Here are the final 3, make your vote:

1.

2.

3.

The 2010 St. Thomas Princess Contestants – Sunday, April 11, 2010 – 5:00 p.m. – Lionel Roberts Stadium

Before you read on make sure to read Moving To St. Thomas Part 1 and Moving To St. Thomas Part 2 and Moving To St. Thomas US Virgin Islands – Everything You Need To Know. I’ll wait…

…I hope you had a chance to read all the comments, over 200 of them because most of the answers are there.

So here we go

1. How much money do I need to live in St. Thomas? Who the heck knows? What’s your lifestyle like? Here’s what we do know, St. Thomas is expensive. Everything comes in on a container so it’s all marked up, a beach chair that sells in the states for $30 is $50 here. A gallon of milk can run you $7 yet a bottle of rum can run you $6. What do you drink more of? There is an entire post dedicated to grocery pricing here: http://www.stthomasblog.com/?p=2510

If you’ve ever been to Manhattan it’s that plus some. So if you’re moving here from cowland get ready for some high costs, probably 35%-45% more cost of living. I personally would have at least a half a years salary in hand if you intend on moving here. But we know a lot of folks who came on a plane fair

2. How much is rent? Where do you want to live? How many bedrooms? Pets? All this comes into play. Expect higher rents than the states for sure. You can rent a small studio for about $900/month and then it goes up from there. But Electricity will run you 3 times the cost of the states (currently at .32kw). And if gas prices rise so does the electricity as WAPA (Water and Power Authority) makes electricity from gas here

Oh and most rentals aren’t exactly legal. What’s that mean? It means they’ve added extra apartments where one was so you may or may not be on a shared electric meter. You’ll have to work that out with the landlord. I always tell people to pay per square foot if you’re on a shared meter.

Here are some rough rental costs:

Studio: $800-$1200

1 Bedroom: $1000-$1600

2 Bedroom: $1200-$2000

3 Bedroom: $2400-$5500

4 Bedroom: $3500-$6000

Contact our friend and realtor Karen Korsgren for all your buying, selling, rental needs: http://www.buysellvi.com.

Here’s a couple of other places to look: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/, http://stthomassource.com/

3. Employment! Tourism and government is the only industries we really have here in St. Thomas. So if you’re looking for a job in the bar, restaurant, hotel, boating and general tourism industry you will be able to find a job. And if you’re actually reliable you’ll be able to keep it. The pay here is low. Lower than most states so if you get a job say at an insurance agency you’ll probably make less and pay more for everything else. You want to live on an island? That’s the price

Here’s a couple of other places to look: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/, http://stthomassource.com/

4. Buying or Building? Will you be buying or building? Right now building is VERY expensive. I’ve been told by builders that a yard of concrete sells for $2000, yikes! And get ready to throw your budget out the window because it will be more than planned guaranteed. Oh and add 4-6 months on to the projected deliverable if you’re lucky If you think building is a headache in the states then don’t build because it will be 10 times worse here.

Buying works the same way as the states with the exception of what they call a stamp tax. Transactions in the US Virgin Islands require 2% to 3.5% government transfer tax or stamp tax. All property transactions over $350,000 require a mandatory 2.5% stamp tax. You can negotiate this with the seller. In a down market a buyer can usually get a seller to pay it but in a good market…

The US Virgin Islands,which include St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island, are unincorporated territory of the United States. Thus, purchasing property in any of these islands grants you the same guarantees and Constitutional protections and rights that you would have in anywhere in the United States.

