grouchyturtle
Contributor
Not sure which island, but I'm really thinking about moving down there, and looking for any info I can get.
I've heard cost of living isn't cheap, but I'm living on my boat (no rent), with lots of solar (no electric bill), and a water maker (you get that for free when you get fuel anyway). Also the prices I saw posted for just going out for a few drinks, lunch, dinner, really isn't anymore expensive than at least in the NE US. In fact probably even a little cheaper than NJ and NYC.
The other issue is finding a job. I heard from someone on another board, who lives down there, that just in general it's probably easier to find a job down there than in the US these days. I'm also planning on getting the captain's license and maybe trying to do dive/sail charters. Lastly, I saw an OLD post on here from an inactive member claiming people are charging outrageous prices for hull cleaning down there. Outrageous as in, if I charged half that price, I could probably just work part time, and survive just fine down there. I'm also a little bit of a computer nerd, so once things start to pick up I should have some freelance work. But I'm sick of sitting in front of computers, and don't want to rely on things actually picking up.
Is there any truth to any of what I've heard?
How expensive is it really to live down there. Specifically things like the grocery store? Remember, I'm not going to have rent.
Anyone know what the licensing and/or insurance requirements for hull cleaning are down there?
Or any other info or suggestions that may help?
My original plan was to snow bird it, and do winters up North running overpriced charts in NYC, and probably hull cleaning up here. But after the last few weeks, more and more I'm starting to think I'd be happy if I never step foot on NJ soil again, other than for short family visits.
Oh yeah...and how's the diving?
I've heard cost of living isn't cheap, but I'm living on my boat (no rent), with lots of solar (no electric bill), and a water maker (you get that for free when you get fuel anyway). Also the prices I saw posted for just going out for a few drinks, lunch, dinner, really isn't anymore expensive than at least in the NE US. In fact probably even a little cheaper than NJ and NYC.
The other issue is finding a job. I heard from someone on another board, who lives down there, that just in general it's probably easier to find a job down there than in the US these days. I'm also planning on getting the captain's license and maybe trying to do dive/sail charters. Lastly, I saw an OLD post on here from an inactive member claiming people are charging outrageous prices for hull cleaning down there. Outrageous as in, if I charged half that price, I could probably just work part time, and survive just fine down there. I'm also a little bit of a computer nerd, so once things start to pick up I should have some freelance work. But I'm sick of sitting in front of computers, and don't want to rely on things actually picking up.
Is there any truth to any of what I've heard?
How expensive is it really to live down there. Specifically things like the grocery store? Remember, I'm not going to have rent.
Anyone know what the licensing and/or insurance requirements for hull cleaning are down there?
Or any other info or suggestions that may help?
My original plan was to snow bird it, and do winters up North running overpriced charts in NYC, and probably hull cleaning up here. But after the last few weeks, more and more I'm starting to think I'd be happy if I never step foot on NJ soil again, other than for short family visits.
Oh yeah...and how's the diving?
