We're Here....

Despite all the research and feeling like I was prepared, it was a bit of a culture shock.

Ah, yes, the culture shock phase. Well, next is "settling in", where you learn your way around, learn some local customs, get accustomed to the culture shock....;) Your insights as a newbie are very valuable to us, please keep us in the loop as you search for work! Welcome to the fun house!!

Thanks for the welcome. Any advice where to look? Anyone looking for experienced servers or bartenders??

nenn01: Welcome to STX.

I don't have any specific leads on jobs or housing, but here is some general advice: It's a big island, so try to see as much of it as you can before settling in. Meet people and tell them what you're looking for. Word of mouth works well here. You'll probably want something close to wherever you work. Your work or your taste in neighborhoods could change, so consider starting with a 3-6 month lease. Living mid-island will give you the most flexibility.

How good are your server/bartender skills? What types of places to you hope to work at? Will you both work? The answers will help somebody (not me) tell you what kind of pay to expect and what you can budget for housing.

I see that the Buccaneer is hiring. You might stop by and talk to HR there,

Take it SLOW. That's what we did and it worked really well. You did a great job your first day. Understand that simply running errands is an accomplishment. We're coming to the end of our first lease of about 2.5 months. Just signed our next lease for 6 months. Ease into it. Listen. Listen. Listen. Because EVERYONE will give you advice, some right, some wrong. You need to take time to weed out the good advice from the bad.

Get an Avis. There have been server/bartender jobs in there every day recently.

As of yesterday, the Bucc had listings for AM Breakfast Manager, Executive Chef, Sous Chef and Maitre D'.

Oh, and go get your health card. Latest info on this is that you can get the test done at Beeston Hill in minutes (at least I did). You can get the card at the clinic near Christansted on north road just past the Pueblo on the right. Their hours are 8a-10a and 1p-2p.

Short term lease is the way to go at first. There are so many factors that don't "meet the eye" so to speak. Be careful and ask around before you rent from anyone. There seems to be a lot more "bad landlords" than in the states.

FWIW - We've stayed on island for a few weeks the last 2 years and EVERY time we stopped at a bar or a place to eat, my brother-in-law ALWAYS greeted our server with the line "We decided we want to live her e forever, can we live with you while we look for a job?"

Of course he was kidding BUT, unlike in the states where the server would laugh politely and then ask for our order, we were greeted WITHOUT EXCEPTION with a variation of one of the three following remarks

):"Well -- (pause) umm, yeah, you can stay with me at my place for at least a little while - that's how I got started here!: , or

2) "If you're serious let me make a phone call, I think I know someone who can set you up", or

3) " Give me a minute and 'll be right back, I know somebody that is hiring!".

That's why we love this island and intend to make it our home. The point is, be VOCAL, talk to EVERYONE you meet, and above all NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK !!!

And keep everyone posted here on this board. Enquiring minds want to know!!!

So, today was a great day! The sun came out, we went to the beach and experienced a beautiful part of the island. Trying to get a 3 month lease as recommended. Anyone know anything about the Queens Quarter Villas? It's high up in the running. We also love the north shore. Anything for rent up there???

Oh yeah, I forgot one best piece of advice we received: Don't forget to go to the beach!!! And, I would add, do Buck Island (or make plans to) before you get too settled. Our family is coming for Xmas and we are going then.

I think I would suggest waiting on the beach and applying for jobs. On STX in person applications are the way to go.

Actually I would suggest going to the beach during the day and the bars at night (in town) to network. Don't go every day/night and do not get drunk. But it is a excellent way to met people and network. This is how you find the jobs and apartments, long as people like you. 😉

Do also go IN PERSON, no faxing resumes, to the jobs/places you want to work at. Don't call just go, however, use common sense. Example if you're going to a restaurant don't go at their busiest times.

Reminder: health card before you go to restaurants/bars applying for jobs!

Oh, and I should add that while the lab takes cash only, surprisingly, the clinic takes V/MC.

what all does the health card require? I know when I moved to Vegas, I needed a sheriff card and a background check, a bunch of tests for a health card and a slew of classes for serving food and alcohol for that card. It took about a week and was a royal pita.

Hee hee ...

It's a little different here. 😀 May be easier, or harder, depending on your relationship with bodily functions.

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,166878,166976