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On a site like this you often see people NOT from the Virgin Islands asking questions about the islands either for a visit or a relocation. Well this one is going to be a twist in that I am a native of St. Thomas who has lived abroad for almost 26 years. I have come back home quite often over the years so I am familiar to a great degree about the island. My problem is, however, I was one of those natives whose entire family moved over to the states and being a first generation Virgin islander, my parent's families are on other islands that they migrated from to start a family in St. Thomas.
I have always wanted to move back home at some point and after a series of personal setbacks, I have decided to move back home and start over. Only problem is, I have NO family I a moving back home to (well, I do, but we're not close like that). Now, I have always seen visitors coming here to ask questions and I have seen some talking about moving there and talking about "shoestring." I have even met some who I see bartending or doing other things and hacking out a survival. Granted, I know it must not be easy, but when you are coming from where I am coming from, survival is a way of life nowadays.
How do folks do it? Do they set up with a roommate? Do they stay at a low cost hotel in hopes of landing a job before the money runs out? Are there local folks on St. John with big homes who have mercy on them and give them room and board for services? Is there some secret starting spot where the folks start as they acclimate to the islands?
Your thoughts and advice are solicited. Thanks
First thought for you is actually advice. Click on the link above Visit Relocation Message Board. You will get better answers there!
There might be a person who will give you some help, but I doubt it. There are no rich sugar daddys. But my advise is onlt move down if you have a job. Looking for a job is a problem. As the cash begins to run you will regret the move. Do a PMV. Find a job. Find a place t0o live. THEN move down. As much as you want to move don't do it until you have a place to land. This goes for any place, but it is most important here in the islands. Jobs are tough to find. But you can find them.
billd
I thank both of you guys. I'll take the advice and see what I can do from here.
In accordance with forum rules, RonUSVI can't tout his own place, Villa Fairview, but I think I can do so! He offers temporary accommodation for those doing PMVs and those who relocate here who are looking for a place to stay until they get the "lay of the land" and get to know their way around, settle into a job, etc, and he has a most admirable reputation as a great host and a source of wisdom for newbies. He gave you excellent advice by referring you to the relocation forum on this site.
That said, I of course don't know the nature of your "personal setbacks" but be aware that the job market here is very sketchy to say the least. The unemployment rate on the mainland is currently 8.9%. We lag behind the mainland by about 8-12 months where a recession is concerned but the layoffs continue here and businesses are closing. It's a downward spiral which will in all probability get a whole lot worse in the next year.
Even if you HAD a firm family base here, you'd still be on the low end of the totem pole.
That said, there still are jobs being advertised in the VI Daily News (www.virginislandsdailynews.com) and in the Daily News weekly advertising newspaper, the Island Trader which comes out every Thursday and to which there's a link on the website on the right hand side of the main page.
If you are resourceful, have a good track record where past employment is concerned and are willing to hunker down and be a good employee with integrity you might well settle back here and do OK. 26 years away from here is a very long time. I've been here for 25 years now and the changes have been enormous.
If for any reason you don't have a good employment record then of course the road is going to be that much harder. In that case, honesty is the best policy.
I wish you luck! Cheers!
My partner Kathryn and I are trying to make an opportunity in St. John's. We have a remarkable dream that we would like to fulfill and realize that it is going to take some hard work and helpful hands. Basically, we would like to do some house sitting, nanny/child care, dock work, boat work, or mix child care and crewing. But it is tough to arrange this when you are far away. We live in Asheville, NC and are hoping to make our way down that way in a week or so.
I would be grateful if anyone would visit our website that we developed for our employment and travel purposes.
visit www.gottalivethedream.com to get a good description of what we are hoping to accomplish.
We think it could be possible and hope that our petition is kept alive until it reaches the right hands. Please pass our info along if you can.
With thanks,
John Dean & Kathryn Sawdon
I'm sure you know this, but jobs down here are scarce right now, there are locals with experience looking for the same sorts of positions as you, and since the locals have been networking here for years they would likely be hired before an unknown newcomer. That said, you might get lucky. I hope you make it down for that visit and enjoy yourselves.
John Dean, I have to second dntw8up. Your chances of achieving your dream would be hard at the best of times but, given the current state of the local economy which continues to deteriorate, next to none right now. Your question in any case is better posed on this site's relocation forum. Good luck!
