your point.

get a grip, just because we point out some of the bad points does not mean we do not like it here. we also point out the good. stop focusing on the bad stuff. there is a lot these islands have to offer, bur for some it is not the be all end all. dont be so defensive all the time. life is much to short for that attitude surrounding you in much of your posts here. we are all different. embrace it .

where did you get your info on cisterns being illegal in some states, same with gardening?

Interestingly and very oddly enough, he's right. In Colorado, Utah and Washington states it's actually illegal to divert rainwater into cisterns and there are some states in which growing vegetables in your garden is prohibited. Talk about Ripley's "Believe It Or Not"!

Good advice Rowdy! I detect a difference between living in the USVI being retired/semi-retired versus still having or wanting to work 40+ hours a week. I think the former allows one to have more patience and gives you the added pleasure being more able to cope with living on island time. Just a small observation.