usvi-on-line
Would you really move?
Would you really move?
If given the opportunity would you "give it all up" and move to STJ (or the islands)? We all talk about it, but if you were really given the chance, do you think you could find the courage to leave your home, career, family, friends, etc.? Say you have the opportunity to purchase a business you have always wanted to own... Just curious. CHM 
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California Girl
I could definitely cut ties and give it all up and start over in STJ if I were younger. But even then, I probably wouldn't. I don't think the healthcare system there is sophisticated enough, and I don't much like the way the government/police thing works.
That being said, if I had the money, I could definitely see buying a retirement place there and spending 6 mo. on STJ and 6 mo. in California. I really doubt you could do better than that!
That being said, if I had the money, I could definitely see buying a retirement place there and spending 6 mo. on STJ and 6 mo. in California. I really doubt you could do better than that!
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msgcolleen
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am
- Location: Allen, Texas
We would do it if we didn't have kids or aging family close by! I guess one week in paradise a year is better than none.
I have often wondered if I did move there, would it lose it's magical beauty if I lived it everyday?
Ruth, Pia, what are your thoughts of daily life on STJ?
I have often wondered if I did move there, would it lose it's magical beauty if I lived it everyday?
Ruth, Pia, what are your thoughts of daily life on STJ?
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
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stampede chuck
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:44 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
I have had several people that lived in the islands tell me that paradise is nice to visit but living in paradise is a whole different story.
I think I would prefer to visit so it remains special.
I used to always say, that one day I would be outta here and was going to move to either STJ or the mountains of North Carolina, then I was forced (by Katrina) to not live in New Orleans, and I realized that New Orleans IS my home and other places are nice to visit, but this is where I will always want to live.
It might be nice to do like CaliforniaGirl suggested. I could see going down for a few weeks at a time a few times a year.
I think I would prefer to visit so it remains special.
I used to always say, that one day I would be outta here and was going to move to either STJ or the mountains of North Carolina, then I was forced (by Katrina) to not live in New Orleans, and I realized that New Orleans IS my home and other places are nice to visit, but this is where I will always want to live.
It might be nice to do like CaliforniaGirl suggested. I could see going down for a few weeks at a time a few times a year.
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cypressgirl
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
- Location: houston
It might be nice to do like CaliforniaGirl suggested. I could see going down for a few weeks at a time a few times a year.[/quote]
That's my goal........a few weeks at a time, a few times a year or whenever I feel like it. Then it stays special. But I love Texas. My goal is to move from Houston to Lake Travis, in Austin.
That's my goal........a few weeks at a time, a few times a year or whenever I feel like it. Then it stays special. But I love Texas. My goal is to move from Houston to Lake Travis, in Austin.
I know that you asked about STJ, and my reply is about another place, but basically the
considerations are the same.
We have two small cottages, one in a little fishing village here in DK and one in Spain. We love both places, and when we were younger our plan were that when we stopped working, we would sell our house here, renovate the cottages and live in Spain in the wintertime and DK in the summertime. But now when we are older, I know that I will not leave the place here, where we have most of our friends nearby. And our grandchildren not to forget! It will not prevent us in travelling or staying for a longer period in one of our cottages, I just need a secure base (which could be in an apartment). One day you perhaps are alone or not able to travel!
Linne
considerations are the same.
We have two small cottages, one in a little fishing village here in DK and one in Spain. We love both places, and when we were younger our plan were that when we stopped working, we would sell our house here, renovate the cottages and live in Spain in the wintertime and DK in the summertime. But now when we are older, I know that I will not leave the place here, where we have most of our friends nearby. And our grandchildren not to forget! It will not prevent us in travelling or staying for a longer period in one of our cottages, I just need a secure base (which could be in an apartment). One day you perhaps are alone or not able to travel!
Linne
Yea I think we would when the kids are grown.Are plan is to be at least semi retired by 55ish. Plan to be on a beach somewere for at least four or five months a year. Then come back to Ohio. Our latest hairbrain idea is communal living with our best friends. We have vacationed for 15 years together and get together almost everyweekend and never had a fight. We probably could make a go of St John or at least St Thomas with the combined resources. We'll see
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Berlingirl
- Posts: 499
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:09 pm
- Location: New England
First off, agree with Waterguy. Won't ever be able to afford it.
Secondly, our family has children from elementary school age to adult. The children wouldn't be getting the same level of education. Private school in the USVI is almost the price of an ivy league college education per year!
