Wishing I were on ISLAND TIME

Once again, I'm agreeing with Mell. I'd hate living on STJ or STX as much as the people who live there would hate STT. I enjoy visiting both those places but STT is MY island of choice. You can't lump all into the same mix. I know people who moved here & a few years later settled on STJ & one who moved from STX to STT. Just a different fit.

Sometimes some of these posts paint the VI completely negatively which is just as false as saying everything is perfect. There just ain't no paradise on earth, I don't care where you are. I do wonder why there weren't more posts on the thread about what's great about the VI. Some who used to live here surely had something, anything, nice to say?

Whats great is that it is beautiful, warm all year and the water is beautiful. Thats pretty obvious. Thats really the only pluses in my book.

tjmee she's not smashing dreams just telling the truth. For sake of arguement if one person telling you no was going to smash your dream how much of a dream was it? A dream/goal should be something you have to work hard for to be able to enjoy it when you complete it. I think if you ever get to meet Becky you will be a lucky person, she is incredibly warm and friendly.

This is good slowly but surely you all can point out the positive, I knew you all could do it. If this keeps up people might want to go to the V.I.

lol....might want to go to the vi??? People always want to come here, I dont think anyone's worried about any shortages about people wanting to come here. But I do worry about a family throwing away their life savings including selling their house if they only know the obvious. Why do we have so many nonresidents (meaning people who have never lived here) posting as if they knew the islands.

It's interesting how different places appeal to different people. Our son lived in STT for a couple of years and did not like it. He was extremely concerned when his mother and I told him we were moving to STX. He has lived in Mexico for three or four years and loves it. He spoke no Spanish when he moved there. BTW, don't try to do battle with Becky. She's one tough cookie who's dream on STX just didn't work out.

Ric

I have been really excited to log on and check the message board during the day because I have found some helpful information to supplement all the information we learned from residents on our last trip. Though I feel a little sad when I read some of the above posts. I know it won't be easy and paradise it may not be, but pradise is what you make of it wherever it is blue water or not. I have always been indifferent about my current location and certainly my husband's location in Iraq is not paradise despite the warm weather. I am sure many people do not prepare very well for such a move. In fact I have a friend who did not prepare for a life changing move to the midwest, but through struggling she has made it work and has found the little things that make the hardships/changes worth the effort. Thankyou all for making those of us who are dreaming aware of the reality of making any type of life changing move. I am sure when you made yours you were faced with many forms of advice from others or maybe not. We will attempt to make the move and should it fail it will be a learning experience. ( toting around children of course is a separate issue) However, am sure there is a great portion of people out there who wish they had the courage to make a leap. You never know maybe a net will appear.

I will keep on reading because there is something about the STJ that makes me feel as if I am home even if it is only in my head for now. Reading all of the different types of posts helps me feel connected and more solid about the decision my husband and I have made to move. I can't wait to make the move and put out my first post telling everyone about our encounters both good and bad because I am expecting both for sure!

I think the ability to make adjustments in the midwest would be a lot easier than those on St John. We've travelled for about 12 years for 2 weeks. We love it there. It is our two week paradise. We have some good friends and know how to integrate ourselves with locals (mainlanders) so when we head over on the RH ferry, we sometimes think of it as a bit of going home. I even do business there.

But it isn't home and that's the reality.

I salute your husband and his service. After he discharges have him come out here to Los Angeles. Wanna be an LAPD cop. Great money and benefits. Let me know. And guess what, you guys will be making enough money to make that trip every year.

Thanks, I'll let him know that LAPD could be out there for him. He will still be involved in the National Guard anyway. His goal is to get a full time job in the armory on STT. He was full time here before he left. In regards to my frien, I was only trying to make the contrast that to her St Louis is our STJ and she went with virtually nothing as a back up. I am sure there are many differences. I have never been to California but do have clients from LA.
How long did you live on an Island?

I have never lived on St John.

What I was trying to give was a perspective. Not sure why I haven't said the same to others, but it may be the military connection. Actually, it probably was. I am sure that others who might be on this forum could answer better than me. I know from my long time active and reserve duty that the full time jobs are very hard to get. I would also think it would be very difficult to displace a local reservist who might want one of those jobs. I can only imagine that they would be one of the more coveted jobs, both military and civilian. Remember that even if he just goes down without a reserve position he will in order to get a paid guard/reserve slot even just as a member they would have to have a slot open for his grade and specialty.

Shoot me a PM if you want to discuss further.