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re: Any OTr's Living in the US Virgin Islands?
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:30 pm to Aubie Spr96
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:30 pm to Aubie Spr96
quote:
I'd be interested in the cost of living. I assume you'd be working remote?
Wife has a good military retirement so that's guaranteed almost $5,000 income each month.
We'd just pick up some easy jobs for additional income.
quote:
Groceries come once a week and you have to beat the crowds there or you’re shite out of luck.
Sounds like a possible business opportunity with high demand.
2
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:31 pm to Shexter
Pro: It’s not BR or NOLA
Con: It’s not Switzerland
There’s a bunch more cons but if I’m spending island money I’d rather move to Switzerland
Con: It’s not Switzerland
There’s a bunch more cons but if I’m spending island money I’d rather move to Switzerland
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:34 pm to Shexter
St John is the only one I’d consider. It has little poverty and next to no crime. You could ferry to St Thomas over a couple times a month for cheaper groceries. There used to be a Walmart, but I think it closed but there is either a target or Costco I think.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:35 pm to BK Lounge
quote:
Aruba
Natalie Holloway wouldn't agree with this being a prime destination.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:37 pm to USMCguy121
quote:
crime and homicide rate are too high for a retirement area IMO. you should look into expat communities, there's a lot to choose from. My godfather lives on a huge villa in lake chapala mexico, his property taxes and bills are nonexistent, the house is absolutely huge and gorgeous, and a shitload of other expats resulting in practically everyone speaking english. tons of white people walking around with impunity. for bonus points, local police and businesses cater to them as well because they have the $$$. after having visited him recently i'm wondering how many people will be doing the same thing. certainly my generation of millennials will probably have to since most have absolutely no concept of how much money it actually takes to retire in the USA unless you want to dodge bullets in section 8 housing.
Quoting this post because there are a lot of truths in here…. And it’s not just millennials, most of the people in my generation (Gen X) wont have nearly enough to ever retire in the US… Mexico will become far more popular, but even in places like Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Panama et al ur money only goes about twice as far as in the US.. i think many (including myself) will look to places like SE Asia, where your money can go 5-10 times further than in the US, even factoring for air travel to get there .
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:42 pm to Shexter
I know a guy that lives on St Thomas. The pros are obvious, so i'll go over the cons:
-Everything moves slower and is more expensive (groceries, construction, materials, vehicles, etc.)
-The crime rate is high, and they have strict gun laws. Concealed carry law is similar to NYC, so basically impossible. His strategy is owning several large dogs at home.
-Utilities are pricey and they cut out fairly often, seemingly at random. Most properties have many windows and doors to open and let the breeze flow through.
-The government corruption is on par with NOLA.
-and (obviously) hurricanes.
Despite all this, he said he's never leaving!
-Everything moves slower and is more expensive (groceries, construction, materials, vehicles, etc.)
-The crime rate is high, and they have strict gun laws. Concealed carry law is similar to NYC, so basically impossible. His strategy is owning several large dogs at home.
-Utilities are pricey and they cut out fairly often, seemingly at random. Most properties have many windows and doors to open and let the breeze flow through.
-The government corruption is on par with NOLA.
-and (obviously) hurricanes.
Despite all this, he said he's never leaving!
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:42 pm to Shexter
quote:
Sounds like a possible business opportunity with high demand.
Not sure how other islands and the business operations go, but on Nevis you couldn’t operate a business unless you staffed it with locals.
That’s why all the restaurants not staffed by locals failed. Refer back to the island time comment.
My professors were all Indians and were considered locals based on how long they had all lived there and they were able to open a very successful Indian restaurant. It was the hands down some of the best food on the island.
In my last semester there, one family from the states moved there and had opened a burrito place. Didn’t take them long to close down because they had to employ the locals and then it failed. Not sure how the grocery industry works though.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 12:59 pm to Shexter
had a friend who lived there for 2 years with his wife (mid 30s for his job)…he wouldn’t recommend it or at least know what you’re getting in to.
houses/building are built poorly. water/plumbing issues always (if it’s brown flush it down if it’s yellow let it mellow is a thing there).
the people who live on the island are poor, petty crime non stop
you have limited options for everything, all of their clothes and goods come from the one K-Mart on the island, etc.
there are “tree rats” which are apparently everywhere and huge, live in the trees and get in your house
just some of the cons he’s told me about “island life”…but obviously a lot of great things too, drinking all the time and fishing and the water etc.
his wife got a job bartending on the island just to keep from being bored because they got tired of “island all the time” vibe after a few months
houses/building are built poorly. water/plumbing issues always (if it’s brown flush it down if it’s yellow let it mellow is a thing there).
