Who wrote this?

A&AtoVI. I don't know if she is still posting here. She is on "What's Going on St Thomas?" on Facebook...

 I wondered if it was her. 
Haven’t seen her post in a long time. 

Posted by: Light

Anybody else want to share their story? 

You looking to write a book Light ?    😉

She got upset with people jumping all over here sometimes with her posts. Dont know if that is why but.......

I’m not much of a writer but I’d like to make some VI YouTube videos if I ever get to move there  ? 

Visiting STT soon! 

She moved to STX for awhile but is back on STT

Her website:

https://www.photosvi.com/

Beautiful work!

There are several people who used to post here who have gone on to fame and fortune on "What's Going on St Thomas?" But several of them always refer folks who want to move here to this site...

Light: Did you see the other Moving Stories? A&A has a nice writing style, but there are other narratives under the tab.

East Ender- yes, I’ve read some of the other stories. Most of them are several years old! 

I read her moving story once before, well written and insightful.  Our moving story (wife and I) is still on going but once we actually settle in I’ll write something.

I (we) fall into the category of folks who have chosen St. Croix as a seasonal retirement destination.  We’re 2 years away from retirement but committed, having closed on a home in January.  We’re from the Boston area and have deep ties to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, so we love island living, just can’t take the cold in the winters anymore.

My parents actually owned land on St. Croix in the late 60’s, Teague Bay Area, but never built and later sold the property.  I did however have a memorable visit when I was 12, some 50 years ago.

St. Croix offers what we like, great weather, genuinely nice people, good restaurants (and wine) , lots of choices for activities and importantly a community that’s big enough to have both the infrastructure and diversity so necessary to a full and fulfilling life.  I would really like to get into the community after 40+ years in a 24/7 career.  I’m seeking the “balance” I’ve never had.  I plan to attack retirement with great gusto.

I’m counting down the months, 23 to go, to spending our first season on the island. It actually works out well because we have lots of time to plan and get ready in advance.  Fortunately, my wife is both a homemaker and an excellent planner so we’ll be ready. In the meantime we’ll be making regular visits as time allows.  

One of the articles said that they were given full benefits at their job which actually turned  outto be only “emergency coverage” only. No normal routine or prescription coverage. I know you can only get coverage thru an employer there. Is that all they actually offer is emergency coverage insurance if you’re actually lucky enough to get it from anybody?

Light: You are talking about health insurance, correct? That is a whole weird topic. Insurance is regulated through the lieutenant governor's office. Everyone can pile on as to why they aren't able to bring in companies with individual policies, but that is life in the VI. There are some policies which have huge deductibles and some that you pay first, then are reimbursed (maybe). I think there are probably stateside companies that provide their (stateside) insurance, which may of may not be accepted by providers here. It is a big, hot mess. Even the group insurance is expensive. We were paying $2000/month for UHC. Medicare seems cheap, even with the most expensive supplement....

I don't know what to tell you. If you can get on the with the territorial government, they have great Cigna coverage. Otherwise, UHC through a small business is great, albeit expensive.

Yes, I was talking about insurance. Sorry, I didn’t clarify that very well. I was just worried that all (if any) insurance that was was offered in the VI was only emergency insurance  coverage. Thanks!

2k is a month is crazy. I think I pay about $180 a month in insurance now. 

Medical insurance today is both complex and expensive.  Stateside, a middling company plan will run close to $2K a month, for a family plan, how that cost is shared with employees varies greatly from company to company.  Maybe the more relivent issue today is that most firms who provide coverage have now adopted “high deductible plans”, this is code for the fact that the employees pay the first $5K or $7K before the insurance kicks in.  This lowers the total premium while providing a backstop in the event of a severe illness, but it can be very hard on the employees.  Some say it also discourages people from going to the doctor.  Things like health savings accounts can help buffer the effects of the high deductible plans, if properly used, but it doesn’t reduce the deductible.

The so called Obamacare coverage is also basically a high deductible plan, the only difference is the insurance premiums are subsidized by the government.  Stateside, if you want a job with great benefits, medical and pension, work for the government.

No Obamacare insurance in the VI. They used the money to put into Medicaid (aka Medical Assistance) and I'm sure have burned through whatever they have been given. The territory is supposed to match the fed's money, but, being broke, I'm sure they haven't. In order to get costs down you need competition and a group of healthy people in your insurance pool...

Does Medicare work in the VI?  That’s what my wife and I will be using.  Don’t know which supplement we’ll be using yet.  I’m still working and my company plan is still our bset option at the moment. 

Yes, Medicare works, at least traditional Medicare. There are no Advantage plans here. The supplement (Medi-gap) sold here is by AARP through UHC. If you are lucky to get in on the plan F before they get rid of it, you are pretty much golden.

East Ender, 

Yep, that is our plan. (Medicare + UHC and a company retirement plan for my wife.) I'm turning 65 in a month and we will be in STX full time by November.

We bought on the Northside because we love the green and the hills. Nothing against the East End, just our preference. I also like that the HOA handles everything including water and sewer. (For a steep fee of course, but they are a financially healthy and responsive HOA) The area is called Fountain for a reason as it is one of the few places you can drill a well and get fresh water. 

Our story goes partially that St Croix was really a second choice. We liked Curacao in the S Caribbean despite the dryness. But in order to be given full time resident status and the option of paying "only" 10% tax on top of our income tax on US investments, we had to make an investment of at least $350,000 US in the country. So we researched and headed to St Croix for Medicare, a US flag and some of the most friendly people I have met anywhere. (But then, I'm from NY  ? ) 

Fishie: I'm on the east end of St Thomas, but I'm sure it is similar. I was talking to some STT northsiders.  They have scorpions, tarantulas, and all sorts of fun things. We only have deer, iguanas, and sweet tree boas. ? 

There are tons of critters. We have friends and acquaintances with a home & rental cottages in the bush and it gets interesting. Our place is a little more "manicured," being in a golf club. I don't think we'll need mosquito netting, we were fine in July - August, only a few mozzzies. Maybe the Golf Club sprays! 

I want to start writing some short stories. I hope I will succeed. I am also inspired by reading other people's stories.

Posted by: East Ender

We only have deer, iguanas, and sweet tree boas. ? 

I am still waiting to see one! 🙂

Posted by: atticus

Posted by: East Ender

We only have deer, iguanas, and sweet tree boas. ? 

I am still waiting to see one! 🙂

Which one?  I see deer all the time and the iguanas are like rats that don't hide during the day:)

I think the reference is to the tree boa, indigenous to the east end of St Thomas and very, very shy... ?