MGeff, best wishes to you! Your inquiry may receive more appropriate and helpful responses on the "Relocation Message" board. Look up at the top/right of your screen and you'll see the link for the "Relocation Message Board".

If you are planning on staying in the financial services theater - or thereabouts- you might find more opportunity in Tortola. If you're doing the change of career thing - respect and good luck.

I believe that you will find it difficult to get a job in the financial field unless you can finad some firm that premits remote access. Tortola or StT might be a better place. Remember that the population in STJ is 10,000 and most business is on STT or STX.

But good luck. Keep an open mind.,

Billd

Wow! -- STJ has 10,000 residents? Would never have guessed that.

I thought it was closer to 3,000 - 5,000.

St John does not have 10,000 residents. In 2000 there was about 4,000 residents, I am confident that it did not double in 10 years.

Where did BillD get the 10,000 number - are the new census numbers available?

At any rate, the chances of employment outside of the service industry (hospitality and retail) is not very good on STJ. One would probably have to commute daily to STT.

We are about 5,000 or so...and our main industry is tourism. For your scouting trip, I would say you should do as planned, check out the board at Connections, get an idea of how much rent is, an idea of the kinds of jobs, how much a car will cost. For the rest of the time, hang out and meet people. The island is pretty sleepy right now and you see a lot more 'transplant locals' with time on their hands to hang out and chat. You could spend an afternoon at the Beach Bar and potentially meet a lot of people. Since we aren't too busy right now, it's easier to sit and chat the day away. Ask people their 'how I got here' stories, have them share what they believe to be the biggest challenges, the biggest advantages, etc. St. John isn't a good fit for everyone. I think your time would be best served if you talk to as many people as you can. It's easy to meet people here, and the more people you know, the better off you will be. Good luck! Maybe I will see you around 🙂

Sorry, I am looking to GET OUT of the financial sector. 3 x 3 ft box that they call cubicles is not quite for me anymore!

Last year when I was hiking the Caneel Hill trail, I met a female who had just moved to STJ from the east coast (can't remember if it was NY, Boston, etc) who had worked in financial sector and wanted a change. Of course I don't remember her name, and I think she was looking for a non-financial job when I met her. I just remember thinking she probably had a huge bonus check that could tide her over until she found something, which is an advantage many hoping to move don't have. 🙂

The owners of Caribbean Rum Balls have a daughter who also worked in financial services in the States, was looking for a job, and she went to the St Thomas/St John Chamber of Commerce events with a name badge that read something indicating she was looking for a job (can't remember now what the wording was). She got lots of leads, but don't know if she got a job.

Check craigslist for the Virgin Islands. I regularly see employment postings for seeminly new companies coming to the region.

But chances are you will have to come of faith alone, without a job. Most employers will want to see you on-island, standing in front of them before seriously considering you for a job.

MGeff wrote:
Sorry, I am looking to GET OUT of the financial sector. 3 x 3 ft box that they call cubicles is not quite for me anymore!

I dream about being a bartender at a popular watering hole - not any kind of manager or owner just a 40 hour a week gig. Enjoying people who are out to enjoy themselves and totally dumping the stress. There are day sails/shore excursions who hire mates, restaurants/bars who boost their staff and retail stores all who seasonally adjust their staff.

This HAS to be the nicest group of board members I've ever read.

Lurking and learning through all of the info.

If the people on the islands are as kind as you folks; I think the stork dropped me in the wrong place.

Just WAIT till you guys/gals hear my crazy story....:@)

Best of luck finding your way out of the 3 X 3!

Hello I have a suggestion for you . You should look at the list of EDC companies here int he USVI. They are set up for tax purposes and many of them are money management and capital trading firms. Do you have this experience? In finance? if so, look at these firms... I believe the Lt Governor's office website has info on this. It will have the companies your are interested in. Don't make this move based on 'Hasty decisions" it's not easy... need to establish contacts at the firms first. They have no problem down here doing phone interviews first. Also, why St John's, you should explore St Thomas...more opportunity and only a 20 minute boat ride away if you have to be near '' Love City"... Read "Don't Stop The Carnival" by Herman Wouk (especially if you are a NY-ker) before you decide to move. It's about now a defunct hotel on Water Island. Really think this out before you do it. I can tell you the first 6 to 12 months can be tough... but I'm here and "figured it out."... so it's not impossible.

Water Island? or Hassel Island? Published in 1965 - more likely a depiction of the Royal Mail - was there a hotel on Water Is. in the early 60's? But fiction all the way!

Or Hotel on the Cay just off STX. Most think it's a compilation and not a real island.

oneyearinvi wrote:
Also, why St John's, you should explore St Thomas.... but I'm here and "figured it out."... so it's not impossible.

Better figure out soon that it's not St John's but St John!!!!!! 😀

Hi i was told by a long time resident here that it was Water Island. I never saw anything published that gave the actual location... If you know, let me know I thought it was a good book... I remember reading that Wouk and Jimmy Buffet produced a short-lived Broadway play based on it.