To bring or not to bring.......my car?

Good day........you have some challenges indeed with such a big move. Number one is your family, since it sounds like you are a single parent.

Number one-----its worth every penny you spend on a pre move to help overcome the most important things on a move------finding a HOME for your child and you. Most people who relocate I know who have relocated to work at the hospital start within a week or two after arriving-----not much time on house finding , car rental and or purchase. You have other challenges to------finding someone to watch you child AT NITE while you work. If it was daytime, plenty of preschools, day cares, schools, etc.....

Suggestion, try to offer a family member or close friend you entrust your child with a 3 month month Caribbean stay on St Croix in exchange for a round trip ticket and accommodations for 3 months while you find A HOME for your family, A NIGHT SITTER FOR YOUR CHILD, all while you start a new job .

Want to understand the feeling you will get if you don't do your homework for a HOME and relocate to a place you have never been and although a PARADISE to many of us.....................have a friend blindfold you and your daughter, drive 5-6 hours to take you to a town or city you might have never visited. Drop you off somewhere near a landmark and bu station t....................and leave you there. Heres the challenge, find a place to stay for a day or two, probably easy as you will stay at a hotel. And try to coordinate someone to care for your child starting in less than 72 hours. And while looking for a sitter, start house hunting for an affordable housing you will move to ---- A HOME for you and your child. And squeeze in a 4 hour fun period with your child.

I let the rest of forum reply to some of the other stuff................as you can see a a former single parent who could have relocated over 20 years ago to St Croix with my 6 year old son..................who had parents already living on St Croix, and a place to call HOME for his child, someone who had visited the island 1/2 dozen times prior to serious considering moving to St Croix with some urging from Mom who was here......and a situation my parents offering free rent until I found the right position in my career field(accountant)Moreover, 100% education cost for my son's schooling.......................it was not the best interest of my child; despite how close my Mom was to my son and the urging of my son who wanted to and be close to his grandma. 20 years later........I KNOW IT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION.

In closing, I believe you will have too many challenges to overcome if you don't do a premove visit for at least 2 weeks------and in this two weeks secure the arrangements for your child...................and the location you want to live long-term. Short-term, it will be less challenging and I can offer you a few different affordable options for 30-60 days......ones that meet you long term requirements, but its always nice to be here and learn first hand the pros and cons of the area you will call HOME.

sounds like you might be moving here later may or June, a short term solution for your nite sitter can be a high school senior or college student.....school get out early June, so you could have a pretty good pool of high schools and college students looking for summer jobs.

Good luck

I agree totally. As far as the car goes, if it's not worth the shipping cost, leave it behind and look to buy one here or on St. Thomas and have it shipped over. You can pick up a car on St. Thomas for around $6000-$8000.00 that is a good reliable car, any less than that might be questionable. If you bring your $2000.00 car down, it will cost you about $2500.00 when all said and done. This doesn't include the drive from Washington to Florida expenses. So tack on another $500.00 to that and your looking at around $3000.00. If you can't afford the $6000.00-$8000.00 for a fairly decent car on island then you may not have a choice but to bring yours.

if you were closer to florida i would say to bring it. i brought mine and was glad to. it was a car i knew that i had bought new. it was better for me to have a car i knew about rather than one i knew nothing about.

I was just remembering the first car I bought on St. Thomas, I was 18. Itwas a 1962 VW Bug, the floor boards on the passenger side was split down the side so you couldn't put any pressure on the floor or else your feet would scrub the road. The first day I actually drove the car after the initial road test, I was driving around Blue Beards Castle hotel where I worked and stayed, I hit one of those speed bumps and one of the tie rod ends dropped a ball joint and ran the car into a rock wall. That was a $50.00 instant repair just to replace the ball joint. The damage to the car was minimal or at least you couldn't tell it from the other damages. The VW cost me all of my savings back in 1973 and that was $350.00. But I sure loved that old car.

