Island Girl
Life on St. Thomas
We ran a poll last month to find out what people wanted to read about, and Local Living was the winner. Exciting! Let’s dig in, shall we?
A lot of people have questions regarding employment – more specifically – how to gain it (check out some earlier posts on this subject: here and here). Everyone wants to be Tom Cruise in Cocktail right? Give up the big city and move down to an island where you spend your bartending days with buzzed tourists and happy locals! If there’s one thing St. Thomas doesn’t have a shortage of it’s bartenders, but that’s not to say this is an easy or hard job to get - that depends who you talk to and where you look, as do most jobs in the tourist industry. Face to face works better than a phone call, you’re going to need to set aside some time and drive around…stop at restaurants, bars, souvenir/jewelry stores, tourist attractions…poke your head in, fill out a resume, let them know you’re available. Want to work on a boat? Get down to one of the harbors and start chatting. Don’t bother making phone calls, people want to see that you’re on island. If the tourist industry isn’t something you’re interested in don’t worry, there’s government offices, law offices, insurance companies, schools, a hospital, real estate, etc - plenty of places to send your resume. Career.VI is a good website to check out as are the Source, Daily News and Island Trader.
Unfortunately we’re unable to tell you how many jobs are available, where to look first, what you’ll earn, what your best option is – you’re going to need to get out there and network a little bit. Have lunch at Fat Turtle in Yacht Haven and see if they need a waitress, after lunch take a walk past every Yacht Haven store, duck in the door and see if they need any sales associates. Don’t look for ‘help wanted’ signs just ask, it’s the quickest way; if they don’t have any available positions they might know someone who does. You’ll find work, it just might take some time.
If work isn’t your first obstacle then Where Am I Going to Live will be. We get comments and emails from people who are wondering about apartment rentals…where they are, how much, is it safe, are pets allowed, do I need a car, etc. While you can take a week or two to hunt down work you certainly can’t roam the streets while you hunt down a place to stay – so here are some options. As with jobs you can also check out the local papers – here is a direct link to apartment rentals from the Daily News. The Islander Trader will also be a good resource for apartment rentals – the good news is the Island Trader is available online, the bad news is you will have to ‘flip the internet pages’ to find the information, might take a little bit but it’s worth it - a lot of people rely on the Trader. Emailing or phoning real estate companies and agents is also a good idea, most offices have someone dedicated to rentals, and most agents will be willing to sit on the phone with you and answer your questions, like Karen Korsgren, our featured agent at the top right of this page!
So, will you need a car? That’s a great question, and, as you can imagine, there are pros and cons to owning a car on St. Thomas, or any island for that matter. Pro? You can get around! Cons? We’ll get to that in a minute. We have friends who live in Charlotte Amalie, they teach at a school that is a quick walk from their apartment. They don’t need a car 85% of the time…they’re near a post office, food, banks, their work, restaurants, bars…they’re good to go. Until they want to hang out at Magens Bay, or go out to Red Hook and watch a game at the Caribbean Saloon, or come out to our house for a Superbowl party. They rely on friends, and public transportation, so they make it work. Scott and I couldn’t manage at all, we live up in the hills and would be confined to our home without a car.
Cons to owning a car, and let’s face it, if you need a car you accept the cons, it is what it is. Gas is expensive, or it is to us, it’s always higher than what we’re paying in MA. The island elements are rough on vehicles – salt air, unending sun, rough roads, or unpaved areas. You don’t see many nice cars on the island, most people have 4-wheel drive and accept the fact that it won’t be in pretty, shiny condition. There are some cars on the Rock that I’m surprised to still see running, and a handful that I’m positive can only make it around the flat roads of downtown. You will need to stay on top of your brakes and transmission – if you’re not downtown then you’re either forcing your car up a steep hill or relying on your brakes as you slowly go downwards.
Okay, so you have a job, a place to live and you’ve decided if you need a car or not. What’s next? Let’s get your life in order – groceries, post office, pharmacy/supplies. Let’s start with groceries, because you’re probably starving. There are many places to get food:
PriceSmart (please note that link is from 2001, pay no attention to those prices) and Cost-U-Less are two popular choices, they’re our big costco-like grocery stores and the prices are pretty decent, not a whole lot of sticker shock. They’re located sort of middle-ish on the island, near Tu-Tu. Kmart has dry goods and booze – there’s a Kmart near Havensight and one next to Tu-Tu mall. Plaza Extra, another big store, is also by Tu-Tu Mall, and to be honest we’ve never been inside (for no particular reason), but I hear great things about it. Pueblo is another grocery store on the island, although it is a little cheaper and the food quality might not be so great. However, depending what you’re shopping for it’s worth a look around to see the prices. Pueblo is located in Havensight and Sub Base (by Nisky Center on the way to the airport). Food Center is a grocery store on the the East End - it has a big meat and seafood area, highish prices - but unless you live or stop in on your way out of the East End it’s out of the way. Smaller stores (often with hard-to-find items) include Gourmet Gallery (Crown Bay and Havensight), Marina Market (Red Hook) and the Fruit Bowl (Wheatley Center, on the way to Raphune Hill). Marina Market is a good place to run in just before catching the ferry to St. John. Gourmet Gallery has some fantastic selections but the prices tend to be some of the highest on the island, although their stock of wine is impressive.
Depending on where you live you will find a post office nearby (although they’re not high up in the hills), just ask anyone. There’s a post office in Frenchtown, Havensight, Red Hook. Try to never, ever go to the post office during lunch hours or else you will wait in a big ‘ol line. Same with Saturday hours.
