Top 10 list: It's hard living in the Vi Because:

I never thought dust was much of a problem there. I know there is dust from Africa. but here in AZ we have dust storms that they must shut down the interstate or there will be horrible car crashes and many people killed. Where are you from that there is no dust?

You dont know what dust is until you have lived in the high desert of Northern NV. When I was down there in May, I showed my friend my camera bag and he about vomited. The black case was almost a shade of brown!!!!

Just for clarification - is the sucking teeth thing perceived as racism? I've only experienced it a couple of times and never perceived it as such (bad manner perhaps may have been what I thought if I took much notice at all.) Does it have specific meaning in local culture?

...5. Racism. (sucking teeth)...

Maybe it is just my experience here, I'm very fair, & blonde. This happen to me recently at the Rave store at Sunny Isle. I was minding my own business at the back of the store looking at some clothes when a big black woman with child came into the store, she saw me and walked to the back of the store and looked at me and sucked her teeth. I say that was pretty blatant. This happens to me at all the stores. My husband sees this and he sucks his teeth back at them. I'm scared to do so, I don't want to get my butt kicked.
Now that I have lived here for 4 years, I try not to let it bother me as much but when it does happen it hurts me. I also know that they do it to each other and alot of times I do think they don't realize they do it, it's a habit. I probably shouldn't have put it next to racism, I should of just added it to the list.

Hmmm....The thread about why I like living in the VI has 437 views and 20 posts. This one is currently at 952 views and 52 posts. That's kind of interesting. I can't quote it exactly, but there is something about a dissatified customer will tell 16 people, etc. A happy customer will tell many less. This is probably the same principle.

Juanita I believe it is "a dissatisfied customer will tell 15 people and a happy cutomer will only tell 5 people". This seems to be about the correct ratio. I'm still not letting it discourage me from moving. To me it sounds like the things people like outway the things people dont like. I'm moving in a month and I can't wait. Thanks everyone for all the great info. Hope to meet some of you soon.

Greg

I think it's interesting that at least two people mentioned that mainlanders look down on people who move to / live in the VI because they assume everyone in the Caribbean lounges on the beach with an icy, fruity drink all day. I've been running into the same problem with people at my current job when I tell them where I'd like to work a year from now. They all assume that I'm not taking my career seriously, and they seem to think that the hospital is a hut made of palm fronds rather than a real building with up to date capabilities. (I realize it has some issues, but come on, it's not like I'm going on a mission trip to Chad.)

Have any of you had any luck with altering people's perceptions of the islands and the people who live there? Even in my field, which emphasizes working hard and playing hard, I can't seem to get them to understand that I do intend to work as hard as I intend to play. If I can do the same job in Manhattan or rural Kansas or STX, why not choose the place that suits me best?

I have never been able to make people stateside take life here seriously, that it can be alot more work here then stateside. Its kinda like beating your head against the wall. So what I do instead is make them jealous. Tell them all the wonderful vacationy things about the islands until I see it eating them up and hating their life. 🙂 Yes I am evil incarnate.

I don't think you can change anyone's opinion unless they live here themselves & experience it.

I could not care less if someone stateside had an opinion about my work ethic here and unless someone stateside is doing your job review I don't understand why others here care (except in the case when you're interviewing and you run into this problem - of course a well written resume focusing on accomplishments should stop this perception before it happens.)

It matters if you return to the States & apply for a job. Otherwise, I agree, who cares?

It matters if you care about being respected in your field as a whole. And for many people, it's difficult to predict whether you'll be able to spend your entire career on the island... what if you develop health problems or you need to take care of your aging parents or your workplace downsizes and cuts your job? Or what if you just decide that you hate it after a few years? It's never smart to burn bridges... but on the other hand, worrying about what people think or all the "what ifs" is no way to live one's life. It's not anything that's going to keep me from moving, but it is something to think about.

people who are jealous will always try to rain on your parade.

