Want To Live On St. John?
It is estimated that more than half of St. John visitors are repeats. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has been there, as the magic of this island is unprecedented. Many visitors have, at one time or another, pondered the inevitable question of what it must be like to live here. Well, we will provide some insight for curious minds who want to know.
First, it should be noted that vacationing somewhere is vastly different than taking up residence. That can be said everywhere, but especially so on a remote island in the Caribbean where every single thing, from food to supplies, must be shipped here. It’s also worthwhile to point out that island life is not for everyone so do your research before taking a leap. For those wanderlust souls, let’s dive into the realities of island living!
You may live on St. John if…
• You store stateside items in the refrigerator, cereal, crackers, bread, medication etc., to prolong shelf life in a humid environment
• You never leave your car windows down because it will likely rain, even if it’s just the daily pop-up shower
• Island time is real, particularly evident on business errands like the bank, DMV and post office
• You keep ceiling fans on to keep linens fairly dry and mosquitos to a minimum
• A “long” shower is more than 60 seconds, a rare indulgence only done when the cistern is full
• Rust is not just a color, it’s a thing that happens to everything exposed to the elements
• You down that beverage as fast as possible before it gets warm or watered down (smart islanders carry their own insulated tumblers)
• Uncomfortable shoes, clothes and bling quickly give way to the art of practicality
• You replace electrical items such as cameras and laptops at least twice as often
• You learn to improvise recipes rather than track down ingredients at several grocery stores
• You get used to walking twice due to lack of parking spaces
• You may be sharing your home with (and welcoming) mosquito-eating, harmless lizards
So, why do we overlook these inconveniences?
That’s easy. Let’s start with the stunning beauty that surrounds you from every angle. That $15 watermelon tastes better on the beach, right?! And where else can you go for a swim or snorkel in the most beautiful place in the world on your lunch hour?
Another bonus – you will save time and money on fancy clothes, hair and makeup to go out for the day. You learn the art of what your mama may have called spit shine. Pretentious doesn’t exist here. No one cares if you’re sporting the latest fashion trend or are driving the newest vehicle. It just needs to be reliable.
There is little interest in stateside politics and gossip. Kardashian, who? Why park in front of CNN or reality TV when your own reality is far superior. And you learn to have your passport and swimsuit handy at all times – you never know when your friends rustle up a last-minute boat day, beach day or island hopping day!
While there is no such thing as Fantasy Island, St. John comes pretty close. If you embrace the culture, the nuances, the quirkiness of fellow islanders; whether on vacation or as a resident, you will thrive here. We are happy to help you settle in for a test drive at your favorite villa!
