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Hi there folks. My husband and I are in our mid-30s, from the Atlanta area. We have a young son. We've traveled the Caribbean fairly extensively, and have spent about a month on St. John total. In the interest of full disclosure, we've yet to visit St. Croix. We're going on a Southern Caribbean cruise for fun this winter and will have a day there, but we'll use it for fun and beach-time, not any serious island-shopping.
We've been considering an island move now for about five years. I've done the requisite research, read the relocation stories on the board, I've read the usual Caribbean lifestyle books (Wouk, Blanchard, etc). I know all about the hassles and expense of building, the appliances rusting, the crime, the wood warping, the clothes mildewing. However, I also know about people who still care for their neighbors, a slower pace of life, a less materialistic existence and that small-town feel.
With that long intro out of the way, I have some questions about St. Croix. In my research, we've ruled out St. Thomas. We hate it. While I love St. John, I realized after our last visit that I could never live there. Too hilly, not enough commerce, too expensive. If I come into $10 million, I might change my mind.
St. Croix seems like a compromise between St. Thomas and St. John. If we like what our 8 hours shows us in February, we will return for a longer stay with our son. I do have some questions though in the interest of furthering my research:
1. Are there many Continental families with young children on the island?
2. Do people find it easy to meet others or is the social scene rather closed off to new folks until they've been on island a while?
3. If you know people who've moved from the States to St. Croix with kids - are the kids happy?
4. My husband is into playing rec sports. Are there pick-up basketball games, men's sports leagues?
5. I am an attorney. I understand that to continue this career I will have to take the bar. Fine. Are there attorney jobs in St. Croix right now with the market in its sorry state?
6. Is it fairly easy for one to open up a tourist-based business if that is the direction we decide to go? I have operated a jewelry making business in the past and am now expanding into metalsmithing and believe that I may have a good future in this work.
It sounds as if St. Croix is starting to make a good comeback, tourism-wise. The island looks beautiful and we are anxious to visit. I feel slightly insane for wanting to cast off our cushy suburban life for something rather alternative to many, but where we live is just so darn mindless.
Posted : October 27, 2010 6:42 pm
Topic starter
Oh dear. I am not off to an impressive start. Wrong board. Can this be moved to the general board?
Posted : October 27, 2010 6:49 pm
Greetings prospective Cruzans.
My wife and I are criminal prosecutors for the VI government on STX. I made the same trans in May 2007, met my wife here and we got married 12/09. She is a local, educated stateside. I tried STT initially and agree with you, STX is the best for living convenience and costs.
There are plenty of families of all walks with toddlers. We have three attorney women in our office alone with new children. You will never want for families with little ones to associate with. We have none ourselves, but are getting into the market.
I have never experienced any exclusionist mentality with the locals. I have met with nothing but acceptance and hospitality from the general population. There are, of course, the usual selection of racists and dumbasses, but you have that everywhere. The effect is in reverse though. The demographic is about 75% black, 10% hispanic, and maybe the other 15% white. I am white, my wife is black. It is a very hospitable environment socially in my experience.
That being said, you may have noticed our homicide rate is 10X the national average, at about 55/100,000. There is a horrible crime problem here. You can raise happy healthy families, but you have to be situationally aware to those around you and somewhat cautious in your habits.
I can't help you on the sports scene. We get all our exercise privately in the water or exercising at home.
There is always room for a good attorney, Lord knows we have so few. I got a job promptly upon passing the bar. You will find that no employers will take you too seriously until you live here and have a VI bar credential, but there is always somebody needing capable help. You can also try applying for government legal jobs and get special admission for temporary practice for 3 years. The government jobs are appealing to us in this environment.
You may do well with jewelry as a sideline, but there is a lot of competition in that area. STT must have 50 jewelry stores and there are probably 15 here on STX, including custom jewelers. I would not give up a day job right away if you get one.
I hope that helps.
Posted : October 28, 2010 1:54 pm