Just for clarification - is the sucking teeth thing perceived as racism? I've only experienced it a couple of times and never perceived it as such (bad manner perhaps may have been what I thought if I took much notice at all.) Does it have specific meaning in local culture?

...5. Racism. (sucking teeth)...

Maybe it is just my experience here, I'm very fair, & blonde. This happen to me recently at the Rave store at Sunny Isle. I was minding my own business at the back of the store looking at some clothes when a big black woman with child came into the store, she saw me and walked to the back of the store and looked at me and sucked her teeth. I say that was pretty blatant. This happens to me at all the stores. My husband sees this and he sucks his teeth back at them. I'm scared to do so, I don't want to get my butt kicked.
Now that I have lived here for 4 years, I try not to let it bother me as much but when it does happen it hurts me. I also know that they do it to each other and alot of times I do think they don't realize they do it, it's a habit. I probably shouldn't have put it next to racism, I should of just added it to the list.

We get the same thing (not sucking teeth, but called names in Spanish) from the Mexican population here in NV and what is even more funny is that I was Bawn Here! No matter where you go, racism will exist, and has existed throughout history. It would be a perfect world without it, but oh well, I have no control over it, I just ignore it and smile back, being the better person.

What is also sad is the number of posts about what you don't like compared to what you do like? I find it is always easier to complain than to say nice things, I am guilty of this too! As an old saying goes, "If you think you have it that bad, look at the guy next to you!" I am currently wearing long pants and will have to turn on the heat again tonignt here in NV. I will take sucking teeth, lack of customer service, expensive food, corrupt politicians ( we have them here in our cow town, good OL' boy town), centipedes (over scorpions and rattlesnakes), friends coming and going (as we see upside down neighbors walking from their homes), poor roads vs bad roads (have you been out to rural NV with the dust and dirt roads here?), to our rural co-op electricity company vs. WAPA (same corrupt orginization just like our horrible rural phone company) to what you folks are experiencing there......there is a reason why thousands of people come visit your home, and none come visit ours (they used to when we lived in Jackson Hole, WY and sometimes regret moving away from there, mainly the cold we dont miss! And we had to drive to the dump which I did once a week and also went dumpster diving, one mans trash is another's treasure!).

In short get over it, no where is perfect, but what is perfect is you are alive, wearing shorts and flip flops, and can swim yr round. If it is that bad, move, the US gives you that freedom, heck you could be living in North Korea! We will be there in 2-3 yrs and wont have any problem adjusting (other than taco bell) to the life that exists here, other than getting used to wearing shorts and flip flops yr round!

mahogany birds mahogany birds Mahogany birds

"In short get over it, no where is perfect, but what is perfect is you are alive, wearing shorts and flip flops, and can swim yr round. If it is that bad, move, the US gives you that freedom, heck you could be living in North Korea! We will be there in 2-3 yrs and wont have any problem adjusting (other than taco bell) to the life that exists here, other than getting used to wearing shorts and flip flops yr round!"

Nobody on this thread said it was perfect, but reread the title of the post. 🙂

I think the perception of the laid back, flip flop lifestyle is overstated. It was because of my experience in the Caribbean that influenced my securing at least 2 jobs. Everything is more difficult in the islands and to be successfully you need above average management, and
organizational skills to prosper. Patience, tolerance and a positive work ethic will serve you well.
I have had friends and visitors come and experience the realities of what it takes to make it here and they always comment about how much time and effort it takes to do the everyday stuff let alone resist the impulse to lime.

skighee when you say ignorant things like that people just take bets on how long you will last before going back stateside. What you have is the grass is alway greener and a dream. Warm weather and living in flip flop does not make your life easy. Again its just not a really good idea to insult people that are trying to help you. That are talking time to give you a heads up on what to expect and what to plan for to make you DREAM a success. Hundreds come to try to live here every year and yet our population remains the same or shrinks a little. Tell you that what looks like paradise on the outside does have challenges doesn't it?

