When we moved from southern Mississippi to St. Croix, I spent weeks making lists of what to bring, what to sell, and what we could replace after we arrived. Like most people preparing for a big move, I wanted to get it right.
Looking back nearly three years later, I realized something surprising: there actually aren’t many things I wish we had packed.
Instead, there are quite a few things I wish we hadn’t shipped.
That’s because moving to the U.S. Virgin Islands isn’t just about fitting everything into a shipping container—it’s about understanding how your lifestyle will change once you get here.
Whether you’re relocating for work, retirement, or simply a new adventure, here are a few lessons from our experience that may help you decide what deserves a spot in your shipment.
Before You Ship Anything, Ask Yourself These Three Questions
As I look back, these are the questions I wish I had asked while packing:
- Will I actually use this every week?
- Will the home I’m moving into already have one?
- If I needed to replace it, how difficult or expensive would that be?
Those three questions probably would have saved us a lot of shipping space.
Consider Where You’ll Be Living
One of the biggest factors in deciding what to bring is whether you’ll be renting or buying.
We’ve rented since moving to St. Croix, and every home has been at least partially furnished. Some have been completely furnished.
Because of that, many of the kitchen items, dishes, and small appliances we shipped have never even been taken out of their boxes. Nearly three years later, they’re still packed away.
If you’re moving into a furnished rental, resist the temptation to bring everything you own. Wait until you know what your new home actually needs.
Bring the Quality Items You Use Every Day
If there’s one thing I’m especially glad we brought, it’s the items we rely on every single day.
For me, that’s my standing desk and home office equipment.
I work remotely, so having a desk that fits my needs has made a huge difference. It’s not something I could have easily replaced with the same quality after moving to the island.
The same advice applies to other quality items you genuinely depend on. If replacing it would be difficult, expensive, or disappointing, it’s probably worth bringing with you.
Don’t Overpack Your Clothes
This one surprised me.
We brought far more clothes than we needed.
Living in the Caribbean naturally changes what you wear. I wear shorts almost every day. Socks are rare. Heavy jackets, sweaters, and many of the clothes we thought we’d need spend most of their time tucked away.
Of course, everyone has different work and social situations, but chances are you’ll find yourself dressing much more casually than you did on the mainland.
Bring Your Hobbies With You
Whatever your hobby happens to be, bring it.
Photography, scuba diving, snorkeling, music, woodworking, crafting, cycling—whatever you enjoy, pack the equipment and, if practical, some extra supplies.
Many specialty items aren’t impossible to get in the USVI, but selection can be limited, and ordering online often means higher shipping costs and longer wait times than you might be used to.
If your hobby is important to you, it’s much easier to arrive with everything you need than to try to replace it later.
Protect Your Electronics
One thing I recommend to almost everyone moving here is investing in good-quality UPS (uninterruptible power supply) units and surge protectors.
Even if your home has solar power, a UPS provides valuable protection by helping regulate electricity while also keeping important devices running through brief power interruptions.
I use UPS units for equipment I don’t want to risk damaging, including computers and other electronics.
For devices that don’t need battery backup, quality surge protectors are still a smart investment.
It’s inexpensive protection for equipment that’s often costly to replace.
I’m Glad We Shipped Our Hybrid
One of the best decisions we made was shipping our Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
Fuel prices in the USVI are generally higher than what many people are used to on the mainland, so the fuel savings have been noticeable over time.
Whether you ship your current vehicle or buy one before moving is a personal decision, but if you’re already considering a hybrid or electric vehicle, it’s worth factoring fuel costs into your plans.
Plan for Shipping to Take Longer Than Expected
The shipping process itself was straightforward, and I’d happily use Tropical Shipping again.
The biggest surprise wasn’t the experience—it was the timeline.
Our household goods and vehicle took longer to arrive than we expected, even beyond the original estimates.
If you’re shipping a vehicle or important belongings, build extra time into your plans. You may need alternative transportation or be prepared to live without some of your belongings for a while after you arrive.
A little extra planning can make those first few weeks much less stressful.
The Biggest Lesson I Learned
The biggest lesson wasn’t about forgetting to pack something.
It was realizing that island life naturally encourages a simpler lifestyle.
We use fewer clothes than we expected. We spend more time outdoors. We discovered we didn’t need nearly as many household items as we thought we would.
At the same time, I’m incredibly glad we brought the things that matter most to us—our quality office equipment, our vehicle, and the hobbies we enjoy.
If you’re planning a move to the USVI, don’t focus on bringing everything.
Focus on bringing the things that genuinely improve your everyday life.
Everything else can usually wait until you’re sure you need it.
