USVI Cost of Living - Groceries on St. Croix
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- Опубликовано: 4 ноя 2019
- ⭐"Moving to Paradise" E-book: etsy.me/2oGklAx
The real cost of living in the USVI. Groceries on St. Croix and what it costs for food.
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My family lived is Christiansted for generations we grew up living in tide village and I can tell you personally you will spend a lot less money if you learn to fish and grow your own. Although yes we do buy from stores like this a lot of us buy from other farmers and fishermen. When you are buying from stores like this you are paying for the cost of the item as well as the shipping.
Sustainable living- I love it!
I lived on the east end. Very difficult to grow things in the desert. LOL! That said...road-side farmer's markets and I DID grow SOME things. Mainly herbs. Fishing and lobster-catching was helpful as well. I doesn't HAVE to be expensive to buy food in STX.
How do the locals afford these groceries? These prices were eye opening.
Sejah Farm is a great resource for local food and it's important to keep in mind that not only do we have a year round growing season (with lots of foraging available if you don't have time to keep up with a garden), there are co-ops too. If you're sticking to just the conventional market, it's predominately brand names/convenience items that are so costly. There are local offerings like dasheen, coco malanga, eddoes, taro, etc that are $1-2/lb with beans and rice being super affordable as well. We also have a supply of local meat (senepole) for around $4/lb and personally, we have an ever abundant supply of lion fish as my husband is an avid CORE member to combat their invasive presence. Local bakeries offer great deals and there are also local fishermen ...it's a double whammy to support local and our island provides so much diversity and abundance everywhere you look.
US VI has a prominent Middle Eastern community !!!😍😍 Im Egyptian American my eyes lit up when I heard you say that!
Your country is beautiful, Omar. I had the blessing of visiting last year and sailing down the Nile is forever cemented in my mind and heart as one of my top memories.
I have decided to move to st. croix for a life change!
The prices here is running competition with the prices at airports and Beverly hills
It always astounds me how “cheap” food is when I visit my parents.
If you buy the new Zealand butter at cost u less, it's half the price of others. $5 lb. The others are about $14 lb.
I was in St Croix recently and visually remember that first spot!
Plaza East is where we shop when visiting! 58 days until we are back, can't wait!
Thanks for this! Trying to get a good sense of day to day costs....this was so helpful!
Thanks for watching, Tim! I appreciate you!
Listen, y'all. Having lived there for years, I can tell you this with complete sincerity. LIVING IN STX IS NOT EASY. If it were, more people would live there. In some ways it IS easier. You don't have the choices you do in the states. Lack of options does make things easier. The good news is that the bad stuff (drugs, booze, etc.) is pretty cheap. Have your act together BEFORE you move down to the VI. The bad news is that living "healthy" is difficult and expensive. Especially if you can't farm your own. Be flexible. Don't complain and prepare yourself for hardship (and rolling black-outs). If you aren't capable of that....don't move.
Thank you for the video, I was born in STX but I have not been back in years. Something as simple as going grocery shopping is comporting to me. Sounds weird, but I still consider STX my home. Thank you again!
Thank you for being here! I hope you get to return once it’s open again 🧡
I can honestly say your right on point.. 😎🇻🇮
Effective and education on St. Croix prices (i.e., “show, don’t tell”). It was shown here to great effect…and it was a bit (startlingly) a high cost of living. Gonna have to research this some more!
I am from St Croix, Estate Hannah's Rest. In the 60's and 70's life was very different there. We shopped at Obando's Market on Centerline Rd near Estate Whim, on Saturday's we shopped at Pueblo's and Barker's at Villa La Reine shopping center. Very small store and you bought whatever they had in stock. Common to bring home milk and find it was spoiled, and common to find insects in your cereal, bread, and flour. That might be Plaza West now. Plaza East is probably were the Woolworth's and Grand Union grocery used to be. Milk came from Island Dairy and was often a mix of goat and cow milk. Hans Lawetz raised Senepol steer and it was the best beef. I'm shocked at what the grocery store looks like now! Oh, and there would be a line of people waiting for a shopping cart to be available and it wasn't unusual to stand in line for 45 minutes or more to check out. I haven't been back home since a visit in 1990. Thank you for posting this so I can see what home is like now. As we used to say back then, "Stay up ☝, misson."
