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Topic starter
Hello!
My husband and I are relocating to St. Thomas in June. I have just a few questions about moving.
First of all, how difficult is it to find an administrative postion? I am a marketing director for an architectural job and would like to stay in that field or obtain a similar admistrative postion whether it is for a secretary, adminstrative assistant or receptionist. Any type of office setting would be great. I am thinking maybe the wisest thing to do is take on a temporary postion in restaurant work and try to eventually get into office work again. Is restaurant or retail work hard to find? Could finding employment take a few months? Finding a reliable source income is what I am most worried about. Also, what is the basic starting wage for restaurant, office work or retail? A general idea would be great. I checked out a page recommended on this board and it did not give that info.
Second, how difficult is to find an apartment? We are staying at a short-term apartment for a month or so until we find something not outrageously priced, hopefully in the $600-850 a month range. Also, is it difficult to find housing that excepts pets. I have 3 cats and would like to bring them all if possible. In addition, how often do residents run out of water?
My last question is what is the best and safest end of the island to live on? North, east, south or west? I just want to make sure to look for housing in safe neighborhoods because I know all places have their "bad" sides.
Any info would be greatly appreciated so we can begin planning and figure how much we should try to save to leave in addition to what we have.
Thanks you soooooooooooo much!!!
🙂
-Kelly
Posted : April 3, 2003 4:27 pm
Hello Kelly,
Adminstrative work - you will find since you have experience. There are quite a few doctors, lawyers, private practices in insurance, architecture.... that often look for good, motivated, quialified assistance in their main offices. The Daily News often list some. Others you have to network and find that way. Restuarant work is fairly easy to come by particularly during season. Lots of bars, restaurants, hotels... Sales in stores is also a good possibility - lots of stores in town. I am going to really quess on wages; Restaurants often pay very very little hourly because you really make your money through tips. Little meaning below regular minimum wage - for hourly this is accepted for restuarants and bar work - because of tips. Sales positions - depends on where you are working; it can be miniumum wage to perhaps $8/hr average. Many of the jewerly stores pay on commission and so do the electronic stores. Often you get paid whichever is greater - hourly if your commission was bad and commission if its greater then hourly. In some places you get both. Office work/secretary perhaps $8-$12/hr. Maybe $14/hr if its in a really good firm or business and after you have been there for a little while and prove yourself to be an asset. Offices in the VI have trouble finding well qualified motivated administrative assistants so when they find someone good they usually try and keep them.
Housing with pets - yes some places will say 'no pets' in their classified listing. Sure you will find something. Often people dont want dogs, cats usually pass. Search this site for traveling with pets - there are threads with information on pet travel.
$600-$850 is a good range - youll find something. Northside area is a good place to look for apartments. And also go look at the apartments; you will get a feel for the envirnoment when driving through and visiting -and you can know if you want to live there or not. We run out of water depending on how much water we use. 🙂 You cant take really really long showers, not a good idea to leave the shower running while you lather up your skin and hair, or leave it running to get it nice and hot while you brush yoru teeth.... wasting water and water is costly - so take measures not to waste it and you will buy less. Also doesnt rain that often and that is how we get water. So if it doesnt rain and you use lots of water you will be buying water from water delivery trucks. Some people buy every other month if they have families and its not raining. Also depends I suppose on the size of your cistern = but really has more to do with your own usage.
You might want to order a Settlers Handbook from http://www.vitraders.com its a complete guide to moving to the islands; jobs, living, things to do... great guide.
--Islander
Posted : April 3, 2003 6:47 pm
Topic starter
Thank you for all the wonderful information:-)
It is very helpful and I will definitely be getting a copy of the handbook.
Thanks again!
-Kelly
Posted : April 3, 2003 9:05 pm
As far as working in an office type setting you shouldn't have a difficult time getting a job. I have a friend who owns a temp agency and she is always looking for people who can work - name of her business is CET Business Services. You could always work there and earn money while looking for a permanent job.
Many part of the island are safe. You will want to look at places everywhere and take into consideration where you will be working. Because there are basically just a few main roads the traffic during rush hour can sometime be bad. Many people don't like to "drive through town" in the morning or afternoon. Other considerations when thinking about a place to live are climate. The north side of the island gets more rain than the south or east end so has problems with mold whereas the south side and east end will run out of water because they don't get the rain that the north side gets. The west end is much more secluded - fewer people live there so doesn't have the stores, etc. of the rest of the island.
Posted : April 4, 2003 2:27 pm
Topic starter
Thanks Donna!
That info is also really helpful. I will be sure to check out your friend's temp agency. I have done temp work inbetween jobs before and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks again:-)
-Kelly
Posted : April 4, 2003 4:00 pm
