Trying to "live the dream."

Depends how you define success... My brother moved there several years ago, with an alcohol and meth problem, no money, his friends weren't exactly thrilled to see him showing up, so he spent several months living in the bushes, kicked his meth habit due to monetary restraints, gradually worked his way up the job chain from the lowest menial jobs up to the one he has now, driving truck for Diagio. He has been clean for a few years, and is well respected at his work. He works crazy hours and has applied himself and even butted heads with the scheduler to make the whole department more streamlined and efficient and profitable. He is dedicated and they supported him fully (moral support, not money) when a while back he had to take some time off while his girlfriend struggled with the last stages of cancer and passed away. His job and the best truck was waiting for him when he came back, and he is still clean. He drinks still, but not like before. Quit smoking too. To me, that's a success story. Not much, but it's a start. His child support will be done in a couple months, and he can hopefully move ahead more in his life. I know, not a real rah rah story for most, but for him, it's the best he's done in decades.

Certainly there are many people who move to the islands, make friends, start a business and have a good life. It's no different here than it is anywhere. Whether or not a person is successful starting a new business (anywhere) depends on numerous facts.

First off, to be successful you have to follow the basic Marketing principal of the "Four P's - You need a PRODUCT to sell, you need a PLACE to sell it, You have to PRICE it competitively and you have to PROMOTE it. Leave out anyone of those and your business will fail. What happens with most small businesses is the proprietor/owner generally underestimates the cost of promoting/advertising the product so they are very much under capitalized. They hope against hope that potential customers will just flock to their door.

Second, you have to be willing to work very hard - running a business takes long hours and dedication. You have to build up your clientele so you have a steady stream of customers.

I'm sure you know all this as it is just common sense. The biggest factor in whether or not someone is successful in relocating to the islands is
- what is the reason they are relocating. If you are looking to escape from the drudgery of everyday life, are in debt, or running away for some personal problems then you are apt to fail. You see, when living in the islands you still have to get up every day and make a living, do the laundry, commute to work, go grocery shopping, pay your bills, do everyday chores, and deal with the same mundane activities you have now. In other words, you don't get out of the rat race - the rats are just racing in a different venue.

So ask yourself, would you relocate to another town, city or state near (or far) from where you now live? If so, list the reasons why you'd relocate. If those reasons make a compelling case for relocation than consider if those same reasons will hold up when relocating to the islands. If you find the only reason you are considering the islands is because you want to sit under a palm tree and drink pina colodas then you might be in for a let down. Keep in mind that many people who visit the islands on vacation dream about living here but living here is far different than being here on vacation. The most important factor being that unless you are a "trust Fund Baby" YOU have to work/earn a living while all those TOURISTS are on vacation and having fun.

Do some first hand research to find out if island life is for you. This website and forum have tons of information about living/working in the USVI's - read everything you can. Take off the rose colored glasses and see see what life is really like. When you read a "negative" think carefully about what is being said - avoid saying to yourself "Yeah, but that doesn't apply to me or I can get use to that" because once you get here you may find those things very annoying. After you read through all the material come for a Pre-Move Visit - the longer your PMV the better. Don't do tourist things since you are not here on vacation but rather try living like a local - after all if you relocate here you'll be doing it everyday, week in, week out, month in, month out, etc.

Save your money, you'll find it infinitely easier to relocate if you have a sizable nest egg to cover your living expenses until you get settled and establish a sustainable customer base for your business. Trying to live in the islands on a shoestring is very difficult at best and a receipt for disaster at worst.

Remember the old adage - how do you leave the Virgin Islands with $1 million - come with $2 million.

Again, do your research (and that's more than posting a question and reading a few responses on an internet forum) and you should be able to determine whether or not YOU can be successful in the islands. Good luck following your dream

You can always move here wihout attempting to start and run a successful business, which can be hard. You could take over an existing successful business, or you could work for somebody else's successful business.

There are plenty of successful stories among our transplants. Many of us are happy that they moved here.

At the top of this page is a drop-down called "THE MOVE" click on the section "what to expect". The stories are old, but are still valid.

