Great video and good points. I lived on St. Thomas for ten years - in the late 70s and the 90s. Left in 2001. I think you were extremely tactful in terms of some more things you could have said. I love St. Thomas, but there is a HUGE adjustment one has to make and not everyone can do that. After two stints there, I found I needed the reliability of modern infrastructure, great markets, concerts, foreign films, reliable internet and streaming services. And a lot of people born there feel the same way and live in the states. One can always visit! But I have friends born in the states who have lived there for decades and remain committed to it. I really smiled at you saying how many times can you go snorkeling or to the beach. You didn't mention the hurricanes but it sounds like you moved there after the two category five storms in 2017, so that impacted places to go, things to do and housing. I survived Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. The hurricanes are a real issue. Anyhow, I moved back to California for a reason and convinced my island-born husband to move with me. And some of things you mention were issues back in the seventies. So, there you go. It is beautiful. But like Tina Turner said as to "What's Love Got to Do With it?" One begins to question: what does blue water have to do with it? You handled your reasons and video with great tact. The reasons you stated are very important and very real. There is an old book by James MIchener titled "Don't Stop the Carnival." He lived in the USVI in the 1940s or 50s. The language in the book is dated and not at all politically correct for today's standards. But it is very good, funny and accurate as to mainlanders moving to the islands. I used to tell anyone thinking of moving there to read it.
Ha, yea... my point wasn't to bash it. We really enjoyed our time there but we were ready to leave after 3 years. My wife misses it a little bit. But I just really don't think you get what you pay for with the extra amount it cost to live there. If you have unlimited funds and patience it could be a great place. Thanks for your great comment.
@@LK-dx2oq Some of the language is very dated and not PC today. But for anyone who has lived in the Caribbean, it is timeless in terms of many of the challenges.
Don't Stop.the Carnival.IS the VI. I used to keep a.copy and read it every few years. I lived on STX, and after many years sailing, live in PR. Much prefer everything here to the VI. People are sweet.
Years ago I learned a simple lesson. "You get bored when you have no struggle". If all you do is go to a beach or snorkeling then you will get bored, even if there was concerts and international movie festivals every weekend.
When you’re empty and you don’t have purpose in life you get bored. In this life we NEED Jesus Christ without Him there’s a void in our heart that can not be filled. No beach, no money, no woman or man can fill us. Take up your Cross and Follow Him and you will have a life of complete Peace and Joy❤️🙏🤍
I lived in Hawaii for more than 20 years. Much of what you say are drawbacks to living in the USVI are the same for Hawaii. I suspect these drawbacks are also the same for living on any island in a highly desirable tourist area. If you live in the Caribbean and not near a major airport and expect to travel freely to other islands or far away continents, you need to own an ocean-going boat or a float plane and have the right set of skills to operate that boat or plane and enough funds to buy fuel for it. Or you need to have enough discretionary funds to charter a boat or private plane so someone with transport you when and where you want to go. Otherwise, expect to have to change to various modes of time-consuming commercial transport to get anywhere more than 100 miles away. Yes, it costs a lot more to maintain your standard of living, including preferred housing, in a highly desirable, far away, small, tourist location compared to a less desirable tourist or non-tourist location on heavily populated, sprawling mainland. The larger the number of people competing for an inadequate amount of anything, the higher the prices will go. And yes, your grocery shopping and other shopping will cost a lot more if the goods are transported a long distance by airplane or ship from a major port instead cheaply by truck or railway from a nearby city. People who live in the Alaskan bush know this only too well. If it is not grown, raised or caught locally, it will likely cost a lot more on a tropical island than it would on the mainland of a large country in a densely populated location. And yes, local stores on a small island will have a very limited selection of clothing and other consumer goods because of lack of warehouse space and the added cost of transporting goods. Merchants will not be willing to gamble that they might get stuck with unsold goods when they are already paying high prices for electricity and rent of commercial space. It is not just tropical islands, where the locals have a "manana" attitude or live on "island time." If you want to do business with people who hustle and bustle, choose to live in NYC or LA. Do not expect an urgent and time sensitive approach to getting tasks done in the rural hinterlands or on a tropical island. When the fish are running or it is time to harvest tropical fruit or festival time, many locals will probably not show up for scheduled work. Ditto for hunting season in Alaska. There is a small pool of skilled labor on a small island -- and those workers can pick a choose which jobs they agree to do. If you are unpleasant, they do not have to work for you. That is just human nature -- if the impatient newcomer fires you, there will always be another newcomer who will hire you manana. If you are an impatient employer, expect to have to do a lot of tasks yourself or do without. In a small community, word of your behavior will get around and you will develop the reputation for either being pleasant or unpleasant to work with. If you pay poorly, word will get out. If you are generous and pleasant, word will get out. If you are moving to a small tropical island for reasons other staying put, enjoying the free or low-cost outdoor activities, engaging in home-based hobbies (gardening, cooking, arts and crafts...) and making friends with and socializing with the locals, then you will probably become disenchanted with living on a tropical island after a year or two. Anyone with a "mainland attitude" can enjoy a Caribbean vacation, but if they want to live on a small island full-time, they will have to develop an "island attitude" if they want to be content.
Yep, it's all true. My brother lived in Hawaii for I while and I spent some time out there with him. And I lived in a remote location in Montana for 12 years. Opening week of hunting season is holiday for sure. You have to weigh the pros and cons of anywhere you live. I'm always confused when I hear people complain about where they live. You can always move.
FYI: The cost of living in florida is going through the ceiling also. When I moved to Florida in the mid 90s, Florida was the place to be. But now it seems like the whole u.s. is moving here. And now is the time to get out of Florida. The whole state is getting to crowded.
Agreed. Anything Pre-Covid was a great time to be in Florida. I moved here in 2008 and it was wonderful and still LOCAL. Too many north undesirable populations here now.
A couple of things you failed to mention. Dates you were there? Where in St. Thomas did you rent? Where in Florida do you live? Why did you move in the first place? What do you do professionally? Did you meet other Floridians or other people to do things with? Did you get involved with the community? Did you volunteer? What about starting a business where you engage the locals or tourist? Why not come back to Florida like every six month recharge? We currently live in Pensacola and we are looking at getting a condo with a balcony as stay six months at a time as we work from home so not a problem. We feel the best way on moving to any new city is to immediately get acclimated and start to meet people and seek out what other locals do.
I consider myself a laid back person. America and the places I’ve lived isn’t so laid back anymore and I hate the “hustle culture” that it has over here racing your way up the corporate rat race and being pressured into a career you don’t want to do. I just want a chill job, living on a chill plot of land , and hanging around chill people. So my options was either Europe or if you what to save more money and be close to home, the USVI.
I totally agree. Where I live in FL is pretty chill, but the islands were very chill. It has a great vibe there, if you can afford it. I'm looking at Europe too. It is a lot more expensive than the US. The draw back is all of the rules over there. But if you don't live in a city and you get out in the country I think it will be ok. We are researching going there for a year to try it out. So stay tuned for that.
@How2Beach I'm happy here have no reason to. My heart is right here and so are my roots. You haven't reached there yet and still search. I've just been lucky to be where I need to from the start .
Sounds to me like you moved to USVI for purely emotional and romantic reasons without using your heads. You could have researched ANY of this-cost of living, amenities, activities, nightlife, culture, housing costs, travel costs/logistics-I mean the important things any couple would do before making a major life decision. You went on vacation for three years and got bored. I said after my first cruise, “I wish we could live on this boat.” I didn’t do it, of course, but that’s how irrational your decision sounds and one of you is an educator…anyway, maybe, hopefully, your video will help others. I moved to a tropical part of Florida from the worst part of Florida and I love it. Next for me would be the Bahamas or the Keys!
There is only so many things you can learn from the internet. We wanted an adventure and we got a great one. If you move out of the US you'll learn you can only plan and research so much. Glad you're enjoying FL.
I love how people are ready to leave America for whatever reason than they find themselves back here. St Thomas is home it is the US VI but a bit different. I think I would love st thomas. For me it's cool because I like being at home playing my harp. Reading poetry, Painting and doing crochet projects. Or watching batman ( Adam west) So I would love to live in st thomas. I don't go to clubs and all that nor do I drink alcohol. I Don't eat meat and I am not much for social Gatherings. So Peace and quiet is right up my alley. Here at home in Louisiana I don't go anywhere I don't even like to walk to the corner store. 🤗 island life is different. My husband was from Jamaica and when he was alive we stayed in Jamaica for a while. I am from the bayou Mamou Louisiana him being from the island we love the kick back way of life. Even my daughter is so quiet you wouldn't know she at home. For people or as my husband would say. For persons who like the party life island life can be a bit of a challenge.
I'm not sure how Stt would compare to Jamaica as I haven't been to that island. But, I can say that life in the USVI is very different from life in Puerto Rico. Every place is different and has it's pros and cons.
The federal agency I worked at, couldn't keep anyone in the Virgin Island's offices. I remember seeing the first advertisement for a position there, when I had only been on a few months. I asked my older partner I had been assigned with, who was sitting next to me, how much seniority you had to have to get that slot. He said, "If you want it, I can make a phone call and the orders will be cut tomorrow. But, there is a reason I can do that and it's not a good one." The turnover in that office was off the charts. Just like you guys, after two or three years, people were begging to leave paradise. The old, "It's a nice place to visit, but, you really don't want to live there."
Caribbean Life is much different because in the states Of course they are a variety of things to do in the state than in the Caribbean. I’m from the Virgin Islands and currently living in Lakeland Florida and been here for almost 6 years and let me tell you. Florida is getting crowded real quick and it’s just not for me. I will be moving back home in May and can’t wait. Even though it will be a change once again when it come to logistics wise when it come to getting things quickly such as Amazon, groceries etc. all the best to you but My Home will always be My Home!!!!
Thanks for that perspective. Florida is the fasted growing state. I think a lot of people feel stuck and are scared to move and one lesson I hope they can learn from my journey is that moving is one of those decisions you can "un-do". If it doesn't work out or you find out you liked where you were, move back. Or move some where else. Some times the grass looks greener but you get over that fence and realize you had it pretty good already. Good luck on your move back to the VI.
You don't go to the Caribbean looking for entertainment, concerts and plays You make your own fun. The BVI'S are a short trip away. It's island time nobody is in a hurry to help your.
Thank you. They want to come to islands and expect the same pace, cost of living, etc., as in the states. I told this to another youtuber living in St. Thomas that we don't have time to baby them because people are too busy and when we have down time, we have down time. I used to spend so much time growing up just sitting in a plum or guava tree or under a cocnut tree relaxing doing nothing. It's as if they always have to be entertained.
