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

Sent you a PM.

When I left seattle in 95 I was living on Queen Anne and paying 1100 for a one bedroom. In 95! One of the main reasons I left. But now Vermont is just as expensive as the Islands and freezing.

As an example of food prices here...1/2 gallon of organic milk is between 6.50-8 depending on where you buy. And sometimes, if not, a lot of the time, it is not in stock. I garuntee food prices are significantly higher here than in WA.

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.

I guess what I was trying to skirt around is that IF crap really hits the fan - IE a horrible accident or god forbid that you get shot or robbed or worse, if a cat 5 hurricane is heading our way, just make sure you have enough to pay them back and get off the island or at least to FL in a real emergency situation. Do I think that will happen? Absolutely not, should you be prepared for it, absolutely yes. You never know what can happen and 2 years is a LONG time. We came with the idea of staying for a year. At this time I have NO intentions of going back to the mainland but we might try out STX someday, we really enjoyed our stay there.

Good luck. Just bring a bunch of money and you'll be fine. 😀

I say take the leap of faith and go for it. I think you will be fine. There are numerous people who hop a plane and come down to the islands deciding to move here and don't even have a job. You are way ahead of them. Try and find a place close to the bus lines or close to where you will be working so if you can't find a car right away, you will be able to get around easier. I know in St. thomas, the bus route is quite extensive and pretty cheap.

Bus lines in STT are not extensive. I live northside and buses NEVER come this way.
Ditto for southside. West end, town Red Hook, yes but as to dependable schedules, who knows?
STX may be different. But ask about available transportation in an area you choose to live, in case you do not find an affordable and reliable car, right off. W,e are all wishing you well on your move!

we have buses and taxis but we dont have the dollar safari taxis that they have in stt

I moved to stx a year and a half ago. No PMV! I came with three kids and had a job lined up. We are still here and we love it.
Like moving anywhere else, you will like it or you won't. And life goes on.

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.

In that case, try to ship your car from WA (don't drive to FL). Maybe get a short-term loan from family or friends. Also ask your future colleagues (the candid ones) if you will be reimbursed on a timely basis.

don't assume that you will be reimbursed or paid for that matter, on a 'timely basis". Don't know about the hospital situation these days, but the VI govt is notorious for having a real time lag between starting work and getting your first paycheck. Hopefully that has improved in recent times.

don't assume that you will be reimbursed or paid for that matter, on a 'timely basis". Don't know about the hospital situation these days, but the VI govt is notorious for having a real time lag between starting work and getting your first paycheck. Hopefully that has improved in recent times.

That is an extremely good point rmb2830 makes - definitely find out how long it will take to start receiving your funds/salaries/
reimbursement for travel/relocating exppenses. Get it in writing and ask other personnel if you are able to!
The more info on this subject you have the better prepared you will be.

Instead of renting a car weekly when you first arrive check out cost of a monthly rental/lease. There was a thread not too long ago about being able to rent something thru non-traditional car rental companies whose rates are very low compared to the Name Brand agencies.

I know a place in STT but that won't do you any good in STX.

If you decide to ship your car, find out if allowed to load it up with personal items which you will need in islands, instead of having to purchse on island where you may or may not find exactly what you are looking for and pay a higher rate.