Condo Help

look around at the hoe of this sight under houses and condoes. FOUND a few. send not if having any truble.

Hello Kandi,

There is cost of living information at

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/cost_of_living/

and it includes housing.

There are condos at Sapphire, availabilities vary depending on season.

--Islander

Thanks Islander,

I'm wondering though, is there a difference in price range between a studio apartment and a studio condo?

Thanks for your help!

Kandi

I would think so. I have looked at the condo to buy and the monthly rent for a cheep 575sqf was around $350 but that was if I bought it. Some the monthly cost was only $165 for 435sqf these have kitchens and a bedroom, most sutios are one room.
I don't know for sure, but I would think that if you could find a small condo for rent it would be cheeper.
If you find out one way or the other let me know.
DON 719-227-8623

Don: I am not sure about the prices you found. In the Island Trader this week there are a couple of studio/efficiencies in the $425-$600 range.

Hi,
Are thoes not one rooms? no bedroom? less then 300sqf? Let me know.
Thanks.

DON

Please keep in mind the old saying, "if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

What you would consider adequate housing here is not cheap. And with buying a comdo there are extra costs that may not be obvious up front.

Plus, the islands are not like anyplace I've ever lived before regarding housing. YOU REALLY HAVE TO COME DOWN AND SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE. At the very least, don't commit to anything permanent or long term until you see it. You can probably stand anything for 3 months. That's the absolute longest I'd agree to until I saw the property.

My 2 cents.

Don: Those prices are for studio/efficiency apartments or condos- one room. If you want a one bedroom, the price is going to be higher- I see one at $600, but more in the $1000 and up range. As Linda J says- housing here is very different from stateside. You really need to look and see it for yourself.

Also, on the home page of this site there is a section on cost of living and one on homes/apartments. Most excellent information!

How is looking for housing there any different in the states? I would NOT commit to anything without seeing it first. Plus, I'm not looking into buying anything, just renting to live there for a while.

You also have to look at a place here in the states before you rent it, so with that, I don't see how finding a place to live there is any different then here in the states.

Even with pictures of places, one still would want to view it first. I was just asking a question to help me in that direction and get an idea of the places down there. I'm not looking to rent one from all the way out here.

Anyway, thanks for you help.

Most rental units here are not condos, which are more like what you think of as apartments. Most are units within a home, additional assistance for the owner to pay his mortgage! 😉 There are some which are like "multi-family" housing- a couple of units in one building with the owner not on the property. When you live in a building with your landlord, you hope you get along! Some folks have incredible landlords, and end up being friends, etc. I have also heard horror stories.

I was responding more to Don's comments about property he had read about...

Maybe I can add my two cents as well. I just moved here on 11/16/04, and have been staying at a resort from the time I arrived. I called numerous phone numbers to sched. an appt. with agents who wanted to rent listings here in St. Croix. Most had nothing that I either needed (2 bed. 1 bath) or could afford.
The average condo I discussed with agents were 1200.00 for a 1 bedroom, 1800.00 to 2000.00 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath. They want first, last, and sec. deposit, and these were on the east end, which is what i wanted. I looked at a 2 bed. for 700.00, on the third level of an office building, and it had no tile, no walls (somewhat like one big room) and overlooked what I thought was less than adequate housing, that I wouldn't want to bring my son up around. I also looked at a 2 bed. 1 bath for 650.00, walls weren't freshly painted, dead cockroaches lying around, cupboards so small you'd have trouble putting more than 2 cereal boxes in, never mind more than 10 canned goods, oh, and a toilet seat that looked like it should have been in a truckers' restroom out on Interstate 83! When I asked how soon the apt. would be ready, she said it's ready now. It was unfurnished, and to have her add furn. would have been 375.00 more. I came here with 2 suitcases of essentials, so if you are planning to do the same, furnished housing is a must.
The morale of this story is, go with your gut if you do find something within your budget, because only you know what you can live with, but comfort back home is about adequate here.
I did find a place that's 15 min. from my job, 2 bed. 1 bath, on the ground level of a beautiful, sturdy private home, with an older lady and her husband on the upper level, furnished, an A/C unit in the bedroom (yes, some places don't even have A/C, like the ones I mentioned above), and they will let me have my two dogs (another big issue here, if it applies to those of you with pets). I am paying 1100.00 a month, and I am counting my lucky stars that I found this place. It's like living at your grandma's house, quaint and lacy and flowers everywhere. But it'll do, and no it's not what I would have chosen if I were back home. I am happy, and I hope you will have lots of luck in your search also.

Hello Kandi,

While the price range for studio apartments and studio condos is similar you will find a greater number of condos filling the high end of the range, particularly condos that are close to a beach, have a golf course, tennis courts, pools... some condos involve paying metered water, road/property fees in addition to rent.

You mentioned Sapphire; its a great spot. You might also check Mahogany Run. Cowpet East & West are nice properties - not sure about availabilities at either.

--Islander

Thanks Islander for your help!

I will also look into the places you mentioned (cowpet and mahogany).

I know I keep asking questions,but would you (or anyone) happen to know how much, (or around how much) the studio condos at both sapphire and cowpet & mahogany are per month?

Thanks again!

Kandi 🙂

My landlord also has a studio at Sapphire Village that she rents out. She charges $795/mo + electric, telephone, water and cable (if you want to have cable).