Things to bring or buy on island?

My advice to you would be "don't second guess yourself". In other words don't try to make sure you have something that isn't here or might be cheaper if bought in the states. You will find everything you need on island and if you can't find it you can buy in online.

I know it is exciting to preplan and do things for your big move, but you should come here as 'lean' as possible. Bring as little as you can and if necessary have things shipped later.

Your other post about a place to stay on pmv. I suggest Ronnie's because you will also get a real local experience.

Oil lanterns or Coleman Gas lanterns are far better than candles.
A few good sets of sheets would be on my list.
You can get most things here or shipped here.

If you're planning to rent, there are some rentals (usually part of a larger house) that have a generator. That, in my opinion, is a reason to rent a place, even if it means giving up a few other conveniences. Short power outages are no big deal, but during hurricane season, the power can be out for days, leaving you with a rotten mess in your fridge -- and given the cost of groceries, that is not fun!

I can't live without my 10" battery operated fan. Everybody at my job wanted at least one after they saw mine. They're about $20 Stateside, but twice that here. Bring 2.

A portable DVD player with extended battery. The 10" one is about $110 here.

A Netflix subscription to go with above.

With iPhones and android phones not to mention laptops and other potable devices I'm surprised the little DVD player is even around. 🙂 I love my kindle and iPad because I no longer have to worry about my books getting moldy and dusty. Not to mention island homes are smaller and have little storage usually. Same with DVDs I just don't want them taking up space. I love the digital world. You always have everything you need.

On this topic I agree with stxer. Dont make yourself crazy or pack more then you need. Bring your hobby stuff and clothes. Live here a year and then reevaluate. If you live it here then, then ship down all your stuff.

I think Ms411 was talking about entertainment when the power is off.

Thanks, Linda, I was suggesting entertainment for powerless days. When the power is out for hours/days, you can't have enough battery devices, IMO.

I was told by Netflix that they do not have Instant Viewing in USVI - do they now send DVD s ?? Before, they said not doing that ..have they changed?

Is it really "worth" living there since the cost to live is higher 30% or more and routine life so filled with hassles? Lived in Florida 18 years near Miami and it was tiresome with packed roads and expensive too...but just doing things was also a hassle and storm season a pain. Winter cooler less humid weather, but tons of snow birds from up north everywhere. Just reading, sounds like USVI is a tiny Florida surrounded by water and cannot drove OUT--LOL. Best location: Charleston SC ! A port for cruises, cheaper, friendly, great seasons, possible hurricanes too but you can at least GO inland with the 24-48 hours warnings. BUT, there IS an earthquake fault line north of the city about 10-15 miles from the bay. NO perfect spot anywhere but places like Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama are NOT for everyone. Plus, only Belize speaks english but definitely not paradise. Costa Rica getting worse by the year. I can see why people go back to the USA after even trying USVI--it is NOT for everyone and, vacations and LIVING there are TWO different things!!!

Justletmesignon--if you think living in Florida was a hassle, please don't come to live in the VI. You will probably be very frustrated and very miserable. For you, living here would probably would not be "worth it". Obviously those of us who live here and chose to stay, do think it's worth it.

Bring your own tools, stainless steel nails and screws if you are shipping a container.

Thanks Linda but so was I. All those devices work great when the power is off. 🙂

I was told by Netflix that they do not have Instant Viewing in USVI - do they now send DVD s ?? Before, they said not doing that ..have they changed?

Netflix sends DVDs to the USVI. Many of us use their DVD-by-mail service.

Laptop replacement batteries can be kind of expensive, and they don't last as long as your laptop. The DVDs I no longer want I pass along or donate. You don't keep the Netflix DVDs.

All you need is a inverter or just charge them as you go run errands in your car if you don't have a generator. Or use your generator. I get a week or more off my kindle and about 10 hours on my iPad. Most storms are easily over within 12 or rather you will be able to run your generator again if not during. I was never much of a gadget person but the technology that has come out in the last five years really seems useful and helpful. I know it's made my life better. The advantage of digital is once I own it I have it forever, the down side is it's harder to share. 🙂 but it not taking up space in my life is priceless.

