| Thoughts of perpetual sunny skies, soft lulling surf | | | | and in St. John that figure spikes from $1,200 to |
| and whispering palm tree breezes; it's not any | | | | $1,800 a month. |
| wonder why someone wouldn't want to relocate to | | | | You'll want to take into account that utilities, |
| the Caribbean. But like life, there are no easy | | | | groceries and most consumer items will be higher. |
| escapes. However, with some background knowledge | | | | Since you will be living on an island, the costs of |
| first you should be able to arm yourself with | | | | shipping by boat or airplane are not cheap. As an |
| information before making that trip. | | | | example, a carton of Ben & Jerry's ice cream will set |
| This article is intended to spurn interest to learn more | | | | you back over seven dollars. |
| before you go, so you don't have any unwelcome | | | | The best means to do research, if you have this in |
| surprises. This will simply go over any preliminary | | | | your budget, is to simply go there as a tourist and |
| planning in regards to what life is like on the islands | | | | make contacts and talk to the locals. Make friends |
| (much different than vacationing), finding a home and | | | | and contacts. Finding a Caribbean job will be the first |
| looking for Caribbean jobs. | | | | adventure for you, then landing a place to live and |
| Readjustments and Preparedness | | | | getting established may come easier. |
| First keep in mind that the Caribbean has a very | | | | Finding a Job |
| different culture. Many of the islands are owned by | | | | A good question to run by yourself is how long will |
| European nations or island nations themselves. Some | | | | the stay be. If you plan to stay temporarily, it may |
| of the locations do not have local inhabitants who all | | | | be a good idea to find a seasonal job. The biggest |
| speak English. Aruba, for instance, will predominantly | | | | seasonal Caribbean job in general is working in the |
| rely on Dutch. | | | | tourist trade. You'll see that that is where the bulk of |
| In the instances discussed further below, I will keep | | | | the money comes from, so follow the money. Look |
| the information pertaining more toward U.S. owned | | | | to cruise liners, food service and any service sector |
| islands like the U.S. Virgin Islands. To find quality | | | | for that matter. |
| information about other islands, such as Dutch owned | | | | If staying permanently, skilled trades are in demand. |
| Aruba or British Virgin Islands, check their embassy | | | | For the Virgin Islands, teachers and health |
| site or consulate information before going. | | | | professionals are sought after (nurses in particular). |
| It's good to get to know the economic climate there. | | | | It's a wise idea to go online and look for specific |
| For all intents and purposes we can use the U.S. | | | | businesses there and contact their human resources |
| Virgin Islands as a test example. The Virgin Islands | | | | department. For instance, if you are a nurse looking |
| have about a 33 percent higher cost of living | | | | for relocation, call any of the U.S. Virgin Island's |
| compared to the average cost in the U.S. For | | | | hospitals: Roy Lester Schneider Hospital, Juan F. Luis |
| instance, the range of cost for a one-bedroom | | | | Hospital, and Myrah Keating Community Health |
| apartment in St. Croix is between $800 and $1,000, | | | | Center. |