I don't need all of the convenient creature comforts most people are looking for. I've lived on STX for 3 months, I understood the assignment. Island life clicks for a select few. I do like the format of having rentals in the states but it's all in how you do it to keep the frustration low. Those few factors will determine how island life works for anyone considering that move. Interesting perspective but I will definitely move to the USVI and work my plan accordingly. I've experienced both and I can't see myself living 100% in the states. It's an 80-20 split for me. 🇻🇮🌞🌴
That's great. I didn't really spend much time on STX. I hope it works out for you. You should check out my other channel where I talk about owning rentals and traveling and retiring early. It's called TheRetirementality
Great video! I had one question for you.. Now that you have lived in St. Thomas, and spent time in Puerto Rico/ bought a home there, which place would you rather live full time and stay for 3 or 4 years?
The are both great. STT is more expensive has prettier beaches and more of an island vibe. PR is fun, more affordable and easier to get things done for day to day stuff. I'd say you can't go wrong either way.
PR has a lot going on. More action and less of a culture shock outside of the language barrier. You will still have a taco and a decent mall. If your down to make your own fun and live a quite life then St. Thomas. There’s a decent night life on St Thomas,. Pro tip hull bay is vibe!
Craving, desiring, wanting more, is the root cause of suffering, generally speaking for us as humanity. To live on island we need to adapt to simplicity, ingenuity and requires a certain skill set. It’s not for all. So, would recommend an informative video, like this for anyone contemplating life on paradise.
Thanks. One thing I've realized in life that is a very important lesson to learn... Where ever you go... there you are. You can't change your life without changing yourself.
I lived in Asia for ten years and got by very well on a low budget. I love third world countries and think I could find a grass hut to live in for next to nothing.
To bad you didn’t find something you liked. We just bought an estate on Water island…we do have a large deck area and incredible view…so we are lucky. The insurance is crazy…25k a year but it is 6000sq ft. We definitely love Water Island but island life can be complicated. We don’t need to work while we are there…so that makes things easier. We have definitely enjoyed your videos…you taught us a few things.
That's great. Thanks for watching. I hope you love it out there. My wife was teacher and she had a student that lived on WI and it sounded like such a pain to get that poor kid to school everyday. It's a great spot though.
Love Water Island. Been going there for 10 years now a month at a time, so I would probably recognize you. It’s our home away from home. Started when it was just Joes beach bar in a trailer on the beach. I will admit it has changed over the years since travel magazines started pointing it out as a quick stop for tourists on cruise ships.
@@BlackSkyentertainment yep I know sprat bay. We always stay with Ray and Cherrie (don’t want to give their last name for obvious reasons) but I’m pretty sure you know who I’m talking about. We just left there. We just make the annual st Patrick’s day fest every year. Look forward to maybe seeing you next year for our annual month stay
I lived on St Thomas as well, my brothers and I left StThomas years ago but my older brother returned from Miami, I returned for a few months. for relief visit from NY and your correct, it gets old very quickly…. Too hot, too small.. food was too expensive. The only thing I liked about it was living on a private property filled with loads of flowers and a beach/ open sea as my backyard and when it rains or small hurricane season, I slept like a baby and got up to fresh air and organic produce in his garden, but that too soon became boring.
I lived in Puerto Rico for 2 years. Given the lackadaisical attitude of all government services for which (very high) taxes are paid it’s completely understandable why more Puerto Ricans choose to live in the mainland US. Think about how bad the service is at DMV or county clerks office in any US city and then multiply that by 10. I actually knew dozens of people that had New York or Florida drivers licenses and would actually fly back to the states to renew as opposed to dealing with the PR bureaucracy.
Hahaha good. Don't come back. They moved here right after a major hurricane and during covid...and asking where the concerts and nice homes are. I'm also going to say…these issues raised are underpinned by not developing true local relationships. Many Americans move down and their "village" consists of other Americans that moved down a few months earlier.
Would you mind sharing which resort building you rented from? I would like to see if it's a good fit to find a rental at, because I'm currently looking on Zillow and not seeing a lot. Thank you so much!
We lived in Crystal Cove. They have a pretty limited supply of long term rental on the island because everyone wants to do vacation rentals. We paid $2500 for a 2 bedroom unit with views of the parking lot. And after we moved out they raised the price to $3000 a month, and that was two years ago.
What an INCREDIBLE video. Thank you so so much. Sharing the reasons like when your house was flooded, the kmart underwear, the happiness chart, also LOVE hearing about the rental income strategy, I have just subscribed to your Retirementality channel also. LOVE that you said 99 times out of 100 its go do the crazy thing so you dont regret not doing it. I appreciate hearing the pointer of keeping ur house in USA to have somewhere to go back to. AWESOME VIDEO TY
Thank you very much. I tried to put all of the info in the video that I wished I had before I went. I've been on a bit of break from YT but am going to get back in it soon.
I dont think there goal was to make anyone cry…they were giving their perspective and experience of life on the island for people considering moving there. Dont be so miserable talleman..appreciate you guys sharing your experience on the island
St. Croix is better. I lived there for many years. I was never a big fan of STT. I left STX a few years ago only because of my work situation. But me and my wife still miss it terribly. People move to the Caribbean with pie-in-the-sky thinking and soon realize that the reality of living there is not the same as the states. Things we take for granted in the states are luxuries in the islands. It is not for everyone. Many of the new arrivals I met while living there lasted from 6 months to 2 years. Not many stayed long term. On that note, I think I need to plan a trip down there for me and my wife. It has been a while.......
It's a beautiful place and when you visit you surely want to live there. I hear the people are so sweet and amazing and truly that was my experience but there are a lot of things you have to think about.
I lived in St. Thomas for 14 years. I loved it and I still do. Always lived on a boat. WAPA is less of an issue when you have battery power and your engine to keep your power going. We even had a small solar panel. A stay at a dock or out on the hook, I loved it. I would be there now if I could! Jokingly we used to call it St. Trauma. Stuff happened. We used to also joke about what is blue and yellow and sleeps 6 ... a WAPA truck. But if you are more loving than hating the place and the people, you still love it, because EVERYWHERE has flaws and quirks. You are meant to be there or not. IT is not for everyone, but Florida makes me squirm at the thought of living there! Different strokes for different folks and it is true. Truthfully, I got 5 minutes into this video and quit. IT is not my experience and even if something was my experience, it just didn't matter. The only way to know if St. T is for you is by experiencing it. I have one child that was bahn' there. I think because we belonged to the boating community if feels different. You belong. But this is my experience, and my opinions. And we all know what they say about opinions ... Cheers!
I actually lied. We did live on a deserted island ... Inner Brass for about 4 or 5 months and it was pretty awesome! We did not just decide to live there, we were working for the owners, so we were not trespassing or squatting! lol. IT was amazing, and now I love to watch the show about a group of people that are left to survive on islands and cope!
@@belltoll1918 That would be cool to live on inner brass. Cool experience. Being able to live for free on a boat or a deserted island would give you a different experience living there.
I lived there between 1974 &2007. I called it sacrifice for paradise. Good and bad times. Very expensive. But left a lot of special friends. Finally left when I was a victim of a home invasion. A horrible nightmare. Just couldn't stay any longer. Oh yes housing is outrageous and difficult to find. Health care is terrible. Pretty much agree with everything you experienced. Thanks for the video.
first of all, that was before Covid. I find cheaper ways to live and get by but I also have the VA behind me and their benefits. Home invasions happen everywhere vastly, and much moreso in the United States mainland. You should have learned from your experience and how to prevent it and moved on. I am finding reasonable housing. Health care? Stay away from doctors and hospitals if you want to live a long, healthy life. Try qigong and tai chi and meditation for healing and wellness as a foundation.
You mentioned the difficulty of traveling between the Islands... I was looking at possibly purchasing a slip at a Marina there, but I would curious how easy it is to freely travel between the USVI and BVI via boat.
You can, but you have to pay a fee every time you enter the BVIs. And if you are looking at those slips in Sapphire be sure you understand the HOA fees and electric fees associated with a slip. But, I know someone that had one for sale. I'll have to check with him to see if he already sold it.
I get it. It can be frustrating living here. But for me finding my dream job and the beauty of these islands compared to Florida, outweighs everything you just said. 12 years here and going strong ! I will say, if I ever got really sick I would definitely head back to the states. Healthcare here is a challenge.
I think the island you are on helps….it doesn’t have the “beyond thunder dome” feel of the mainland. It’s got that perfect amount of visitors. Florida is definitely getting crazy.
Sure, Since I've been back to Florida they have had about 3 concerts, an Iron Man, a Marathon, a Christmas concert, a car show, and bike week. I live in Panama City Beach. Those are all of the free events put on by the city, not to mention live music in many bars most nights of the week. I have a lot of problems with this city's leadership, but entertainment is one thing they do right.
@@How2Beach I'm sure that in PR they had a few as well just as in other locations.. Sounds awesome but we're talking about an end of yr wrap up of the ones You Visited.. You brought it up so I gave you the follow up. See I enjoy both as well and I do visit them but Its not something I question when moving as you did, now if I where to be a part of the cast on a once in a while basis then yes I would consider that factor when moving but not so much as a viewer on a 5 plays 2 or 3 concerts a yr basis (I know there are some that don't miss 1)
why do you try to dictate what she says. every time she speaks you have to say how you feel and give her a nod head to what you feel. did anyone else see that.
@@angusm9419 I don't think you know what a Karen actually is, pointing something out is not being a Karen, your comment seems politically motivated 😂 go outside and talk to people you goober.
Wow Interesting! You left where I plan to relocate to from NYC. I 've visted St John & St Thimas TWICE ❤ both, prefer St Thomas. Hope I'm not making a mistake. I should be fine there bc I'm originally from Jamaica. I just have to GET OUT of NYC before I go mad. When I first moved here, I loved it, it was different. Now, I cant stand it, so I gotta go. FAST. My mind is made up.
You will have fun. Just be sure you have a good idea of what housing cost first. That is the most expensive thing. If you are good with the that, the rest will be fine.
I miss the "good morning" and "good night." I don't miss WAPA. I dont miss not being able to drive my car up my driveway when it rained lol. They told me 6 months and laughed at me, but i stayed 5 years and only left because i was on a work trip to the States when Irma amd Maria hit, and STT was wiped out and i couldnt come home. Ended up transferring my job stateside, but i regretted it. St. Thomas forced me to grow, and i am forever indebted to the Island and her ways for making me a better person.
