Island Girl
Where to start
Tourists do it. Visitors do it. People just-moved to the island do it. Scott and I did it all the time.
ASK QUESTIONS, people. Sheesh.
We spent a week on both St. Croix and St. Thomas before we moved. We called it a vacation with real estate appointments. Others call this a PMV, or pre-move visit. Highly recommended if you’re thinking of making the move. See and experience the island firsthand. We learned a lot from the real estate agents we were working with, but we tried to get the down and dirty from everyone else we came into contact with. And, since we like to eat and drink, servers and bartenders were our favorite target.
How long have you lived here? Do you like it? Where are you from? What do you recommend for this, that and the other? Is it safe? Friendly? On and on. We absorbed the answers like sponges. We rented jeeps and drove around both islands, from the tip to tip. We went out at night to see what the scene was like. You get the idea.
As a waitress on St. Thomas I get the same questions from customers. Most people want to know where I’m from (MA), how I got to the island (took a plane), do we like it (no, we LOVE it). Others have real estate questions (varied). Some people want to know if it’s worth it to take a cab from Havensight to waterfront or if they can walk it (really, it’s up to you. It’s hot out there and it’s not a short walk). One man asked me if I thought his wife would be able to eat the whole burger (sir, I don’t know your wife’s appetite, nor will I offend her by guessing).
A few times I’ve had people ask me about shopping, and if the island prices blow the stateside ones away. Maybe you’re just looking to pick up some t-shirts, sunglasses, souvenirs or random accessories. Or, like a lot of people, you’re looking for deals on big tickets items, like jewelry, watches or cameras. And personally, I don’t know, but with the internet at our disposal it can’t be too hard to price out what you’re looking for and see how the stores compare, right? I can tell you it’s an enjoyable walk around Havensight, Crown Bay or Charlotte Amalie; all three have places to sit and enjoy a beverage while people watching and enjoying the outside.
I will say we enjoyed the strong opinions that people on St. Croix had about living on St. Thomas and vice versa. The Virgin Islands each have their own personality, that’s for sure!
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
November 9, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
Mike Said,
Nicci,
Could you get specific about real estate ownership on St. Thomas?
Taxation, towns that would be worth considering, monthly condo fees, etc…. Thanks.
November 9, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
BIG Kahuna Said,
Real Estate ownership is no different than any state. You pay property taxes etc.
We really don’t have “towns” on St. Thomas, more like neighborhoods.
Condo fees vary depending on what is included. Some condos include hurricane insurance and other don’t. So you could have fees anywhere from $200/month to $1500/month.