Lucky break,.....Maybe.....

You may experience a hurricane.

You may not like the hospital.

You may not like Dept Head.

You would have same issues if you relocated almost anywhere.

Oh. There were times when they were late paying govt employees but that was a few years ago, I think, but could happen again. Don't live paycheck to paycheck so you can have a nest egg.

I don't see a downside! Except of course the usual...you get down there and after a few months decide that island living isn't really for you, in which case you....leave. This is why everyone always says to have a few thou in the bank and I DO agree with that.

But really, you won't know until you try it, and if it's something you have wanted to do and you feel you're employable and ready to make the leap, then...DO IT!! WOOT! 😎

Honestly, you can't prepare for every single eventuality. Stuff happens. Hurricanes happen all over the place. So do wildfires, tornados, blizzards, earthquakes, tsunamis. We have no control over that. So just...live your life.

Good luck!

You may experience a hurricane.

You may not like the hospital.

You may not like Dept Head.

You would have same issues if you relocated almost anywhere.

Oh. There were times when they were late paying govt employees but that was a few years ago, I think, but could happen again. Don't live paycheck to paycheck so you can have a nest egg.

I've been in touch with several nurses working at JFL currently. Some for more tha 7 years. They all report that they have never had a late paycheck. Nest egg an excellent and necessary plan. The hospital would have to be MUCH worse than where I work now. I'm easy going and can adapt to almost anything if the Paradise Tax makes up for it. I'll never know until I give it a whirl. If necessary, I can always bail and get a job pretty much anywhere with my experience. Plus, I have "skills" like being able to build a shopping mall with some chewing gum, duct tape and some bailing wire! Lol! I can do plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, pool maintenance, vehicle repair, landscaping, sail, power boat, scuba dive/snorkel, private pilot, animal nutritionist, used to be a general manager of an air condition/heating and fuel oil company, have a paralegal certificate in Administrative and Public Law plus I've been told I'm am quite the recanteur. Oh yeah, my cooking skill border on gourmet. Yes, I'm a bit ADD but it has always worked to my advantage! LOL!

Sounds like you'll do just fine.
What's the worst that can happen?
If you don't like it, (and/or experience a devastating hurricane),
you pack it in and find somewhere else to live.

Good luck.

Then why are you asking questions on this forum? Are you afraid to make the move? You either do or don't. Your decision.

Afraid???? Naw,....Cautious,....you betcha! Lol! Seems only prudent. I'll buy the first round when I get there! 😎

If you don't have a question, just do or don't. Your decision. You already have more cautious cushions than most who post on this forum.

I'll be, I think, eligible for unemployment compensation for some amount of time.

Aren't you supposed to be actively looking for work while you're receiving unemployment benefits? Not working at a hospital in the VI?

I'll be, I think, eligible for unemployment compensation for some amount of time.

Aren't you supposed to be actively looking for work while you're receiving unemployment benefits? Not working at a hospital in the VI?

Unemployment compensation is limited and as soon as you're employed the benefits stop, whether you're in the USVI or stateside.

ms411,
What was the reason for that response?

Peter: If you don't like St. Croix, there's always St. Thomas. 😉

ms411,
What was the reason for that response?

I was hoping to encourage them to make the decision to move or not move. The person has to make a change anyway so a decision has to be made. The same downsides here can apply to almost anywhere.

How do you plan to collect unemployment benefits from your stateside job while you are here?

How do you plan to collect unemployment benefits from your stateside job while you are here?

Benefits can be transferred from one state to another but it entails some work. Whether or not the territories reciprocate I don't know but that shouldn't be too difficult to find out.

i know someone who moved down here while collecting unemployment benefits. they got a job here and was let go, so then he was collecting ( from what he said ) from both here and stateside

How do you plan to collect unemployment benefits from your stateside job while you are here?

i know someone who moved down here while collecting unemployment benefits. they got a job here and was let go, so then he was collecting ( from what he said ) from both here and stateside./quote]

Not sure how that could be managed - but he's lucky if it didn't catch up with him down the line.
http://employment-law.freeadvice.com/employment-law/firing/unemployment_benefits.htm

 

When I was thinking about moving here, my boss at the time told me:

"well, you were looking for a job when you found that one, if you don't like it down there, just look for a job again"

good advice; if your the flighty type, just make sure you have an exit plan.

I moved down here with the intent of making it work, turned out that part was easy 🙂

Most if not all will pay benefits out of state. Unless for instance you work in New York and live in New Jersey. Then you collect from New York state. I don't know what state he lives in but chances are they will pay only if he remains in or near the paying state and seeks work there. I kinda doubt they'll continue benefits if he relocates to a territory. He could continue to file online like he still lives there but that's insurance fraud.

He said both places were aware that he was getting funds from both places. so not sure how that worked for him. but he is dead now so cant ask

i know someone who moved down here while collecting unemployment benefits. they got a job here and was let go, so then he was collecting ( from what he said ) from both here and stateside./quote]

Not sure how that could be managed - but he's lucky if it didn't catch up with him down the line.
http://employment-law.freeadvice.com/employment-law/firing/unemployment_benefits.htm

 

Sorry if I misled about the unemployment insurance part of my plan. I do not intend to move and continue to receive benefits. I just meant it would give me a little income while I secured a job in STX. That is, after all, what unemployment insurance is designed for.

Sounds to me like to have a plan. Yes, you will run across the same issues as you would any where else. But I would rather have a bad day in paradise than a good day any where else. This is the mentality to have when relocating to the Islands because some times it can be a bit overwhelming and stressful because not everyone is capable of living this lifestyle for a long period of time, which is why I say the expectancy rate is about 2-5 years and if you make it longer than that then you are home.

mike