Thanks so much for making this video. With all of the shows on HGTV like "Bargain Beach Hunters" - - it paints such a beautiful picture of just getting away from it all and moving to a tropical paradise. Loved hearing the OTHER side and reality of what it's actually like. So thanks again (because honestly, even though I've been looking, I can't afford - or even find - that perfect little one bedroom beach cottage anyway and it was frustrating me. lol)
Wow thank you so much for talking about the logistics of island hopping not being that easy. Because I had in my mind that you could just hop, skip and jump to the rest of the Caribbean islands from USVI. Appreciate you speaking on that.
I'm looking to buy a condo on St. Croix and live there during the winter months, then come back to my place in the States during the summer months. Does St. Croix have the same power outages as St. Thomas? Honestly, the power outages are my biggest concerns. I am an IT guy and work from home. So I would need consistent power and internet service.
Curious … if you started a reliable Handyman/Small remodeling company on the island … what do you think that would look like? Enough business or does that work stay with the locals? I understand that you need to be pleasant but just trying to scout out what happens when your home has an issue.. like leaking plumbing. Is it still island time to get it repaired? Thansk in advance… Me & the wife want to give it a go the closer we get to retirement. Been to the island a fair amount so far.
I'd say it's 50/50 if you could do it. I had a guy come to replace my stove. He took the old stove out and then I didn't hear from him for 4 days. Best bet would be to reach out to property management companies. But, I wouldn't move there "needing the income".
I'm nearly 69 and back in the late 1970s I was on a work assignment from Florida to St. Thomas periodically. We were trying to install a phone system at the time and working a lot of overtime. About 5 weeks at a time is all I could stand because we never got a break working. I started making up reasons to return to Florida. 😁
If you are still responding, would seaplanes get you between the islands? We want to start a tourist seaplane trip but you make it sound like we might be busier with island hoppers.
Sad to see you guys leave. We’ve had a slew of power outages this past week. It’s frustrating. We’re in 2023 and experience more power outages than some “3rd world countries”. 😢
We just spent a couple of weeks in Mexico and and the power went out twice but only lasted for 10 seconds each time. Where ever we go in the world now, we compare the power the grid to STT and we haven't found anywhere worse. You do have a pretty island though. We miss it.
I’m a student in Canada trying to choose on if I should apply to the university of the Virgin Island I’m so sick of the weather I hate living in it but at the same time I don’t know if that is life is right for me And the school is not top-of-the-line but a huge part of me really wants to get out of the weather but I don’t know if the idle life is right for me
Just remember that THE SUN IS OUT AND HOT and the area is meant for melanin and island culture. Without, chances of cancer are high. And please give back and learn the culture
That is interesting that this what you got from the video. Because I said one of the best parts of living on the island was not having access to unlimited everything and learning to live with less was refreshing. That is what we came to love about the island. The problem was that having less cost twice as much as having everything. We left because we could save money by living on the beach in Florida. That is why we left. We are trying hard to resist the capitalist temptations that come with living here. But we found that more of a minimalist lifestyle fits us. Where do you live?
I wonder what is expensive to you? For example, how much did you pay for rent? $2K, $3K, $4k? You talk about expensive traveling I see flights to San Juan for $108 round trip. Is a salary range that will make this better? $100k or more?
Thank you for this video. As you pointed out, a lot of your points represent “first world problems” but when you’re trying to make a decision to move, these issues matter, if for no other reason than just accepting what is different before you get there - especially the PITA stuff…
For sure. And a lot of people make fun me in the comments section for not researching more, but the truth is Google doesn't tell you most of those little things.
Honestly I don’t understand why you moved to St. Thomas. It’s sounds like you have a real estate business in Florida (and I guess PR as well) but you chose to live somewhere else. Not a criticism just not surprising your business suffered. Also, having a lower standard of living while on St. Thomas should have been a huge red flag, lowering your standard of living is always difficult, particularly if it’s not required. Anyway, it sounds like you’re happy to be back in Florida and ultimately that’s what matters.
Yep, everything you said is correct. We left because sometimes when life is too easy you feel like your just standing still. We were doing great but we felt like our life was stuck. We needed to shake things up. I couldn't know that the biggest real estate boon was about to hit FL and I could have crushed it. And my wife was feeling a little burned out at her job. But, we had a great adventure and I'm glad we did it. We are going to head down to Mexico in a couple of weeks to check out things down there. So stay tuned for more adventures. I think that we forget that on our quest through life to make money and invest and save for a retirement that we are supposed to have fun along the way too. I have another RUclips channel where I talk about the money side of our lives if you're interested in that aspect.
Sounds like you're ready for some adventure. I've spent a lot of my life traveling with little money and it's the only way to live, as far as I am concerned. Drop the extra baggage.
I absolutely hate living in St. Thomas. I'm gone as soon as I can be. People are rude, reckless, and apathetic. Food quality is garbage, service from companies sucks, roads are garbage, everything too expensive, everything rusts, and being at the mercy of the tourist economy isnt easy. I live here but locals who don't know me treat me like a tourist straight off the boat. Government is corrupt, many people have backwards and ignorant worldviews, and it seems like people always looking for a way to scam or play you. There's some good things going here, but the bad far outweighs the good for me. I don't regret living here, but I'm glad I did so I know exactly what I DONT want in the future.
I think it would take to joy out of going to a beautiful tropical island if you moved to one, because it becomes the new normal, I’m going for a week this late summer, I can’t wait to visit all the beaches in Saint John and saint Thomas! I don’t want to lose that feeling for those islands! Love that place, but I will just stick with ole East Texas, then when I’m able to go somewhere in the Caribbean it’s more like adventure!
Excellent comments. COL 30% premium over FL. STT is grossly overcrowded especially during the winter. Cruise ships can increase daytime population by 20%. Traffic is horrendous. STX seems much more laid back and also cheaper. WAPA surges fried most of my appliances this summer. Plan on new appliances every 4-5 years. New washer and dishwasher ordered from FL has been enroute for 6 weeks. Local Home Depot is always short on appliances. Living here can exercise your patience for sure. Positives are lovely beaches and boating is great. Views are awesome if you leave at elevation and constant breeze makes the tropics quite pleasant.
I lived on St Thomas as well. Island life isn’t for everyone. It will spit you up and chew you out easily if you move with a self entitled attitude, expect stateside life and rules, or bad vices. It also lets you know when it’s time to leave and move on. And we leave with love in our hearts ❤
Great explanation of what it's like to move to the Caribbean. I am in Puerto Rico and it's weird how things don't get done at government agencies like in the US. Also, the cost of organic food is craaaaazy! Awesome video...thanks!
I was living in Puerto Rico for two years. I recently decided to come back to New York as of the 31st of March. Puerto Rico definitely has its downfalls. There’s so much that I can explain but it could take hours. Transportation sucks, services are slow, you go to starbucks and have to wait 15 minutes for a cup of coffee, people there do not like mainland Americans, and Puerto Ricans tend to be very racist.
Organic food is a lie. Especially when it comes denatured as franken-foods and chemically-laden from factory farms with facticious labeling that require higher level organic farm certification. They have been changing the legal definition of the word organic for well over 20 years.
I would rather live in Puerto Rico and go on vacation in STT for sure. STT is prettier, but less practical for living full time. I'm in Mexico right now and I'll have some Mexico content coming out soon.
@@How2Beach Don't insult the people of the Virgin Islands by saying that it's not practical for living full time because you could not do it yourself. You wanted stateside benefits while living on an island.
@@cruciancruzangirl05 I didn't expect stateside benefits... I just felt like I was paying too much to live there and I could get a better quality of life for cheaper. There are pros and cons to both choices. I don't get the STT vibe in FL but I get other things. It really just boils down to what is most important to each person.
I lived and worked in Yacht Haven back when I was 1 of many chefs who opened it 2005. Fun times but the Drugs and Violence was a bit too much so I left 2008. I still miss everyone and the beaches 🤙
If you’re on the diverse side, there’s alot to do….but healthcare & stores being open 24/7 (I’m from nyc) was an issue to me, expensive. But on what to do, there are many things to do
Yea, like I said, this is just our experience and we found the island felt smaller every year we were there. We found ourselves saying "what do you want to do today... go to the beach, or don't go to the beach?".
Not hating because I understand your reasoning cause it's true... It is more expensive to buy. but the houses in Florida can't stand up through a category 5 hurricane year after year. So it's cheaper to buy and or build or rebuild.🙏🏿
It's true. I don't understand why they still make stick built houses right on the beach. I watch them building them everyday and it seems crazy. I did buy a nice concrete house over in Puerto Rico.
An informative video! Definitely can see your points. I guess it just wasn’t practical to stay there given your business ties on the mainland and of course too little variation in things to do on the island. Have always felt like wherever I go because I take myself with me that I do the same four or five things over and over no matter where I go. I tend to get bored when I travel and generally don’t travel much anymore. Can save a lot of money that way. I’m a creature of habit looks like. Thanks for sharing your experiences. They relate well to how some of us feel about managing multiple properties from afar. Life is tough for people rich enough to own several investment properties😊
Managing real estate from a distant location is tough enough. When Ian hit SW Florida finding a repair person was almost impossible. Older lanais were partially or totally destroyed. Roofs on taller buildings that were exposed to the Northwest wind at 150 MPH were missing hip tiles when the storm was over. You made the right decision.
Well since they moved back to the mainland things on the island have improved 100% in fact we are going to a farewell bon voyage party tonight 🎉🧨🎉🌮🎆🥘🥭🥰🌯🌮🎉🎉
That’s what my husband says. He’s from Jamaica. The only ones living well on the island are either expats who returned to the island to retire after living overseas or drug lords. 🤷♀️
In Miami people rent a trailer for 3K a month, in the keys any home is a million dollars; no way you can afford to live in a big house in Florida across the beach for 2500$
lived there in 1990/91....things were great for a long time...until we got robbed in daytime hours...we had a good boat & went to Hans Lolick (spelled x). We lived on the cliff at cabrita point ...my spouse built phase 1 of the Pemberton resort near Red Hook. We found the residents rude ... crime was starting to become a worry. We did not miss it after coming we left for home...Canada
We almost bought a house in Cabrita Point. I love that spot. That's thing, I think STT is great until one day just realize it isn't great anymore. It's fun a while.
Curious.. did you not do any research before you moved? Let me guess you either went on vacation there once or moved sight unseen … island life is not for everyone.
Most locals own lands and homes outright ,having generational realestate inheritance. This is overwhelmingly the same in the neighboring British Virgin Islands. . Dual citizens as they are,in addition own and operate real estate in t he US Virgin Islands.Florida and the US. Local fruits ,vegetables are organically grown and also imported from neighboring Caribbean Islands and sold in the markets as well as dairy, eggs, chicken beef mutton Fresh daily sea foods from the oceans of the Caribbean available daily,. It should be noted that " locals" are not identifiable by race as the majority of Blacks are immigrants from the upper Caribbean Islands ,living and gainfully employed in the US and British Virgin Islands. " Locals are readily identified by surnames ,residential location and family connections.
