USVI-On-Line

Hey Matt,

Thanks so much for sharing - what a great adventure - you sure are brave!

As for us, we dream and talk about shucking it all and moving to da ilon. I guess it's fear that keeps us from doing it. You know fear of the unknown - fear of hurricances, fear of unemployment, fear of the high cost of living, fear of a different lifestyle, etc., etc., We're not that far from retirement and will probably consider it a little more seriously once that time comes.

We once spent some time with a STJ couple and the she part of the couple was adamant - "living here is NOTHING like vacationing here" The he side however, was more laid back and kept murmuring - "every day is paradise - what more could one need?" So I suppose it's all a matter of perspective. I wish I were more adventuresome!

Thanks for your kind words....

Lisa: I guess I had better watch my words, lest I get some more competition down here!

Pat: All your fears are valid, but hurricanes can be prepared for, only those who wish to be are unemployed here, costs are going up for EVERYONE, and you can test out your lifestyle for a year like we did (just don't move down in September if you want an easy transition). Maybe in a few years when you tie up your employment obligations.

The couple is right. Living here requires patience unknown to most. Dealing with any type of bureaucracy is always frustrating, but here it seems like with many aspects, you have to find the right way to do things on your own. The island has a way of putting you through tests and if you don't know already, you find out who you are pretty quickly. Some don't last very long, some last years, and some raise their families here (me).

I guess it was easy for me to make the move since I didn't have any deep roots at the time.