What to do on pre-move visit?

Jodi: All of these questions are things you should try to ask potential employers and landlords. Network-Network-Network! Wander around and tell people of your intention and ask for their advice. You probably won't secure a job, but they will probably tell you to come by when you move permanently. Ask about your health card, should you get it 4 months ahead or when you arrive? Ask for phone numbers and stay in touch over the next few months. Read the online papers so you get an idea of what is going on. (www.virginislandsdailynews.co and www.onepaper.com) Think about the things you do on a daily basis and figure out how you will do those things here- shopping, banking, laundry, mail etc.

Thanks so much East Ender! I wasn't sure if I should tell a lot of people when I was down there because they might not take me seriously. I have definitely given thought to the grocery shopping, banking, laundry stuff (and have gotten first hand accounts from my friend that used to live on STJ). I'm not going to have a car for the first six months I'm down there (going to leave it with my mom until I figure out if I want to ship it or sell it and by an island car) so I will be looking for housing in Cruz Bay. I didn't even think about getting my health card early, I will ask. I just figured I'd have time when I got there in September since I might not be getting a job until October or so...but that definitely puts me one step ahead of the game.

Does anyone know if you have to have an on-island address to get a health card?

Does anyone else have other recommendations for a successful pre-move visit or tales of their own to STJ?

thanks for all of the help...

soon to be on island and I'm not sure if I'm more excited or more nervous,
Jodi

Hello Jodi,

If you have some restaurants in mind yes stop by and introduce yourself to the manager, leave your resume, get their contact information so you can keep in touch, ask questions.

You can try the post office and see if they have available boxes, waiting list, their procedures/costs. And you can do the same and check out Connections and ask about sending boxes to be held until your arrival and what fees apply to that. Either would work.

You can wait to open the account when you move. Credit Cards & travelers checks work fine - so you can use that for your visit if you don't want to bring a lot of cash.

If you love sailing, take a daysail to celebrate your birthday. Perhaps one of the group sails.

--Islander

Jodi,

Almost all of the restaurants on island will be skeptical about hiring someone this far in advance. They are all full of stories about staff that they have hired in advance that failed to show up due to a variety of reasons. People's plans change and no employer wants to commit to someone early and perhaps turn away other qualified candidates only to find that come September, your plans changed and you aren't coming down.

Regardless, as others have said, NETWORK! This is a tiny island and most everyone knows each other and who is looking for work. When I first came on island, most of my leads came from folks I had approached about work that may have been fully staffed, but were able to point me to folks who were currently looking for help.

Forget the bank account thing. You won't need it and I tried to open an account with a stateside address and was denied. A friend of mine did manage to open one, but it seems hit and miss.

Health card at this time is also unnecessary. A new empoyer will usually give you a few days to get a card anyway and they expire after a year. Not worth the hassle.

I live and work on STJ and manage a restaurant here. If you have any questions feel free to email me directly.

As far as how to spend your birthday, take a trip to the BVI!

Good luck!

Rich and Islander-Thank you so much, this was definitely some of the specific information that I was looking for. Great ideas on the birthday itinerary, too. I've spent time on Jost (Ivans Easter Regatta...) but I've never been to Tortola, so that's a thought....

Hey Rich, I'm assuming that you are the same Rich that was mentioned in the post for a room on ST John? Did you check out the most recent post in that thread? You might not care, just wondering if you saw it.

Thanks for all the help. Definitely looking forward to the PMV!
Jodi 😉