As for a pharmacy – there’s the Havensight pharmacy (across from Al Cohen mall), Chelsea Drugstore in Red Hook and I’m pretty sure Big Kmart has a pharmacy. There are most likely a few others around the island that I’m not aware of.
I’m not sure if this post is long enough (!) but I’ll stop here. If I’ve forgotten anything I’m sure someone will comment with corrections, or more suggestions if that’s the case.
Happy Localizing!
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October 28, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
Syed Gilani Said,
Very informative! Keep the good work going! I am the president of the company who took it upon himself to take the company’s internal project and turn it into Career.VI. Please let me know if I could be of any assistance to your efforts.
October 28, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
Island Girl Said,
Hi Syed, welcome to the blog-
Congratulations on Career.VI, it’s a great site and resource!
October 29, 2008 @ 3:22 am
Heather Nicole Said,
I just want to say that I know it must take a long time, a lot of thought, and quite a bit of research to make this site the amazing thing it is, but entries like this one are invaluable to many of us. Thank you so much for all that you do for us readers (especially those of us planning our move to the rock!)
October 29, 2008 @ 8:41 am
Simon Said,
Nicci…Nice Blog and good info.
I agree with 95% of the info. Only a few tid bit i might differ, but is part of opinion personal opinion.
Good info and continue to share vital info for all your blog visitors. Keep up the breat job Nicci. ~Simon
October 29, 2008 @ 10:33 am
Island Girl Said,
Hi Heather, thanks for the nice words, glad we can help you out, feel free to ask us anything -
Simon – now I’m curious about the 5%, feel free to share any tidbits from your experience
October 29, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Simon Said,
Smiles @ Nicci. It is just the matter of opinion. The 5% is not bad.
Pueblo sucks! I grew up on the Islands. Ripoff people for years until places like pricesmarts and other places opened to give the local more choices. Pueblo takes up 5% because they sucks. wink!
October 29, 2008 @ 10:48 am
Island Girl Said,
Simon, I totally agree. I’ve been in Pueblo maybe three times, we’re pretty much Cost-U-Less or bust!
October 29, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Simon Said,
My Family shops there…My bro and his wife…my sisters. Good choice.
December 6, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
Uzma Said,
Thanks for al the information. My family and I are moving to St Thomas, all the info helps.
May 21, 2009 @ 8:13 am
For the Record: Groceries Said,
[...] variety? More inventory? Smaller sizes? Less crowds? Yes, yes, yes…and yes. You can check this previous post for information on other grocery stores on the island. Maybe I’ll take a walk down the [...]
January 13, 2010 @ 10:58 am
ms. v. Said,
I know ncci, must be very busy.
Therefore, i’d like to know if she recieved my 1-10-10 email. thanks
I appreciate all and any info. I’m planning to visit st. thomas 2010.
March 26, 2010 @ 7:03 am
Don Arnold Said,
I’m semi-retired 63, economist/MBA, a Veteran and have worked in mortgage origination for the last few years specializing in VA home loans after leaving comml and investment banking…I’d like to relocate to VIs….have a small pension to live on but need to supplement…would like access to VA medical center or clinic….
Anything anyone can clue me in on to learn more about making the move….pls email me…thanks, Don
August 15, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
Syed Gilani Said,
Thanks Island Girl for your appreciation! I will be highly interested in learning about career oriented services your readership may seek in the VI.
December 1, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Ana Said,
Hi,
I am moving to St Thomas in a few weeks. I have a house, a job and a car but do not know anyone. I am 50… Are there any book clubs, nice places to meet people?
Thanks,
December 1, 2010 @ 8:15 pm
BIG Kahuna Said,
There are many places to meet people just be friendly. Put yourself out there and it’s easy.
December 19, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
Jonathan S Said,
I am going to be moving to the island sometime in aril 2011 so I’m trying to soak up and absorb all the local info that I can wrap my mind around! I want to thank all of you for your insight and opinions, this certainly will make it easier for the transition to island life.
I’m moving to the island to re-invent my life. I’m 55, still very young, and totally into having fun and being ‘out there’ with life.
I have read almost all of the posts on this site and it has given me so much insight. Please keep the good info coming; I am certainly reading!
April 13, 2011 @ 10:37 am
Jim Said,
I just visited the island while on a cruise and absolutely loved it. I am flirting with the idea of moving there, and have been researching a bit, thanks for the blog, it really helps. The question I have is I am in Information Technology, and was wondering if it is better to work at the hospital or for the government. Also, I have a 7 year old daughter that I share time with and am concerned about crime. Is it a pretty safe place to live? Thanks!
April 22, 2011 @ 5:16 pm
Jeniffer Said,
I was offer a job in San Thomas but I have a 2 year old daughter and I want to know if they have good day cares and children stores. I’m not so worried about me I’m worried about life over there for her.
December 29, 2011 @ 7:03 am
MonkeyB Said,
Thank you for all this awesome information it really does help when trying to decide to move there. I was wondering what the car insurance rates are like. I have a lien on my car so I would need full coverage. When I lived in south Florida my rates more than doubled compared to north Florida. Also would you happen to know a guestimate on the rates to transport a car over there? Thank you again for all the great information!
December 29, 2011 @ 8:39 am
BIG Kahuna Said,
You cannot transport a vehicle to the USVI with a lien on it. It must be paid in full. Insurance rates are roughly 10-30% higher depending on where you live in the states. Transporting a car can run you anywhere from $1000-$3500 depending on where it’s being shipped from.