PROS AND CONS OF LIVING IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS 

Awesome. Glad to hear that you got in before the price surge! I am about to do another video this week about the “trade-offs” of living on the mainland vs. the USVI.

Thanks for sharing

Dot dot dot …. So dramatic …. And mysterious …. You’re so cool …. Cause you put dots … after every ….. word ……

Tamika LeRay can u tell me how to find a place to live there i am trying to leave usa

@@reese1337 Same here...!!!

@tamika How did it go?

How is it??

@@reese1337 US Virgin Islands is the USA

Thanks for the sub!

@@mblydenvlogs bless

Thanks for the sub!

Why do you think that is? Just curious

It's sad to me to see us being pushed out.

That's happening everywhere, Californians come and buy up our homes in Montana, Alabama, Ohio, and Puerto Rico, wherever the land is cheap the californians push us out.

Yeah. That’s cool. I’ve never noticed that, but thanks for pointing it out.

Aloha. The cost of living is about 10- 15 percent less that of Hawaii.

Curious your from Hawaii but didn’t opt for Guam? Or you wanted something close to the mainland USA?

Thanks for watching. A lot has changed since those days. I miss Ashley’s restaurant pates and hearing Addie Ottleys voice in the morning. Hopefully the hurricanes do pass us by this year. It’s not even June and things have started heating up.

Could you connect me to any realtors and the best places to move in St. Thomas

Sure. Do you have Facebook and btw which island are you looking to move to?

mBlyden vLogs yes I’m on Facebook and Instagram @JeanitaBlue

I have a female friend on st Thomas who does real estate and a male cousin on st croix who works for remax over there.

mBlyden vLogs awesome. Yes please let’s connect on Facebook or Instagram. Looking forward to talk to you much! Thank you again for your help!!!

Thanks for watching. Glad you found it helpful.

Glad it was helpful!

St. Johns or St. John? HUGE difference.

@@Defender-Guy St. John

Hi Dan. Social life as can be expected is on the high end also. Living down here all comes down to properly budgeting your money and learning where you can shop to get the best “bang for your buck” depending on what you need. Thanks for your comment and watching the video!

Coming soon…stayed tuned!

Planning to move there soon

@@yaloucrypto9027 have you moved there yet? I'm planning to move there soon as well

Awesome. Thanks for the sub!

Really love the pros of “ Cruzan rum” lol

Whatshaname... What do you mean 'aggressively'? Doesn't sound good.

Haha!!! Only it would’ve been that if I was rappin! lol

🤣🤣🤣

What type of work do you do? VI people especially in government are very lax and not good about getting back to you (especially since COVID19)

@@mblydenvlogs nurse

@@Dexterosa Best to first go through a traveling nurse program.

@@urpreposterous682 yes, definitely. But wouldn't i have to still get the VI license?

@@Dexterosa Sorry, idk. The traveling nurse program will answer that question and take care of everything for you. Then if decide to stay you can extend your contract or decide to be a regular hospital nurse employee.

Hi thanks for the sub. I’m originally from st. Thomas and I moved back after the hurricanes in 2017. Right now the best place (not being biased) to visit would be the us Virgin island because due to COVID19 Puerto Rico has a 7 hour curfew in effect over there from 9pm to 5am. Over here you’re free to move around

@@mblydenvlogs thanks. It is a beautiful place and COVID has been very disruptive here too. We do favor St Thomas for sure.

