They're Small!

wow, who designed this website? as a web designer, it's by far one of the most thorough pieces of work out there. minutes after asking my question i found...

http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/#Charlotte%20Amalie%20to%20West%20End

i plan on moving to STX (because some of you make STT seem like Miami in the 90s and I'm not trying to go missing). unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be as....ferry friendly as STT. i envisioned being able to travel among the islands a little more but that's apparently going to take a whole lotta money?

STX is not situated so as to be conducive for travel to other islands. I travel to the states 3-4 times a year. I've never felt isolated or trapped.

Stx is all by it's lonesome, meaning no islands are close.................however on a clear day you can see them.
You can island hop from Stx. The seaplane is about a 20 or so min ride to Stt, which you can take the ferry to Stj. ($75-80 bucks?)
I never got rock fever, theres always too any things to do.........sleep, sunbathe, eat...repeat! hahaha
Actually you can take a break from working @ home & go to many beaches & swim,snorkel & relax. Many groups to volunteer for & lots of bars to meet folks (if you drink.....or not). Festivals, Jazz, art walks & just plain people watching in C'sted or F'sted.
Once you're settled, be sure to visit the animal shelter & find a cruzan puppy/island mutt or 2 & love em like crazy, they'll repay you 10 fold!

STX in general is cheaper than STT in every way except air travel. STT is a giant tourist trap with all the cruise ships. STX is a lot less tourist oriented.

If you're willing to fly, you can get to lots of islands down island pretty affordably and quickly. Round trip to places such as Antigua and St. Maarten are around $200-$250 on LIAT, and you can get there in about 30 minutes. So if you really need to get off this rock, you can painlessly plant yourself on another rock for a change of scenery.

Bernie

I've not been to the mainland since 1999. OMG, just realized how long ago that was. When I get island fever I grab a boat and go sailing. Great way to visit all sorts of islands. Even long weekends can be helpful.

I visit another website where people moan about the DIF (Dreaded Island Fever) and how they can't wait to get down here on vacation. I don't get a lot of sympathy there for Rock Fever. It's all a trade off, isn't it?

My apartment looks out over the sea facing White Bay and all of Tortola along with a wide expanse of nothing but blue water. That helps as well!

Pamela

Ok lemme see if I understand...

I used to live in Orlando and my complex was very close to Universal Studios. Thus everyday around 4-6pm, it was darn near impossible to go anywhere. Traffic from people going home + tourists = stay indoors. I mean lots of people are great when you're in the mood for that kind of thing but when you're trying to get a loaf of bread, it sucks.

If that's the kind of difference you all are referring to then I definitely could see myself being more comfortable on STX long-term. Short-term, like the first 6 months or so, STT during the tourist season might be better. That way I can blend in with the other folk that are clueless 😀

Tubby,

I moved here from Orlando and have never seen a traffic jam even worthy of being called one here (STT). If Raphune Hill is blocked you back up a few blocks and go around the other way. If Havensite is jammed you plan ahead. With the exception of an accident it is rarely a surprise so you plan ahead. Traffic does get blocked up but never, never what I was used to in Orlando/kissimee.

Pamela

@ bathiel - i just realized you quoted prices on trips to st maarten. THANK YOU! that's sorta what i was looking for. $200-300 range isn't cheap when you factor in hotels and stuff but it's definitely cheaper than what i'd pay traveling to any island from the states. in fact, it's what i pay to visit family in the states (minus the hotel).

what i'm hoping for is the ability to visit places like st martin so i can go to deli france, get some real brie and dijon mustard (the kind that clears your nostrils and makes you tear up). not to mention, bone up on some french. so where i'm sure i will never get bored, it's not really about being stimulated (wow, yes i said that) for me. i want to experience different cultures. one permanently (my new home wherever that may be) and others periodically (vacays).

@pamela - wow, you've stayed put since 99? i've moved 7 times since 99 😀 i understand what you were saying about orlando. i was more speaking in terms of volume than actual traffic. i assumed that STX just had a lot more "ants marching" which can be annoying...or was for me when i just wanted to run to the store.

in the end, i'm looking at a 12-16 month lead time anyway. i completed my pre-move expense sheet this weekend and estimated that between my bf and i, we're going to need a little over $20k 😮 to move the "right" way. it's enough to make ya swoon (the first time i've ever used that world in my entire life).

you don't need 20k... Sell all your furniture on craigslist, get a place here that is furnished (most of them), and enjoy it here.

Don't kid yourself thinking you move here on the cheap...............things are really expensive! Money goes fast.
WAPA - water & power can break you if the rent doesn't. Sure you can find something cheap to rent in a so so neighborhood, but don't become attached to your personal belonging........they'll soon be someone elses.
Food is costly & you'll have to go to like 4 stores just to get most of the stuff on your list...........and compromise on the other items you may never find. Keep in good contact with friends in the states so they can send you items in the mail.
Hope you don't get frustrated easily..............you'll be tested over and over daily.............and if it makes NO sense then thats how it'll be.
It can take all day to accomplish the simplest if tasks so be prepared to just call it day.....take a deep breath & enjoy the view.

@uuawww - i'm self-employed and have a business that has a lot of "stuff." so when i move, it's not just me and a backpack. my budget includes everything from my PMVs to miscellaneous stuff like car registration fees. i used this story as a guide...

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/what_to_expect/movingstory11.php

he estimated $10k. granted, his employer picked up much of his costs so he wasn't shopping around as diligently as someone who's paying for it out of pocket.

reading through some of the other stories, i have this keen sense of "i know how that feels." anyone who's moved more than once knows how much hassle incidentals are. there's nothing worse than having to stop what you're doing because you forgot deodorant and a toothbrush or my favorite, rushing to the bathroom in your new place only to realize, NO TP! 😮

and yes, i know, "there's a k-mart" but i think people who move anywhere with that mentality are over-simplifying. this isn't a vacation for me. this is my life and if that means i have to wait and plan and spend a lil more, so be it. better to be safe and happy than sorry and miserable.

Actually, Tubby, I've stayed put since 95 - celebrated 15 years here on Jan. 13. Just the one visit to the states - they drink too much coffee and drive too fast. Don't let all the advise get you down. If you live simply it is great and reasonably affordable. While we eat chicken and rice once a week, sandwiches and the like for lunch a lot tonight we are having lamb chops with white asparagus and green beans with some fresh home grown tomatoes. Yes, it is expensive to live here but it is expensive to live in Orlando. All the money you spend there you will spend here just on different things. Darn I do miss my five pairs of boots!

Pamela

Pamela is right! Boating either by power or sail is great way to visit the other islands. Ferries, boat charters, boat rallies, friends with boats are all great fun. If you are a boater or want to be there are ways. We know folks who found good deals on sailboats and some on powerboats and have made trips from STX to STT STJ Culebra and the BVI's and nice part is you can sleep on most boats. And these folks were not boaters before they moved here, but they met people, took lessons, volunteered and learned.
Good luck and have fun!

Not on STX full time, but the longer I visit the bigger it seems to get.:@)
When we first started going out there, we would drive around the island a couple of times a week for something to see and do. The last time I was there and only went around once because it seemed too far.
I know people who live in F-sted that think it is too far to drive to C-sted.:@)