Good morning, Kris. Thank you for your share- I appreciate you taking the time. I can imagine it now. Man how my gfs lament over the loss of island dairy (and the once upon a time local soda, too). With hurricane season, I’m about to stock up on all that bulk rice right now, lol. I hope wherever you are, you are safe, healthy, and happy 🌹
In California you can get tomatoes low as 50 cent per lbs, 10oz to 22oz general Mills cereal you can get in CALIFORNIA low as 1$ high as 3.64
John...bring as many RED tomatoes as you can, with you. You won't find many of them here. LOL!
Very helpful as I'm looking to retire there and not as bad as I had heard.
Great video!
Thank you so much for watching :)
Hey sis! @squishymonster, your website is down. Not sure if you knew.
I’m looking for a warm place to retire thank you the information is precious!
Hi Squishy Monster!! Where do you buy Korean ingredients in St Croix? Like gochugaru, gochujang, doenjang, etc? Those are heavy to ship. Does Amazon ship to St Croix?
That’s a great question, Jojo! Shipping isn’t the most efficient here so honestly, I’ve been having my fam bring it down when they visit, lol. So far I’ve been able to get a steady supply with consistent visitors but depending on who you talk to, they will/won’t honor prime and I’ve had better luck on eBay (personally) in a pinch.
@@TheSquishyMonster Agree sometimes Prime works but not consistent? Has anyone asked the USPS ?? Is there an Amazon Locker on STX?
@@DaveAhl Things just aren't that consistent here. Unfortunately, there are no lockers and you need to add at least 2-3 days (if not 1 week to even 1 month+ extra for delivery time).
How lean/fat is that $2.58 per pound hamburger/ground beef? That is a fair deal if it is lean enough. Thanks for sharing. It looks like people could grow thei own produce there if it is warm all year.
Annaly is the way to go. They offer local grass fed meat. I don’t actually purchase hamburger but I can definitely look next time I’m at the store.
Don't live there anymore, but thanks for showing off STX. What about the markets like at Villa LaReine? What's the prices there?
Are you speaking of la Reine farmers market? It’s still there :)
@@TheSquishyMonster and other markets too, but glad it is still around.
@@ahhthenohh Pueblo is still around with 2 locations and Plaza west is just down the road from La Reine. We also have Seaside, Quality, Food Town, Cost U Less, and several other smaller markets or convenience shops. I hear they're also building a new market soon :)
@@TheSquishyMonster thank you for the video and thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. I see now how beneficial it is to have land or a garden to grow some food.
@@TheSquishyMonster Schooner Bar still around? Not the cheapest but near where I lived...
Home🇻🇮 Plaza is my cousins stores
So while it may seem expensive to those of us living on the mainland USA, how is it for those of you that live down there? Is it expensive or do you make enough to the point where it’s “meh” prices?
Rent can be astronomical (especially during our rental crisis) and goods are about 20% more. It's important to budget and save. Most everyone I know either works multiple jobs or has created their own business. Personally, I find that since there's a year round growing season, I can mitigate food costs and we live with the windows open year round so that also helps...small measures can add up but yes, it's generally more expensive all around here.
Can I ask if that’s US dollars or some other currency?
Sam C. It’s US dollars
Go straight to the steam table buffet with cook food in the back...with salad bar...you will lick your fingers with a small $7 plate....and return for 2 more plates for breakfast lunch and dinner
Moving to st croix in two weeks my husband is already there and everything he finds is so expensive . Do you think you can email me some tips on shopping?
Things are definitely more expensive here. It helps to buy local, eat more plant based and stick to staples (no impulse buys, pre-packaged or speciality goods/boxed snacks or frozen meals). I also have an entire ebook dedicated to the logistics and insider tips.
Did you move already?
Im curious also, i will be moving in about a month. My husbands family lives in St.Croix. Ive never been nor my 3 year old. Im excited!
@@taniavega8069 We've been here for over 4 years now and love it. It's not perfect and island life can be hard but it's home to us :)
@@pablitox9272 Have you moved yet and how has it been?
@@TheSquishyMonster GREAT ADVICE!!!