No experience in PR. And none for me in STT but my wife had a small issue and several Drs and a Neurologist never did figure out what the problem was. We blew through her $5,000 deductible after and MRI and a CAT scans and they put her on some pills that took all the salt out of her system and put her in the ER. You don't want to be there for any serious health issues. The locals fly to the states if they have real health problems.
@@How2Beach I just had heart surgery this year (Canada) and was diagnosed with a weak heart. I’m 52. So much for my dream of ever living in the Caribbean now with my diagnosis, sure glad I did it when I was younger 😢
Yes, I think it was well managed. I wasn't an owner there so I wasn't looking at it from the aspect. Would I live there again... well, I didn't enjoy being in a small condo, but I loved the beach there. So I'm not sure if would live there again, but only because I need more space. I found out I'm not a condo person.
I'm from the USVI, and I lived there for most of my life. I see some of hate and rude comments you guys have received and continue to receive. The truth is that many native Virgin Islanders have left for some of the same reasons you left. I see some people have hinted also at the race card, but I can say that one of the main reasons I left was exactly how many locals do not act properly and try to make life much more difficult than it needs to be; add that to the lousy government, many people are going to leave. The best things you did were to leave, as well as purchase a home on Puerto Rico. I bought, too, a place on Puerto Rico, and it's been the best thing, along with moving there, I've done.
HELLO THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO INFORMATION I'M A YOUNG ACTIVITY SENIOR 😅 AND WAS THINKING ABOUT RETIRING IN ST THOMAS WOW I THANK YOU 🙏 YOU SAVE ME FROM A GREAT MONEY AND MISERABLE MISTAKE 👍🏽 WHAT CITY / TOWN IN FLORIDA WOULD BE CLOSE TO ISLAND LIKE WEATHER FOR ARTHRITIS / ASTHMATIC & THAT'S NEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DUE TO NO LONGER DRIVING ! ANY IDEAS WOULD HELP 🙏
I guess the farther south you go the closer you'll get to Caribbean weather. I'm in Panama City Beach. It is in the Panhandle so it does get cold here in the winter. We have about 2 months of winter here. Some people think it's nice to have a little change in the weather. So that is something for you to think about. But, this area is one of the most affordable beach towns in FL. And this area has the prettiest sand and water. If you go on the East coast of FL the sand is not as white and the water is not as clear. You can go to south FL but it is more expensive. You can check out my other RUclips channel called "Panama City Beach Real Estate Channel".
I was wondering the same thing… 🤔 Island VS Mainland (Also depends on where in mainland) is known to obviously be drastically different… I guess you have to live/experience somethings first hand to truly decide/ know 🤷🏾♀️
The life on the island have changed after Irma and Maria. Many issues with mismanagement of federal financing is now coming to the surface. Many good points about lack of better and easier ways to do things ( including interconnectivity with other Caribbean islands) should have been taken to the review by our tourist department and other agencies. However, we just went through another storm and each time it’s a kick back and a challenge to rebuild. Unfortunately, due to the climate change this will be happening more and more often and island infrastructure will continue suffering. Too many issues getting swapped under the rug 😢
Yea, we bought a house in Puerto Rico and it's the same thing there. We also have houses in Florida and we are planning to sell a couple of houses to buy ones that are not in hurricane zones. It is stressful.
Looks like we hit that point after 1 1/2 years :(. Family unhappy and wants to move. I love it here but wife and daughter going to drive me nuts to move.
Im in same position as you after 2 years wife and daughter want to move back, they are not water people. I like the water and enjoy scuba diving got friends with boats which makes it more fun but because of family will need to live soon.
I've lived in the BVI & the USVI (St Thomas) for the last 13 years. I moved here from Hawai'i in 2010 and I can't wait to leave. Everything you said in this video is true.
I feel you had way to much of your life still on the mainland. Not to mention the lack of research regarding your living expenses. I totally understand the need for space and a condo would surely turn me off. But if you had the choice to live pretty much where you wanted, I believe your story would be different. But thanks. But not much info on changing my mind about a possible move to st croix. But I'm taking it all in. Thanks for your insight
Hi! Randomly came across this comment. Just moved back to the states from St. Thomas. There is a ferry to St. John (separate ferry for your car, if you want to take it there). There are also ferries to Lovango, Water Island, and the BVIs. Info is generally found online. Hope this helps!
I have no desire to move to Florida way too hot & muggy for me oh & alligators I hate those things thought about moving to the keys but they have Crocs there so maybe I'll just stay where I'm at. Also been to Puerto Rico before & it was nice but I don't think I'd want to move there.
I lived in St. Thomas in the early 80s. Back then you could island hop, for cheap. The sea plane from St thomas to st croix was $20-$40. Nothing in the island is cheap anymore. Plus st thomas is a small island. And you will get island fever. And if your not born there. Living there can become boring. So i understand exactly why you got the hell out.
Maybe you should have picked a different island. On STX there is literally something going on EVERY week. I wouldn’t choose St Thomas either. Way too crowded and commercial.
I spent 7 years there all told - 1995 to 1999 and 2015 to 2018. St. Thomas is beautiful but it is not an easy place to live. The social life was very limited and there was not a lot to do.
Great video and good points. I lived on St. Thomas for ten years - in the late 70s and the 90s. Left in 2001. I think you were extremely tactful in terms of some more things you could have said. I love St. Thomas, but there is a HUGE adjustment one has to make and not everyone can do that. After two stints there, I found I needed the reliability of modern infrastructure, great markets, concerts, foreign films, reliable internet and streaming services. And a lot of people born there feel the same way and live in the states. One can always visit! But I have friends born in the states who have lived there for decades and remain committed to it. I really smiled at you saying how many times can you go snorkeling or to the beach. You didn't mention the hurricanes but it sounds like you moved there after the two category five storms in 2017, so that impacted places to go, things to do and housing. I survived Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. The hurricanes are a real issue. Anyhow, I moved back to California for a reason and convinced my island-born husband to move with me. And some of things you mention were issues back in the seventies. So, there you go. It is beautiful. But like Tina Turner said as to "What's Love Got to Do With it?" One begins to question: what does blue water have to do with it? You handled your reasons and video with great tact. The reasons you stated are very important and very real. There is an old book by James MIchener titled "Don't Stop the Carnival." He lived in the USVI in the 1940s or 50s. The language in the book is dated and not at all politically correct for today's standards. But it is very good, funny and accurate as to mainlanders moving to the islands. I used to tell anyone thinking of moving there to read it.
Ha, yea... my point wasn't to bash it. We really enjoyed our time there but we were ready to leave after 3 years. My wife misses it a little bit. But I just really don't think you get what you pay for with the extra amount it cost to live there. If you have unlimited funds and patience it could be a great place. Thanks for your great comment.
I am going to look for the book you recommended. Thank you!
@@LK-dx2oq Some of the language is very dated and not PC today. But for anyone who has lived in the Caribbean, it is timeless in terms of many of the challenges.
I red that Book 2 days ago
Its fantastic
I love islanders
Its sun That’s take care Of all
Don't Stop.the Carnival.IS the VI. I used to keep a.copy and read it every few years. I lived on STX, and after many years sailing, live in PR. Much prefer everything here to the VI. People are sweet.
Years ago I learned a simple lesson. "You get bored when you have no struggle". If all you do is go to a beach or snorkeling then you will get bored, even if there was concerts and international movie festivals every weekend.
That is true in my life for sure. When things get too easy I need to shake it up. That's how we ended up in STT to begin with.
When you’re empty and you don’t have purpose in life you get bored. In this life we NEED Jesus Christ without Him there’s a void in our heart that can not be filled. No beach, no money, no woman or man can fill us. Take up your Cross and Follow Him and you will have a life of complete Peace and Joy❤️🙏🤍
Not true when u got a good group of friends
I lived in Hawaii for more than 20 years. Much of what you say are drawbacks to living in the USVI are the same for Hawaii. I suspect these drawbacks are also the same for living on any island in a highly desirable tourist area.
If you live in the Caribbean and not near a major airport and expect to travel freely to other islands or far away continents, you need to own an ocean-going boat or a float plane and have the right set of skills to operate that boat or plane and enough funds to buy fuel for it. Or you need to have enough discretionary funds to charter a boat or private plane so someone with transport you when and where you want to go. Otherwise, expect to have to change to various modes of time-consuming commercial transport to get anywhere more than 100 miles away.
Yes, it costs a lot more to maintain your standard of living, including preferred housing, in a highly desirable, far away, small, tourist location compared to a less desirable tourist or non-tourist location on heavily populated, sprawling mainland. The larger the number of people competing for an inadequate amount of anything, the higher the prices will go.
And yes, your grocery shopping and other shopping will cost a lot more if the goods are transported a long distance by airplane or ship from a major port instead cheaply by truck or railway from a nearby city. People who live in the Alaskan bush know this only too well. If it is not grown, raised or caught locally, it will likely cost a lot more on a tropical island than it would on the mainland of a large country in a densely populated location. And yes, local stores on a small island will have a very limited selection of clothing and other consumer goods because of lack of warehouse space and the added cost of transporting goods. Merchants will not be willing to gamble that they might get stuck with unsold goods when they are already paying high prices for electricity and rent of commercial space.
It is not just tropical islands, where the locals have a "manana" attitude or live on "island time." If you want to do business with people who hustle and bustle, choose to live in NYC or LA. Do not expect an urgent and time sensitive approach to getting tasks done in the rural hinterlands or on a tropical island. When the fish are running or it is time to harvest tropical fruit or festival time, many locals will probably not show up for scheduled work. Ditto for hunting season in Alaska. There is a small pool of skilled labor on a small island -- and those workers can pick a choose which jobs they agree to do. If you are unpleasant, they do not have to work for you. That is just human nature -- if the impatient newcomer fires you, there will always be another newcomer who will hire you manana. If you are an impatient employer, expect to have to do a lot of tasks yourself or do without. In a small community, word of your behavior will get around and you will develop the reputation for either being pleasant or unpleasant to work with. If you pay poorly, word will get out. If you are generous and pleasant, word will get out.
If you are moving to a small tropical island for reasons other staying put, enjoying the free or low-cost outdoor activities, engaging in home-based hobbies (gardening, cooking, arts and crafts...) and making friends with and socializing with the locals, then you will probably become disenchanted with living on a tropical island after a year or two. Anyone with a "mainland attitude" can enjoy a Caribbean vacation, but if they want to live on a small island full-time, they will have to develop an "island attitude" if they want to be content.
