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Hey everyone!
I'm a 20-year-old college student from Massachusetts and my friend and I will be coming to St. Thomas for an open-ended stay this summer. (Minimum 2 weeks, maximum 3 months). We are heading down to look for summer jobs, but our biggest obstacle is transportation. As we are only 20 no car rental companies will rent to us! I've contacted several companies in hopes that one of them might bend the rules and send us on our way in a "piece-of-junk," but no such luck. We aren't comfortable renting scooters or motorcycles - I've been to the island several times a year for the past six years or so and I am well aware of the dangers of driving on two-wheels.
So what am I getting at? Two things:
1) Does anyone know of a place that would rent/lease to 20-year-olds? (I have AAA!)
2) Does anyone know of any places that will be looking for summer help between June-August in the Red Hook area? (We are hard workers, great with customer service, and are always on time!)
Any help, insight, or what-not would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks,
Merissa
Not in Red Hook but you might try Maho Bay campgrounds. They do work programs there.
Pamela
Can't help you with the car rental business and I doubt you would have any luck on that one - but the best bet where a job is concerned is to bring enough money to get you through a few weeks and then take to the streets and present yourself at the various East end bars and restaurants. Very few will hire anyone sight unseen.
Bring enough money for an "island car". If you are going to be there for 3 months it might workout better than renting (or close to it) anyway.
Not sure if things on STT are as rough as they are on STJ, but it's really hard to find a job now and it will be even harder to find one in the months to come and season slows. I would say at best, you can find a job that covers just enough to feed and shelter yourself. For transportation, you would be better off buying an island car. You would need a two or three thousand dollars. You could probably sell it for about the same that you bought it for, but you would also have the hassle of doing so. Good luck!
Yes, summer months are when all the temp workers go back to the States as it is very slow here and there is not enough work for everyone (alot of restaurants on STJ close for 4 - 8 weeks) they return in Nov/Dec for season when jobs are easier to find.
Pia
Thank you all for your input!!
Hello Merissa,
Check out Pamela's suggestion on Maho Bay if you haven't already. There are still a couple weeks left until their application deadline for the summer work exchange program. You can learn more on their website: http://www.maho.org/WorkExchange.cfm.
If you want to be on St. Thomas/Red Hook then you might look into a short term rental in that area, for example take a look at Two Sandals by the Sea listed at http://www.vimovingcenter.com/apartments_houses/. They note being in walking distance from Red Hook and offer monthly rentals. In case you didn't get a car, you could utilize the public bus and dollar ride for transportation from the Red Hook area to major areas like Tutu (for grocery stores), shops/sites in Havensight and downtown etc.
As for a car rental for under age 25, I think Budget Car Rental might be the only one that allows this and they require some sort of additional deposit. So give them a call and see what they say.
Another suggestion, click over to our Relocation Website/Message board you might get additional information and tips there.
Good Luck!
--Islander
