Area to live and areas not to

The first thing to do is pick which island you would like to live on, or are you asking for info from all 4 islands?

On STT and STX there are fine places to live spread throughout the island - STJ is 60% National Park and housing is more expensive overall.

Driving distance and convenience to work is commonly a bigger determining factor unless you are set on living in a gated community - STX is 3x the size of STT and can have some long driving time but having to travel through downtown STT during the day will increase driving time more than distance to travel would seem.
View, breeze, parking, lot size and accessibility by car are all important factors in choosing a living area here.

Sorry, I forgot to include which island. I am looking to move to STX. Thank you,

which areas would be a good place to live and which ones to stay away from?

This depends on your criteria which defines "good" and "stay away from".

Population density? Cultural and ethnic diversity? Access to diving and snorkeling? Shopping? Crime? Proximity to beach? Views? Low price?

Timaja, I understand your question but it's one which has been frequently asked and for which there really is no satisfactory all-encompassing answer regardless of which island (of the main two). Exit Zero's answer was a good one. As he said, "On STT and STX there are fine places to live spread throughout the island". The unspoken is that often within way less than a quarter mile of what one perceives as the "fine" areas are pockets of "not so fine" areas where one would not feel comfortable living - but they're certainly quite visible to the naked eye.

Certain estates on both islands have developed a poor reputation based on one small pocket. Someone may well tell you to stay away from "Estate Aardvark" based upon that while in reality Estate Aardavark covers a huge area bearing no resemblance to the tiny pocket which has given the whole an undeserved bad reputation.

You have to see for yourself.

i live in town, some people avoid town. i know people that live out east, others would not want to because it is too far. some people live mid island? not my cup of tea. some live in fredericksted because it seems less populated?

your best bet is to come and do a driving tour and see which areas are of interest.

I was raised in Chicago, now live outside Chicago and know the good areas and not so good areas in Chicago and suburbs. In the suburb and area where I live, I can go out at anytime and walk around without feeling any type of worry for safety. My kids can ride their bikes anywhere in the area until curfew without worry of safety. Now there are sections of the suburb I live in where it would not be so safe to do that, so what I was looking for is suburbs or areas on STX where I and my family would be safe anytime. Does not matter inland or ocean area.

When we do get there for PMV, we will definitely do the drive around, I was just hoping to concentrate on certain areas first.

Thank you guys again, this forum has been helpful.

Especially with kid, you will want to do an extensive pre move visit. Where you work and where the kids go to school will be major factors in where you will want to love. Neighborhoods here are not like neighborhoods in the states, for the most part. And some areas that are "safe" May still feel very foreign to you.

the only obvious non good areas might/might not be the projects. but that is debatable . all areas have good and bad. the neighborhoods are not really like stateside.

there is a few gated communities like judiths fancy and queens ? is a nice area but you might not like where these neighborhoods are located

I live on the East End of STX, in an area called Solitude. I like it here, as its close to the boardwalk and my friends. I explored the whole island before I moved and this was the area I chose. I feel safe and I have space around me, I'm close to Tamarind Reef Hotel. It's all a matter of preference.

I too am a former Chicagoan who now lives part time in Judith's Fancy. What is said above is true - the rust and corrosion problem is perpetual. On the other hand the neighborhood is quiet and as secure as any neighborhood on the island. To put it in Chicago terms Judith's Fancy, Shoy's and parts of East End feel safer than many other areas. But not as safe as living on the North Shore of Chicago or Barrington, Naperville, or Lincoln Park and Streeterville in the city.

Thank you guys for the info...... AJ, I live in Crystal Lake which is close to Barrington. Again, where I live is fine but there are areas which are not as good. Before here, I lived in Hoffman Estates which was close to a bad area but still seems safe for us. How was the switch from here to there? Everything I read is a polar opposite but I am looking for a change and moreso, a slow one.

The major consideration will end up being your commuting time and distances between where you live, work and kids go to school.
As mentioned, our neighborhoods are not like they are, stateside.
You'll figure it out.

Timaja I came as a child. It was my parent's decision to move here a long time ago. It took me awhile to adjust to living here coming from Chicago. Now I love my time on island. Obviously when you come you will be looking closely at the schools. If you would like additional information why don't you PM me, because I have no interest in getting into long debates simply because I express my opinion. I do find that because I am not a full time resident some of the issues of being on an island are easier to take than if I were a year round resident. So if you will have the capability to spend some time off-island I believe it will be more enjoyable. St.Croix and the Caribbean have a lot to offer and after the last couple of winters in the northeast and midwest it feels more attractive than ever!!

Cowboy,
Queens Quarter does have garbage pick-up.
Judith's Fancy is by far worse than most other areas near the water for rust. There are no reefs in front of Judith's Fancy or STC. AT times from the boardwalk in C-sted if the waves and wind is active, you can hardly see STC Condos.

If you do not want an ocean view, I vote on Queen's Quarter. Very nice area! I have a few friends who live there and love it.

Queens Quarter comes closer to a state-side neighborhood than anything on STX.