Yep, it's all true. My brother lived in Hawaii for I while and I spent some time out there with him. And I lived in a remote location in Montana for 12 years. Opening week of hunting season is holiday for sure. You have to weigh the pros and cons of anywhere you live. I'm always confused when I hear people complain about where they live. You can always move.
Bingo!
Hawaii can't be compared to the çarribean bc just the overall vibe in Hawaii is far more spectacular, and the culture surpasses any carribean island
FYI: The cost of living in florida is going through the ceiling also. When I moved to Florida in the mid 90s, Florida was the place to be. But now it seems like the whole u.s. is moving here. And now is the time to get out of Florida. The whole state is getting to crowded.
Agreed. Anything Pre-Covid was a great time to be in Florida. I moved here in 2008 and it was wonderful and still LOCAL. Too many north undesirable populations here now.
And sinking with unpredictable high category hurricanes 😮
@@GEN_X_undesirable northie$ is correct😉👍
A couple of things you failed to mention.
Dates you were there?
Where in St. Thomas did you rent?
Where in Florida do you live?
Why did you move in the first place?
What do you do professionally?
Did you meet other Floridians or other people to do things with?
Did you get involved with the community?
Did you volunteer?
What about starting a business where you engage the locals or tourist?
Why not come back to Florida like every six month recharge?
We currently live in Pensacola and we are looking at getting a condo with a balcony as stay six months at a time as we work from home so not a problem. We feel the best way on moving to any new city is to immediately get acclimated and start to meet people and seek out what other locals do.
As a former resident & ER nurse on St. Croix, I completely understand!!!
I had a friend who came to STT as a travel respiratory therapist and he said the hospital was a disaster.
How was the St Croix hospital compared to the St Thomas one?
I consider myself a laid back person. America and the places I’ve lived isn’t so laid back anymore and I hate the “hustle culture” that it has over here racing your way up the corporate rat race and being pressured into a career you don’t want to do. I just want a chill job, living on a chill plot of land , and hanging around chill people. So my options was either Europe or if you what to save more money and be close to home, the USVI.
I totally agree. Where I live in FL is pretty chill, but the islands were very chill. It has a great vibe there, if you can afford it. I'm looking at Europe too. It is a lot more expensive than the US. The draw back is all of the rules over there. But if you don't live in a city and you get out in the country I think it will be ok. We are researching going there for a year to try it out. So stay tuned for that.
Same...I am looking for a low key, laid back place to live
Me too man😢
Born and raised and it never gets boring. Its a lifestyle. Still here not going anywhere. Thanks for coming more room for us natives.
Have you ever lived anywhere else? I'm 50 and I've never spent more than 8 years in a location. Just wondering if you've ever tried anywhere else out?
@How2Beach I'm happy here have no reason to. My heart is right here and so are my roots. You haven't reached there yet and still search. I've just been lucky to be where I need to from the start .
@@ms.thomas5758 Good for you. I'm not really look for a "there", just enjoying the journey.
I love your comment, and I love the tropics. Gimme a grass shack!
@@ms.thomas5758I want come and live there but need more info can u help me out please
Sounds to me like you moved to USVI for purely emotional and romantic reasons without using your heads. You could have researched ANY of this-cost of living, amenities, activities, nightlife, culture, housing costs, travel costs/logistics-I mean the important things any couple would do before making a major life decision. You went on vacation for three years and got bored. I said after my first cruise, “I wish we could live on this boat.” I didn’t do it, of course, but that’s how irrational your decision sounds and one of you is an educator…anyway, maybe, hopefully, your video will help others. I moved to a tropical part of Florida from the worst part of Florida and I love it. Next for me would be the Bahamas or the Keys!
One thing pretty places and boats seem to attract are ppl with enough money and not enough sense to be a danger to themselves.
There is only so many things you can learn from the internet. We wanted an adventure and we got a great one. If you move out of the US you'll learn you can only plan and research so much. Glad you're enjoying FL.
I love how people are ready to leave America for whatever reason than they find themselves back here. St Thomas is home it is the US VI but a bit different. I think I would love st thomas. For me it's cool because I like being at home playing my harp. Reading poetry, Painting and doing crochet projects. Or watching batman ( Adam west) So I would love to live in st thomas. I don't go to clubs and all that nor do I drink alcohol. I Don't eat meat and I am not much for social Gatherings. So Peace and quiet is right up my alley. Here at home in Louisiana I don't go anywhere I don't even like to walk to the corner store. 🤗 island life is different. My husband was from Jamaica and when he was alive we stayed in Jamaica for a while. I am from the bayou Mamou Louisiana him being from the island we love the kick back way of life. Even my daughter is so quiet you wouldn't know she at home. For people or as my husband would say. For persons who like the party life island life can be a bit of a challenge.
I'm not sure how Stt would compare to Jamaica as I haven't been to that island. But, I can say that life in the USVI is very different from life in Puerto Rico. Every place is different and has it's pros and cons.
Agree 💯 Living that exact similar peaceful and quiet life are my goals! USVI Living ALL DAY 🏝️ 🙌🏾
@@How2Beach I wouldn't compare st thomas to Jamaica they are both the caribbean but still they are very different I've been to st thomas as well.
Because spoiled Americans think every other country should cater to them like they do in the USA. That's why they come back.
The federal agency I worked at, couldn't keep anyone in the Virgin Island's offices. I remember seeing the first advertisement for a position there, when I had only been on a few months. I asked my older partner I had been assigned with, who was sitting next to me, how much seniority you had to have to get that slot. He said, "If you want it, I can make a phone call and the orders will be cut tomorrow. But, there is a reason I can do that and it's not a good one." The turnover in that office was off the charts. Just like you guys, after two or three years, people were begging to leave paradise. The old, "It's a nice place to visit, but, you really don't want to live there."
Yea, it's not like they show in the brochure. It was a fun adventure though.
Which agency?
@@janierlarcheveaux3057 right? Bc I’m on usajobs and I’m not seeing any usvi posts
Caribbean Life is much different because in the states Of course they are a variety of things to do in the state than in the Caribbean. I’m from the Virgin Islands and currently living in Lakeland Florida and been here for almost 6 years and let me tell you. Florida is getting crowded real quick and it’s just not for me. I will be moving back home in May and can’t wait. Even though it will be a change once again when it come to logistics wise when it come to getting things quickly such as Amazon, groceries etc. all the best to you but My Home will always be My Home!!!!
Thanks for that perspective. Florida is the fasted growing state. I think a lot of people feel stuck and are scared to move and one lesson I hope they can learn from my journey is that moving is one of those decisions you can "un-do". If it doesn't work out or you find out you liked where you were, move back. Or move some where else. Some times the grass looks greener but you get over that fence and realize you had it pretty good already. Good luck on your move back to the VI.
@@How2Beach Agreed and thank you !!
Be open to moving back. Living in the states spoils you to conveniences you never thought you needed.
You don't go to the Caribbean looking for entertainment, concerts and plays You make your own fun. The BVI'S are a short trip away. It's island time nobody is in a hurry to help your.
That’s exactly why we bought there….there are so many years of adventure…with so many islands. We love USVI and BVI.
Thank you. They want to come to islands and expect the same pace, cost of living, etc., as in the states. I told this to another youtuber living in St. Thomas that we don't have time to baby them because people are too busy and when we have down time, we have down time. I used to spend so much time growing up just sitting in a plum or guava tree or under a cocnut tree relaxing doing nothing. It's as if they always have to be entertained.
Yankee go home!!!!!
When I went to St. Thomas, I went for the sand, sun, and the water. I didn’t go there to see a movie or a play.
Living somewhere and going on vacation are two very different things.
I don't need all of the convenient creature comforts most people are looking for. I've lived on STX for 3 months, I understood the assignment. Island life clicks for a select few. I do like the format of having rentals in the states but it's all in how you do it to keep the frustration low. Those few factors will determine how island life works for anyone considering that move. Interesting perspective but I will definitely move to the USVI and work my plan accordingly. I've experienced both and I can't see myself living 100% in the states. It's an 80-20 split for me. 🇻🇮🌞🌴
That's great. I didn't really spend much time on STX. I hope it works out for you. You should check out my other channel where I talk about owning rentals and traveling and retiring early. It's called TheRetirementality
, I live on XCX and one move back to the states for anything in the world. Nor would I live on STT. It’s all about choice.
Sorry STX 😊
I'm with you
@@How2Beach
Will do. I love real estate!! 🏘️🇻🇮🌴🌞
Great video! I had one question for you..
Now that you have lived in St. Thomas, and spent time in Puerto Rico/ bought a home there, which place would you rather live full time and stay for 3 or 4 years?
The are both great. STT is more expensive has prettier beaches and more of an island vibe. PR is fun, more affordable and easier to get things done for day to day stuff. I'd say you can't go wrong either way.
PR has a lot going on. More action and less of a culture shock outside of the language barrier. You will still have a taco and a decent mall. If your down to make your own fun and live a quite life then St. Thomas. There’s a decent night life on St Thomas,. Pro tip hull bay is vibe!
Craving, desiring, wanting more, is the root cause of suffering, generally speaking for us as humanity. To live on island we need to adapt to simplicity, ingenuity and requires a certain skill set. It’s not for all. So, would recommend an informative video, like this for anyone contemplating life on paradise.
Thanks. One thing I've realized in life that is a very important lesson to learn... Where ever you go... there you are. You can't change your life without changing yourself.
I lived in Asia for ten years and got by very well on a low budget. I love third world countries and think I could find a grass hut to live in for next to nothing.
🙏
Get to love your own company@
To bad you didn’t find something you liked. We just bought an estate on Water island…we do have a large deck area and incredible view…so we are lucky. The insurance is crazy…25k a year but it is 6000sq ft. We definitely love Water Island but island life can be complicated. We don’t need to work while we are there…so that makes things easier. We have definitely enjoyed your videos…you taught us a few things.
That's great. Thanks for watching. I hope you love it out there. My wife was teacher and she had a student that lived on WI and it sounded like such a pain to get that poor kid to school everyday. It's a great spot though.
Love Water Island. Been going there for 10 years now a month at a time, so I would probably recognize you. It’s our home away from home. Started when it was just Joes beach bar in a trailer on the beach. I will admit it has changed over the years since travel magazines started pointing it out as a quick stop for tourists on cruise ships.
@@sraj9420 we are here now. Our place is on the Sprat Bay end of the island.
