Why do most people leave the VI after living there for a while?

heard on the radio this morning that there were 55 murders for the teritory this year. thats a high murder rate for our population. 1 on st john, 30 something on st thomas and 20 something on stx.

hi stcmike, isn't "corrupt politician" a redundancy?

Among the stateside people I know who have moved here and then left, the reasons have been (1) family, (2) money, and (3) all of the problems of "Second World" living (i.e., not quite Third World but definitely not Western civilization, either).

VICaptain brings up a very important point. It can be completely effortless for a young person, or anyone who does not have a strong direction for his or her life, to slip into the party lifestyle and find there is no exit. It is sooo easy to develop a habit without realizing it because drinking, and drugs, are a way of life down here for many. And the the drinks are strong, because the alcohol is cheaper than the mixers. It takes tremendous strength of character to remain here and get clean at the same time -- I've seen it done -- but the easier course of action is to move back home.

hi stcmike, isn't "corrupt politician" a redundancy?

I think 'honest politician' is an oxymoron...

The pot holes are big cuz they only get .07 for each & every gallon of fuel sold.
Also, they get .16 for every lb. from every car & truck on the road(unless it`s a taxi, then like taxes, it`s free!).
Can you imagine just how much $$$ that is?

A few potholes get fixed, then they put a "skim layer" to make it all look good.
It lasts for less time than the huge checks our government writes to these inbred thieves for the thieves to cash them.

But getting back to the topic, many that leave come back again, & that speaks volumes.

i`ll agree with most others that dnt`s response hits the nail on the head!

Well said, Novanut! And, for what it's worth... I always enjoy your upbeat (but still honest) posts.

popflops

To both Novanut and Aeneas, you are both correct.

LOL

stcmike

I think people move here for a variety of reasons. Probably because they wanted too. Isn't that enough of a reason to move anywhere. It is funny that some people judge others by the length of time they live somewhere. It seems the Islands are the only place this type of qualification to be a friend exists. In the mainland people welcome a new neighbor. I read people won't notice someone unless they have lived here for a certain number of years. I am glad to meet nice people even if its just an afternoon. I wouldn't ignore someone because they have not paid there dues by remaining on the Island as long as I think they should to earn or deserve my friendship. People leave the Island because they want or need too, for as many different reasons as brings people to the Island. I don't think it matters why people come or go. People are free to do so as they please and I don't hold it against any of them. I would not want to move somewhere where I had to stay. Ask yourself if the same question would apply to the area you are from in the States. Have you ever asked why people move in or out of your area. Does it matter? STX is a beautiful Caribbean Island that feels right to some and not so right to others. All the information this board has to offer is valuable in making a decision to come to the Island. If someone comes for 1 week, 1 year, or 10 years, I hope they have an excellent experience. And if you leave, I hope you find happiness and success where you end up. Living on STX is certainly different from living Stateside.

I think it's a great question for those considering making the move. I know people on here are encouraged to write their moving stories to share, and I believe people also share their "exit" stories. Quite often when someone on here announces they are leaving, another will ask them to share why. I wouldn't hesitate to ask a neighbor (here or anywhere else) who was moving away, where they were going and why. Some may think that's nosey. I just think it's interested. A little off topic, but this reminded me, we have a relative who thinks it's condescending to ask a person what they do for a living. I've always found that odd, but hey, I don't like for strangers (usually it happens to be young servers) to call me "sweetie", and that same relative says I should get a life. LOL. Anyone who doesn't want to answer doesn't have too, but I find it informative and I'm sure newcomers will find it helpful, IMHO.

I had a co-worker tell me about 6-8 months after we arrived that it looked like I was staying, so we could be friends. She wasn't making me pass a test, she just was tired of losing friends after a short time. 🙂

By the way, one of the most wonderful feelings for a long time resident is discovering that a friend, who moved away as they soooo often do, has moved BACK!

That happened to me the other day, and it's a blessing.

lived here since 91 and could not ever imagine living anywhere else. but in the past 1-2 i think i could. or at least be a snow bird.

the crime, heat,. prices and healthcare is getting out of control. it is a pain to go anywhere. even a short trip to another island is expensive and takes some planning.

and the jobs are not as plentiful as they use to be. and not looking for Hovensa i heard. if they go i am out of here for sure. depressing thought living here without our Hovensa.

For the past 12 years, I've made major moves (Virginia to New Orleans to Phoenix) every 3-4 years because of school. I never gave it much thought because I didn't have a choice, but now that I am in a position to live wherever I want (moving to STX in July!) and have a moment to look back on it, I'm grateful for it. It's given me a chance to see the country and make friends all over. I have friends across the country now, mostly because I've been the one moving away, but also because others in my line of work have needed to move to continue their education.

Sure, it's nice to have friends in town, but it's also fun to plan trips to visit them and to get their perspective on life when you catch up with them by phone. I can understand that it must get frustrating to watch your new friends move away 6 months after they arrived, but surely they can't all move away, and with technology and travel what they are these days, why not keep in touch and enjoy the relationship on a larger geographic scale? On the flip side, the constant flow of people in and out of the islands means that there are always potential new friends on the way.

We moved here because we are both water babies and we had been living in the desert for far too long. We loved the location, knew about the lack of job opportunities, crime, etc. High cost of living wasn't an issue, because it wasn't as bad here as it was in Phoenix and we need so much less here.

We still love living here... the beautiful weather and beaches, the small community. I love that we can walk into so many places and be greeted by name. If we have car issues, someone will give us a ride... and our computer recently broke so I am using someone else's spare computer until we can get a new one. We didn't have a lot of friends like that in Arizona.

However, I can definitely see leaving at some point. After five years, I am starting to be bothered by not having a career anymore, and little chance for one. I want to go back to school, not sure I want to do that at UVI. And like someone said earlier, once a gypsy, always a gypsy.. The old wanderlust is kicking back in. Next, I would like to go to Australia. 😉

Hey Bethburnett70,
Australia, has Great White Sharks, and Salt Water Croc's! Not a great place for water babies(td)

Hey Bethburnett70,
Australia, has Great White Sharks, and Salt Water Croc's! Not a great place for water babies(td)

* sorry, had to do it... *

we'll just ask the great white sharks and the salt water croc's about that! :@)

By the way, one of the most wonderful feelings for a long time resident is discovering that a friend, who moved away as they soooo often do, has moved BACK!

That happened to me the other day, and it's a blessing.

I Agree! But, where did I hear that before??....
Coming back after leaving is as flattering as one can get I suspect!

Maybe we can steal Schwarzenegger`s commercial here..."You`ll be back"!