help pleeeeeaaaasseee
Hello, I am 25 year old male living in Colorado, and am really pursuing a change of scenery and peace of mind. My fiancee recently passed away and i cant stand all the memories walking around this town. I am really trying to find people who have done this same thing and moved there to start over and be happy again. I am a hard worker and do not care what kind of job i get. Although I am a professional golfer and know the business side very well and would think i could eventually get on at a course. I know there are many people my age that move there and work serving and hotel jobs but i want to know how they got in and what were the steps they took to finding living quarters. If its renting a 1 bedroom or some jobs have quarters or finding a place with a random. I have done a ton of research on the island and cost and all that and i live very easy so i am not too concerned on the expenses i know i will do what it takes to survive if that means 2 jobs. So i guess I am asking for help on people to contact or how people my age have gone out and made this move happen. So i would greatly appreciate any info from people that have done my same thing or not i really would love contacts and info thanks a bunch!
do you have an island in mind
stt is the busier of the islands stx is the more laid back
make sure you read the posts on here too, they are a wealth of information
there are two main golf courses on stx, the carambola and the buccaneer
I havent fully commited to either one yet. I am trying to get in contact with the pro at buccaneer currently. I guess what would prbly make me decide on an island is where it would be easier for me to find somewhere to live. I really do not have a preferance on either one i will take it for what it is and love it no matter what. Or which one is more fun during hurricane season 🙂 jk
we get hurricanes. i was not here during hugo but i know plenty of people who were. some places on island did not have power for up to 8 months. no cable for some for even longer. i have only been through one , omar, we got our power back the next day with minimal damage. a few leaks and stuff like that. we were lucky others were without power for a month or more.
a young person might have more fun on stt. i have visited stt but i like it here better than there.
just do a lot of reading on here and ask more questions
I'm not necessarily looking for just fun i want tranquility and happiness, and the reason i brought up hurricanes is i have an atmospheric science degree and focused on hurricanes. Right now i need help with linking to how other people in my situation have done it and what steps they took and how they found their living and job situations?!
Try to line-up some work in your area of expertise.
Other golf courses: Mahogany Run STT, Carambola STX. Hablas espanol-- even beginners Spanish? Check out PR. Lots of golf in Kauai, HI
With a degree in science you may be able to find a teaching position. UVI offers some interesting programs.
Alot of people come to VI to get a break from their problems. Some make good fresh starts. Some realize that they just brought their "issues" along to the island. Without sounding too much like your mom, I'd suggest you take some time to heal form your loss, allow yourself time to grieve, before making a big decision.
You didn't mention money hope you have plenty it will take all you have. I know there are people who move here with just a few dollars and succeed but this is not the norm.Please check out the advise given by many nice folks on this site it will answer all of your questions and prepare you for what you may face. Hope your dream comes true. They call it paradise not heaven.
neither one is "fun" during or after a hurricane.
with your degree you shouldnt have much trouble finding a job. but right jobs are more scarce. do you dive?
blu has good advise for sure and dixie has a good question , diving could get you a job too
We recently moved back to STX after a 15 year detour. We didn't need a job here, but we have recently met several young adults who after only being on island a couple of days have found jobs in restaurants in downtown Christiansted. Housing may be easier find here on STX than the other two.
Having been widowed in 89, I made the "clean" getaway to STX in 95 and did just fine. So, much so, I met my current husband here. I, do, however, agree with Blu, some time for grieving before making such a life adjustment would be highly recommended by someone who has been there before. There is life after grieving and it can be great again!
Best of luck to you and your decision! Follow your heart!
dabb21 - sorry for your loss, it is a great one!
i would definitely consider the change of scene; take your time, make a visit first, and check the "living in the vi" section (link above)...
but always keep in mind, no matter where you go, there you are! in other words, anyplace you decide to live, offers a refreshing start to a new life.
i hope you find it here.
lol thanks blu i knew someone was going to bring up "sounding like my mom" but i know what i want and want to do for myself . thank you anita i 100 percent agree with you. I dont have a ton of money to move but i know what i need and dont need and have a budget planned for the move i just will have it completed when i figure out the living situation..... if anyone has advice on how to go about that i would greatly appreciate it.
and no dixie i have never dived before but planned on getting in to that.
Most young people in your situation will find a short term guest house for a week or 2 and start networking and looking for a job from day 1 - with a little income going you will have a better idea of what part of the island you want to live on - if you have enough money to buy a car your options will expand - it is not uncommon for new arrivals to join with others and rent in a roommate arrangement - sometimes with people from your job or initial social contacts - firnished apts. are more expensive than unfurnished but most will require 1st months rent,last months and a months security deposit so with a studio or 1 bdrm apt, firnished at somewhere between $700 -$1000 you will need $2-3K upfront - also money for utilities and their deposit - an island beater car will be anywhere from $1000 - $4000 minimum plus insurance and registration and probably immediate maintenance or repairs.
Establish a bank account on arrival - if you bring cash you can draw on it immediately - if you bring checks it may be a week or 2 until your funds are available - if you are looking for restaurant work get a Food Handlers card at the Hospital in the 1st few days or you will have a harder time getting hired since it is required - if you are looking for a boat job come with a valid drug test and membership in a Random Program, a passport and if possible a TWIC Card and STCW certificate. Bring a number of resumes for more professional work applications.
Read a lot of the past posts on this forum for a clearer perception of island life and the problems that people have solved upon moving - mostly caused by unrealistic expectations and stateside mentalities.
Good Luck -- people move here [and off-island] every day. It can be a great place to live.
thank you exit zero.... that is what i was really wondering and do by chance know or have any ideas of how to network with others that are moving soon or just have?like if there is a website or anything. I havent been able to find one so far. Also a way to go about looking for the guest house homes for the week or 2 that is exactly what i thought i needed to do just dont know the best route of finding that stuff. Also do you think it is better to get a bank account from a bank that is there even with all the banking you can do online and from a cell phone? I have US bank and i read that there is no US banks on the island. Is craigslist trusted and used down? Reason i ask is because in colorado it is huge but i know in some states it is very sketchy and not used as much like florida for example. THANK YOU EVERYONE:-)
This website is the only one I know of that is purposed towards moving to the VI.
Craigslist has a fair amount of realestate scams in the VI - do not rent something unseen here. Items for sale seems faily realistic but not too well used.
If you can produce online banking cash I guess it would work - ATM? - many places only accept local checks.
I am guessing most networking is face to face - maybe Facebook?? IDK - I don't use it.
Check Tripadvisor for a good list of guest houses.
You can open a local bank account if you want. I guess it's a good idea if you plan on depositing cash frequently. Generally I only write one or two paper checks per month. I pay all my bills on line. My bank sends checks from TX, so I allow a day or two extra. My ATM card works just fine. I deposit checks via my phone. I have never had a problem with my off island account from Chase. I hear some landlords demand local checks, I don't understand this as all checks on island and off need a few days to clear. I think if a land lord is that desperate , it should be warning sign. Do not pay cash for your rent. Leave a paper trail of canceled checks.
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