@@BlackSkyentertainment yep I know sprat bay. We always stay with Ray and Cherrie (don’t want to give their last name for obvious reasons) but I’m pretty sure you know who I’m talking about. We just left there. We just make the annual st Patrick’s day fest every year. Look forward to maybe seeing you next year for our annual month stay
$25k insurance a year??? Whoa,
I lived on St Thomas as well, my brothers and I left StThomas years ago but my older brother returned from Miami, I returned for a few months. for relief visit from NY and your correct, it gets old very quickly….
Too hot, too small.. food was too expensive. The only thing I liked about it was living on a private property filled with loads of flowers and a beach/ open sea as my backyard and when it rains or small hurricane season, I slept like a baby and got up to fresh air and organic produce in his garden, but that too soon became boring.
Yea, I think you summed it up very well.
You are from NY and say the VI is too expensive.? I currently live in NY and the food prices match the VI.
I lived in Puerto Rico for 2 years. Given the lackadaisical attitude of all government services for which (very high) taxes are paid it’s completely understandable why more Puerto Ricans choose to live in the mainland US. Think about how bad the service is at DMV or county clerks office in any US city and then multiply that by 10. I actually knew dozens of people that had New York or Florida drivers licenses and would actually fly back to the states to renew as opposed to dealing with the PR bureaucracy.
I have a house in Puerto Rico, it isn't even as bad as St. Thomas. But, PR is frustrating too.
Hahaha good. Don't come back. They moved here right after a major hurricane and during covid...and asking where the concerts and nice homes are. I'm also going to say…these issues raised are underpinned by not developing true local relationships. Many Americans move down and their "village" consists of other Americans that moved down a few months earlier.
Island time IS a thing! “Fun” as an adventure when you’re on vacation but frustrating as hell when you’re dealing with it daily.
Especially if you are trying work. I settled in pretty well, but it just kinds of grinds on you after time.
I was in Bahamas for a week last summer and the Island time was not fun.
@@bishalbk4664 Ha! you may not be cut out for full time island living.
India calls it "rubber time." It took me a while, but I got used to it.
Would you mind sharing which resort building you rented from? I would like to see if it's a good fit to find a rental at, because I'm currently looking on Zillow and not seeing a lot. Thank you so much!
We lived in Crystal Cove. They have a pretty limited supply of long term rental on the island because everyone wants to do vacation rentals. We paid $2500 for a 2 bedroom unit with views of the parking lot. And after we moved out they raised the price to $3000 a month, and that was two years ago.
Very informative. Thank you for your insight. A lot of things to consider before living on an island.
Yea, you need to try it out before you commit. I'm glad I didn't sell my house when we left.
Please don't go
What an INCREDIBLE video. Thank you so so much. Sharing the reasons like when your house was flooded, the kmart underwear, the happiness chart, also LOVE hearing about the rental income strategy, I have just subscribed to your Retirementality channel also. LOVE that you said 99 times out of 100 its go do the crazy thing so you dont regret not doing it. I appreciate hearing the pointer of keeping ur house in USA to have somewhere to go back to. AWESOME VIDEO TY
Thank you very much. I tried to put all of the info in the video that I wished I had before I went. I've been on a bit of break from YT but am going to get back in it soon.
No one watching this is crying for them.
Ha, I hope not.
Not at all lol. Go back to Florida.. no comparison to here
I dont think there goal was to make anyone cry…they were giving their perspective and experience of life on the island for people considering moving there. Dont be so miserable talleman..appreciate you guys sharing your experience on the island
St. Croix is better. I lived there for many years. I was never a big fan of STT. I left STX a few years ago only because of my work situation. But me and my wife still miss it terribly.
People move to the Caribbean with pie-in-the-sky thinking and soon realize that the reality of living there is not the same as the states. Things we take for granted in the states are luxuries in the islands. It is not for everyone. Many of the new arrivals I met while living there lasted from 6 months to 2 years. Not many stayed long term.
On that note, I think I need to plan a trip down there for me and my wife. It has been a while.......
It's a beautiful place and when you visit you surely want to live there. I hear the people are so sweet and amazing and truly that was my experience but there are a lot of things you have to think about.
Those are all true, but living there full time is definitely a different experience.
I lived in St. Thomas for 14 years. I loved it and I still do. Always lived on a boat. WAPA is less of an issue when you have battery power and your engine to keep your power going. We even had a small solar panel. A stay at a dock or out on the hook, I loved it. I would be there now if I could! Jokingly we used to call it St. Trauma. Stuff happened. We used to also joke about what is blue and yellow and sleeps 6 ... a WAPA truck. But if you are more loving than hating the place and the people, you still love it, because EVERYWHERE has flaws and quirks. You are meant to be there or not. IT is not for everyone, but Florida makes me squirm at the thought of living there! Different strokes for different folks and it is true. Truthfully, I got 5 minutes into this video and quit. IT is not my experience and even if something was my experience, it just didn't matter. The only way to know if St. T is for you is by experiencing it. I have one child that was bahn' there. I think because we belonged to the boating community if feels different. You belong. But this is my experience, and my opinions. And we all know what they say about opinions ... Cheers!
I actually lied. We did live on a deserted island ... Inner Brass for about 4 or 5 months and it was pretty awesome! We did not just decide to live there, we were working for the owners, so we were not trespassing or squatting! lol. IT was amazing, and now I love to watch the show about a group of people that are left to survive on islands and cope!
@@belltoll1918 That would be cool to live on inner brass. Cool experience. Being able to live for free on a boat or a deserted island would give you a different experience living there.
St. Trauma indeed
Caribbean islands are best for just visiting or if you're wealthy then 2nd homes rather than living.
That's why we bought a house in Puerto Rico. It's a lot more affordable.
Exactly..!
Ofcourse all Carribean island are the same right? Certain types of people should just stay away from certain countries.
@@fletcher373 No one said they are the same. Don't try to put words into other peoples mouths.
I lived there between 1974 &2007. I called it sacrifice for paradise. Good and bad times. Very expensive. But left a lot of special friends. Finally left when I was a victim of a home invasion. A horrible nightmare. Just couldn't stay any longer. Oh yes housing is outrageous and difficult to find. Health care is terrible. Pretty much agree with everything you experienced. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for commenting. I like hearing other people experiences too. You got to spend a lot of time on the island and make a lot of good memories.
first of all, that was before Covid. I find cheaper ways to live and get by but I also have the VA behind me and their benefits. Home invasions happen everywhere vastly, and much moreso in the United States mainland. You should have learned from your experience and how to prevent it and moved on. I am finding reasonable housing. Health care? Stay away from doctors and hospitals if you want to live a long, healthy life. Try qigong and tai chi and meditation for healing and wellness as a foundation.
@@walterhartman3275 Home invasions are certainly not more common on the US mainland. USVI has one of the highest violent crime rates in the world.
You mentioned the difficulty of traveling between the Islands... I was looking at possibly purchasing a slip at a Marina there, but I would curious how easy it is to freely travel between the USVI and BVI via boat.
You can, but you have to pay a fee every time you enter the BVIs. And if you are looking at those slips in Sapphire be sure you understand the HOA fees and electric fees associated with a slip. But, I know someone that had one for sale. I'll have to check with him to see if he already sold it.
I get it. It can be frustrating living here. But for me finding my dream job and the beauty of these islands compared to Florida, outweighs everything you just said. 12 years here and going strong !
I will say, if I ever got really sick I would definitely head back to the states. Healthcare here is a challenge.
That's great. It is a fun place to be. I had a friend who was a travel nurse there for a while and he said, don't go to that hospital.
I think the island you are on helps….it doesn’t have the “beyond thunder dome” feel of the mainland. It’s got that perfect amount of visitors. Florida is definitely getting crazy.
Well said! I love the tropics and third world countries.
Yeah I’m a St. Thomian, born and raised. My aunt moved Florida because she has an auto immune disorder and couldn’t be treated at home
If you want to live a long, healthy life, stay far, far away from doctors and hospitals.
Just for perspective after 12 months of returning to Fl please note how many concerts and plays you went too during that year back
Sure, Since I've been back to Florida they have had about 3 concerts, an Iron Man, a Marathon, a Christmas concert, a car show, and bike week. I live in Panama City Beach. Those are all of the free events put on by the city, not to mention live music in many bars most nights of the week. I have a lot of problems with this city's leadership, but entertainment is one thing they do right.
@@How2Beach I'm sure that in PR they had a few as well just as in other locations.. Sounds awesome but we're talking about an end of yr wrap up of the ones You Visited.. You brought it up so I gave you the follow up. See I enjoy both as well and I do visit them but Its not something I question when moving as you did, now if I where to be a part of the cast on a once in a while basis then yes I would consider that factor when moving but not so much as a viewer on a 5 plays 2 or 3 concerts a yr basis (I know there are some that don't miss 1)
Oh please
why do you try to dictate what she says. every time she speaks you have to say how you feel and give her a nod head to what you feel. did anyone else see that.
Did notice how he talks over and interrupts her constantly.
Maybe she's not as easily offended as you are, Karen.
@@angusm9419 I don't think you know what a Karen actually is, pointing something out is not being a Karen, your comment seems politically motivated 😂 go outside and talk to people you goober.
In every couple...theres the talker ..and the more quiet one..if it works for them..leave it alone..
Nah he's rude lmao are people so sensitive these days that we're not allow to identify bad habits people have?
Wow Interesting! You left where I plan to relocate to from NYC. I 've visted St John & St Thimas TWICE ❤ both, prefer St Thomas. Hope I'm not making a mistake. I should be fine there bc I'm originally from Jamaica. I just have to GET OUT of NYC before I go mad. When I first moved here, I loved it, it was different. Now, I cant stand it, so I gotta go. FAST. My mind is made up.
You will have fun. Just be sure you have a good idea of what housing cost first. That is the most expensive thing. If you are good with the that, the rest will be fine.
I miss the "good morning" and "good night." I don't miss WAPA. I dont miss not being able to drive my car up my driveway when it rained lol. They told me 6 months and laughed at me, but i stayed 5 years and only left because i was on a work trip to the States when Irma amd Maria hit, and STT was wiped out and i couldnt come home. Ended up transferring my job stateside, but i regretted it. St. Thomas forced me to grow, and i am forever indebted to the Island and her ways for making me a better person.
Thanks so much for making this video. With all of the shows on HGTV like "Bargain Beach Hunters" - - it paints such a beautiful picture of just getting away from it all and moving to a tropical paradise. Loved hearing the OTHER side and reality of what it's actually like. So thanks again (because honestly, even though I've been looking, I can't afford - or even find - that perfect little one bedroom beach cottage anyway and it was frustrating me. lol)
Please don't get a house there
Wow thank you so much for talking about the logistics of island hopping not being that easy. Because I had in my mind that you could just hop, skip and jump to the rest of the Caribbean islands from USVI. Appreciate you speaking on that.
