The perfect place for your questions is the Relocation Forum---find the link at the top right of the page.

Someone who was helping to manage Chilly Billy's was leaving to come back to the States soooo her job is open but it depends on what you are looking for. They are open for breakfast and lunch and then the space is used by someone else as a restaurant for dinner, so you'd only be working from early morning through middle afternoon. Plenty of time to relax on the beaches after that... Sounds like the life!

I'll second Nick - go to the relocation forum. Search, search, search for the answers to your questions before asking - there's really not much that hasn't been discussed - and bear in mind that STJ is very expensive, I would imagine even by San Fran standards. We tell everyone now - do NOT come down without secured employment unless you have a good little nest egg to fall back on (and you might need an ostrich egg if you're going to STJ). There is some sort of unspoken rule out there about not hiring continentals until they've been here a little while (unless it's in food service or some other tourism-related enterprise). But I'm talking from the viewpoint of STX, not STT/STJ.

Recommendations? I don't know what kind of work you are interested in, but if you can possibly work for a company that is stateside that has a small office in the islands, it would help...you can interview there and work here (that's what we did)...but DO negotiate a trip back to take a once-over again, and don't look at the pretty beaches - look at roads, traffic, general living, etc. Talk with people about their electric bill and water shortages. Grocery shop on a budget. It's an eye opener. You simply don't pay attention on vacation like you do when you live here, and know that you will be confused for about 6 months. Competely, totally bewildered. Most likely yes, a car is a necessity.

Working in paradise sounds wonderful - in all actuality, it's harder than it looks in many ways. A lot depends on what you "need" in life.

Look forward to seeing you on the relocation board.

Hi Rachael...I basically just did this, except I moved to St. Thomas. St. John is a little more expensive in some respects, but better in others. 2. There is something called the Island trader, which is something I would suggest looking into before you go down there, it's a free newspaper that locals can advertise in...everyone down there depends on it. If you go to the virginislandsdailynews.com website, there is a link to it somewhere on there. It is mostly STT but STJ is in there to. Cost of living is cheaper in some respects but much more in others. I am speaking with experience from the East coast, and I know San Fran. is way more expensive than things out here. When I left STT in June the gas was 3.35 a gallon, but the islands are so small you burn no gas. For cars, do not even consider something without four wheel drive, you'll never make it to half of the beaches or through some of the pot holes just going to the store. Groceries are a lot more expensive than they are in the states, especially on STJ because everything has to be brought in by boat, there is not agriculture, for the most part, let alone factories and the like. A box of Frosted Cheerios at a store here is 3.49, the same box on STT is 6.19, and all items are at least 1.00 more per item on STJ. Rent, however, is AMAZING. Again, STJ is a little more than STT but, it's all cheap to me, and will be to you too coming from California. A two bedroom apartment in very good condition with an amazing view, including utilities on STT runs about $900 per month. Don't have a stroke, I know...it's amazing. 3. As the other person said, DO NOT go down without a secured job unless you have some money to fall back on or unless you are going to be working the food service industry. You are not local legally until you have been there six months, and it takes years to be totally accepted by the natives. That is something to be prepared for, the culture is so different and norms like they are here do not exist in the same way down there. In the states, at least my side, saying 'huh?' when you don't hear someone correctly is very rude, whereas saying "I'm sorry, what?" is not. Down there, saying "what?" will earn you a sign above your head reading "rude person, nevermind not treating with respect, don't speak to said person at all" And they are islands, so reputations are formed and spread quickly. I think it sounds like I'm bashing the islands, but I'm not at all, I loved them and I wish I could have stayed, I am planning to go back. I am just saying these things because it is much different to live there and be part of the inner workings of a community than a tourist, especially one built on different values. 4. A car is necessary. You won't think so, until you realize how not dependable taxis really are, and how the min. ride is $7 on STT so more on STJ. Also something to look into, depending on what you want to do for work, is living on STT and commuting to STJ or the other way around. The islands are very close together, and the ferry is only $4, if you live/work near either of the ferry docks, it would actually save money in terms of gas, groceries and car maintenance. Breaks and transmissions go VERY fast. I hope you do decide to go down there, it is an experience I am so privileged to participated in. Good luck!