Things to consider:

a. Cistern – A cistern is how you get your water supply. Our gutters on our roof catch the rain and then funnel it down into a holding tank. So if it doesn’t rain for a while you will run out of water. Water costs run me $340 for 5300 gallons and we have two 10,000 gallon water tanks so you do the math. We have a complete micron, charcoal and UV light water filtration system which cost around $1500.

b. Electricity – We pay 3 times the average cost in the states or about .34kw. But be forewarned our system in the US Virgin Islands generates electricity from gas. So when gas goes up so does your electric bill. Two years ago when gas hit $5/gallon our rates were .52kw.

c. Insurance – Hurricane insurance is ridiculously expensive! For $500,000 replacement fee expect to pay $14,000/year or so. Replacement fee is what it would costs to replace whatever was broken/missing but not exactly what a builder may charge you at the time of repair. That’s where the insurance company can really stick it to you. It may suddenly be a lot more money in labor/materials after a hurricane We use Tunick Insurance at: 340-776-7000.

5. Pets We have 2 parrots and bring them to and from St. Thomas every year. You can bring them on Delta or Continental as a carry-on. We need to get a health certificate from our vet within 7 days of travel. I’m not sure about other pets but I know you can bring them with no worries, check with your airline for that info. Do to public health and environmental concerns importing pet snakes into the territory is not allowed.

There are some places that will allow you to rent with a pet. I’m not sure of them but contact our friend and realtor Karen Korsgren for all your buying, selling, rental needs: http://www.buysellvi.com.

6. Crime Don’t go looking for it and it probably won’t find you. Yes we have a high murder rate but chances are it’s one bad guy killing another. It’s very rare that you hear of an innocent person being murdered but it happens… If you go looking for drugs you’ll put yourself in a bad position. If you’re walking around drunk in a bad neighborhood you’ll put yourself in a bad position. Be street-smart and know your surroundings and you’ll be fine.

7. Cars and License! Buying a car in St. Thomas is expensive. They know they got you by the short hairs because of the cost to ship it here. So cars are typically 15%-25% more to buy. That said if you own a nice car it may be worth it to ship it here.

It can cost around $1000-$1500 to ship a car from Miami. Check out Tropical shipping at: http://www.tropical.com/external/en/.

St. Thomas is basically one extremely curvy, giant hill. I strongly recommend a 4 wheel drive vehicle here especially when it rains. Expect to replace brakes twice a year and transmissions also get pretty roughed up. Oh and our roads are full of potholes that usually go unfixed or fixed wrongly so they re-appear

Things to consider:

a. Can you get parts for your car if you bring it here and can someone fix it? I brought my Infinity QX4 here and there is literally only 1 guy that can fix major things on it. Things like regular maintenance, brakes etc. are no problem. We have most major dealers here like Ford, Honda and Toyota.

b. You’ll need a VI license plate for your car. Your stateside license will not work here.

c. You’ll have to clear customs. You can call the Customs Office at (340) 714-1600 for more information.

d. You’ll need the title to your car.

e. Road tax: You must get a Bill of Lading from the shipping agent when the car arrives in the USVI. For more information call Internal Revenue office at (340) 714-9332.

f. Insurance is required in St. Thomas. You must get your vehicle insured before requesting a moving permit. We use Tunick Insurance at: 340-776-7000.

g. You’ll need a permit to move your car: Go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get a permit to move your vehicle from the dock. The permit allows you to move a non-registered vehicle from one point to another.

h. Take your vehicle to the DMV to get your vehicle inspected. Bring with you, receipt that you paid the road tax, title, proof of insurance and stateside driver’s license.

i. How to obtain a VI drivers License, click here: http://www.stthomasblog.com/?p=1682

8. Motorcycles & Bikes: Bringing one or buying a motorcycle is the same as the car above. Here’s the deal, the roads here are pretty bad. All windy and up and down hills. You can’t get over 40mph in most spots. The rain makes things doubly worse. People drive like complete idiots here with safari taxi’s stopping and letting out tourists in the middle of the roads. That said I think owning a motorcycle or standard bike is crazy here. But to each their own

9. Education: I’m pretty unfamiliar with the public school system here. Everyone I personally know sends their kids to private schools: http://www.antilles.vi/ and http://www.vimsia.org/ to name a few.