Yea, it turned out to be a big deal for us. We ended up just going to Puerto Rico when we left the island. And we ended up buying a house in PR.
Did you ever consider moving to St. Croix? It's bigger and less crowded.
I'm looking to buy a condo on St. Croix and live there during the winter months, then come back to my place in the States during the summer months. Does St. Croix have the same power outages as St. Thomas? Honestly, the power outages are my biggest concerns. I am an IT guy and work from home. So I would need consistent power and internet service.
Same power issues. You will need a generator and starlink
Yes power outages are an issue. Get solar or a generator. Starlink would be helpful. WAPA sucks.
Same.sh*t,.different island!
Curious … if you started a reliable Handyman/Small remodeling company on the island … what do you think that would look like? Enough business or does that work stay with the locals? I understand that you need to be pleasant but just trying to scout out what happens when your home has an issue.. like leaking plumbing. Is it still island time to get it repaired? Thansk in advance… Me & the wife want to give it a go the closer we get to retirement. Been to the island a fair amount so far.
I'd say it's 50/50 if you could do it. I had a guy come to replace my stove. He took the old stove out and then I didn't hear from him for 4 days. Best bet would be to reach out to property management companies. But, I wouldn't move there "needing the income".
I'm nearly 69 and back in the late 1970s I was on a work assignment from Florida to St. Thomas periodically. We were trying to install a phone system at the time and working a lot of overtime. About 5 weeks at a time is all I could stand because we never got a break working. I started making up reasons to return to Florida. 😁
If you are still responding, would seaplanes get you between the islands? We want to start a tourist seaplane trip but you make it sound like we might be busier with island hoppers.
Yea you could do that for sure. I took the seaplane to STX and it was pretty fun to fly on it. It would just depend on cost.
Sad to see you guys leave. We’ve had a slew of power outages this past week. It’s frustrating. We’re in 2023 and experience more power outages than some “3rd world countries”. 😢
We just spent a couple of weeks in Mexico and and the power went out twice but only lasted for 10 seconds each time. Where ever we go in the world now, we compare the power the grid to STT and we haven't found anywhere worse. You do have a pretty island though. We miss it.
You didn’t mentioned trying to come to St. Croix , totally different vibe. We have a great night life.
deh man don’t sef lie to these man b let them stay tourist dawg 😂
I’m a student in Canada trying to choose on if I should apply to the university of the Virgin Island I’m so sick of the weather I hate living in it but at the same time I don’t know if that is life is right for me And the school is not top-of-the-line but a huge part of me really wants to get out of the weather but I don’t know if the idle life is right for me
I would skip UVI. Yes, it’s warm/hot but ideally I wouldn’t recommend.
Just remember that THE SUN IS OUT AND HOT and the area is meant for melanin and island culture. Without, chances of cancer are high. And please give back and learn the culture
It shows you guys are just like all other Americans. Addicted to unlimited everything. Islands are limited. Makes sense you bailed out
That is interesting that this what you got from the video. Because I said one of the best parts of living on the island was not having access to unlimited everything and learning to live with less was refreshing. That is what we came to love about the island. The problem was that having less cost twice as much as having everything. We left because we could save money by living on the beach in Florida. That is why we left. We are trying hard to resist the capitalist temptations that come with living here. But we found that more of a minimalist lifestyle fits us. Where do you live?
Were headed to St Thoms for a second time then to Tampa to finish Vacation. moving to Tampa next year. Love Florida. Where are you guys at?
We're in Panama City Beach.
VI was probably a 3 yr journey but it was meant to be 2❤years. Go where you're treated best.
That's right. I'm not a big fan of that channel, but that is a great tag line.
12:55 as a Virgin Islands native, this is true. It makes us stronger! 💪🏼
Hi enjoyed my first of your videos! I love PCB, and see you have made videos there too. Is that where you live now? Thanks
PS. Tour of your home Ty
I wonder what is expensive to you? For example, how much did you pay for rent? $2K, $3K, $4k? You talk about expensive traveling I see flights to San Juan for $108 round trip. Is a salary range that will make this better? $100k or more?
Thank you for this video. As you pointed out, a lot of your points represent “first world problems” but when you’re trying to make a decision to move, these issues matter, if for no other reason than just accepting what is different before you get there - especially the PITA stuff…
For sure. And a lot of people make fun me in the comments section for not researching more, but the truth is Google doesn't tell you most of those little things.
Why not just move to St. Croix?
My wife had a job in STT and I didn't spend a lot of time in STX but I didn't get a good vibe when I was there.
Exactly lol
Are you serious! What was the issue with STX? I think ypu made a great choice by moving back.. clearly island life isn’t for ya.
Honestly I don’t understand why you moved to St. Thomas. It’s sounds like you have a real estate business in Florida (and I guess PR as well) but you chose to live somewhere else. Not a criticism just not surprising your business suffered. Also, having a lower standard of living while on St. Thomas should have been a huge red flag, lowering your standard of living is always difficult, particularly if it’s not required. Anyway, it sounds like you’re happy to be back in Florida and ultimately that’s what matters.
Yep, everything you said is correct. We left because sometimes when life is too easy you feel like your just standing still. We were doing great but we felt like our life was stuck. We needed to shake things up. I couldn't know that the biggest real estate boon was about to hit FL and I could have crushed it. And my wife was feeling a little burned out at her job. But, we had a great adventure and I'm glad we did it. We are going to head down to Mexico in a couple of weeks to check out things down there. So stay tuned for more adventures. I think that we forget that on our quest through life to make money and invest and save for a retirement that we are supposed to have fun along the way too. I have another RUclips channel where I talk about the money side of our lives if you're interested in that aspect.
Sounds like you're ready for some adventure. I've spent a lot of my life traveling with little money and it's the only way to live, as far as I am concerned. Drop the extra baggage.
good overview, glad to know about the prices and travel prob
Thanks for watching.
I absolutely hate living in St. Thomas. I'm gone as soon as I can be. People are rude, reckless, and apathetic. Food quality is garbage, service from companies sucks, roads are garbage, everything too expensive, everything rusts, and being at the mercy of the tourist economy isnt easy. I live here but locals who don't know me treat me like a tourist straight off the boat. Government is corrupt, many people have backwards and ignorant worldviews, and it seems like people always looking for a way to scam or play you. There's some good things going here, but the bad far outweighs the good for me. I don't regret living here, but I'm glad I did so I know exactly what I DONT want in the future.
Easy to see with every word just how unhappy you are. Time to go to where you are treated best and you are happier. Don't let anyone hold you back.
I felt the rudeness asap the one time I went 😂
St Thomas has an abundant number of unhappy and rude people, it just takes time to adjust and get used to it
I could completely understand what you're saying. That's why I will never go on a cruise again because I felt trapped.
Nice video, you are speaking a whole lot of facts. You are keeping it real.
Thanks. I don't have anything to gain by making stuff up. I'm one of the few not trying to sell courses or convince you of anything.
I liked it better when we was a little unknown Island in the Caribbean..hardly anyone knew about😢😢😢😢
I think it would take to joy out of going to a beautiful tropical island if you moved to one, because it becomes the new normal, I’m going for a week this late summer, I can’t wait to visit all the beaches in Saint John and saint Thomas! I don’t want to lose that feeling for those islands! Love that place, but I will just stick with ole East Texas, then when I’m able to go somewhere in the Caribbean it’s more like adventure!
There is some truth to that, but it is also fun thinking "this island is my home".
Excellent comments. COL 30% premium over FL. STT is grossly overcrowded especially during the winter. Cruise ships can increase daytime population by 20%. Traffic is horrendous. STX seems much more laid back and also cheaper. WAPA surges fried most of my appliances this summer. Plan on new appliances every 4-5 years. New washer and dishwasher ordered from FL has been enroute for 6 weeks. Local Home Depot is always short on appliances. Living here can exercise your patience for sure. Positives are lovely beaches and boating is great. Views are awesome if you leave at elevation and constant breeze makes the tropics quite pleasant.
Yep, all true. I bought appliance surge protectors for my appliances at my house in Puerto Rico. Also put them on the split ac units. That will help.
STX is the place to live. STT no so much.
I lived on St Thomas as well. Island life isn’t for everyone. It will spit you up and chew you out easily if you move with a self entitled attitude, expect stateside life and rules, or bad vices. It also lets you know when it’s time to leave and move on. And we leave with love in our hearts ❤
Yep. no regrets for my time spent there. It was a great adventure.
Great explanation of what it's like to move to the Caribbean. I am in Puerto Rico and it's weird how things don't get done at government agencies like in the US. Also, the cost of organic food is craaaaazy! Awesome video...thanks!
I was living in Puerto Rico for two years. I recently decided to come back to New York as of the 31st of March. Puerto Rico definitely has its downfalls. There’s so much that I can explain but it could take hours. Transportation sucks, services are slow, you go to starbucks and have to wait 15 minutes for a cup of coffee, people there do not like mainland Americans, and Puerto Ricans tend to be very racist.
I have a house in Puerto Rico too. I'm hear now. It's been 6 months since I've been here and things have gotten more expensive.
Organic food is a lie. Especially when it comes denatured as franken-foods and chemically-laden from factory farms with facticious labeling that require higher level organic farm certification. They have been changing the legal definition of the word organic for well over 20 years.
Sounds like you’d recommend living in Puerto Rico over St Thomas? Seems easier logistically at least and short flight if you wanted to go to at Thomas
I would rather live in Puerto Rico and go on vacation in STT for sure. STT is prettier, but less practical for living full time. I'm in Mexico right now and I'll have some Mexico content coming out soon.
@@How2Beach Don't insult the people of the Virgin Islands by saying that it's not practical for living full time because you could not do it yourself. You wanted stateside benefits while living on an island.
@@cruciancruzangirl05 I didn't expect stateside benefits... I just felt like I was paying too much to live there and I could get a better quality of life for cheaper. There are pros and cons to both choices. I don't get the STT vibe in FL but I get other things. It really just boils down to what is most important to each person.
There are also AMAZING European islands
St Thomas. Be with your ppls. Feels better
I lived and worked in Yacht Haven back when I was 1 of many chefs who opened it 2005.
Fun times but the Drugs and Violence was a bit too much so I left 2008. I still miss everyone and the beaches 🤙
If you’re on the diverse side, there’s alot to do….but healthcare & stores being open 24/7 (I’m from nyc) was an issue to me, expensive. But on what to do, there are many things to do
Yea, like I said, this is just our experience and we found the island felt smaller every year we were there. We found ourselves saying "what do you want to do today... go to the beach, or don't go to the beach?".
