Settlers' Handbook for People Looking to Relocate

Good Morning, I should probally check it out. Im looking for positive good experiences to hear about. 😀

There are positive stories, but not under the topic moving stories.

Everybody's situation is different.

My wife and I bought a relocation package from Gotostcroix.com that included that book before we moved. It was nice information but really wasn't a big help in the actual move.

jezzika, are you only looking for positive stories or true stories? not trying to be mean but thats what it seems like.

i read that book too? did it help, maybe a little. but actually living here is your biggest teacher

Everyone's experience is going to be different. It depends upon their personalities and skills as well as their expectations. If you're a real city person who can't do without their Starbucks coffee or having things at their fingertips, and done quickly, island life may not be for you. It's not for everyone. Some take to living on a small island with all it entails, like a duck to water, others can't wait to leave because things did not live up to their sometimes unrealistic expectations. People come and go. That's fine too.

Adrian of AandA2 wrote about her experiences moving here and living on her one year anniversary, last year. Should be a must read. Hopefully, she'll chime in now that her 2 year anniversary has passed.

No different than restaurant reviews. If you go to a 3 star restaurant expecting 5 * service you may be disappointed. If you're used to 1* restaurants and you go to 3* you may be delighted.

good analogy scubadoo

I bought it before we moved - I don't know that I would call it helpful, but for the $17 or whatever it cost it I would call it worthwhile. A bit dated.

The video I bought off of this [related] site was 45 minutes of my life wasted that I will never get back. Completely useless crap.

I've been meaning to make some kind of "1 1/2 years since we moved" post but I want it to be thorough and have been too lazy so far to write it. I liked A&A's a lot. Soon come.

jezzika, are you only looking for positive stories or true stories? not trying to be mean but thats what it seems like.

i read that book too? did it help, maybe a little. but actually living here is your biggest teacher

Good Morning! Hello, Speee1dy! I am looking for true stories, absolutely! I was simply looking for positive ones because I already read lots of negative ones. So for a balanced perspective thats what Im asking for right now. I believe you draw to you what you focus on the most. So, Im focusing on positive right now. Island life is not for everyone. I will figure out for myself if it is for me or not. 🙂 I could care less about TV, Internet, shopping, starbucks, fast food ect. I want to hear about the people, the weather, the beautiful nature there. Thats what is important to me. I do want the truth, all perspectives. Even employment opportunities.... good & bad Thank you all JEZZ

ms411: I also read it many years ago after I had already moved! The one thing that they discussed that I still think is valid is the period of "settling in." This is the period after you arrive when you take a breath, look around, and see what life on an island is all about. You confront your expectations and fears. For example, I shipped my car down, but when it arrived, I drove it home and was scared to actually go anywhere. My dear landlord asked why didn't I go drive around the island? My answer was that I was afraid I'd get lost. To which he said,"It's an island, you can't get lost. You get to the end and turn around." Like I said, settling in...

Then there's driving on the left!

I WAS more afraid of the left hand driving

I'm afraid of driving on the right!:-o

I rented a jeep on St. John for a half day and went all over the island. It was a great time seeing all the sights but with all the hills and and remembering to stay left, (after every turn my passenger helped by repeating left, left, left ...), I was completely exhausted. Needless to say I fell asleep early that night. In fact I haven't experienced much of the night life after 10 or 11 on STT or STJ on my visits. I usually get up with the sun and experience all I can. Not just tourist stuff but checking out grocery stores, laundry facilities, and every day things like that.

In fact I haven't experienced much of the night life after 10 or 11 on STT or STJ.

And what would that be?

In fact I haven't experienced much of the night life after 10 or 11 on STT or STJ.

And what would that be?

There is quite a thriving night life/bar scene in the late hours of the night and the wee hours of the morning when restaurant and bar staff get off work and get in some after-work downtime before heading home to bed.