10. Health Care:Not good enough. Period. It’s getting better. Talk to any doctor or nurse from the states and they’ll openly tell you it’s not good. Anything serious and I would leave the island for the states. We have the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital: http://www.rlshospital.org/. We have many primary doctors and facilities.

Again make sure to read Moving To St. Thomas Part 1 and Moving To St. Thomas Part 2 and Moving To St. Thomas US Virgin Islands – Everything You Need To Know.

Hope this helps and remember most of this is just my experiences and opinion

For those who don’t know, Carnival (in St. Thomas) is held each year during the end of April. It’s big fun…all the music, troupes, costumes…and FOOD! You can check out a couple of our past posts here, here and here.

Via the VI Carnival website here are the following dates: the Carnival rides open on  Friday April 23, Carnival Village opens Monday April 26, J’ouvert will be held verrry early on Thursday April 29, Children’s Parade Friday April 30 and Adult Parade and fireworks on Saturday May 1.

You can view a more detailed schedule here.

Planning a visit during that week? Expect a lot of offices and stores to be closed as the island pretty much parties down. Feel free to join in the activities and get into this annual celebration of tradition. The Carnival website has information on each event – definitely something everyone should experience at least once.

A few pictures from last year to get us in the mood…

The Rising Stars steel drum band…they’re INSANELY good!

The amazing troupe costumes from Adult Parade

Krissy & Marti getting make-up all over their clothes and loving it

J’ouvert crowds, and if this picture had volume you’d hear the loud beats blasting from that truck (check out our former Carnival posts for J’ouvert videos)

J’ouvert smiles

Jen and Deanna in the Gypsies Troupe looking fantastic in their glitter and butterfly wings

Definitely looking forward to Carnival!!

Yup, it’s our villa and this is shameless self promotion. Go to our website: http://www.caretbay.com and check it out.  It normally rents for $9,950 for either of those weeks but if you email me at scott@stthomasblog.com and use the code “Big Special” you’ll get 15% off or $1,500. That’s not chump change you know. So hurry and rent this St. Thomas Villa now.

Here are some pictures to look at in the meantime.

Have you seen our Tees and Tanks? Click here to check them out and order: http://www.stthomasblog.com/?page_id=2821, help support the St. Thomas Blog:

Click here to order:  http://www.stthomasblog.com/?page_id=2821

Yes, Carnival is months away. About six, to be exact. (and for those who are wondering and trying to plan trips to be here for the fun Carnival…the most specific I can be is plan on the last couple of weeks in April. you can also check this site)

We went to the Big E a few weeks back, and for those who don’t know, the Big E is a fair/Exposition that has been a staple in Springfield, MA for as long as I can remember. There are rides, animals, vendors selling everything under the sun, a small circus tent. There was even a martini bar/tent this year. Fancy.

More importantly there’s FOOD. Man, we ate our way through the day. Few things are as good as fair food, and the same goes for Carnival. It didn’t take long for Scott to get hooked on meat pates (fried pastry filled with meat. Delish). They’ll always be pates, and tasty funnel cakes, but were there any of these last year?

Even for someone without a sweet tooth these sound good. They’re probably even better when dipped into a rum punch. So, Carnival foodies, get that fryer ready. And geez, if these are already a Carnival staple them please tell me where the booth will be!!

Facebook is a social network. It’s a place to meet and communicate. IT’S NOT A PLACE TO SPAM YOUR BUSINESS. A lot of people don’t know that, especially businesses trying to promote themselves. You first have to introduce yourself and open a line of communication. Then you’ll spark the interest of the person you’re trying to reach.

This morning I got a chat message from a stranger called Joe Blaster at Radio 106.1because he “friended” me on facebook. Here’s how he opened the conversation:

Joe

RADIO JOE 106.1 FM …THE NEW RADIO STATION IN THE CARIBBEAN !!!

First off EVERYONE knows in the US Virgin Islands it’s a big time no no not to say Good Morning, Good afternoon or Good night before you say ANYTHING. He should know this given the market he’s in.  Secondly why would I listen to him? He’s shown no interest in me? He’s just screaming his message at me, all in caps. I don’t even know what type of music they play?

