Where do the locals go?

I know a number of people who moved away from STX and came back years later. Some left for college, some for the military, some for marriage and others for job opportunities. Some left just to see what else was out there. I find that they all appreciate where they came from for having the knowledge of what else is out there. At the same time, they are slightly set apart from those who have never gone away for an extended period of time. They are "in-betweeners" who aren't quite "locals" anymore but definitely aren't "transplants".

I probably have more acquaintances/friends in this situation than I do locals who have never left. I believe this is largely because those who have gone away and come back feel more comfortable mixing in both environments than those who stayed on-island. They don't shy away from sitting down to chat if I smile and say Hello or Good Afternoon. They tend to be the people who help to introduce the newcomers to the lifetime locals who would otherwise be difficult for most transplants to meet and get to know.

It's all about having a frame of reference to make it easier to connect and get acquainted without a cultural wall that is sooooo hard to get past sometimes. Comments are made on this board quite often that locals don't see newcomers as residents and potential friends until they have been here for years (if then). So many come and go that it is understandable that they wouldn't want to invest themselves time and again in pursuing very short-term friendships. Unfortunately, that wall of reserve is part of what makes it more difficult for newcomers and locals to really fit together.

Johnnycake,

I returned to St. Croix several years ago after living in Europe (8years), California, Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Colorado.

It was wonderful to return home.

If you have not become overly addicted to big-box stores like China-Mart and can entertain yourself with simpler things in life like getting to know your neighbors and enjoying nature you'll be quite OK.

My experience has been that the island changed quite a bit during my absence. For example, stores stay open later, cable TV is available island-wide, we have LESS power OUTRAGES, there is a LOT more traffic, there is one more shopping mall, and a lot of the formerly uninhabited hillsides now have palatial homes on them. People are still friendly, and the j'ouvert tramp is still pretty wild...the Crucian girls still know how to dance 🙂

Sunny Isle is busier than ever, and the process for getting your driver's license is still just as frustrating (sorry!)

We now get first-run movies right when they are released, not months later...we could use an IMax theater though.

The arrival of the casino changed the entertainment scene in Christiansted a bit. Not as many live bands in town as there used to be. Remember when we used to have live music at Sunny Isle every Saturday?

A lot of things have changed, mostly for the better...much more things remain the same, for better or worse. Welcome back!

Alexandra and Native Son,

Thank you both for your response. I have being living in NYC for more than 10yrs now but come home (STX) to visit my family every year for a few weeks. Native Son I have noticed the changes that you mentioned. Despite these changes, St. Croix is still quaint and has it's charm. I hope that in time, with new changes, the essence or specialness of STX remains.

My partner and I will be in STX in a few weeks on vacation. I look forward to that time.

Best,
Johnnycake
p.s. Alexandra congrats on your big day!

Thanks Johnnycake. 😉
The best fact of today is that I managed to come up with a wedding dress on our very short trip to San Juan. Huge sigh of relief with just a few days to go...
Now to get more lobsters tomorrow for the reception dinner. Yum.

Congratulations, Alexandra 🙂

I wish you many years of wedded bliss!

Thank You, Native Son. Where better to live life with someone you love than in "Paradise"?