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For me to say adios a La Florida y buenas dias a La Isla de St. Thomas. I posted last week about my upcoming move but I didn't get any love from the board so here I go again. My name is Matt and I'm 23 and moving to STT on Sunday by myself. Stoked pretty much sums up my emotions at this point. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, I am very, very, did I say very, excited to relocate from my flat Florida, which has been my place of residence me whole life. I did the PMV, I read almost the enitre message board, I've shipped a trunk, my parents are selling my car, and I worked two well-paying jobs for a year to build up a nest egg for this adventure. I already have a job lined up which is paying my moving expenses and providing me with an apartment and vehicle to use until I can obtain my own. So all in all I think I have done pretty well with my preparations. I know I will be moving to the Caribbean so I am expecting some major obstacles in who knows what- recieving my shipping items, setting up a bank account, getting a drivers liscense, etc. But no worries mon, I been wanting island life fe long time so I'm ready to wait in line and adjust my clock from Florida time (which is slower compared to the northeast) to island time. I was listening to 100.3 out of St. Croix when I was down and I'll be programming that into my radio straight away. I guess I could keep rambling but I'll go ahead with my requests and questions:
1) I have decided that the northside is the place for me so I am seeking a 1 bedroom apt in the $600-$800 range, furnished or unfurnished
2) I also will be seeking a 4 x4 type of vehicle preferebly a smaller sized SUV and my price limit is about $6000
3) I need a scuba tank, I think I may have one lined up but I would like to have two- aluminum or steel
4) I need a two person ocean kayak as well
4) Is there anything I should be bringing with me that is unavailable or really expensize on island? I went to the pharmacy and loaded up on first aid stuff, hygeine products, sunscreen, etc.
5) My parents plan on bringing my cat down with them on their first visit probably in November, is there anything they need to do to bring the cat down? I read something in the Settler's Handbook about having to obtain a note from the vet stating a clean bill of health.
Any help or information on the above items would be much appreciated!
I guess thats it for now. I do want to thank everyone again for all te information provided on this board, as it has been a very valuable tool in preparing for my relocation. See ya in da islands in three days. Hopefully I can make it to the yard sale and meet some of you there.
Cheers,
Matt
Posted : July 13, 2006 3:14 pm
Hi Matt,
Well, that's great that the time has come. It is an exciting journey and I hope you enjoy every minute of it!!!
I am not able to comment on all of your questions but I will comment on the following:
1) $600 - $800 is probably a bit low unless you don't mind having a roommate. If you don't want a roommate, you might end having to pay as much as $900 - $1,200 for something very, very basic. But then again, you might just get lucky. The Northside is very nice, but each area of the island offers its own unique advantages. I would advise you to keep a very open mind and to look at EVERYTHING out there. Who knows? You might just find a hidden "gem" in a place where you least expect. If nothing else, looking at everything available is a great way to learn your way around the island.
4) Things are a bit more expensive down here, but not THAT much more expensive. So, I am going to go out on a limb and say that you will probably just about find everything need down here for not terribly much more than in the states.
5) It took me all of a half-hour to obtain a health certificate from my stateside vet so that I could transport our 17 year-old cat here. It IS officially required and I wouldn't have considered traveling without it, BUT I was NEVER asked to present it even once!!!
Have a great trip and welcome to STT :).
Posted : July 13, 2006 4:02 pm
Congrats Matt on what appears to be a well-planned move.Although I must agree with mell, your rental range seems a bit low for the North Side, unless you are considering roommates.
re. the kayak. Surprisingly, I believe I saw some at Cost-u-Less. Check it out when you get here and...
WELCOME!!!
Posted : July 13, 2006 4:19 pm
Topic starter
Thanks for the tips mell and Onika. I am not afraid to pay more for rent as I would prefer not to have a roomate, and I will defenitely keep an open mind when searching for a place to live. I got my price range from some places that are currently for rent in the VI Daily News and Island Trader. I also helped a friend move into a new place while I was down a couple of weeks ago. Its a one bedroom on the northside with very spacious quarters, awesome deck and unbelievable views- and heres the best part- only $600 a month. So there are some deals out there, just have to find them.
Posted : July 13, 2006 4:50 pm
The island welcomes you Matt! I can tell you from personal experience that bringing your cat down is not a problem. All your parents need to do is 7 days prior to traveling with your cat, they'll need to get a Health Certificate from the vet in your hometown. They will need to get a "Sherpa" carry on bag from a pet store (PetsMart or somewhere like that). They will also need to inform the airline they will be traveling with a cat and will have to purchase a ticket for him (or her). Several years ago when I brought my cat down from Texas it was $75.00. Your parents will need to know that they will have to remove the cat from the carry on bag at the airport, and walk thru the metal detector with the cat in their arms. The carry on bag will be sent thru the x-ray machine empty. They will then put the cat back in the bag and it will have to remain in it for the duration of their travel to the island. My vet said I could give my cat a "kitty downer" but I opted not to. My cat was calm and quiet the entire time. Good luck!
Posted : July 14, 2006 6:40 pm
Matt:
Check out this week's Island Trader.
I saw an ad for 2 kayaks for sale.
They are on-line.
Posted : July 14, 2006 6:48 pm
Topic starter
Once again, this board has provided much needed and valuable nformation and I thank you Onika, Sassy and mell for taking the time to help me out. As of this posting its 12:30 am so technically, I fly today in 10 hours. I think I covered my bases and have all bags stuffed to the brim, and I will be sure tho pass along the cat flying regs to my parents. At this point my hopes are that the baggagae handlers and the mail carriers will be giving my valuables safe passage. Let the good times roll!
Posted : July 16, 2006 4:12 am
Best of luck to you Matt,
Have a safe trip and if you have any more questions when you get here, you know where to find us :)!
Best,
Mell
Posted : July 16, 2006 12:41 pm
Hi Matt T
Are you settling in okay?
Posted : July 26, 2006 4:45 pm
