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Good Evening to All:
I am Active Duty Coast Guard and many people have told that St. Thomas is not a good place to get stationed. I'm also married, expection a baby girl in a couple months, have 3 birds (two parakeets, one cockatiel) and two cars. You folks that have lived the Island. Do you recommend that I put in for this beautiful Island? Will my wife be safe with her future daughter? Are there good pediatricians, doctors in the area? Is the Coast Guard Base in a good area? Thanks in advance!
ocs: Check the relocation board ( click to the right above) for questions about living in the USVI!8-)
as per ocsnew77's comments I would say that this is an really interesting place for the Coast Guard. They have very different issues to deal with than most other places in the states. We have a border with another country that is less than one mile away, we have illegal immigrants as well as entrances without clearing customs crossing the border daily, we have recently put on trial (the last three years anyway) the number three volume cocaine drug smuggling ring in the United States, and we have large numbers of private boat chartering with credit card captains as well as mutli-pax charter businesses and numerous Merchant Marine Captains on the water daily. With all of these issues we have a Coast Guard Auxiliary Station on St. Thomas, not an official base. The patrol boats do an excellent job of stopping traffic (illegal entrance and drugs) whenever they choose to do so but are certainly not equipped to do so on a regular basis. The role is not to enforce the number of life jackets on board as much as it is to stop drug and human traffic practices. Fortunately there has been no adverse effect as a result of the limited intravention and so I am not sure how much more is actually needed unless it is a full scale effort.
As for your kid, I know plenty of friends that have had baby's in the last three years (well actually only four) and they have been more than happy with their treatment. It does however, take a certain kind of person to enjoy living down here. We have a regular hospital, variety of housing options and certainly plenty of beach going activities for your days off. Come visit St. John as much as possible! That might be a little bit near sighted as I live across the pond on the smaller of the three islands.
-Josh
We lived there until our baby was ready to start school. Do not think about putting your child in the public schools - even the private day cares are iffy. I think St. Thomas is fine for a family, if you can afford a private school. As for your work, I'd have to say STT is a great place to be! I know someone who put in for a civil position and had to wait 25 years (!!) for an opening. Cars?
Don't bring anything special if you're going to bring your own - they'll only get beat up in one hurricane or another. You need something works, and 4WD is best. (And remember all those hills and hairpin turns!)
The birds will love it.
I feel you have to think of island life, any island, as small town life, even in a congested place like STT. Everyone will know your business; lots of judgement; if you don't drink much but enjoy socializing, people will look at you funny. But what I would be most concerned about - as we were - would be the baby's safety during hurricane season.
May your wife and baby have a safe and uneventful labor and delivery.
Good luck in your decision.
Some people like it, some people hate it. It is going to depend on you and your wife. You should also be talking to the CG office personnel that are already here. Remember, we drive on the left.
There is a thread a mile long about being save on STT. I believe that it boils down to one simple thing. Do be in a place that you feel is wrong. Things like out drinking at 2AM in the wrong bar. Or flashing cash down on the beach. Or not understanding the environment you are in.
If you are thinking about the Coast Guard I am surprised that they are commin g back. I thought that the cutter whic was in STT was in PR
As far a the family is concerned if you love the water and don't like winter, can tolerate a hurricane here, can afford to send you child to private school, love to pay outrageous WAPA bills you will love STT. But is small and there are limited things to do.
Billd
BillD...I am sure he is talking about being stationed at the MSD..not a vessel.
OCSNEW77,,,,,,,Just to let you know from lessoned learned from Hurricane Omar: If you do decide to accept orders to MSD STT, DO NOT bring your pets. When mandatory evacuation orders are given, you CANNOT take any pets with you!
