Professional 40 year old female dreads winter and...

Which island? If you're thinking of relocating, dig deeper into this message board. Tons of information to learn about living here. Use the search right next to the 'message list'. The PMV (pre move visit) is essential to learn about island living. Don't come as a 'tourist' if you're thinking of relocating. Go to the local stores, drive in the traffic, (remember to keep left), hang out at some of the local spots but, most importantly, read this board. I did for five years and decided this island (STX) was the place for me...

Best of luck and keep us informed,
nn

Thanks nn for the reply! I will be in St Thomas Tuesday - Saturday. My first task is to seek licensure to work and check out the local professional scene to see if I would be happy with it. Driving worries me a bit. Not driving on the left, but the steep hills and turns. I come from flat ground! Seems cabs are inexpensive enough to get me by and then I can enjoy the scenery when I don't have to focus on driving. What do you think of that?

Rent a car. You won't be using taxis when living here hopefully & taxis are really expensive.

~Trade~ thanks for the reply. What do you consider expensive? The island is so small. I know not to just hop in and say "take me" because they probably would! Ha! If I understand correctly, they are not metered and the price is negotiated before the ride. Am I misguided?

The rates are not negotiated, and can be found on the vacation section of this forum (Travel Message Board link above your original post), under St Thomas, Transportation, Taxi Rates: http://www.vinow.com/stthomas/getting_around_stt/taxi_stt/

Thank you dntw8up! I'll look up my expected trips on there. Great information. Thank you again for setting me straight!

You're welcome. If you are serious about investigating the possibility of relocating, I suspect you will find a rental car necessary, as taxi fares add up quickly.

I found the rate chart and I understand what you are saying now. Dang. How is the bus service?

Bus service here is very limited, and doesn't service the places you'll most likely want to be. There are $2 safari taxis, but they aren't really feasible for your purposes either. You really need a car, unless you stay at a resort and only take a cab for an occasional meal elsewhere.

I'll be going to the medical center and pharmacies. I'm not doing the tourist thing.

You will get used to driving here quickly. Just follow the flow of traffic.8-)

Here are a few tips.

1. Locate where you will be employed

2. If you don't have a car then check out apartments that are on the safari route. This will be the cheapest until you get a car. Most runs center around the east end. But there are some places a little closer to town on the route. Assume that you will be paying about 1300/month plus utilities.

3. Once you have an apartment lined up, a job then work on the car.

Good advice billd.

Thank you dougtamjj and billd! I am just coming for my first look around next week, but I will definately use your strategy billd when and if I come to stay. I'm still timid about driving since I am used to only flat ground. If I decide to rent a car I'll be up and out at 5am to practice! 😎

There aren't any pharmacies on the north side & that's where most of the big hills are so don't sweat it. If you have to work in the evenings the safaris don't run after dark. You'll get used to driving in no time. It's not like we have freeways here. The rental market has slowed & it is possible to rent for less than $1300.00. Of course, the more you pay, the nicer the place but it's entirely doable for less.

Edited to add: Pick up an Island Trader which has the majority of apartment rentals in it. You can look at it online but you'll know more of where to look after you're here.

I'll be staying at the Ritz and the Wyndham. I also have business to take care of in East Charlotte Amalie. What pharmacies are close to these places? I have been making the most of online research and discovered the Trader Online a few months ago. I have compiled a list of 18 pharmacies and I'm finding it very difficult to look up where they are exactly. Nothing seems to have an address in St Thomas - just landmarks. I like to walk a lot and I don't mind taking public transportation or $20 taxi rides as long as I don't get myself LOST! If I come to stay for good I'll first look to rent just a room in a house. I need to keep my expenses down since I still have a large home here to pay for until I sell it. I think I should stay in the islands for a year before I let go of my home here just in case I change my mind; as I see many have while I have read the posts on here.

Staying at the Ritz or Wynham kind of puts you out of the loop and away from what you are looking for. There is one pharmacy in Red Hook. All of the others are in the town area. The Ritz is the furthest place to travel by taxi therefore the most expensive Unless you are getting the room for free or next to it. you should try to be in town or the outskirts. Those are tourist hotels for the most part.

The VI phone book includes St. Croix & St. John & since you don't know the different phone exchanges it doesn't help you much. Why not stay at Ronnie's place in town?
http://www.crystalpalaceusvi.com/

By the hospital there are 3 pharmacies, Drug Farm which is also in Lockhart Plaza as well as in the Medical Arts building plus there's a pharmacy in the medical building across the street by that one. There's also another pharmacy in Wheatley Center which is also within walking distance of the hospital. That's just for starters & don't forget the one in K-Mart in Tutu Park Plaza (not in walking distance of the hospital.)

That list of 18 pharmacies probably includes all three islands.

LOL, that's what I said. 🙂

There is a new one in Subbase, one by the airport, one on Main Street to name a few more.

Where in Subbase, Ronnie? Didn't know about that one.

Trade,it's the new Doctor's Choice at the old Frank's Bakery location, near Nisky and Crown Bay...pretty nice place actually...have found friendly staff and helpful pharmacist there!

pilatesgal318

That's good to hear. I'll check it out.