Congradulations.

Living here is a little more difficult than it seems but the rewards are also much greater. There are few questions that you need to address first.

Where will I work ?

Where do I want to live?

What is my budget?

Think about these and then rest will fall into place.

Remember that good plaiining is essential, but you need to follow through and then you need to adjust.

billd

Check out the Relocation Message Board, above right. 😉

Read the heck outta the Relocation Board...and when you come back this time, it shoulda been for a PMV...I can't even begin to tell you how many people have done the exact same as you, but within 6 months to a year, they were back in America just cuz the island didn't agree with them...oh, they THOUGHT it would, but the little things just got to be too much....like standing in line...EVERYWHERE! From the Post Office, to the Grocery Store, to WAPA, to Innovative, to the bank, you name it, you'll spend a lot of time in lines here...and sitting in traffic! A PMV is always recommended, so that when you are actually here, you aren't 'vacationing'...which is what you were doing last time you were here. Life is a little different when you are 'living' it, instead of 'vacationing'. But, since you already bought your ticket and gave notice (which is how I did it, BTW...over ten years ago), I would recommend trying to set aside some emergency money in case rock fever sets in to heavily for you...then you can bail if you need to...I didn't and couldn't, so I had to make it work...and it has, very wonderfully, for me...but it's not for everyone. I didn't know that at the time, but I do now. if there's anything we can do to help, just let us know....here's to wishing you the best on this huge adventure you are about to embark upon!(tu)

Marty's right - do bring plenty of money to tide you over because you're coming at the start of SLOW season and jobs won't be easy to find. Unless you're staying with your father on his boat, you'll need first, last and security for an apartment and you'll also need a car - getting around is VERY difficult without one. Good luck to you!

Good luck to you, alot of people think of doing it, but don't. If I was younger, I'd try it.'

Best to you!

also. if you need a place to stay we have guest rooms that rent for 100/night, 3 night min. Right nabove Sapphire Beach with their own bath.

PM me if you need it as you look for a final place to stay.

billd

Congrats! :@)
The biggest thing you will learn is patience!
All My Best!

Congratulations Heather!
It takes a lot of courage to do what you're doing. Life is so short and you will never regret the experience. I did just what you did last November. Left a great-paying corporate job, as well as a whole lot of other things to come here alone and turn 40 in a whole new life. Granted it's only been 8 months, but despite the ups and downs, I haven't looked back yet. Marty on STT you are my wise mentor, and so right about this place. 4-5 months in, reality hit me and the "honeymoon phase" started to come to a close. And to tell you the truth I still have my moments. But as I'm slowly adjusting to all the things this place is not, I am grateful for all the wonderful things it is. My advice is the same as everyone else's. Plan it. This place if full of people who come down with no money and just hope to fall into something. Meantime they go broke drinking rum punches and go home thinking it's too hard to live here. Think of this place as anywhere else you'd move to and you'll do just great. Also, add me to your list of people who will be happy to help you if you need it. Best of luck and we'll see you on the water!!! WOOHOO!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, all!

Had a bummer of a day today . . .my mother gave away my dog. There was no way she could come down and live on my dad's little boat. I guess that's one thing I will one day say is for the best, but today I am very sad.

On the bright side of things, I have a couple irons in the fire for jobs in the tourism industry, and Dad and my brother are on the look out any nibbles. I have applied online at one of the resorts, but am finding out most places want you on-island before you can apply. So, I need to dust off my resume and see where things go from there.

Again, thanks to all the well-wishers and locals for the sage advice. The countdown is 12 days now!

Much love, Heather

Well, at least you have Dad and a place to stay! That should make it much easier for you...

Larissa, send me a PM or e-mail at [email protected], please. Coupla quick questions for ya.....

I'm so excited for you. I truly wish that I had the guts/ finances to do it. I'm happy for you, and a little bit jealous as well, if you don't mind me saying so. I wish you nothing but the best, and hope , in your journey, that you remember those on the forum who hope to live the dream of calling the USVI our home. Keep your chin up, and remember to ask for help when you need it!
I don't think I've ever posted a message to you, but I have to say-
I'm very excited for you, I'm envious, and also sorry about your pup. Keep in touch with us , back home!
Smiles-
MJ

I had a son that fell into the trap the Larissa described above.

Just keep in mind that you are not there for a vacation, but to start a life a new!

The difference is when you have free time - you are in paradise

But you cannot escape the man. You got get up and go to work.

I am so glad you have a support mechanism close at hand, but if you find yourself leaning too hard on him for survival a year from now you may want to take a second look.

Best wishes - Congrats

Congrats! Follow your heart but use your head. 😉

We just got our one way tickets also (09/30/08) so best wishes. This will be our second move to an Island and I've found that you can never do too much research and remember that living on an Island is a lot different than vacationing on one.

Hello all!

The count is down to 7 days! I just sold my kayak yesterday, and am hoping to unload my P.O.S. car early next week. I'd hate to sell her for scrap, but I will if it's Thursday night and I'm not headed towards a notary, title in hand, it's off to the scrapyard she goes!

Dad had a couple leads on jobs today for me, but once again, they are things I need to be on-island to apply for. Guess I should focus my energies on getting in to see doctors before my health insurance runs out.

Much love, Heather

Just curious, hmgrindle, but did you ever go on to the relocation forum to do some research? One of the best things about that forum is that it not only affords you an enormous amount of information about living here but also includes some stories from people who took the time to document everything about their time here. It truly is a must-read for any potential newbie, so I hope you've done your research.

I'm not trying to put a dampener on your plans and in any case it's obviously way too late for that (!) but this site's relocation forum can be a real eye-opener where day to day living is concerned while following certain posts can teach you an awful lot.

I do wish you the best of luck. Cheers!

My husband and I are now planning our move to St. Thomas, so we have been reading many of the postings on this site. We hear a lot of the same comments, like there are long lines for everything, electric issues and water shortages...Since we have heard so much about patience, we figure this is a TRUE statement, but of course one cannot truly "understand" it until you experience it. My question is, if it takes extra time to take care of everyday life, and everyone is on Island Time, how do you get anything done when you work???? ha ha. I have a few other questions if you don't mind sharing your time to answer. Between the north, south, east and west side of the Island, which do you feel is an area to avoid to live? What is a PMV? Did you ship a car or household belongings and if so, how did it work out for you? Are fresh vegetables and good fish readily available? My husband does have a job available should we decide to make the move, so that will make it a little less stressful. Any suggestions on the best resources for a place to live (with pets) and job opportunities for me?

Thanx for your time and help. We appreciate all the postings everyone has made to this site to share their experience.

Island Bound

Hi, Island Bound....you should really post this on the Relocation Board, as you will get lots more replies...the Vacation Board is really about visiting, while the Relocation board is about staying....