So I currently live in Las Vegas and work in the casino industry. I have a job offer to move to St. Maarten, but I can't decide if it's right for me or not. I'm young and have no ties, so I figure why not?

Does anyone know how the US economy is effecting the tourism in St. Maarten?
Where do most of the tourists come from? The US or Europe?
Should I be worried about living by myself with the crime, or are tourists mainly targeted?

If anyone has some insight, it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

crime is on the rise and yes, sxm is effected by the us economy and tourism is falling and will fall further.
stay in vegas!

LasVegas,
How wonderful for you. Definetely go! You will have a great time and meet new people.
Sint Maarten is a fun wonderful place to live.
Which Casino recruited you?
We lived there for several years and loved it.
Cheers
irina

Irna,

Thanks so much for the encouragement. That is what I need right now!

I was recruited by Casino Royale in Maho Bay. I'm looking forward to it.

Katie

If you have a job and you will have all the legal documents to reside in St Maarten, go for it! It will be an experience, and life is made of experience. If you don't try or don't go, you may ask yourself "and if I had went..". Very few people do not like the island, most of them love it, but I beleive that in your industry the risk is minimum... I mean if you realise afterward you can not adjust to island life and that you made a mistake, I don't think you will have hard time to find back a job in Vegas.
Personally, I love life on the island since almost two decades now, even though it changed along the years, and that the best of what really is Caribbean life is certainly behind. It is certainly different than when I arrived, and sometime I am thinking about moving back to Europe, Africa or the States, but I still here and it must be a good reason for.
Few more thing as advice...: If you choose to go for it and come to live and work here, respect the island the way it is on both sides of it (Dutch and French) , its people, their culture, their way of living, their mentality, the slow pace, the island coutumes and the law of the country. Don't come with the set of mind that you can (or will be able) to bring change and progress to St Maarten we already have too much of it...

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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Katie,
Casino Royale in Maho is very nice. It's in a good area. Are they getting you housing? If so where?
Good luck to you.
I agree with Philippe on the attitude. Just go with the flow. Island time mon.
Cheers
irina

If they're willing to get you papers: go for it! Even in case you end up not liking it here, you'll have gained invaluable international experience.

While not comparable to the Vegas Strip (but what is?), the area nearby Casino Royale is a tourist magnet. The casino is within walking distance of 4 well-known mid-size resorts (Sonesta Maho, Royal Islander La Plage & RI La Terrasse next door, and Caravanserai down the road), about 1,000 rooms total. There are also about a dozen good restaurants in that area, not counting the ones on property.

Norbert

DineSXM - St. Maarten / St. Martin restaurant guide & online reservations.

las vegas
definitely come. the casino will process all your working papers. you will have a great experience here.
you don't have to say forever but come and experience a different culture and life style for awhile.

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