Tortola?

BVIs are less developed and quieter but also remember that you won't be able to work in the BVIs unless you have a work permit and these aren't easy to come by as you would have to be sponsored by an employer who can prove that the position cannot be filled by a BVI resident.

I have talked to some people who have been around here a while. They say the BVIs are much better. More relaxed. Safer. Not so many tourists.

Soon I will have my dual citizenship with britan and will probably go explore it. Possibly move there.

Yeah...those are all the things I have heard about the BVI, safer, nicer people, less americanized, ect. Yet, I have also heard bad things like racism, hate for americans, hard to get to. I was hoping someone could compare the pros and cons compared to the usvi...

Quick note to Ian. Hate to disappoint you but having British/dual citizenship doesn't put you in any better position for seeking a job than anyone else since the UK and the BVI don't have a reciprocal agreement.

But I can stay there as long as I like correct?

Peter I don't know how the racism on the BVI compares to the racism here.

Apparently everyone hates americans though...

It is difficult for a non resident to purchase real estate. You have to get governmental approval which can tak up to two years.

Even if you own real estate as a non resident you are only permitted to reside in the BVI for six months per year without special approval.

This is the reason the BVIs are less crowded. They make it hard for people to relocate there.

Jim

Well, on the question of racism and its comparisons between the BVI and the USVI, I've never had a real problem with "racism" per se in the USVI in 20 years of living here and on my trips to the BVI, well there's the difference because I've never lived there, have only gone there for a few days at a time and - being the charming old broad that I am - I basically don't incite anybody to hurl racist epithets at me.

However, and this only applies to the USVI, I have many times, and even just a week or so ago, with no real provocation and mainly from children (!) been called the rather nasty and derogatory term which can't be written on an open forum but basically translates to being a white female dog who does unmentionable things to her mother (and which incidentally is physically impossible but who's thinking logic?)

Oh yes, and of course I HAVE been stopped by the police and at times have been treated rather badly because I am DWC (Driving While Caucasian) and of course I've had teeth sucked at me numerous times. However, having reached, as the French so eloquently put it, "un certain age" I'm rather good at very nicely asking a surly supermarket cashier, "Oh, you're sucking your teeth! Did you mean to do that are do you have something stuck?"

Remember that if you are white you're in the minority here and if you were raised with good manners then continue to use them. If you angrily react to someone's ignorance then they've won because they know they got your goat.

Moving here is akin to moving anywhere to a small community where it might take you a rather long time to be accepted. Treat people as you would want to be treated, keep a low profile and just try and blend in as best you can, appreciate the local mores and forget "how things are done back home" and how "things should be done" because frankly, my dear, nobody gives a damn when you're a newbie!

Well I can wait two years because I will not be moving for another few years anyway. I am confused about the 6-month thing, how would I get special approval?

Peter: I would bet that the majority of the folks who have moved to the USVI from the states did so because they wanted to live in the Caribbean and they wanted to live in America. The BVI is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there! IMHO! 😉

Over the years, I have spent time in the BVI. As some have already stated, working and living there is made difficult by a government that has conciously attempted to make new immigration difficult. I know a charter captain who is British, and has lived on Tortola for going on thirty years. He has virtually no more legal rights than an American who just arrived. His children, if born on island, could become citizens and would have more property rights then he does.

Yes ,Tortola and specially places like Virgin gorda and Anagada offer a lifestyle that the USVI cannot duplicate. The last two are still truly "ISLAND PLACES". they do not have Kmart, Home Depot or "fast food " franchises. For that reason, I often consider going there to live. However, I am never made to feel really welcome, so St Croix is the next best thing.

Despite the efforts to control "outsiders" The British Virgin's are beginning to suffer some of the same growing pains that we do in the usvi.

Well, Peter, I think you've had your basic questions answered, and now that you've said that you're looking to possibly relocate in two years from now, then I suggest you re-post two years from now and see if anything has changed in the meantime.

And do come down for a while on a PMV and see how everything suits you. I think we all erroneously thought that your proposed move was rather imminent. Things do change of course over the years and we could get hit by another major hurricane, a big tsunami or a major earthquake by the time you're ready to really think about a move here! Good luck with your research!

Well, my questions have been answered. I also did research a little more into this and after finding out that they call non residents "non-belongers" I realized that I would "belong" more in a place like St John where almost 40% of the population (i think) are mainlanders. St John also seems to offer a quiet lifestyle that seems to compare to the BVI more then the USVI. Anyway, I have over 2 years to make my decision, so I am in no rush.

USVI Resident's comments, "However, and this only applies to the USVI" are applicable to the BVI as well. The teeth sucking, etc. are prevalent here in the BVI, too..