Living expenses

Rhonda,

Personally, $12k sounds way too low to cover 6 months of living expenses. Bearing in mind that I'm a real conservative when it comes to my finances (which means I always overestimate your expenses and under estimate your income), I wouldn't feel comfortable coming down for half a year with less than $20k, and would feel a lot safer with $25k in cash. Just paying for first month, last month, and security deposit for your lodging could make $3000 evaporate in one sitting. It's all going to depend on how simply you can live.

There's a cost of living guide on the site that can give you an idea of living expenses at http://vimovingcenter.com/cost_of_living/

--HC

Ronda

The big questions you need you answer are the cost of your housing and transportation.

If you are lucky you might find short term housing for under $800 per month. Your best bet bet for cheap housing is to find other people to share the cost and space.

You will not be able to afford a car rental (about $900 per month). Public transportation is not too reliable but that and friends will be your option.

I assume you have included the round trip airfare in your plans.

Food and stuff will be like usual,maybe a bit higher. Have you considered the need and cost of medical care?

But...Yes, you could live well here for $2000 a month if you can work out the cost of housing and transportation. Many people have done it it on a lot less.

Round trip air fare was gifted to me by my grandmother, She is quite a lady who stayed on island herself back in the 60's.... Lodging is my main concern.
Isn't there any housing with a 6 month lease for a reasonable price.... Given what I have read on this board for the last few months 2000 a month is a great deal to a lot of the people down there. How do the full time residents make it?
Ronda J

Ronda said:

"Given what I have read on this board for the last few months 2000 a month is a great deal to a lot of the people down there. How do the full time residents make it? "

Full-time residents own their homes, for the most part...sometimes they own several homes, one of which they may lhave as a rental for $2,000.00 per month LOL!!

I mentioned in a previous post that there is a huge refinery on St. Croix that hires off-island contractors. When tose people come here to work, the refinery pays them a per-diem rate which allows them to rent houses for $2,000.00 per month. That's what is currently driving the rental market.

There is a big demand for rental properties at the moment, which doesn't help. You can still find available rentals in a decent price range, but you may need to be on island and do some searching yourself, ask around, etc.

I have a wonderful 4-bedroom, 3-bath house in an extremely convenient location, with electric gate, 2-car carport, two storage rooms, and a huge kitchen, that will be on the market in about one month...it will probably rent for about 2,000.00 per month or I will sell it for around 325K.