Hello! I am considering moving to the island next month, I am pregnant and hope to deliver on island in April. Considering the pandemic, do you know how the job market is right now? Would you consider it difficult for someone new to the area to find work? I tend to do labor jobs, cleaning, farming, baby sitting, gardening, etc. So am open to a lot of jobs. I just need to have an idea of what I'm looking at in terms of being able to support myself and my baby as a young single mother (26).
Good night, Amber. I've heard great things about the doulas here though I can't speak from it personally. Seasonal jobs (during the winter) are plentiful in the service industry but employment is not so abundant and most everyone I know works multiple jobs, including myself. I think Quality Foods and CostULess are both hiring and you can also try with Island Therapy Solutions if you have any experience with ABA therapy.
@@TheSquishyMonster okay awesome, thanks very much for the info!!
Good night, Amber. Deliver in the States. Get your finances right BEFORE you move to the VI. It will be MORE difficult to support yourself (and child), in STX then it will in the states.
some of them prices are insane but some of them are cheaper not that bad
Lived in STX for several years. Bottom Line: IF you buy stateside (US) products, you'll pay a premium. Buy Puerto Rican (Goya) and you'll pay less. Don't know if it still exists but across the street form Plaza East, the lobster fishermen would sell fresh rock lobster for $3/pound. Granted, that was 10 years ago but the point stands. IF you insist on buying stateside products, you'll pay much more BUT you don't HAVE to pay more, if you're willing to be flexible...
Sorry...lobster was $7/pound. Still a great deal.
As a former USVI resident, any Dairy products are expensive, and everything else is usually same price.
I found the prices to be comparable to CO when I visited my SIL where they say costs are high. I suppose it depends on where you live. I find that you can’t beat free backyard mango and avos to the point you have more than you can eat. It’s a give and take like most things.
@@TheSquishyMonster did you say free backyard avos? Is in Avocado? My favorite food? I'm 29 and I wondering if it would be a good time to move there (after the pandemic ends?)
Do they have Ben & Jerry's on the island? Is it also $6.99 a pint like the Haagen Dazs? Or should I get a part time job in an ice cream parlor (if there are any jobs?)
@@servalferretraficante4016 We lack conveniences on our little rock and things are a bit tougher here to get acclimated to but if you're willing to adjust, you can make it work. I go through all of this and more thoroughly in my ebook linked in the description box below the video :)
@@servalferretraficante4016 Just local parlors and ice cream is one of the most premium-priced foods. We are presently in a transitional phase with the refinery changing so employment will adjust according to its conclusion, I believe.
I liked it. Good video. I wonder what steak 🥩 is like. I bet expensive.
Annaly Farms offers exclusive Senepole (a local breed) for several dollars cheaper per pound (market price, but you can contact them via google/facebook).
I’m in st.criox plus I was born in the island🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮
#vinice !
Then you does be eating at chicken shack yum yummy yum!
I would buy all my food in the States and ship it there
Would it still be expensive with shipping costs? And what store would you use?
Lmao shipping to the island is why the prices are high 😅🤣 you wouldnt save money, and by the time your food did get to you, it likely wouldnt be good any more, as the 2-7 day shipping is more like a month or more, island time. Hawaii is extremely similar but gets more frequent deliveries normally, so not quite as expensive at St Croix. Island time always needs to be accounted for lol
Home🇻🇮
Lol i live here to😌
Reading comments about price... obviously its more expensive to ship food there. People go there for the island, not the groceries. If you want cheap groceries move to Minnesota.
Thanks for the perspective, Mehdi! I think about that often and am grateful that we even get what we do (when supplies are kinked, it’s not fun- which happens time to time) but you know, #islandlife
Angela Kim thanks for the reply. I was considering moving my family there for the next 6 months. My son is going to start first grade and his class is virtual and I work remote. So we were thinking of moving there to give it a try. Do you know if the public schools are open in the USVI?
@@mehdiAbderezai We don't have any kids but from what I gather from friends who do, private schooling or home schooling is the way to go (but I understand that private schooling is some 15k/year?) Again, I'm not 100% positive on this as I don't have personal experience with this but pretty much everything is a bit more expensive here but if you're resourceful enough, you can either mitigate the costs or find a clever alternative around most things.
@Yoshi STX Sending you healing vibrations, Yoshi. Of course you don't have to receive it. You can spread hate or love. We all have a choice, but the former I have found intensifies internal turmoil. Hurt people hurt people. Life is short. Be kind- it attracts like.