Here’s the rest of the conversation:

Scott

dude or dudet, why do you just spam?

Joe

WHAT ?

I am just letting you know, have a problem ?

Scott

yea, all you do is promote yourself by spamming others. try communicating first like a real human, then maybe I’ll listen and promote you. maybe introduce yourself? You know, non spam stuff.

Joe

i dont need to introduce myself, this is facebook and its for promoting. this is a social network. have a nice day.  RADIO JOE 106.1 FM. THE BEST MUSIC ON YOUR RADIO , BYE.

-Huh? What happened to the word Social in Social Network? It’s not called a spam network.

Joe

AND IF YOU HAVE A BLOG YOU SHOULD DO THE SAME THING, SPRAD THE WORD IS FREE DUDE !!! SPREAD IT

-Yea dude, we spread the word by creating a real interest. I didn’t run around St. Thomas yelling at strangers. We wrote intersting articles and gained readership through natural word of mouth. Call me crazy

Moral of the story…Social networks like facebook and twitter make it easy to communicate. But do it right by showing a real interest in the person you’re reaching out to. You’ll not only gain a customer you’ll also gain a friend.

Radio Joe has been defriended. How did that work out for him?

Our advertisers get a lot of hits to their websites. On average we get over 2200 visits per day and we’re hungry for another advertiser. It ain’t easy writing stories almost everyday. C’mon now, you know you want to be on the most popular blog on St. Thomas.

Or you can support us by buying one of these great t-shirts/tank tops (click here): http://www.stthomasblog.com/?page_id=2821.

Pick up that coconut and start the telegraph.

I’ve got 2 spots on the blog for our $89/month plan. You’ll get one of those nice squares on the left or right with your logo or picture that leads right to your website or facebook page. They look like this:

Caribbean Saloon – Click The Photo For Live Music, Sports And Events

A few days ago I asked if anyone would like to guest blog. Here’s one that just came in from LL. Let’s help her out:

Let me preface this by stating that I am writing this nearly bug-eyed after spending the greater part of the last three days pouring over web sites for clues about life in the USVI and how one can make a living there. This is what led me to StThomasBlog.com, which has very useful information I might add, and your open call for guest posts. I figure I’ll share my dilemma in the hopes that you and your readers can offer some valuable information for one on the verge of packing it up and coming to live in the islands.

So here is my story, I am a barely thirty-something single gal who is ready to give up the rat race, or at least try a different way of life for a time. With a lucrative yet no longer fulfilling IT Mgmt career I am hankering to give up that particular pressure, the mortgage, and the useless colder seasons in the East Coast for a constant commune with sun and sea and a renewed passion in some line of work. And that is how I got it in my head this week that I would move to St Thomas and teach for a spell…starting ASAP!

Having visited St Thomas and St John once in 2007, I must admit I fell in love! My first visit to anywhere in the Caribbean, I was in awe of the surroundings and struck by the way island living seemed such a natural state…albeit I was on vacation ? In contemplating the USVI as a more long-term residence, my own list of perceived pros and cons are vying for attention in my brain. I figure many of your readers who relocated to the Virgin Islands dealt with some of the same concerns, have the benefit of experience gained from actually making the leap, and would be so kind as to share the wisdom.

So how about it then? What are the top 10 benefits or draw backs of living in the Virgin Islands? Any teachers have something to share about that experience?

Are there just 20-somethings and couples as transplants or will there be other ‘30 is the new 20’ -year-old single professionals for me to befriend?

Are there cost-savings to be had compared to the main land?

Would you do it all over again?

As you can see I’ve got questions for days, what I need is answers people…or at least good links:) I’m still a bit traumatized by the post on this site about lizards, cockroaches, spiders, etc. since I am on the extreme end of the squeamish side so if there are any recommended places to live where I could avoid that completely do tell ?