the people who live on the island are poor, petty crime non stop
you have limited options for everything, all of their clothes and goods come from the one K-Mart on the island, etc.
there are “tree rats” which are apparently everywhere and huge, live in the trees and get in your house
just some of the cons he’s told me about “island life”…but obviously a lot of great things too, drinking all the time and fishing and the water etc.
his wife got a job bartending on the island just to keep from being bored because they got tired of “island all the time” vibe after a few months
This post was edited on 5/6/22 at 1:21 pm
Posted on 5/6/22 at 1:10 pm to Shexter
The official language is English but a lot of people speak French Creole. A few years ago I actually met a guy from there and he spoke English with such an accent that I could swear he was from right out of Acadiana. I was shocked when he told me he was from the Virgin Islands.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 1:14 pm to Shexter
quote:No thanks, I like having 4 seasons even though July-Aug-Sep are a bitch.
With daily temperatures between 77 and 83 degrees
Posted on 5/6/22 at 1:27 pm to Shexter
quote:
Wife has a good military retirement so that's guaranteed almost $5,000 income each month.
We'd just pick up some easy jobs for additional income.
So $60k plus some odds and ends jobs? Most of the people work several jobs in the service industry. Not sure if there are many "easy" jobs on a Caribbean island (waiter, deck hand, hotel staff, etc..). All the power to you if you do it but I think you would have to commit yourself to some bare bones living. Not easy for an American of retirement age.
This post was edited on 5/6/22 at 1:28 pm
Posted on 5/6/22 at 1:31 pm to Shexter
My BIL's father owns a charter fleet in the virgin islands and is a captain as well and he and my SIL went to live their so he could captain boats.
They both loved it and hated it. There is an isolation that happens and also called Island Fever, but not to everyone of course. They eventually moved back to the mainland and will still visit the island, but couldn't live there. Now, they were young with children so could have played a big role in that too.
It obviously could be very different for a retired couple. They loved the surroundings for sure and the ocean.
They both loved it and hated it. There is an isolation that happens and also called Island Fever, but not to everyone of course. They eventually moved back to the mainland and will still visit the island, but couldn't live there. Now, they were young with children so could have played a big role in that too.
It obviously could be very different for a retired couple. They loved the surroundings for sure and the ocean.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 1:42 pm to Shexter
Have two friends who lived there. they loved it but it got tiresome waiting on services to be delivered. "Island Time" is a real and frustrating thing some times.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 1:53 pm to Shexter
Have you considered Costa Rica? Better healthcare, better markets, lots of english speaking natives and just as beautiful
Also Belize which has English as its official language
Also Belize which has English as its official language
This post was edited on 5/6/22 at 1:54 pm
Posted on 5/6/22 at 1:57 pm to Shexter
It’s a beautiful place to live. I’ve lived there for a couple years and plan on moving back again next month. Like some have said, it’s slow placed small island . I’ve never had issues finding food but it’s a bit more expensive. Electricity goes out a good bit but lots of places have generators. I’ve never had anyone bother me while I was there . There’s poor areas like all places. I know there is crime but I’ve never experienced it. You can leave you stuff on most beaches and no one will bother it . I never had a bad interaction with a local. St John is beautiful also but electricity seems to go out a lot more. It’s a trek to go back and forth to get groceries. I love to visit St John but for me, it’s doesn’t have all the conveniences of St Thomas. My home is in Sapphire Beach
area. You can flush the toilet all went in the condo I live at. Other places collect rain water and have to pay for more if they run out
area. You can flush the toilet all went in the condo I live at. Other places collect rain water and have to pay for more if they run out
This post was edited on 5/6/22 at 1:59 pm
Posted on 5/6/22 at 2:38 pm to Saskwatch
quote:
So $60k plus some odds and ends jobs?
$60K plus my retirement, but that's not kicking in for another few years.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 2:55 pm to Shexter
Not St. Thomas. St. John. Still I’ve spent a ton of time there and know a lot of people that live there. If you don’t keep yourself busy your hobby will become drinking. Island fever is real.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 3:23 pm to Shexter
I understand there are deals to be had in Hati
Posted on 5/6/22 at 3:32 pm to Tigeralum2008
quote:
Have you considered Costa Rica? Better healthcare, better markets, lots of english speaking natives and just as beautiful
It's expensive if you want to live anywhere near the coasts. Like as much as here in the US expensive.
Belize is much cheaper....but much poorer as well.
Posted on 5/6/22 at 4:09 pm to Shexter
Are there some non-U.S. Virgin Islands? I would assume the exchange rate would be better and your money would go farther.
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