It sucks that relief workers drive up rental prices, negatively impacting those they want to help.
I think people forget that we live on an island and most of the food have to be shipped in.
This is very true. I appreciate that we have a year round growing season and with the abundance of exotic tropical fruit (and so far, year round herbs and tomatoes! it also serves as a great offset).
Are those prices US dollars
Hi, Greg! Since we’re a US territory, everything is USD 👍
How much for a studio apartment
Our first place that was less than 400 sq feet is now something like $1200-1500 last I heard and it used to be a lot less than that (there’s still a lingering rent crisis).
Rent ranges on the island from around $600-$1800, it depends on a lot of things, especially amenities, from what I've gathered
Wow maybe people in St croix minimum rate pay is $25 ph
Unfortunately it’s not. Cost are highest for packaged convenience items. Fresh produce and raw materials like flour cost about the same or even less than stateside from where we moved from Oak Island, North Carolina and Charlotte.
@@TheSquishyMonster We live in NC, and just visited Caswell Beach.. Really considering moving to the Virgin Islands.
expensive, isnt it?? :O
It all depends on how you prioritize your budget. I mention how we keep our costs low.
Wow expensive!
What a small basket of ice cream $7.29 dollars and depends on the brand,another $13.99 dollars for a regular size of ice cream.en USA you can find some brand with the same size AT $3.99 there are no factories over there,no chicken and turkey factories,no ice cream cream factories?just rich and medium class people can live here.
The groceries in our household cost less than what they did stateside. If you’re purchasing convenience and impulse items, you have to consider that everything has to be shipped in. You can subsidize costs by diy, growing your own and supporting local agriculture which offsets the carbon footprint, reinvigorates local economy, and allows you to consume seasonally and with our year round growing season, we’re lucky that something is always in season (not to mention senepole and sea fare) 😊
I am relocating to St. Thomas, I am a vegetarian( Asian Indian Descendant) and would be delighted to know, if any local farms for veggies are available in St. Thomas, as I will be renting an apartment, I may not have access to grow vegetables.
I'm not as familiar with STT but STX is known as the bread basket of the VI and STT is a different type of formed island but I'm sure there are local goods you can still procure :)
Outrageous Prices! I promise I will open my own supermarket on the island one day!
Very expensive
It really depends on what you go for. We actually spend less here than stateside. It helps to avoid convenience items and you can subsidize fresh produce because of our year round growing season.
I can see why I smoked crack in St. Croix!
Lmfao
That is a nasty supermarket!
What our little rock lacks in supermarket aesthetics, it flows in natural abundance so it’s a give and take but it’s one I wouldn’t trade.
@@TheSquishyMonster
True. I guess a rundown market and high prices is more than a fair trade in order to live in Paradise.
Have a nice day!
Jesus, it's expensive wtf
It's definitely more expensive. We have to have everything shipped in and times like now (peak hurricane season), there are more delays and shortages.
@@TheSquishyMonster sis, I was thinking on move to the Virgin Islands one day as a way to save money and reward myself after my studies of graduate school. But after seeing those prices! Oh no, how do people even afford such basic amenities.
Resourcefulness goes a long way here. We personally spend less here than we did in the states. It's all about what you prioritize. Since there's a year round growing season, we grow as much as we can (for example, store bought organic greens and lettuce can be $6-12 for a smaller clamshell here but I'm able to grow enough for personal use the entire year and haven't purchased store-bought lettuce in over 3 years). If you're an omnivore, local is best (and things like senepol are even cheaper). Convenience items and boxed/name brand items are very costly but if you have time to prepare in bulk or meal prep, it's more cost effective, healthier, sustainable and eco-friendly. For example, I'll bake 3 loaves of bread at once. Name brand bread here is expensive (or again, local bakeries are aplenty). We're also able to barter with some of our neighbors for different goods, etc. If you have the spirit or gumption to, foraging is also possible here year round though the trade off being that you'll find an abundance of kidney mango (and the more luscious non-string-y variety you'll either have to grow or pay for) but genips you can find on the side of the road as well as purslane, moringa, etc. My ebook is also a great resource on how to save money even further in all sorts of different ways if one or two ways don't work for you.
OHSNAHPZ I was born there
Great video!