A bit concerned about moving to the V.I's now.

Here's a question that can't be solved just by clicking on this site. How much is an electric bill at the end of the month running an A/C often? Just want a typical average number.

Replied to your PM.

Here's a question that can't be solved just by clicking on this site. How much is an electric bill at the end of the month running an A/C often? Just want a typical average number.

A LOT depends on how new the AC unit is. I will give you just one example. I met a person who worked in what should be a very profitable industry down here (think refrigeration), and who knew how to get the most efficiency out of his AC unit. He had central AC, which I would not recommend, but he was playing the hand he was dealt. He told me that his WAPA bill was $700/month. I don't have AC. Without it, running fans regularly, a fridge, lights and a stove (occasionally), I was billed $250. No lie.

250 is the "round" number others were giving on other sites. That's good. Ceiling fans can work wonders with a good breeze. Plus working and school [5-8 hours a week] I just don't see us indoors much lol

With all the wealth of information available right at your fingertips on this site, including a plethora of first-hand moving stories written with honesty but without unbridled anger, you should have formed an opinion that wouldn't be overturned by such scathing remarks. OT, 28-year rez of STT who does not have the privilege of living in a money bubble but for many good reasons has made this her home and which indubitably will be her last. 😀

Oh my god! Exceptions! Anomalies! Whichever side they fall on, we must always, always, ALWAYS refuse to acknowledge the negative ones! Why? Uh ... why, again? Why is truth -- not "scathing remarks", but truth based on real life experience prejudiced with such unnecessary adjectives like "unbridled" and "scathing"? Methinks yer tryin' to influence someone with words. Silly.

Stop.

Honest opinions are honest opinions. I do not begrudge you yours, nor should you, I. Feel free to disagree, but back off on the personal attacks.

Cheers,
IT

nathan: The VI is NOT full of nasty, bitter people. Most are very nice human beans. Really!:-)

I said that to my wife. When it comes down to it if you can survive modestly and enjoy where you are, how can you be bitter in "Paradise" Compared to states and countries I have lived The V.I's are exactly that, paradise.

Speaking of which can 2 people survive comfortably both working there?

Here's a question that can't be solved just by clicking on this site. How much is an electric bill at the end of the month running an A/C often? Just want a typical average number.

Depends on the tonage and kw draw of the unit. Most places will have either thru the wall or mini-spilit. Some very high efficency units available these days--19 SEER rating which is up from 10 years ago when the norm was 10SEER. Ask to see the previous tenent's electric bill. Ask if the previous tenent ever needed to purchase water. Become accustomed to cold short showers.

Speaking of which can 2 people survive comfortably both working there?

I hope so, but it depends on your jobs and your lifestyle. If you tell us more, we'll tell you if we think it will work.

The V.I's are exactly that, paradise.

Not even close. The weather is nice though and the seas are really gorgeous.

I would have serious doubts about moving here after today's news about Hovensa closing. I love the island and am usually pretty optimistic but w/o Hovensa...things are probably going to get really rough down here. Gas prices, WAPA, housing market impacts, trickle down impacts to restaurants and service industries. St Croix does not have a robust enough tourist economy (not enough airlift, resorts etc) to survive without Hovensa just yet. A very sad day for St Croix and the VI.

I would have serious doubts about moving here after today's news about Hovensa closing. I love the island and am usually pretty optimistic but w/o Hovensa...things are probably going to get really rough down here. Gas prices, WAPA, housing market impacts, trickle down impacts to restaurants and service industries. St Croix does not have a robust enough tourist economy (not enough airlift, resorts etc) to survive without Hovensa just yet. A very sad day for St Croix and the VI.

Add to that the loss of the cruise ships. STX has no ships scheduled this summer.

Speaking of which can 2 people survive comfortably both working there?

If you can find jobs.

Hey, I am neither bitter about the islands, nor wearing rose colored glasses. There is good and there is bad. I have lived on STX for almost seven years. A caveat, though, we are leaving in March to move back to the states, though to a different state than we left. Some of it has to do with family concerns.

Bugs. Please. You can't sustain a level of terror without having a stroke. I was terrified of bugs before we moved here. Now, if something lands on my arm, I glance down to see what it is, and if it is anything other than a centipede, I flick it off of me with a shrug. Lizards are harmless and they eat mosquitoes! Cherish them! Unless you have cats, in which case, most of your lizards will be killed and eaten anyway.