I do not know Virgin Islands, but know fairly well PR, and if you want to come for vacation to PR - its ok, its tropical island has nice beaches (don't mind garbage - too much work for locals to make 5 steps to garbage can. Easier to toss it around...), has nice weather, rainbows, sunsets, good coffee (and thats about it I would say), don't expect Mexico style service, looking after guests, cleaning and such..nah. You will encounter some nice smiling people here and there, they might want to look good at first and will help you - but thats just decorum, they want to look good. You will also meet covert passive aggressive attitude, there is hidden despice towards nonboricuas (non portoricans), the worst they hate americans, and worst they treat Dominicans and Cubans. They will welcome you to come for brief vacay and expect you to flatter them but they don't want people to come and stay (of course there are exceptions, Im speaking of significant big part of island). With the passive aggressiveness you can imagine the flood of problems you will encounter... Its endless... PR has criminality issue, frauds, scams, housing safety issues, quality issues, car issues, language issues - they speak English but will refuse and even give you attitude here and there, healthcare issues... Whatever you lay your eye on - it carries issue for gringos. They will unscrupulously try to take advantage of you. Example: bought car - 2-3 mo later transmission broke. Towed to mechanic, paid cash for transmission replacement. 2 months later - First transmission i got - was leaking pink fluid and couldn't reverse... So i brought it back right away.long story short... Several months later mechanics wife called that they have transmission, - and can fix car for themselves, and will give me 1000 for car. (Car was way way higher value and they could have bought it themselves for fair price from first owner but didn't want. I bought it.. (you can tell island is small everyone knows everyone). So If i don't agree to let car go for 1000 - they will tow car back to me. Got it? Another example: House rent (contract in Spanish I had translated) I would rent for year. And just btw, am responsible for repair on plumbing, roof, floors, everything, even new paint facade when I will move out... Of course i didn't sign. But saw two years later house got new facade.. i am assuming some gringo didn't read properly... Also...if they cause issue to you, even as their job - they will turn deaf and blind.. can't get anywhere, won't correct it.. you out of luck. There isn't culture of responsibility...its damn hard to find someone who will do their job and even will do it properly. Rare pearl. Norm is to come late, leave early, and have siesta in between. Don't be hindered by that. Job that you could do yourself in 3 days - will take local person week and half... Island - Word sketchy describes it best. Thought in San Juan they start to be more pretending to be appreciative of tourists and more willing to speak English, so you might have luck. I personally was making constantly awful and worse experiences here in PR. I did had some good experience too - but that was damn extreme exceptions. There are people that openly say "we know how people here are" and they try to balance it out, like make it up so its not all that bad. And those are precious treasures!!! Met few people like that. They do really exist ;) even you might be giving up after ling string of shady experiences, there are good people too. I tell you as I tell my friends (and as few portoticans living in usa told me - its ok to come for week or two but stay there? Absolutely not. But - there are people who will tell you how they love it, everyone is just awesome and nice, everything is pink, stress free, there are no issues on island... So for completeness - you have both sides, you pick ;) I am curious how much difference I can expect in VI..

Oh and about that VI ride offering...it truly brought a tear into my eye. When here in PR my car broke and was at mechanic and I was stuck and needed to get to car rental... I would offer locals for 8 minutes ride full gass tank and 20$ ...and they wouldn't move finger. Sitting on but at home was more convenient... I was stuck for week untill one person run out with money and needed the money..

Harrison....I'm in San Francisco and it's August with cold blowing fog right now! Yeeuck

Yes. Lots of construction companies have been doing that. There is one like that which in currently has the contract to build a parking deck for airport on st. Thomas.

@@mblydenvlogs I’m basically asking if you think it would be fairly easy to start a construction company and make a good living over there is there a big need for it? I heard most of the companies are very slow so I was thinking it would be a good idea to start when there.That’s what I do here in Florida.

@@Exotic_pet_company yes

Moving in a few months too!

I was thinking the same thing I wanted a change for me and my family and was watching videos to help me make a decision

Thank you. Is it easy to get GANJA?

@@princessjohnson817 Well, once they get their act together with the already passed medical MJ, if you have a medical card for a small fee they are going to honor it, in the future. As far as illegal, I don't know what it is like for a tourist to find ganja on STT - I have friends that grow it.

@@johnphantom ok Thank you

watch this vlog of mines, it will answer your question: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-j6g3Nzupw8E.html&lc=UgzCCebUCdaSAeRI7iF4AaABAg

First and most important rule... Always greet someone with the time of day. Good morning, afternoon, evening BEFORE you say anything. It's considered disrespectful to us to just begin speaking to someone without greeting them first.

Island living is not for everyone, but if you can make it here you can make it anywhere. I’ve learned a lot growing up on the island and have really come to appreciate it after living in the us mainland for a total of about 15 years. There are trade offs but all in all I think it’s worth it! I’ll say see what matter to you most and how it compares down here. If your a person who has medical issues, down here is definitely not the right fit for you. Best wishes in making your choice!

mBlyden vLogs Thank you!

Yes, you can. You simply go to the social security office located in Nisky Center. Incidentally, the passport office is also located in the same Business Center.

