Expert: Susie Rano - 6/12/2009

Question
I am moving to st thomas for nursing school within the next few months and have a few questions:

transportation? i have both a motorcycle and vehicle here and don't plan on shipping either one.  I feel like i won't be doing a ton of getting around so maybe just a motorcycle will be sufficient? are they popular on the island and are they priced more expensive or less expensive than something here in the states?  

work? i have already spoken to the hospital there about their job posting as a nurses asst, since thats my job title at a hospital here in texas.  is it far from the campus? is it a large hospital or a small hospital?

and on the motorcycle issue, i feel like i will only be traveling, for the most part, from home to school, and from home to work, is that a lot of distance?

PHONE? what carriers are there? is it better to take my current phone with its carrier or reset with a new carrier once i get there?  

Answer
Hi Willy-

*Transportation- Naturally cars & motorcycles are more expensive here than the states since they have to be shipped.  In general, with shipping, road taxes, etc.- it's roughly around $1,700-2,000 to ship a car here.  I just saw a motorcycle in the Island Trader (free paper weekly), selling for $2,000. Also- used cars are around $3,000 + up starting for ones made in the early 90's + up.  To go from the UVI to the hospital, there is a bus that runs that route.  Also, I believe there are safaris that run that as well.  Both are $1.00. You also mentioned you would mostly be traveling from home to school & work, and what the distance would be.  Of course that depends on WHERE on the island you will be living.  From UVI to the hospital is about a 20 minute drive, if there is no traffic.

*The hospital is probably considered smaller than those in the states.  You can visit the website for info- www.srmedicalcenter.org.

*Phone- We have AT & T and Sprint.  You should probably wait until you get here, to check out the local plans available to suit your needs.

*Lastly, I strongly suggest you check out the website www.vimovingcenter.  It has a lot of info for those wishing to relocate.  They also have a very active message board where you can post questions to the locals, regarding issues you are concerned about.

Hope this helps Willy.  Best of luck to you and have a great weekend!

Regards,
Susie