Thinking about moving to St. Croix next winter

1. A few years ago if anyone said they were moving here because they vacationed or honeymooned here, people came out of the woodwork warning potential newbies to do a PMV etc. It's not paradise. If you're coming here for the weather...... Blah-Blah-Blah.

2. And stop with your crap about if your so miserable here etc. It's not fair if people have the wrong idea about the VI and come here on a whim.

3. ... if you listen to members like OT. They'll paint you a portrait of how wonderful it is. A lot of members own businesses here and they're always on the defensive. The VI relies on tourist dollars and people coming here to work to support the infrastructure. They're all biased.

1. Nothing has changed. There's a huge difference in someone showing interest in living and working here versus the person who returns from a week's vacation and uses that and that only as the reason for contemplating it, imagining sitting under a rustling palm tree under beautiful blue skies day after day. Most of us are perfectly capable of sifting the wheat from the chaff because we've been doing it for years. These are the people who are advised to carefully read all the general information right here on this website and do a PMV before selling everything and moving here blind with the three school age children and the two dogs.

2. There's no "crap" involved in suggesting that if someone is miserable living here they should consider moving to a more suitable environment. People come and go like the Trades and there's nothing wrong with that. I didn't come here with the expectation or it being forever and I don't know anyone who did.

3. Show me any thread where I've suggested that living here is idyllic. And do stop harping on people who own businesses here and need suckers to support same. That's plain bloody ridiculous. I've lived here for 30 years and owned one business here for 16 years which I closed over three years ago. The rest of my time here has been spent as an employee, not an employer/business owner. If you truly think that those 16 years were spent encouraging people to visit and move here to support my business, you're certifiably off your rocker. I'm as defensive as anyone is about their home when hyperbolic nonsense is blithely tossed around but to insinuate that I either have my head in the sand about the negatives or don't but deliberately mislead people to further some personal agenda is plain daft.

Here's a question that might spark a lively debate,......I have a 1967 Ford F100 pick up with only 28,000 original miles, all original, no rust, runs like new. 2wd with 8 foot bed and "3 on the tree" transmission. Been thinking of selling it but thought it might make a good island truck. I got a quote of $2500.00 to ship it to St. Croix from Pennsylvania. Any thoughts???

That's a tough one. It won't stay pristine for long - the roads here are very tough on a vehicle and if you decide to leave after 6 months or a year it's resale value will be close to zero while the cost of shipping it back will be prohibitive. If you really love it, I'd suggest leaving it with family or a friend for a while until you settle in and see if island living is for you.

Here's a question that might spark a lively debate,......I have a 1967 Ford F100 pick up with only 28,000 original miles, all original, no rust, runs like new. 2wd with 8 foot bed and "3 on the tree" transmission. Been thinking of selling it but thought it might make a good island truck. I got a quote of $2500.00 to ship it to St. Croix from Pennsylvania. Any thoughts???

That's a tough one. It won't stay pristine for long - the roads here are very tough on a vehicle and if you decide to leave after 6 months or a year it's resale value will be close to zero while the cost of shipping it back will be prohibitive. If you really love it, I'd suggest leaving it with family or a friend for a while until you settle in and see if island living is for you.

Thanks O.T. It will be sold in the states if I don't decide to ship it to the island. i wasn't going to keep it even if I stayed on the mainland. I might keep it if I decide to move, however. I can sell it for $5-6k before I would make a move to STX. I guess that will buy a decent island car???

You could ship here, use it and sell it for more than you can in the states, especially if it is in excellent condition. Good luck with whatever you decide.

If it's a 1967 it's a true classic at almost 50 years old and there's virtually no market here for something like that. Far better to sell it stateside and, yes, $5-6K will get you a decent island vehicle.

"I'm a highly trained and experienced Trauma/Neuro Intensive Care Nurse".
"If it doesn't work out they'll never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain"

If you move to the wrong part of that island that's exactly what you'll get.

"I'm a highly trained and experienced Trauma/Neuro Intensive Care Nurse".
"If it doesn't work out they'll never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain"

If you move to the wrong part of that island that's exactly what you'll get.

Which are the wrong parts???

pdmargie, sorry you will now be known as a he. lol

you say your truck is rust free? might not be that way for long down here.. i usually encourage people to bring their vehicles because it is usually cheaper in the long run to bring a fully paid off car you know about. other wise you are usually buying someone elses problem. i dont think the roads will ruin it as much as the salt air? maybe a vehicle expert can chime in

Should I bring my MAC or PC to St. Croix? I prefer my MAC but realize PC's might be easier to have serviced. Any thoughts?

I've had Macs here for ever (started off with a 512!) and no problem getting service!

Good to hear OT! I much prefer Macs, especially for photoshop editing and they sync with my iPhone and iPad flawlessly : )

What would be the best way to ship desk top computer systems and some fairly sophisticated amateur Astrophotography equipment? Do shipping services send single crates rather than full containers???

There's a thread on shipping things thru a company in Miami but can't remember the link. You could try calling a couple of the shipping companies like Crowley, Tropical and there's an ad for Meme' s as well on this site.

I've had truck body parts shipped thru Tropical.
You'll have to clear thru customs so good to have receipt or value on items shipped. You can ask shipper what you'd need for that.

Computer Solutions on St Croix services Macs. 340.773.9724.

Excellent, thanks!

Is service available for Hyundai automobiles on St. Croix?

Yes.

We use Paradise freight for all kinds of things that need to be shipped. They handled our car for us and an entire crate, but we also have new purchases sent to them, and they add it to whatever they have coming down. They are great!!

Hi all! After exhaustive research, I've come up with a plan: I'm going to try to get a travel nursing assignment on STX for next high season for 3-6 months. That will allow me pre arranged housing and a guaranteed salary. I will use this as me PMV. In that time I will get the lay of the land, evaluate the hospital and decide whether or not to seek permanent employment and housing. It will allow me to make some friends and get even more advice into island living plus, I can get my SCUBA instructor rating and my bareboat charter certificate. Anyone see a down side to this plan?

Thanks,

Peter

That is the best way to do it and quite probably, as perfect as it gets... I wish you the best

It's a great plan, but make sure you some over to St Thomas and check out SRMC! As I think I said, we'd be pleased to have you! (tu)

I think it's an excellent plan but, to add to what EastEnder says, you could always take another 3-6 month contract position on St Thomas and that would be a wonderful opportunity to compare and see which island best suits - or allow you to decide that the whole island living thing really isn't for you! Guaranteed income, a housing stipend in many cases - it doesn't get much better.

I knew several nurses who for several years came back regularly to STT to do 3-6 month assignments and they really had the best of both worlds, enjoyed being here but without all the hassle of making a permanent move and being far away from family for a long time.

the best plan you could come up with

Do I NEED/want a jeep on island or will a front wheel drive care be sufficient?

Do I NEED/want a jeep on island or will a front wheel drive care be sufficient?

The only island on which 4WD is a really good plan is St John. I've lived on STT for 30 years and only ever owned one 4WD drive vehicle which option I never had to use - and STX is MUCH flatter than either STT or STJ. A vehicle with good clearance is nice in order to avoid dinging up on the numerous challenging potholes but it doesn't have to be 4WD.