Many of the people here are fantastic. As bitter and raving as some of the posters on this board can sound, I have never walked into any place and heard as argumentative a conversation as what goes on here. So don't base your idea on what the residents are like based on how angrily they argue with each other on the internet. It is a lot easier to insult someone on a message board then in real life.

The beaches are beautiful, the weather is AMAZING. If you love the water, there are so many awesome activities.

That said, to me, the violence and the gunfire is getting to be too much. It is not normal to hear gunshots all of the time. I don't like that every time I go walking, at least one guy stops his car and says, "Hey baby... where are you going?" It's even scarier when it is a car full of guys saying it, or making whistling noises, etc. I definitely hate that. I don't feel that I can walk anywhere by myself.

I want to get my Master's degree and maybe do something besides work at a bar, or be a personal assistant. Unless you already have a career (Nurse, lawyer, etc) , I don't see this as a good place to find one.

So, I am not leaving this island with hate. I do love a lot of things about living here and I will miss it, especially during the Ohio winter!! I don't regret a moment of our time here and we have made some friendships with some incredible people.

Hey, I am neither bitter about the islands, nor wearing rose colored glasses. There is good and there is bad. I have lived on STX for almost seven years. A caveat, though, we are leaving in March to move back to the states, though to a different state than we left. Some of it has to do with family concerns.

Bugs. Please. You can't sustain a level of terror without having a stroke. I was terrified of bugs before we moved here. Now, if something lands on my arm, I glance down to see what it is, and if it is anything other than a centipede, I flick it off of me with a shrug. Lizards are harmless and they eat mosquitoes! Cherish them! Unless you have cats, in which case, most of your lizards will be killed and eaten anyway.

Many of the people here are fantastic. As bitter and raving as some of the posters on this board can sound, I have never walked into any place and heard as argumentative a conversation as what goes on here. So don't base your idea on what the residents are like based on how angrily they argue with each other on the internet. It is a lot easier to insult someone on a message board then in real life.

The beaches are beautiful, the weather is AMAZING. If you love the water, there are so many awesome activities.

That said, to me, the violence and the gunfire is getting to be too much. It is not normal to hear gunshots all of the time. I don't like that every time I go walking, at least one guy stops his car and says, "Hey baby... where are you going?" It's even scarier when it is a car full of guys saying it, or making whistling noises, etc. I definitely hate that. I don't feel that I can walk anywhere by myself.

I want to get my Master's degree and maybe do something besides work at a bar, or be a personal assistant. Unless you already have a career (Nurse, lawyer, etc) , I don't see this as a good place to find one.

So, I am not leaving this island with hate. I do love a lot of things about living here and I will miss it, especially during the Ohio winter!! I don't regret a moment of our time here and we have made some friendships with some incredible people.

I agree with everything you said, too.

IT

G:-)reat weather and gorgeous oceans IS "paradise" not the "bad apples".

There are always concerns when moving to a new place. This place (STX) is perfect for some people, and a living hell for others. It depends on the person.

Your concerns about moving here are valid, from a mainlander's point of view. I would have similar concerns about moving to, for example, Boston, LA, Detroit, or any number of other places that are considered perfect by mainland standards (tongue firmly in cheek.)

There are people living here (lots of them) who can afford to live anywhere on the planet, and they choose to be here...must be something about the place, even with all of the lizards and flying roaches.

I am from Boston I would actually be very shocked if it is as bad down there as in Boston. Growing up as a "southie" I have lived around crime. If it is anything like the Boston I know I will be trading one poison for another. As far as the roaches are on topic I have to say again I grew up on the South end of Boston. As a kid I had names for them [roaches] they were so common. Now the lizards are fine they eat insects. Any eco-friendly "exterminator" will always be welcome in our home. This Hovensa closing is what's really bugging me now. Things might be better in 3 months.

Nathany,
Things are not going to get better in 3 months stay where you are.

I halfway agree. Things are not going to be better in three months. Come if you must, with your eyes wide open and have the full option to leave in place and funded, until you decide this is the island for you.

the roaches here are very very big here

ETA: N'er mind.

the roaches here are very very big here

Yes, they are. The good part about that is you know if you have them. They are not "stealth" roaches, lol. Also, they present a larger, slower target than the little one inch kind.

If there was a time to stay put for six months ....and wait and see what happens here before you jump into a mes THIS would be that time!What you will witness (with Hovensa)may really cause a domino ripple or a tsunami.Stay on high ground for now.8-)