Thinking about moving.

No, we don't need another board, IMO. New people do need to surf around a little. There is lots of info here. Then ask questions.

But to split into 2, not good.

As someone who found this site because they were possibly moving to the USVI I would imagine that a large amount of traffic visiting is from people thinking about moving. The creator of the site has done a very good job of positioning the forums and website in search engines to advertise to people like us seeking information on moving to the islands. In my professional opinion (this is my profession) I am going to guess that they want people like us visiting the site. (Just not repeatedly posting the same annoying questions over and over like i probably did originally).

From my own experience just from a few posts I have already found a few professionals that are assisting me with me legal and real estate needs simply from word of mouth or a private message on these boards. I think they are a great asset to the companies of the islands or at least the folks wise enough to contact people like me on the boards to see if they can help me. Then I again I can certainly appreciate if people do not own or work for a business on the islands not wanting a bunch of yahoos like me coming on here and moving down there 🙂

I also live in a vacation beach town and get frustrated with the transplants and know how that feels lol.
But REALLY what is probably frustrating readers of the boards is people coming and asking the same questions over and over again and I think i know why. As i did when i first came. I couldn't find ANYTHING with the search function. To my dismay nothing came up when I searched the subjects I needed information on.

I turns out it defaults to 30 days? (I think)? Once I noticed this I was able to use the search function to learn just about anything I needed. I dont think this is mentioned in the sticky?? But this really helped me from repeatedly asking dumb questions once I learned to use the search feature correctly. lol.

Hope this helps!
Lesson here: Use the search function and change the drop down to cover All Posts... 🙂

Seems like it would be simplest to just not answer when you don't feel like it. I think to make money or to be useful for it to make money the most important parts are the relocation/vacation boards. On the other hand it would be nice if newbies would try and read through old threads instead of just saying they have and then go on to ask the most basic questions.

Islander did give us a Community section and we don't really use it, seems like that would be the best place for a locals only area. 🙂

Please excuse this statement of the obvious, but it may be that some prospective movers might not know:

If you are planning to open a business with snorkeling trips to Buck Island, you need to be on St. Croix.

Too obvious? :@)

Actually the Buck Island off the STT harbor to the South is also a very popular snorkeling destination - especially for the cruise ship day and half day vessels - there are mooring buoys to snorkel the "Cartanser Sr." which was towed there as an artificial reef while the big crane was here lifting the burned "Angelina Lauro" cruiseship in 1979-80.
Also the cove on the N side there is named Turtle Cove locally and a good place to swim with the turtles for a daytripper.
So maybe not so obvious.*-)

No, we don't need another board, IMO. New people do need to surf around a little. There is lots of info here. Then ask questions.

But to split into 2, not good.

I agree. Keep it as one board. There is enough overlapping interest in the two areas, and I wouldn't want to keep switching between the two. Clicking around one board is enough work. Just ignore the repetitive questions if they're annoying.

I also vote for keeping one board. There is no one twisting your arm for answers! 😉

There are numerous ways to configure a message board. Perhaps Islander could 'sticky' an "FAQs About Moving" to the top of this board, then create several helpful posts in it, and then lock it down.

First Post in that sticky: "Please don't post a new question until you've searched the board for answers!"

Second Post in that sticky: "Please don't create a new topic when one already exists. Add to the topic, rather than create a new one.

Technical Wish: You can't post a new topic/thread until you have posted at least 5 other posts in exisiting threads.

NEIL, whats up with your technical wish?

Thanks for the input guys. Sorry if I didn't learn all the questions by reading every single post. If you don't want to contribute or read my post then don't. Its that simple. To those who have...thanks for the help.
:S

Donkey don't be like that, people take time to give you and others answers. We don't have to do this. We're not asking you to read every single post but to at least try to browse through them or atleast search them.