I would not even consider a move without a PMV first.

Welcome Shelby35

In your situation, don't ship the car.

Here's a thread that may help: "Traveling nurse looking for housing" https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,179145

Here's a small thread about a home school group on STX: https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?8,194265
More info on YWAM: http://www.ywam.org/locations/the_americas/caribbean/virgin_islands_us/YWAM-St.-Croix

Most PMVs (pre-move visits) are to help decide if one should move here. It sounds like you're moving here no matter what. Just get here a couple of weeks ahead of your job start date so you can search for a sitter, car, housing, and get the lay of the land. You'll probably start with short-term housing and a rental car. Bring enough dough for first and last month's rent, plus security deposit, and to buy a decent used car, and a few thousand more for various other start-up expenses.

And be prepared for the possibility that you'll hate it here and want to leave. Some people love living here, and some don't.

Have you spoken candidly yet with any nurses who work at the hospital? They can tell you about the work environment and how you might be treated (I cannot tell you that, but I'd sure want to know).

Thank you for all of the suggestions.

A PMV isn't an option, unfortunately. I don't get reimbursed for relocation expenses until a few weeks after I start my job. I will need the funds I get in the middle of may for flights, hotel, rental car when i first arrive on the island.....and then deposit for a home once I find one.

So, with that said:

1) Are their websites to look on or other discussion boards where I might start to find childcare possibilities? I will be coresponding with those interested, doing interviews via Skype and background checks from home. My goal is to have it narrowed down to 3-4 people before I ever arrive on the island. My question is how do I go about finding nanny's/babysitters looking for work? Finding a person to pay for very little work (mostly sleeping at my home) has been very easy here in WA. I pay $600 for someone to sleep, for the most part....except 2 hours in the morning 3 days a weeks.

2) My other question was about safe areas of the island on which to live. The hospital has a lot of connections with various properties and apparently has already scouted these places out. So, when they give me a list of properties to check out, I want to know what parts of the island are best to live on.

I realize this will be a challenge, without a premove visit but again, it's not an option for me. I am doing my best not to have high expectations. Obviously the weather will be nice but I am moving for the job opportunity more than anything. I can't afford to pass up this opportunity as the job market here is horrible and I have no health insurance. This is the first opportunity I've had since graduating from nursing school 2 years ago to work in an acute care setting (hospital) with typical RN pay and benefits. I have already accepted the job offer and simply need some help pointing me in the right direction. Again, I would LOVE to come for a PMV and think that is ideal, but it's just not feasible for me. 🙁

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

Some times you just have to take a leap of faith. But you MUST and I mean MUST leave some financial resources to fall back on in case you get here and decide down the road that you want to move back home.

Hello STXBob,

Yes, I have spoken very candidly with the nurses. I had read that a lot of LPN's and CNA's were laid off and the RN's were upset about this and so I definitely wanted to find out what the morale was like among the employees....now that there is a new interim CEO. I feel good about the job. They have been very accommodating thus far. I asked A LOT of questions during my interview even down to the financial stability of the hospital and the direction it is heading.

I am signing a 2 year contract so "hating it" on the island isn't an option! 🙂 I am prepared for an adjustment period but am determined to make the best of it. I've done a lot of overseas travel in my life and spent up to 3 months in less industrialized countries. I've always adapted well and been able to "blend in" with the local people quite easily. I love and respect other cultures and other ways of life so I think that will help me...although again, I do realize there will be plenty of challenges and it will take us time to get scheduled.

I am already planning on arriving 2-3 weeks before my start date so having time to get housing and childcare in order shouldn't be an issue. I have a budget of approximately $9,000 when I arrive (if my car sells here) plus whatever money I get from selling all of my furniture and things here. I also have a flexible start date......it will take me 2-3 months from now just to obtain my nursing license for the Virgin Islands.