Not hating because I understand your reasoning cause it's true... It is more expensive to buy. but the houses in Florida can't stand up through a category 5 hurricane year after year. So it's cheaper to buy and or build or rebuild.🙏🏿
It's true. I don't understand why they still make stick built houses right on the beach. I watch them building them everyday and it seems crazy. I did buy a nice concrete house over in Puerto Rico.
Life on the edge of the Empire can be challenging. Not everyone is equipped to do it.
We adapted well. We just decided for how expensive it was, that we could get more for our money some place else.
An informative video! Definitely can see your points. I guess it just wasn’t practical to stay there given your business ties on the mainland and of course too little variation in things to do on the island. Have always felt like wherever I go because I take myself with me that I do the same four or five things over and over no matter where I go. I tend to get bored when I travel and generally don’t travel much anymore. Can save a lot of money that way. I’m a creature of habit looks like. Thanks for sharing your experiences. They relate well to how some of us feel about managing multiple properties from afar. Life is tough for people rich enough to own several investment properties😊
Managing real estate from a distant location is tough enough. When Ian hit SW Florida finding a repair person was almost impossible. Older lanais were partially or totally destroyed. Roofs on taller buildings that were exposed to the Northwest wind at 150 MPH were missing hip tiles when the storm was over.
You made the right decision.
Yea, we had hurricane Michael come through PCB right before we left. It took a lot of work to get things back to "normal" after it came through there.
Well since they moved back to the mainland things on the island have improved 100% in fact we are going to a farewell bon voyage party tonight 🎉🧨🎉🌮🎆🥘🥭🥰🌯🌮🎉🎉
Nice emoji work.
Great video. Island living is wonderful but not easy.
That is for sure. Thanks for watching.
That’s what my husband says. He’s from Jamaica. The only ones living well on the island are either expats who returned to the island to retire after living overseas or drug lords. 🤷♀️
@@fluffytail6355 lies
If you wanted to island hop why not get a boat? Is that like not an option?
In Miami people rent a trailer for 3K a month, in the keys any home is a million dollars; no way you can afford to live in a big house in Florida across the beach for 2500$
I live in Panama City Beach now. You should check it out. It's pretty affordable for FL.
lived there in 1990/91....things were great for a long time...until we got robbed in daytime hours...we had a good boat & went to Hans Lolick (spelled x). We lived on the cliff at cabrita point ...my spouse built phase 1 of the Pemberton resort near Red Hook. We found the residents rude ... crime was starting to become a worry. We did not miss it after coming we left for home...Canada
We almost bought a house in Cabrita Point. I love that spot. That's thing, I think STT is great until one day just realize it isn't great anymore. It's fun a while.
Curious.. did you not do any research before you moved? Let me guess you either went on vacation there once or moved sight unseen … island life is not for everyone.
We moved there sight unseen. We did some research but google can't tell you what your day to day life is going to be like.
How can the locals/vendors afford to live in places that costs 300k?
Prices weren't so bad 5, 10 years ago. So if they bought something a long time they would be better off.
They live within their means. They shop at Kmart for underwear. That comment should have been your first clue. The USVI is not for them.
Most locals own lands and homes outright ,having generational realestate inheritance. This is overwhelmingly the same in the neighboring British Virgin Islands. . Dual citizens as they are,in addition own and operate real estate in t he US Virgin Islands.Florida and the US. Local fruits ,vegetables are organically grown and also imported from neighboring Caribbean Islands and sold in the markets as well as dairy, eggs, chicken beef mutton Fresh daily sea foods from the oceans of the Caribbean available daily,. It should be noted that " locals" are not identifiable by race as the majority of Blacks are immigrants from the upper Caribbean Islands ,living and gainfully employed in the US and British Virgin Islands. " Locals are readily identified by surnames ,residential location and family connections.
What was your general, overall experience with healthcare on St Thomas and maybe even Puerto Rico?
No experience in PR. And none for me in STT but my wife had a small issue and several Drs and a Neurologist never did figure out what the problem was. We blew through her $5,000 deductible after and MRI and a CAT scans and they put her on some pills that took all the salt out of her system and put her in the ER. You don't want to be there for any serious health issues. The locals fly to the states if they have real health problems.
@@How2Beach I just had heart surgery this year (Canada) and was diagnosed with a weak heart. I’m 52. So much for my dream of ever living in the Caribbean now with my diagnosis, sure glad I did it when I was younger 😢
Bob, I can answer your question with one word. ATROCIOUS!
Great channel. Keep up the great work! Was Sapphire well managed? If you went back would you live their again?
Yes, I think it was well managed. I wasn't an owner there so I wasn't looking at it from the aspect. Would I live there again... well, I didn't enjoy being in a small condo, but I loved the beach there. So I'm not sure if would live there again, but only because I need more space. I found out I'm not a condo person.
@@How2Beach Lol. Thanks. I like your channel and subscribe. Keep up the good work
I'm from the USVI, and I lived there for most of my life. I see some of hate and rude comments you guys have received and continue to receive. The truth is that many native Virgin Islanders have left for some of the same reasons you left. I see some people have hinted also at the race card, but I can say that one of the main reasons I left was exactly how many locals do not act properly and try to make life much more difficult than it needs to be; add that to the lousy government, many people are going to leave. The best things you did were to leave, as well as purchase a home on Puerto Rico. I bought, too, a place on Puerto Rico, and it's been the best thing, along with moving there, I've done.
HELLO THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO INFORMATION I'M A YOUNG ACTIVITY SENIOR 😅 AND WAS THINKING ABOUT RETIRING IN ST THOMAS WOW I THANK YOU 🙏 YOU SAVE ME FROM A GREAT MONEY AND MISERABLE MISTAKE 👍🏽 WHAT CITY / TOWN IN FLORIDA WOULD BE CLOSE TO ISLAND LIKE WEATHER FOR ARTHRITIS / ASTHMATIC & THAT'S NEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DUE TO NO LONGER DRIVING ! ANY IDEAS WOULD HELP 🙏
I guess the farther south you go the closer you'll get to Caribbean weather. I'm in Panama City Beach. It is in the Panhandle so it does get cold here in the winter. We have about 2 months of winter here. Some people think it's nice to have a little change in the weather. So that is something for you to think about. But, this area is one of the most affordable beach towns in FL. And this area has the prettiest sand and water. If you go on the East coast of FL the sand is not as white and the water is not as clear. You can go to south FL but it is more expensive. You can check out my other RUclips channel called "Panama City Beach Real Estate Channel".
What was wrong with st croix? also do you know about zillow?
My wife had a job on STT. I have heard of zillow. Agents are just starting to use it there.
st croix has used it for many years
@@How2Beach
You went to an ISLAND expecting mainland entertainment. SMFH.
That's not what I said. But, thanks for watching.
@@How2Beach semantics
I was wondering the same thing… 🤔 Island VS Mainland (Also depends on where in mainland) is known to obviously be drastically different… I guess you have to live/experience somethings first hand to truly decide/ know 🤷🏾♀️
That’s exactly what you said lol. My suggestion is do your research before you move next time. You guys give advice to people? Yikes.
The life on the island have changed after Irma and Maria. Many issues with mismanagement of federal financing is now coming to the surface. Many good points about lack of better and easier ways to do things ( including interconnectivity with other Caribbean islands) should have been taken to the review by our tourist department and other agencies. However, we just went through another storm and each time it’s a kick back and a challenge to rebuild. Unfortunately, due to the climate change this will be happening more and more often and island infrastructure will continue suffering. Too many issues getting swapped under the rug 😢
Yea, we bought a house in Puerto Rico and it's the same thing there. We also have houses in Florida and we are planning to sell a couple of houses to buy ones that are not in hurricane zones. It is stressful.
Looks like we hit that point after 1 1/2 years :(. Family unhappy and wants to move. I love it here but wife and daughter going to drive me nuts to move.
awww bummer. My wife missed it more than I do.
Im in same position as you after 2 years wife and daughter want to move back, they are not water people. I like the water and enjoy scuba diving got friends with boats which makes it more fun but because of family will need to live soon.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for all the Info !!!
Im def not relocating !!!
Ie. Power outage ... WHAT !!!???
LOL, yea... a lot.
I've lived in the BVI & the USVI (St Thomas) for the last 13 years. I moved here from Hawai'i in 2010 and I can't wait to leave. Everything you said in this video is true.
Which island did you like better Hawaii or St. Thomas?
Hurry up and leave
".. where worked at.."
Where did you go to schoo?
We didn't go to school...
I feel you had way to much of your life still on the mainland. Not to mention the lack of research regarding your living expenses. I totally understand the need for space and a condo would surely turn me off. But if you had the choice to live pretty much where you wanted, I believe your story would be different. But thanks. But not much info on changing my mind about a possible move to st croix. But I'm taking it all in. Thanks for your insight
Sounds like your main issues were with your properties in the States. But it is just some people can, and some people can't.
What do u think about St.Croix via a visit
, real estate observation, or no interest at all?
I didn't spent much time on STX so I couldn't say what it's like to live there. But I think it would feel a little more remote.
Can you catch a boat to other islands?
Hi! Randomly came across this comment. Just moved back to the states from St. Thomas. There is a ferry to St. John (separate ferry for your car, if you want to take it there). There are also ferries to Lovango, Water Island, and the BVIs. Info is generally found online. Hope this helps!
@@cedricwilford thank you💝
I have no desire to move to Florida way too hot & muggy for me oh & alligators I hate those things thought about moving to the keys but they have Crocs there so maybe I'll just stay where I'm at. Also been to Puerto Rico before & it was nice but I don't think I'd want to move there.
Where is the link to your other channel about finance side please
Sorry for the slow reply. I've been busy with another project lately. ruclips.net/user/theretirementality
I lived in St. Thomas in the early 80s. Back then you could island hop, for cheap. The sea plane from St thomas to st croix was $20-$40. Nothing in the island is cheap anymore. Plus st thomas is a small island. And you will get island fever. And if your not born there. Living there can become boring. So i understand exactly why you got the hell out.
Maybe you should have picked a different island. On STX there is literally something going on EVERY week. I wouldn’t choose St Thomas either. Way too crowded and commercial.
I spent 7 years there all told - 1995 to 1999 and 2015 to 2018. St. Thomas is beautiful but it is not an easy place to live. The social life was very limited and there was not a lot to do.
You are old that’s why you don’t know how to socialize with island people
Shhhh. St. Croix is perfect as it is without more wealthy retirees filling up the east end.
Everything you guys are saying definitely shows me that's not a place for me