Moving to St. Croix

There are a variety of questions many people have about moving from the mainland to the islands. This page will cover the “how to make it happen” questions as well as some of the “what is life there like” queries you may have. Many of these questions and others are covered in more detail at The USVI Moving Center website

What paperwork do I need to live and work in the Virgin Islands?

If you are an American citizen, you need NO EXTRA paperwork to visit, live in or work in the US Virgin Islands!

Are there many families with kids living there?

Yes, there are many families with children! There is a fair size group of young families with children from the US mainland living in the islands. To view population statistics by age visit USVI Statistics

Is St. Croix suitable for retirement? Is it suitable for seasonal or permanent living? 

YES! St. Croix is a popular place to retire and many people of all ages seasonally visit the island. Permanently moving to or retiring on the island is an option as well, however, we recommend you fully research the island lifestyle and weather patterns to confirm they match your year-round desires.

What about my pets? Can I bring them too?! 

Of course! There is no quarantine for animals coming from the mainland to the US Virgin Islands. Your pet will need to go through a vet exam and get a health certificate before coming over and if you have “exotic” pets like birds or reptiles, you may need to get an import permit. You’ll also want to check with airline service providers to confirm transportation for your pet. We recommend doing thorough research on this top. Here’s a good place to start. 

Are there high racial tensions on the islands? 

No there is not a high level of racial tension. The Virgin Islands have a wide variety of persons living here. People generally live and work peacefully together. Inter-racial and intercultural couples and families are somewhat common. Although racial issues are not common, nationalistic issues are visible. Virgin Islanders stick together. Caribbean people in general do the same. The greater majority of the Virgin Islands population is made up of Virgin Islanders and people from other Caribbean islands, consequently, new residents might feel like outsiders or like the locals are standoffish. Not all people relay feeling or witnessing this but some do. Once a non-islander has lived on an island for some time their status changes from “new” to “they live here”. (Taken directly from http://www.vimovingcenter.com/faq/)

Will my cell phone work on St. Croix? How much does it cost to call the mainland from a landline? 

Some cell phone providers have coverage on the island and calls between the island and the mainland may be covered in your national coverage plan. It’s best to call your provider and check. Landline calls between the island and the mainland tend to be between 10 and 25 cents a minute.

How do I get my “stuff” to St. Croix when I move? 

The most popular way to get your household “stuff,” vehicle, etc to the island is via moving company on a cargo ship. Many large companies have offices in the US Virgin Islands, so you may want to call and find out if your preferred company is one of them. We recommend you talk to multiple vendors to get a feeling for cost and how shipping works with different companies. Here’s are a couple of links to companies that may be able to help you:

http://www.vimovingcenter.com/shipping/
http://www.gotostcroix.com/movers-and-shippers

Airfreight may also be an option for you depending on how quickly you need your items delivered, how much you have and what costs you’re willing to cover.

What other things should I know about life on the island? 

Benefits of island living; we enjoy a fairly constant climate and temperature in the high 70’s and mid 80 range. There are no severe rainstorms and no snow. The landscape in the islands is beautiful and can be enjoyed year-round. Water activities are world-renowned. There is no sales tax or state tax. It is the Caribbean but when in the U.S.V.I you are in a United States territory, so you enjoy all protective laws of the United States including the legal system. The island lifestyle is laid back.

Things just don’t happen as fast in the U.S.V.I as they do in the mainland. And that pretty much goes for all things; from being checked out at the grocery store, to post office lines, traffic, and registering your car. Traveling back home can be quite expensive from the U.S.V.I. Many people start to feel “Rock Fever” – an island term referring to feeling stuck on an island or a rock surrounded by water! Hurricanes are a big concern. And finally, some people miss the options, choices, and variety that life on the mainland offers them. (Taken directly from http://www.vimovingcenter.com/faq/)