My car that I have now cost me $2,000 and it is very reliable......Toyota Corollas usually are. So, are you saying I can't find a decent car for $2,000-3,000 on the island? Do you know how easy it is to get financing for new residents?

What is the typical cost of utilities/water/electric on the island. I live in a very expensive area and it actually seems to be close to what I will be paying on the island. Currently I pay $150 a month for electric alone....in the fall and winter months. I pay another $75 for water/sewer/trash. This is for a 900 sq. ft. apartment. I am simply trying to get estimates on what i can expect to pay for various utilities so I can prepare a budget and decide how much I can afford in rent.

Thanks for the homeschool link. I have actually been involved with YWAM in Colorado, Scotland, and Thailand. 🙂 I love that there is a base on the island!

Thanks again!!

Mtdoramike,

Yes, that is true. Honestly, this feels really terrifying to me! I do believe it is a move we are supposed to make but that doesn't make it any less scary for "Type A" personalities such as myself. Heck, I would have had everything planned out yesterday if I could have. I have also come to the conclusion that I will either LOVE the laid back pace of things or I will go crazy since I am so incredibly task oriented! 😉

My plan of attack is to get connected with various groups (a good church, a homeschooling group, etc) before I ever arrive and get connected within the community right away.....hopefully that will help it not feel so scary. I should have about $9,000 upon arrival so I think that should be enough to at least cover my start up costs.....and then I will be reimbursed for all my relocation expenses within a few weeks after starting my job. Again, I am signing a 2 year contract so I won't need to worry about the option of leaving if I don't like it.....which is why I'm determined to make the very best out of it....challenges and all!

Depends on what will be most affordable for you tho sounds like due to having to drive to Miami with your daughter from WA, it may prove challenging. What make is your car? If US made, no customs duty. If not, there is a percentage of the book value of vehicle. Depends where made as to charges. The VIN # will tell you based on value of car. Most vehicles here seem to have lots of mileage on them. If you do buy something here, take to a reliable mechanic here to check out, first. Do you have at least $5-6K to purchase a car on island as well as pay 1st, last. security deposit, all the incidentals including deposits for utilities such as electric, internet, etc. and start-up costs for moving into an apt.? Will you need to buy dishes, pots and pans, glassware, silverware, linens, towels, utensils, etc.? Can you mail yourself some of these items?

When looking for an apt., try to find someplace with a good breeze where you won't be forced to use A/C as that can drive costs of electritciy out of sight. You may also have to pay for water usage depending on where you rent if unit has no cistern or in an apt./condo complex. $9K will go pretty fast by the time, all is said and done.

Check the Classified section on this Forum (see up top/Forum List) as maybe you can secure an apt. or car there as well as check on Craig's list tho be aware that there are some scam posts on CL so don't plop down any $$ for anything, sight unseen.
Good Luck. Hope it all works out well.

You can always ship you car from WA. I did that with my Bronco II from AZ. I don't believe a newcomer can get a good reliable car for $2 to 3 K. Once you have many friends here you may be able to run across one.
If you can't afford $5K or more, I would bring the car. Before you do, have someone look at the brakes. STX in some area is very hard on brakes due to rusting the rotors.
You might see if John at the Pelican has any available apartments for a short time until you can find a home. He is close to the hospital. I would NOT recommend the West end. I know I will get blasted for that statement, as Westenders really love it there but many people do not feel as safe there. I would also stay away from C-sted. Try to find something, maybe a condo on condo row.
I am at STC, but they are only large one bedroom condos. Judith's Fancy area or Queen Quarter are very nice areas for homes.

Terry,

What company did you use to have your car shipped from Arizona and how much did it cost you (shipping, taxes upon arrival, licensing, etc)?

Thanks for the advice on various areas to live. I will look into the ones you recommended!