I still can't believe you said you won't have any trouble adjusting, that is extremely rare. And its just jinxing yourself. What do the Chinese say.....may all your dreams come true.

skighee, I was just responding to the thread which is top 10 list. It's hard living in the VI because.
We all have issues where ever we live. But if you look at my top 10 list of why I love living here, it out weighs the negative.
This forum helps people who are thinking of moving here, are you moving here?
Thanks Betty for your post.

I think it's interesting that at least two people mentioned that mainlanders look down on people who move to / live in the VI because they assume everyone in the Caribbean lounges on the beach with an icy, fruity drink all day. I've been running into the same problem with people at my current job when I tell them where I'd like to work a year from now. They all assume that I'm not taking my career seriously, and they seem to think that the hospital is a hut made of palm fronds rather than a real building with up to date capabilities. (I realize it has some issues, but come on, it's not like I'm going on a mission to chad)

Have any of you had any luck with altering people's perceptions of the islands and the people who live there? Even in my field, which emphasizes working hard and playing hard, I can't seem to get them to understand that I do intend to work as hard as I intend to play. If I can do the same job in Manhattan or rural Kansas or STX, why not choose the place that suits me best?

RoadRunner,

It has been very much the same experience for us here in the Midwest. Friends, neighbors and coworkers look at us and talk in a - "ya ya, sure, sure wouldn't that be great to be on vacation all the time, nice pipedream, your out of your gord, not realistic, you're so silly, can't be done", kind of way when we voice our desire to relocate. The few exceptions have occurred with people who have visited the islands, and even then it's iffy. I gave up long ago on trying to educate and explain our reasons for wanting to relocate to the islands, to the extent that now in most cases I just say we would like to relocate to a warmer climate to avoid the issue. I feel your frustration, truly but I think It's one of those things that has to be experienced to be understood and it seems people either just "get it" or they don't. It's human nature to care what others think but in this instance I just steel myself with the knowledge that they just don't get it, and in their defense, how could they? In many instances, when it comes to people I am quite sure won't get it, I just don't share our future plans. It's easier that way, and I prefer not to set myself up to allow someone to rain all over my parade.

PS I expected more posts on this than the other but I appreciate both. Things always come up that I would not have considered and that's always most helpful. Thanks all for sharing your day to day with those of us who long for it.

Betty,

Sorry you misunderstood me, was trying to put a positive spin on 38 positive to 63 negative (difficult) posts.

PS: still not wearing flip flops, June 11 and still under 70 degrees.

Drink a rum for me!

also, the rashes. i have never had a rash until i lived here, my bf has rashes too. i guess from the heat and humidity. also the sahahra dust gets in his lungs and at certain times of the year he must use an inhaler to help him breath.

Ask you doctor to prescribe "econazole" its a cream. I had that problem and finally went to a dermatologist. He also told me to use Zeaorbaf, a anti fungal power. It can be purchased over the counter.

speeedy1dy,
I agree about the rashes. I thought it was just me. I thought maybe I'm allergic to something. Also my head itches. (No, I don't have bugs LOL!) It just really started about 4 months ago. I have changed to all unscented soaps, detergents and shampoo. My husband put in a new filter system on our water as I thought that may be it.
Terry, what did the doctor say it was from? Is it in the air, water or what?

my head itches like crazy too

I have been so busy this is the first time in months i participate again in this forum

for me>

1- Crime and the bad publicity is getting outside our island this problem

2-Energy cost beside being expensive Wapa makes allot of mistakes in your bill

3-Parking?????

4- Some locals are not slow are simply LAZYYYYYYYYY

5-racism somehow not so bad for me because i am Puertorican but i see how locals some how treat white americans

I just want to throw it out there...sucking teeth is NOT a racist thing...It's an equal opportunity thing...everyone gets it...regardless of race, color or creed...please do not take it as a racist thing.