Are You Ready to Live on a Caribbean Island?

When people think about living on a Caribbean island, they generally picture palm trees, clear blue water, pristine beaches and colorful local characters. Although the U.S Virgin Islands does offer all of that, there are many other things to consider when planning a move.

Life in the islands is extremely different from life on the mainland. Everything is slower here: deliveries, lines at stores and traffic. Islanders can not be rushed and it is considered rude to try to force them to do so. Every transaction must be approached with the utmost politeness. It is unseemly to walk into a store and say, "Where is the automotive section?" Instead, walk into a store and say "Good morning." Only after the greeting has been returned is it appropriate to move into your business.

Island drivers are a special breed. It is not uncommon to get stopped behind someone who has pulled over to talk to a friend standing on the side of a road. These interludes do not take very long. If you are on a curvy road, it is probably best to sit until the driver has finished his chat and moved on. If it seems safe, it is acceptable to go around the stopped driver, after making sure that there is not oncoming traffic.

Horses have the right away in all traffic situations. Therefore, if you are driving down the highway and a horse runs out in front of you, you must make every effort to avoid him, as your insurance will view the accident as your fault, whether you could have avoided the accident or not.

Mongooses are another potential road hazard. They dart out of bushes and cross the road at amazing speeds. Island drivers must learn not to swerve to avoid them, as the steep, curved roads here make it difficult to see oncoming drivers.
Goats and cows graze in herds and sometimes spill over onto the roads. Locals call them a "crucian traffic jam." They will move after a few minutes. It is best just to sit in your car and enjoy watching them until they move on.

Produce is hard to come by here. Learn to frequent the local farmer's markets and ask questions. The locals love to talk about their wares and will gladly take a few extra minutes to explain what an item is and how to eat it. Don't expect to go to the supermarket and find fresh tomatoes and brussel sprouts. Everything must be shipped to the islands, so even if we do have it in the store, there is no guarantee on freshness.

If you see a non-perishable in a store that you use regularly, but as many as you can afford. Something that is on the shelves today, may not be there tomorrow, and there is no telling when or if it will be back.

Rock fever is a very real afflication on an island. If you live in the states, you do have the option of jumping in your car and driving as far as you can. On an island, you are limited by the water surrounding you; it can become claustrophobic to always see the same things every day. It is smart to plan a trip off the island at least once a year to help combat this feeling.

It is possible to deal with all of the disadvantages of island life and still love the island. We have beautiful weather all year, with trade winds coming off the water that help ameliorate the heat. The water is clear and gorgeous. The waters around the U.S and British Virgin Islands offer some of the best SCUBA diving in the world. The locals are friendly and most people want to help you succeed in your dream to live in the Caribbean. It is easy to move to the U.S Virgin Islands. There are no quarantines for pets coming from the United States, and you do not need a Visa to work here. Flights are available from many major cities. Shipping companies can move your household items from anywhere in the United States.

After living here for a while, most residents tend to have a sense of humor about all of the things that can and do go wrong. It is simply a matter of learning to love life, no matter what it brings. If you can leave the high pressured, rat race of the mainland and ease into the comfort and peace of island time, than this move just may be for you.