So it's just you and a 9-year old? My opinion only, but if you've never been to STX and can't afford a pre-move visit, I would seriously reconsider the move. I too recommend John at Pelican Heights for a first place to live

Good afternoon,

I would find a way to get your car there. Nearly every car I have seen for sale so far has been over 5K, and most of them are above KBB value. I have noticed that is because of the cost to ship in a car that people seem to ask more. I may be wrong, but you will not find a very good car for lees than that I'm afraid. I have read back over a year on this site and that is pretty consistant.

As far as school goes, homeschooling seems to be fairly common. But working third shift and then schooling while trying to get established sounds tricky at best. Most people on here say to steer clear of the public schools, and private schools tend to run around a thousand a month from what I've seen.

Definetly try to leave a cushion for a way out. You may have a contract, but it seems the average stay for most transplants is 6 months to a year. The cost of living is about 30% higher on average while the pay is about 30% less in most fields. Electric alone from what I've seen posted here runs from 180$ a month to 300$ or more. Any commodities that you must have or need to have should be brought with you in bulk. A lot of things that we get here on the mainland are not available there. You can ship most of it in however.

My wife and I are planning our move there but looking at three years before it happens. I agree with some of the others about reconsidering, or finding a way to get down to take care of some things before you arrive. I realize you said money is tight, but just showing up is going to be difficult at best and a nightmare at worst. I grew up in Seattle and know the job market there sucks. So I can see why you jumped on this opportunity. If you can swing it either with cash or a combo of cash and credit, I would have closer to 15k. Espicially with a young child. A two bedroom will run you anywhere from 800$ to 2000$ a month and most will want 1st last and deposit. If it's a cistern you may need to have it filled. 3500 gallons runs around 300 to 500$ from what I've seen.

Don't be discouraged though by people saying you should rethink it. Good luck, and go back through this page for the last year. Nearly every question you have can be answered if you look back a ways.

Any commodities that you must have or need to have should be brought with you in bulk. A lot of things that we get here on the mainland are not available there. You can ship most of it in however.

We have commodities here. It's the specialty stuff that's lacking, like specific brands of pet food, wine, etc.

I should have specified that is what I was refering to. Not your everyday type stuff like flour sugar etc.... Thanks for clearing that up for me STXBob. (tu)

hi Shelby - I sent you a private message.

Some GREAT advice here. I'm usually SO go for it, but two things worry me for you. I guess its all moot lol because you've already accepted. Go girl! just some things to think about:

First is your not familiar with the island. I would highly suggest to link up with someone from this board to help you on locations to live. From my PMV to STX I liked east end and Cane Bay area. You can call Kim Lucas @ Sothbys and see if she can get a realtor to help you find a good location that's safe for u two to rent. Kim is awesome. Try your best to find a furnished place. Even if its just the basics. That will save you a bit of $$.

Secondly is your money. 9k would be in essence fine IF you were to bring your car. I would guess you will spend at least half of that just on start ups like deposits for utilities, first and lasts, first round of groceries etc. Now I recently moved to STT where is a bit more expensive but I will say that finding a car took me almost 2 months and I would count on at least 8k for a newer reliable car. You can find them for less I'm sure - we got lucky and our mechanic found us a $2500 island car for my boyfriend to get to work and back but most cars I looked at (15+) needed extensive work. Leaks, front end suspension work most common. I say 8k because you should be able to find something quick for that. I found my car for $4k ish but again that took two months of looking. You're going to have to take taxis around until you find something. That's gonna add up!! Oh and a rental car is like $100 a day.

No matter what make SURE you have a seperate bank account with at the very least, double the money for plane tickets home. An emergency get out of town fund is a MUST for anyone new and especially if you've not been on island. Trust me on this one!

Just a side thought... When you accepted the contract do you know if for whatever reason you end up having to leave before its up do you have to repay the moving expenses? That in our experience was the norm on contracts (it was all new to us and why we opted out of a contract) so make sure you also have that $ to pay them back in case you can't stand limin on de rock 😉

Good luck sister!