Much obliged, your future neighbor…perhaps…

LL

Want to become a really famous rock star blogger Well here’s your chance!

Send us over an article/story about anything related to St. Thomas, the USVI, the BVI’s etc.

Make it interesting but don’t make it an ad for your business. You can write about anything you want except self promotion.

If we use your article and you have a website will make sure the world knows and we’ll link back to your site and give you mad props.

C’mon tourists, locals and everyone in between. Email me something now!

Here’s an email we received:

To passengers involved in the Duckaneer bus accident on July 1st in St. Thomas:

The NBC Today Show would like to hear about your experience. If you were a passenger on the Duckaneer when it crashed, please email Today Show producer Robert Powell at:

robert.powell@nbcuni.com

All emails will remain confidential.
Thanks!

So if you’re interested send him an email. Who knows you might get face to face with Matt Lauer.

The St. Thomas Blog is having a great year thanks to you guys. We’re averaging over 2000 visits a day, locals are really participating and our Best of St. Thomas 2009 Awards we’re a big hit. Thanks so much for reading and participating!

Special shout out to our advertisers. First know this, we won’t let anyone just advertise. You gotta have a good product/service otherwise we’re just pimping ourselves out (which is why you don’t see Google ads on our site).

So big thanks to the Following (in order of when they signed up):

Craig and Sally’s Restaurant (winner of our Best of St. Thomas 2008, 2009, been a regular for 3 years, fantastic food and service)

Karen Korsgren Realtor (works for ReMax and is a close personal friend, excellent St. Thomas Real Estate Agent)

Virgin Islands Auto Club, VIAC (the Triple A of the USVI, we are members)

Caribbean Saloon (winner of our Best of St. Thomas 2008, 2009, great venue for sports and live bands)

Shipwreck Tavern (winner of our Best of St. Thomas Award 2008, 2009 and Nicci’s place of employment)

Epernay Wine & Champagne Bar (winner of our Best of St. Thomas 2008, great social spot with fantastic food)

Enkai Sushi Bar (winner of our Best of St. Thomas 2009, Best Sushi on St. Thomas)

Special shout out to The Buzz 104.3 FM, we do a lot of cross promotions together and they are some Kewl Cats!

Please help spread the word about the Blog and St. Thomas.

Order our St. Thomas T-Shirts here: http://www.stthomasblog.com/?page_id=2821

We’ve finally come out with our first fun product. We’re now selling these great T-Shirts/Tank Tops with this logo on the front and back.

We’ll have black t’s for men and black spaghetti tanks for women. If you would like to be one of the first to receive these exclusive shirts Click Here.

Order: http://www.stthomasblog.com/?page_id=2821

They come in all sizes and the cost is $19.99 plus $2 S&H (add $3 for 2XL and above). We take credit cards and cold hard cash. Order now!!!

Nicci and I work very hard running around the island trying to help you guys out. So if you got a few extra bucks order this shirt because it’s way cool and we need the money

Order: http://www.stthomasblog.com/?page_id=2821

Thought we’d share some late pictures and videos from St. Thomas 2009 Carnival…

Adult Parade Saturday May 2nd 2009:

Children’s Parade:

Fireworks over Charlotte Amalie to close the ceremonies:

…when the streamers make their appearance…which they did at the beginning of April. I Ssapped a couple pictures from the road last Friday (don’t worry…I can snap and drive…).

And a shot of Carnival Village, streamer heavy:

Carnival officially began on April 12 and activities have been going on at Lionel Roberts stadium since. The Village officially opened last night and will be going strong until Saturday night’s fireworks show. A steel-drum tramp down Magens Bay on Sunday will be the last bit of Carnival until next year. You can check out the schedule of activities here.

So, what’s your favorite part of Carnival:

Riding the rides?

The music and food?

J’ouvert?

The parades?

Heading to St. John and avoiding it completely?

Have fun this week, whatever you do!! Good luck to all the participants!!