Let me put it to you this way, if you buy the settlers handbook are you just going to read chapters 3,6,10,13? Most likely you will read it cover to cover once or twice. This message board is so much better then that book. Take the time to read 5 to 10 pages of threads a day and you will come across a wealth of information. Much of it information that you would have never thought to ask.

NEIL, whats up with your technical wish?

I think maybe I get it--is the idea that people ought to be willing to play other people's "games" instead of only starting "games" of their own making and expecting others to join in?

Best,

Islandlola

I don't see the problem other than, people who want to make snarky comments. People gravitate to this board for helpful advice and all to often the answers are rude and unwelcoming. I have no idea why people who may actually have answers to simple questions are so offended by someone excited about making a life changing move. It seems that the snarky comments come from the posters that feel the need to address every question on this board.

<>

I couldn't agree more. I've read the Handbook again and again but I get so much more from this Board. My wife and I are moving to STX in a little over three weeks and though we expect lots of surprises, we actually feel prepared. Much of that is because of this Board. We take the Pollyannaish postings and the hyper-negative snarls with a grain of salt and keep really good notes on the good,sound advice. See you all in November!

Just like the voting in figure skating, toss out the best and the worst and use the rest. lol

NEIL, whats up with your technical wish?

Hi speed1dy... wasn't being coy or sarcastic, only technical.
I provide tech support to two message boards, so I'm aware there are lots of options which can be turned on/off or encoded.
Posts by "noobs" who don't want to read or don't want to use the search feature are an issue on most boards.
Technically speaking, you can moderate some of that. Stickies really help too.

A quick browse of the topics tell you that this board has outgrown it's original 'relocating' mandate.
Even two years ago it was much more about relocating. Now it's more about community questions and issues, ...which is fine with me. Ideally we'd see the moderator combing threads rather than allowing new threads about the same subjects constantly appear.

Hiya, sorry if I offended you. I didn't intend to. I was just saying if someone doesn't like the post just don't read it or contribute to it.

I don't see the problem other than, people who want to make snarky comments. People gravitate to this board for helpful advice and all to often the answers are rude and unwelcoming. I have no idea why people who may actually have answers to simple questions are so offended by someone excited about making a life changing move. It seems that the snarky comments come from the posters that feel the need to address every question on this board.

It takes all kinds to make a message board. I think what astounds many regulars here is the degree to which some people would consider moving here and begin seeking advice without doing some basic research (which would answer many of their basic questions).

...or they raise sensitive issues over and over again (crime,schools).

"I'm a single mom wanting to bartend and put my two kids in private school ...on St John"

"is crime really that bad and should I bring my gun?"

🙂

Neil, I agree. It seems that when making such a large move, research would be first and questions second. And this board is such a great place for research. The moving stories alone answer sooo many questions.

I agree with you Linda and Neil.

What often sounds like sour-grapes, negativity and warnings are often just the unfiltered reactions from people (like us) who live here and have seen too many people TRY to move here "on a wing and a prayer" -and fail.

I enjoy the moving stories the most. We should have a sticky thread just for them.

The beauty of this forum for me is its diversity.

Some members know a great deal about life in the VI. They are a valuable resource.

Others know very little about life in the VI. They have questions.

The magic comes when the two are matched in an atmosphere of respect.

There are 7 threads directly related to the current weather conditons. I'm interested in what everyone has to say, so I am reading them all, but really 1 or 2 would have been better. Maybe 1 for us to moan and groan (except aussie;)) and 1 for real information, like the shelters open and school closings and roads washed out, etc.

😀

I vote for Edward and Anita to head the diplomatic corps!;)

There are 7 threads directly related to the current weather conditons. I'm interested in what everyone has to say, so I am reading them all, but really 1 or 2 would have been better. Maybe 1 for us to moan and groan (except aussie;)) and 1 for real information, like the shelters open and school closings and roads washed out, etc.

What we're saying is "where is Islander?"
Combining similar threads is the job of the board moderator.
It helps make things readable, and keeps good threads from being shoved to the 2nd page where people often don't look.