USVI-On-Line

Hi! We are a couple from New England pushing 50 with a mature and well-behaved cat and dog. We have made the decision to move down to St. Croix and have our plane tickets leaving Boston on November 10th. What we don't have is a place to stay with the animals initially. We are thinking that once we are down in St. Croix we will be able to get jobs and a long-term rental while we wait for our New England home to sell. It is quite an adventure we are about to embark on and any advice and help anyone can give us would be greatly appreicated! We are somewhat confident as we are "friends of Bill W's" and this fellowship tends to open doors which might not, otherwise, be opened or at least expedite the process.

I do not have any advice for except good luck in your new adventures and live the dream you want to live.

Best of luck. I wish you lots of happiness and success!

Wow, living my dream! Since I haven't done it, I don't know if I have anything useful to add, but if it were me, I'd either go down by myself, or send my husband, first. Then, after securing a place to stay, the other one of us would fly down with the animals. I think it would be really hard to just "show up" with animals and hope to find a place to stay that will accept them too.

But regardless, I'm extremely jealous and I wish you all the luck in the world!

I do not know STX really well, but on St. John it i really hard to get landlords to let you have animals. I had to leave my doggie stateside with my mom.
I did adopt a dog on island but that was after a yr and also knowing the lay of the land and who would let me have a dog.
If you know someone on island, that will help.
I agree with CAgirl and I would say have one of you go down first to secure housing, UNless you have someone who can take your pets in NH til you find housing....

Best of luck......enjoy

I have a friend that owns a condo on the golf course in St. Croix. I'll email her to see if she has any suggestions. I have another friend who lived there for 12 years and returned just 2 years ago, so I'll check with her too. Good luck. Ali~

Wishing you the best!

Do you not have arrangements at least the first few nights?

Are you willing to sleep in your (rental?) car? The animals could be a real issue.

Unless your flight gets in really early, you may only have a hour or so before dark.

If you showed up in your own city, would you be able to secure a place to stay for the first night with animals with no prior arrangements? I don't think you would be assured of finding a place here....where I live...and there is a lot more housing here.

Bindy and Kevin,
First I applaud your courage to start a whole new life, and especially for the loyalty to your dogs! I'm from NH too and can tell you you won't miss the snow or cold one bit! STX is a great place. If you plan on staying a day or so on STT, call the Galleon House in Charlotte Amalie. They will sometimes take dogs. This will give you a place to catch your breath. Also, call Miles and Emily at Caribben Sea Adventures in Christiansted. Miles grew up on STX and may have some advice for you regarding jobs and/or a place to live. Best of luck!

A dream of mine as well... but being a Virgo my first order of business would be a list. First and paramount on the list would be employment. If i didn't have at least $100,000 in cash to float me for deposits, expenses and rent for a year I would not do it, especially bringing kids or pets. It would be well worth the couple of recon visits to establish ties and secure an income and scout rentals.

Not meaning to rain on any parade but plan, plan, plan.