We moved with lots of cash reserves and I didn't have a job. Took a few months (as anticipated) to find the right position that has continued to evolve. I thought about starting a business, but that would have been a tougher and riskier path. From the onset we have met, and continue to meet, lots of wonderful people who are long term residents and happy to be here. Sure some folks leave, and new transplants arrive, but for the most of them, and us, we wouldn't want to live anywhere else. A lot depends on how involved you are willing to be within your neighborhood and community. There are lots of volunteer opportunities that will introduce you to many of the 'happy to be here, long timers'.
Sure, we haven't progressed on our island plans as quickly as we thought, and we'll never give up trying to improve things, but we wouldn't change our experience and look forward to remaining here until we both kick the bucket.

Now - if only I could find somewhere to watch the rugby world cup games...8-)

Thanks for all the great replies. I have been in the tour/travel business since 1996 and love it. Up to that point my background was in restaurant management and finally got burned out which is when I started my own tour/travel/charter business. I knew NOTHING about group travel at that point...all I knew is that is what I wanted to do....so I am quite familiar with what it takes to run a success and profitable business. I worked mostly with casinos, cruise lines and charter bus companies and specialized in all aspects of large group travel. I would negotiage special rates with casinos/hotels then charter a bus and take people to various casinos across the country. When the state I live in decided to pass Class 3 gaming I knew that portion of my business would soon dry up so I began to work with cruise lines. I have many years experience in arranging all aspects of group travel and have hosted groups as large as 200 for both domestic and internatiional travel. It was successful beyond my wildest dreams but a very serious health condition in 2004 caused me to lose my business. I was out of the work force for 6 months when my current employer offered me a job. Funny thing is....this company was my main competitor.

The business climate here changed so much that trying to re-start a similar business was not an option. The tourism industry is what I am very good at and miss the thrill of self employment. My business idea is focused on the tourism industry....mainly the cruise line passengers that arrive. Oklahoma is really not a place that people go on vacation to. Starting a business does not scare me in any way....it's the move to a completely new environment that puzzles me. Obviously I'm clueless as to the local customs and culture but I'm sure I would be able to adapt. I also realize that everyday chores still exist on St. Thomas or St. Croix.

There is a tremendous difference in cruise ship traffic and # of visitors between STT and STX.

If you talking about a business that relies primarily on boat people, STX would not be an option. We only get ships 1 a week in off season and 2 or maybe 3 during the winter season. If you can work with resort/villa week-long guests, then your options are equally good on both islands.

Would anyone know approx how many cruise ships arrive in STT on a weekly basis? I searched each cruise lines website and have found it next to impossbile to come up with a number.

Also....what is the feeling of locals towards cruise ship visitors? I've been on dozens of cruises over the past 5 years and have found that locals in Cozumel and the Cayman Islands are not real friendly towards cruise ship visitors and I've visited those islands 6 different times. Residents of Jamaica are fantastic.....at least that has been my experience each time. I've never been to STX or STT though. I have worked with the American public for many years and realize how bad, greedy and just downright nasty some people can be. Not all Americans....but there is always those two people that feel the world owes them everything.

I just feel in my soul that I'm being called to the islands. I just have to figure out which one. I'm looking at the USVI becuase moving there is just like moving to Wisconsin and I would not have to mess with any kind if immigration. One more thing. When someone is refering to the USVI what is the proper language to use? Do I call each island by it's official name? Can I just say "the islands?" I dont want to offend any locals upon arrival.

Check The West Indies Corporation for cruise ship information at Havensight. The VI Port Authority has oversight of Crown Bay.

"I've never been to STX or STT though. I have worked with the American public for many years and realize how bad, greedy and just downright nasty some people can be. Not all Americans....but there is always those two people that feel the world owes them everything"

Before you get too much farther in your planning, think about a visit to look at the USVI as a place to live and work. You know that we are the American public here, too, right?;)

I think there is a love/hate relationship with cruise ship visitors. The VI decided long ago to go down the path of more people versus fewer. There are folks who will argue both sides.

You can call the USVI "the USVI" 😉 or the VI, although folks from the BVI think THEY are the VI. If you are talking specifically, yes, use the island name. If you say, "the islands", people are going to ask, "Which islands?"

Would anyone know approx how many cruise ships arrive in STT on a weekly basis? I searched each cruise lines website and have found it next to impossbile to come up with a number

http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/cruiseship/ship_schedule.php

G'morning,
Perhaps this info may help you.
Cheers,
Swan