Good day. The average 1 bedroom is around $6-1200 depending on the area you’re living in. Most places water is included. Electricity for me averages about $70-100. I’ll suggest joining groups that list rental in st. Thomas on Facebook. If you see a deal that fits your needs. You should move on it ASAP

Try signing up either the VI department of labor and indeed.com in a st. Croix zip code.

@@miamiles7996 public schools have transportation but it’s limited to certain areas.

Ship it from a port in FL via Tropical or Crowley. It typically cost $1500-2000 based on the weight of the vehicle.

Oh yes. We grew going to school with many Arab and Muslim schoolmates plus the Rastafarian women usually cover the heads so it’s something we’re accustomed to.

I went 3 yrs ago and my fam comes from there originally. The people were extremely friendly and I'm a black woman in hijab. It was my first time visiting. I loved it.

I’m not sure about the laws regarding animals. Regular domesticated animals are okay it’s only if you’re trying to import exotic animals you may have an issue.

@@mblydenvlogs Thank you. If I do move I will move down for a military job. So I assume I can bring my guns too.

Good day. Please send email to info@thehyghlyteco.Com

St.Croix has got .dogs for days In everyone's fenced yards... but some renters don't allow pets..lots of horses as pets

None. Dogs are not allowed on beaches. Majority of landlords don't accept pets, even if they have dogs. No dog parks. Lots of roaming dogs and feral cats. Humane Society is overrun with dogs & cats that need transportation to states for adoption.

@Michael consider Montserrat Island it's covid free and beaches are pet friendly

I agree and really the only one

Hi, there are several local restaurants and bars in the Virgin Islands that feature various genres of music! Musicians can definitely make a living down here!

I've never been to Costa Rica, but since we're a US territory it'll be easier to move here.

U.s territory is easier to visit because it is very small..and they speak english...and uses u.s. dollars..weather is good all year long ..you can pack a simple little back pack with one or 2 pieces of lightweight clothes and you are good to go for a quick vacation of fun in the sun...I've known people from the USA that have been vacationing for 20 years every winter in the usvi...( snowbirds)

Your last sentence is on par! Hence the reason for my next video being titled “living in the VI vs. visiting”

check out: facebook.com/groups/1040250339326711/

facebook.com/groups/478162662560805

@@mblydenvlogs thank you!

Oh yes, lots of scooters!

you'll make friends in no time. the people are friendly and personable!

You can check on Facebook and craigslist. That’s the only two that I can think of off of the top of my head.

It IS the USA. USVI. US. As in united states.

Lori Michelle I understand that however, I was thinking it may be less racist since it’s in the caribbean but I could be wrong

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that so I'll answer carefully. It's more likely that tourists are racist to us. Be kind and we will return the favor. Disrespect will get you nowhere, and we don't appreciate when people assume we have something against those with different cultures. We are a proud people, yes, but the last thing that makes us is racist. Respect for anyone in any place is imperative.

Lori Michelle What you said goes when traveling anywhere however, American racism towards Brown people is unlike racism anywhere unless you have lived within the states for a good period of time, you will never know the truth. I am referring to brown people moving to The U.s. virgiN islands to experience less racism from anyone at all, including natives. In America, brown skin is scrutinized daily like from just walking into a store sometimes and paying for a purchase we are followed etc

“Organic Cornflakes” would $50 a box LoL

IKR. The lawmakers should take steps to curb that. I can understand people charging more for goods because it cost more to get here, but charging more for a service does not make sense.

Yes. It’s safe down here for everyone!

I saw whites on their bikes minding their business and no one was paying them any attention.

You can find an Efficiency for the price but they are few and far between.

Yes but you wont like the area.

@@yendyvilma2681 I'm living in the ghetto now crime violence I just want to Tropical weather what's wrong with the neighborhood is it gang related send me a friend request on Facebook Orlando Orlando we can talk on messaging

You won't even find an efficiency/studio for $400. They start at about $750. 1 bedroom start at $950.

#facts

There's a $800 surcharge for sewer dwelling.

Do you have a Facebook or Instagram account where we can reach you?

number?

Sure is...had my accent come out and all. LoL they must have watch my video because they finishing it up now!

@@mblydenvlogs 😂😂😂😂😂

Cost of living is high. Average income is low around $30k. Job opportunities went up a bit post pandemic but are back down again. Just because it’s an election year people are finally getting their tax return in good time. Housing is bad now because most apartments have been turned into air bnbs.

Haha!

Noted!