Which island?

...but how does one choose where to live if they aren't moving for a particular job?..."

Make a Pre-Move Visit (aka PMV) to each island and stay for as long as possible - several weeks on each island if you can afford it. Don't come as a tourist spending your day sightseeing or sitting under a plan tree on a beach with a pina colada in your hand. Instead stay in a small rental condo (preferably not on the beach unless you have very deep pockets) and spend your time doing everyday chores like grocery shopping, doing the laundry, running errands, cleaning house, checking out utility companies, banking options, take drives during rush hours to get an idea of what commuting is like, check out housing options in your budget range on both islands, investigate car prices and begin making contacts with companies where you might find work. In short do the same everyday things you do "back home" as you'll be doing those same things if and when you make the move. The object of the PMV is to get a real feel for what it is like to live on an island.

"Come on doooown! You are the next contestant on the Price is..."

Seriously now, use the search function and the pulldown menus at the top of these boards.

Do a PMV (Pre-Move Visit) to both islands. If possible, stay on both islands for a minimum of a week. IMHO, at least two weeks...

Don't get too "touristy", meaning, go out mingle-walkaround-hangabout with "de mon dem".

Keep your expectations real, huh, on the low side of the equation.

Oh, don't forget to drive on the left side and walk on the left side of the supermarket... The later is not a joke.

P.S. We are not "expats"... we do get Sahara Desert dust... and we offer car manufacturers the best testing facilities in all of the USA, that is why the islands' roadways have the potholes. Those thing are like gremlins, they multiply when it rains.

DEPENDS on your lifestyle. people say stx is more laid back and stt has more to do.

There are many differences pros and cons with each island. There is a lot of info on this forum to start getting familiar but in the end you need the PMVs to make an informed decision.

There are many differences pros and cons with each island. There is a lot of info on this forum to start getting familiar but in the end you need the PMVs to make an informed decision.

Not only that there are many differences with each island, but, each island has many differences depending on with side of the island.

Hi, I have just found St Thomas, due to HGTV here in New Zealand, sounds like my type of town/ city.

Which are the better sides of the Island to live on, East, West etc.

What types of native animals are there roaming around, are there dangerous snakes for example, as in Australia. In New Zealand, the most dangerous animal is the human.

I look forward to hearing from you, all you might be able to help me with, which is everything.

Thank you, Barbie

lots and lots of chickens running around. i guess there is still a mongoose and iguana population on stt?

everywhere you live man is the most dangerous.

donkeys, goats, horses, maybe some boar dem still around, centipedes

No dangerous snakes, nor extremely venomous critters tho we have the usual spiders, centipedes, scorpions, ants, roaches, roaming chickens and roosters, iguanas, lizards galore, Mongoose, hermit crabs, land crabs, mosquitoes, noseeeums, ants, etc.
On STJ, you've got wild donkeys and pigs. Occasionally see deer on all the islands.
Lots of bird species.

I thought NZ South Island is considered the most beautiful and photographed place on earth. I guess the grass is always greener....

NZ is gorgeous, both North and South Islands!
I actually thought about moving there after spending 3months there but so far away from family, long quarantine for dogs and the water was freezing even in their summer (our winter) months. But absolutely a wonderful place. Friendly, inexpensive, easy to get around and travel. Green and Clean!
My favorite was swimming with hundreds of dolphins off of Kikoura on South Island but there were so many great adventures!
No nasty critters, either unlike Australia.

Hi, I have just found St Thomas, due to HGTV here in New Zealand, sounds like my type of town/ city.

Which are the better sides of the Island to live on, East, West etc.

Thank you, Barbie

Comparing the sizes of South Island NZ at 58,300 sq. mi. to STT at 32 sq. mi. -- there is probably a big difference there - not so much here in STT - cooler on the Northside and more rain in the elevations are the most noticeable but no major differences.

We're tiny in comparison, in many ways actually.

They are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Choose by spending a month on each. If you cant do that then just bring a TON of cash and try one - if you're in your 50s + you should try STX first. If you're younger I would try STT first. If you don't like where you land use your cash and try the other.

Hi Kathy, good luck in your relocating! My company has a paralegal position open on St. Croix. It is listed on Indeed.com and VI DOL site. I'm sure we'd love to hear from you.