Jimmy and Susan Beck, Grapetree Bay, St. Croix – Long Distance

HERE: Susan was a travel agent, and Jimmy was a project estimator

THERE: She is a self-employed travel agent, and he’s a project scheduler for Wyatt Field Services

What’s the best thing about living there?

Laid-back island pace, beautiful year-round weather, beaches, scuba diving, fishing, local people and the ease of being able to island-hop all the time. Also, we have a “little” feral cat colony. We’ve fixed them all, and we care for them daily. They keep Susan busy with lots of company!

The worst?

Litter and centipedes (big ones!).

What kind of wildlife do you get there?

Deer, mongoose, bananaquits [tropical birds], hummingbirds, iguanas, turtles and humpback whales.

Eaten any unusual local dishes?

Stewed goat (yuck, no matter how you fix it!).

Anything you’re surprised you can’t find for purchase there (at the grocery stores, etc.)?

Oysters and crawfish. Also, economically priced suntan lotion—it is very expensive here!

Best advice you’ve gotten from a local?

Remember to always greet everyone with “good morning,” “good afternoon” and “good night.” It’s a very formal culture. Also, to live life in the left lane, since they drive on the left side of the road here.

Your favorite hangout?

Coconuts on the Beach and Tutto Bene. Both are actually owned by Louisiana natives!

What do you really miss about Baton Rouge?

Family, friends, LSU football and shopping. We also left our Maine coon cat, Sidney, and our cockatiel, Sassi, to be indefinitely babysat by Susan’s mom.