Living in a much smaller space has made me really think about what I need. And it's good advice for anyone moving here. Really look at what you think you need here and then get rid of at least 30 percent of it.

I was told by Netflix that they do not have Instant Viewing in USVI - do they now send DVD s ?? Before, they said not doing that ..have they changed?

You can make streaming work for a few bucks a month extra, I've been doing it for months and posted a how to on my website http://www.netflixvi.info . Hope this helps, we have 2 kids and streaming Netflix is fantastic!

Sean

I was told by Netflix that they do not have Instant Viewing in USVI - do they now send DVD s ?? Before, they said not doing that ..have they changed?

You can make streaming work for a few bucks a month extra, I've been doing it for months and posted a how to on my website http://www.netflixvi.info . Hope this helps, we have 2 kids and streaming Netflix is fantastic!

Sean

I just bookmarked your site for future reference. Thanks!

Once the storm heads our way, there's no leaving the house until it's over. If you have a generator, you're ok, but if you don't, you need lots of battery devices. The only time I love going to work is when the power's off. Then I can charge my phone with off the generator.

I second a good set of sheets. FYI a lot of department stores ship here and shipping is cheap. I just discovered Walmart online and they shipped a telescope for $4.

Sheets always make the list! I guess I'm just not that picky about sheets, but I don't have any trouble. Kmart carries Martha Stewart (?), that other movie star brand....Jacklyn Smith, I think, and Cannon. Are they not decent sheets? That's a serious question. If there's something I'm missing, I'd like to know.

When I travel, I like to stay in hotels with fine linens, for instance, Hard Rock Hotels have the most luxurious bed linens ever, but a set of sheets like that will cost a couple of hundred, or more. Is that the type you're talking about?

I'm in the states right now. I'd love to check out the linen stores!!:-)

On sheets, I got a great set at Carlos, like 450 thread count King set for a really good price, cheaper than what we paid stateside. We've used them for a few years and they've held up just fine, pleasantly surprised.

It is so much easier down here now then it was a few years ago. The addition of Office Max, Kmart's acquisition by Sears which puts higher end stuff in their stores, the KMart appliance store, and soon come (September) Home Depot makes living and getting setup here FAR less of a challenge than it was just 5 years ago. Add in some of the local stores that do a good job (Carlos furniture, Gallows Bay and Gannet Hardware on many things etc.) and the need to ship down a ton of stuff is not that great. You will often spend as much to ship as you would to just buy with some exceptions.

Sean

I like good quality sheets. They should be 100% cotton and at least 600 count. Colors and prints are good, they seem to wear better and look good longer.

Bombi...600 thread count, that's pretty luxurious!
2 sets of 450 thread count I got on sale at Kmart last Black Friday. They nice for me & solid colors. Holding up good.

I agree 100% cotton is best because of our climate.

I try to buy in the states when visiting (great sales) and bring back all my items in checked luggage. This last time I brought home a Blu Ray DVD Home Theatre System. Plus clothes, shoes, household goods. I was packed to the max. Just made the weight limit by 2 pounds. 🙂

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to pack as light as possible... though the idea of a battery powered fan sounds great. Coolness doesn't bother me too much during the day, but really helps me sleep.. and if the power goes out that is going to be very handy =)

With iPhones and android phones not to mention laptops and other potable devices I'm surprised the little DVD player is even around. 🙂 I love my kindle and iPad because I no longer have to worry about my books getting moldy and dusty. Not to mention island homes are smaller and have little storage usually. Same with DVDs I just don't want them taking up space. I love the digital world. You always have everything you need.

On this topic I agree with stxer. Dont make yourself crazy or pack more then you need. Bring your hobby stuff and clothes. Live here a year and then reevaluate. If you live it here then, then ship down all your stuff.

My husband and I moved all our DVD's from their cases to a book a few years ago. It's awesome. We have two currently for our stuff, and one for the kids' movies. They take up soooooooooo much less space, and are stored alphabetical, so easy to find what I need. The cases have zippers too, so keeps duct and whatnot off them. Moving them is a breeze. When we go on car trips, the kids can take all their movies with them.