Technically, if I pay the cost up front to have my car shipped, I will be reimbursed but it will take a few weeks once I start working. Of course I need money up front also for air fare, hotel, rental car, first, last and deposit on a rental, food, etc. I just worry that with using the funds I have up front, I won't have enough when I arrive. I will have to go back over my budget. I live on the "Eastside" in WA State which is VERY expensive......$4 for a half gallon of organic milk....nearly $4 a gallon for gas.....I live in an 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment that is 900 sq ft.....it was built in the 70's and has not been renovated and it's $1,100 per month. You can't find a small rental house in this area for less than $1700-2000 per month. I think the highest I've paid for my electric is $190. The pay at the hospital is actually exactly the same as what the going rate is here for a RN, with the recent raises that were implemented. I used to be much lower pay but they are trying to turn things around so they are working on retention of RN's. I will be making more money than what I am making here providing home care ($6-7/hr more) and i will have full benefits which I don't have now. From how high the cost of living is here and the research I've done on the cost of living on the island, I do believe it will be a little bit higher on the island......maybe $500-600 per month but that will still be far within my budget. I will be spending much less on gas so I think there are things like that which will come into play and help pay for the things that cost more like water, electric, etc.

I will have about $6,700 in funds the middle of May......if I sell my car here, that will be another $1800-2000.......and then if most of my stuff sells that would be about another $1,000 (although I have gone through everything yet to see what I think things might sell for). So conservatively, I would say I will have $8500-9000 up on arrival....maybe more if my stuff sells well. Then about 4-6 weeks after I arrive (2-3 weeks after I start working) I will receive up to $6,500 reimbursement for relocation expenses......

If I sign a contract for two years, I will be staying for two years......even if I want to leave I won't....I am a person of my word so it doesn't matter how miserable I may be (hopefully I won't be), I will be staying until at least the end of my contract.

I am homeschooling now......and working third shift. Thankfully I work an every other night schedule.....so I take a two hour nap after I get off work, do my daughter's homeschool work with her, then we have the rest of the day and I sleep 12 hours that night and then have an entire day after that. Obviously we will be more busy with trying to get established....but the great thing about homeschooling is that we can take 2-3 weeks off if we need to. So that's flexible.

I don't want to sound like I don't think it will be challenging. I know it will be hard and I know I will get homesick and I know there will be an adjustment period of several months to a year. However, this job is something I need to take in order to be able to obtain acute care experience......you stay in homecare too long and the odds of getting a job in a hospital decrease. Hopefully the influx of new nurses will calm down a bit and 5 years from now I will have more options. Unfortunately those options aren't available with the economy here.

East side like Spokane? If so I would leave no matter what! LoL

So, I haven't signed a contract yet. I have accepted the job offer. As soon as I get my nursing license from the VI Board of Nursing, the hospital will send me the contract. I would assume I would have to repay the money if I broke my contract.

Also, in terms of not knowing the area. Apparently one of the charge nurses on the unit I will be working on has connections to very specific locations that are safe and was able to get a discount on these places for the travel nurses and nurses that the hospital hires. I am waiting to hear back on specifics. I know that they will do what they can to make the transition as smooth as possible for me.

Trust me, I am worried for me and my daughter too! Before I had a child I was much more free to go wherever and do whatever including plenty of travel......but everything changes once you have a child!

Thankfully, I have at least 2-3 months before my licensing paperwork will be processed......which gives me plenty of time to research and budget (and back out before I sign anything if I don't think it will work for us). 🙂 Nothing is signed yet so I am pretty much researching everything, realizing that at any point before I sign a contract, I can back out.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions and advice!

VT2VI: LOL.....i have been to SPokane plenty and I would agree with you on that one! Lol.

No, I don't live in Eastern Washington. I live in Western Washington on the "Eastside." I know confusing! The Eastside includes Kirkland, Bothell, Bellevue, Redmond......all very expensive!

Linda, It will be just me and my daughter who will be 7 on Sunday. 🙂