Third...DH keeps 20 people a week in paychecks...including himself in a backbreaking business that he works 7 days a week to make a living. He won't let them down. This area has no other jobs to offer them.
We have friends that moved down a few years ago, he is an attorney and she got on with a local RE company and that pays well. You need to have a fairly high income to make a go of it. They have adapted well as he sails in the regattas, fishes, etc. I think she misses her family...
So like msgcollen, it's a week a year we can make it happen as vaca and it's very special to us. Some years it's STT only and others STJ only, others it's a combo of the two.
All that said... if the business you've always wanted is something you can swing and you'd be leaving nobody in the dust, then go for it.
Secondly, our family has children from elementary school age to adult. The children wouldn't be getting the same level of education. Private school in the USVI is almost the price of an ivy league college education per year!
Third...DH keeps 20 people a week in paychecks...including himself in a backbreaking business that he works 7 days a week to make a living. He won't let them down. This area has no other jobs to offer them.
We have friends that moved down a few years ago, he is an attorney and she got on with a local RE company and that pays well. You need to have a fairly high income to make a go of it. They have adapted well as he sails in the regattas, fishes, etc. I think she misses her family...
So like msgcollen, it's a week a year we can make it happen as vaca and it's very special to us. Some years it's STT only and others STJ only, others it's a combo of the two.
All that said... if the business you've always wanted is something you can swing and you'd be leaving nobody in the dust, then go for it.
I am typically extremely cautious and averse to change. Still, I find myself contemplating how to make the change. If I could somehow do what I do now and keep the benefits I have now and live there - essentially full-time telecommuting - I would be willing to take the plunge.
The commute/lifestyle in DC has worn my husband down to the point where in a weak moment I think I could get him to sign on. Leaving friends would be hard but I am pretty sure they'd visit often
For me its not so much survival once we get there, we are both very hard workers and have always made it work wherever and whatever we're doing. His hobbies could turn into dollars and if all else failed I could go back to my table waiting roots
Two things stop me: 1) Health insurance for my kids because they are quirky and EXPENSIVE when it comes to health issues and 2) Education for them. STJ School seems like a great option but like someone meantioned its not cheap. However, its no more expensive than what I pay for daycare for my littlest in this area.
I used to think the magic wouldn't be as strong if I were there full-time but something in me has sort of shifted over my many trips. I don't need/want the same experiences anymore. It is more a state of mind I seek that I simply can't achieve and maintain in "real" life.
As it is now, our retirement plan involves a HUGE catamaran. I could see us offering day sails to the masses. LOL.
The commute/lifestyle in DC has worn my husband down to the point where in a weak moment I think I could get him to sign on. Leaving friends would be hard but I am pretty sure they'd visit often
For me its not so much survival once we get there, we are both very hard workers and have always made it work wherever and whatever we're doing. His hobbies could turn into dollars and if all else failed I could go back to my table waiting roots
Two things stop me: 1) Health insurance for my kids because they are quirky and EXPENSIVE when it comes to health issues and 2) Education for them. STJ School seems like a great option but like someone meantioned its not cheap. However, its no more expensive than what I pay for daycare for my littlest in this area.
I used to think the magic wouldn't be as strong if I were there full-time but something in me has sort of shifted over my many trips. I don't need/want the same experiences anymore. It is more a state of mind I seek that I simply can't achieve and maintain in "real" life.
As it is now, our retirement plan involves a HUGE catamaran. I could see us offering day sails to the masses. LOL.
We talked about this yesterday. If we won the lottery and had resources, we would go next week.
We would want to be able to either go back and forth or bring friends and family down there at will. Our children are grown, so education is not a problem. Since we would have the resources the low salaries and high cost of living would not be a factor. Healthcare is an issue. Other than the occational sea urchin, we don't need much today, but we shouldn't expect that to stay that way. We would want to be able to have access to the US healthcare system. Since we "just won the lottery" we should have the resources for that too.
It is fun to plan.
JIM
We would want to be able to either go back and forth or bring friends and family down there at will. Our children are grown, so education is not a problem. Since we would have the resources the low salaries and high cost of living would not be a factor. Healthcare is an issue. Other than the occational sea urchin, we don't need much today, but we shouldn't expect that to stay that way. We would want to be able to have access to the US healthcare system. Since we "just won the lottery" we should have the resources for that too.
It is fun to plan.
JIM
Man it's like some dream we live down here....
