Arriving Next Week-Car Apt. Rental Questions

wait until you get to STT to decide on a rental. The market is very slow right now and it is the best time to make the deal that you want. It is best to see what you are getting.

First off - have a safe flight to you and your cat and welcome to the islands!!!

Try
Budget http://www.stthomascar.com/

Here are a few others
Dependable Car Rental (340)774-2253

Discount Car Rental (340) 776-4858

Hertz Rent A Car (340)774-1879

As for the apartment - I have never heard of either Emad Obaidi or Monterey Rentals and neither were listed in the phone directory. That doesn't mean much I suppose, except that he is unlisted?????

As for as northside and Magens Bay area - yes great areas for residences, northside covers a great number of areas - basically all of the northern side of St. Thomas. There are dozens and dozens of apartments to be had in that area. Many many!! You should definately SEE the apartments first.

If you have a temp place to stay, for sure you are not desperate and don't want to come off as desperate in terms of dealing with a landlord for an apartment. Once on island grab the island trader, visit Mr. Obaidi places, visit 5-10 other places that are listed in the paper. See the view, where its at, check out the furniture if there is, run the water in the sink and shower to see if the shower pressure is good enough, look in cabinets, closets, under the sink, to see if everything is in good shape, walk around the property see if things look good, see if anything is broken that you might get blamed for later, see how close it is to other people's places, parking??? lighting in the place. Find out if you have your own cistern or if its shared, what happens when you run out - who pays for the water you, others, hows that work, how long ago did they buy water if they did - if the cistern is empty and they buy water the same month you move in - do you have to share the cost since you weren't even there. Is the stove gas or electric, if gas do you have a full tank when you move in - do you have to buy it when it runs out, do you have your own electricity meter, is the place cable ready?? Does the landlord live there too, other tenants, are there kids in the building - is that ok or not ok to you.

There are lots of great apartments to be had, you can find 3 or 4 you like and try to negociate the price, since there are so many apartments many landlords are willing to negociate many times, particularly if their place has been vacant for several months.

I would say don't rent without seeing it and really checking it out. weigh the two options.

Mooch for a week while you get out there and find a place you really like. Be nice to the folks you are staying with :-), find a great place. everything is good.

2. rent a place before getting there without seeing it, you dont mooch off your freinds however 50/50 the place could be great and everything works out fine. Or it could be a terriable place and your first experience with island life is dealing with an accomodation you are not happy with and being stuck with it for a period of time.

--Islander

Congrats on the move and hope you and kitty make it safe.
As for rentals, I live on the Northside. I love it. Very green and pretty mellow.
I have never heard of Monterey Rentals, therefore can not comment on Mr. Obaidi and his business. But I can say this, I would not recommend utilizing their services if they charge any additional fee (e.g. finders or agency fees). You are coming to STT at the perfect time for housing, all of the seasonal employees are packing up and leaving so there are several places available. It will require the Island Trader, a day of your time, and a rental car, but it can be done within a few days. Good luck!