what kind of work are you doing to live in STT or STX?

I think you may have a misunderstanding. When islanders tell you "the pay is low and the cost of living is high" by that they mean compared to most other locales (especially in mainland USA) the pay scale in the USVI's will often be significantly lower than for a comparable job where you now live. By the same token the cost of living will be much higher than it is "back home". That's the big CATCH-22 with living in the Caribbean. It doesn't matter what type of job you have - pay scales will be low. Many islands either work multiple jobs or have to significantly cut back on their "lifestyle" in order to make ends meet.

One exception would be the hospitality industry. I took a chef job on StX and make just a bit more than as a chef in Denver.

Guess it all depends on what industry you're in.

Noah

Restaurant industry is strong, as is hotel, as the previous posters have mentioned. I saw that you were in the medical field in the service....do you have an RN, LPN, CNA or anything of the like? If you get a traveling nurse job, the pay is CRAZY! As is anything at the oil refinery.

hey, I'm planning on moving to st croix in less than a year i have my own carpentry business. what kind of a demand is there for someone such as myself who not only runs the business but works the jobs. i am experienced in tile,windows&doors,decks and porches, interior trims,and concrete pours . i would be self employed with all my own liabilities ins.and etc. does anyone know someone who tends to all the houses and businesses on the island. please let me know. john .

Actually if you can find a school and get trained in Massage Therapy is there lots of money to be made down here. I am not sure about STX , but on STT I am making around $50 to $70 an hour working for someone else even. Average going rate for an hour massage not at a resort is in the range of $85 dollars an hour. Just a thought..

Joe

Michael: If you were a surgical tech, you might want to check the Schneider Regional website: http://www.srmedicalcenter.org/ for opportunities. Basically the more specific the knowledge you have, the better off you are. People who want to be administrative assistants are usually beaten out in the job race by locals. But if you have a specific technical niche, you may do well. We need teachers, librarians, nurses and other health care workers. Again, as everyone has said, you should consider a long visit to network and have a look-see at life in the VI. Good luck.

I'm doing roughly the same type of work I was doing in DC, but it's part time initially, with the intention of moving to full time. Pay wise? It's a bit less than what I was making, but as others have said, you just align your expenses to what your take home pay is.

Ok thanx guys your info helped alot with my decision.