Ashley-You can look at my trip report. I've included costs of many of the recreational activities and food, but I'd bet that for the people that live there (help me out, Marty and Islander), they usually eat what they like. It's a matter of preference. I'd bet that the people in YOUR household prefer different things, too! And as the temperature stays more-or-less constant, you can wear the same things year-round. For a guy, that would mean shorts and a lightweight shirt, and perhaps lightweight long pants if he felt dressy. I DID see a lot of girls in blue jeans, though, so whatever YOU wear in the sumer would certainly be appropriate. I think the CIA has a good website that discusses population demographics, including median income. Have fun!

hi Ashley

great idea for a report. Here are some answers to your questions:

1. average income is probably somewhere around $30,000. Some people only make around $15,000 or even less, while others make up to $65,000 and more (if they are high paid government employees who "know someone" to get them a good job.)

2. how much $ to bring while visiting? It depends on how long you are staying, but it will cost you about $150 a day minimum. That would be $100 for a hotel room (and that's a cheap one) and if you eat cheaply you can get by for $50 or less. But that's eating really really cheaply!

3. what to pack: canoebase is right, you can wear pants or jeans and shirts all year round, but in the "summer" (May to October) it gets hotter, especially July, August and September. Most days if you are out in the sun you will be more comfortable in shorts and tank tops.

4. recreational activities: swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, bird watching, visiting museums and old ruins, star watching at night, sailing, playing volleyball, sport fishing, etc. all the outdoor sports are here!

5. types of foods: they have GREAT local food: fresh fish, provisions (yams, plantains, dasheen, sweet potatoes) local specialities like souse (soup made from pig's feet) kallaloo (soup made from spinach, fish, other local ingredients) bull foot soup, stew fish, etc. Drinks made from local fruits: soursop, maubi, passionfruit, etc. PLUS the usual American food and even fast food—McDonald's, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Kentucky Fried Chicken, to name a few.

hope this helps!

Ashley,

Great Idea for a report! Keep in mind that USVI has 3 major islands STT, STX, and STJ. Each island is uniquely different, but do have a lot in common. Without a doubt tourism is the major business of the islands, however in STJ a large part of the island is designated as a national park and is very underdeveloped when compared to STT and STX.

Start saving now if you want to move to paradise. It can be fairly expenseive to get established. My son lives in STT and loves living there. From a parents viewpoint there have been troubling moments. I do not know how old you are, but I am sure at some point you will hear your parents say, "Nothing Good Happens After Midnight", and that is defintely true in islands. 99% of the folks who live in the islands are good people, but there is an element (as there is anywhere) that comes out late. Late at night in STT can be a tough place. I always say Paradise is prettier when the Sun is Up!

If you are big Kenny fan, you have probably heard his quote that young folks who move down to the islands are bartenders, boatys, or bums. Study hard do not be the latter, start planning and saving if moving to USVI is your dream.