Extended PVM Question

Thinking about the necessity of a car for that long. Obviously can't ship my car to be on island for only 7 weeks, but car rental I assume would be waaaay expensive for that amount of time. Any ideas? Anyone ever done anything like this?

You can negotiate a better rate when renting a car for the entire month, compared to daily and weekly rates. However, it would still cost you about $1200 or so.

Wanderer- $1200 for the month? Or for the whole 7 weeks? I'll call a couple places and see what they say.That's one of the big expenses. Wish I was going somewhere with great public transport, but alas, that is no where I want to go...

The prices I'm seeing for short term rentals are more expensive than what I am seeing for long term :-/

The prices I'm seeing for short term rentals are more expensive than what I am seeing for long term :-/

I paid about $1200 for a month-long car rental. Make sure you reserve the car well in advance. I had to call 20 different agencies before I could find availability.

There is a public transportation on the islands, but it's unreliable. On STX, there is a bus between East and West every 2 hours, I think. Not sure how you'd get anywhere else without a car, though.

Thanks Wanderer, helpful information...

When I said I was seeing that short term rentals (1-2 mts) were more expensive than long term rentals (1 yr lease) I meant housing. Where did you secure housing for a one month stay, which is what it is looking like I will do. My daughter would really like to visit both major islands, so we would be one month on each.

On STX you should check with a property manager as I have friends staying for 6 months in a nice condo for $1200 a month plus water and wapa. Also when I first came I rented a reliable car for $500 a month from a local man all legit.

Short term rentals are definitely more expensive because they are targeted towards tourists who are here a week or two and also tend to not be very conservative with energy and water while they are here. If you find an inexpensive short term rental, you may be able to negotiate a better month or two month rate in the summer time. Owners are usually willing to wheel and deal a bit more in summer months especially if they can secure a month long solid booking. If you were going to stay on one island for two months, you could also try to find a month to month long term rental (bit harder to do) and put your 30 days notice in after the first month. But you are likely going to have to shell out first, last, security, as soon as you get here if you do that.

Think you might be better off just saving your money for the move.

Think you might be better off just saving your money for the move.

I agree - or come for a shorter visit. Living here is NOT inexpensive. No ferry service - your only option between the two islands is by air. Seaborne and Cape Air both run regular flights. I checked Seaborne the other day and you're looking at around $100 each way although they do run some specials - you can check on their website.

I think your chances of landing a temporary job for a few weeks are minimal, particularly since you're coming in the summer which is s l o w season. Possible but don't bank on it.

Good luck!

there is only one mode of transportation between island-flying . unless you know someone with a boat

You can usually get reduced rates on vacation rentals during the summer which is our low season, especially in August/September.
You just have to check around and ask, especially those that have lower rental rates of $100 or less per nite. They will be more set up for your needs as fully furnished including linens, towels, tv, internet, etc. You might see what's available at Sapphire on the East End of STT. East End location close to safari transportation, ferries from Red Hook to STJ and BVI, grocery stores, bars, restaurants and beaches. A month's stay is a good length to visit, IMO.
Be prepared to pay upfront, FIrst and Security Deposit for a one month stay and First, Last and Security for a 2 month stay.
You'll probably have to share a one bedroom to get a decent monthly rate.

I'll pm you a car rental company that my friends and I have used which may be less than the more well known agencies.Do get a car tho as it'll make it so much easier to come and go as you please without walking to main road and standing around waiting for a safari van to come by.

Finding a temp job for just a month, during the off season, may not be
very likely.

As others have mentioned, STX accessible by seaplane from downtown STT which takes you right into Christiansted or regular small plane shuttle service from airport.

Good luck and enjoy.

Where did you secure housing for a one month stay, which is what it is looking like I will do.

I've used https://www.homeaway.com/
Each listed property comes with the reviews from the renters. When you find a place, you can contact the property owner directly. Ask for a discount, because it would be a 7-week rent. On STX, like everywhere else, location matters. You'll have to decide if you want to be in the West, East, or Mid island.

Hopefully by now, from reading the posts in this forum, you've figured out that:
- West is more native, with better beaches, less infrastructure, less money, fewer tourists
- East is more cosmopolitan, more "continental", better developed, less authentic, more expensive
- Mid is the blend of the two opposites above

Be careful with your property rentals. Craigslist has been known to list non-existing VI properties.

This information is AWESOME! We are looking to come to STT for 3 months in the summer before we decide to move full time. We have been contemplating the car situation - and I was wondering about a local rental (vs. airport rental co). Alana33 - if you could send me the co you have used that would be fantastic! We are also thinking of bring a car that we wouldn't mind selling if we decide not to stay because it seems like the used cars available are all really high mileage. But I worry if we decide we are relocating that we wouldn't have a place to store it if we have to go back to the mainland before our official move.

So many logistics, so little time.

Wanderer- $1200 for the month? Or for the whole 7 weeks? I'll call a couple places and see what they say.That's one of the big expenses. Wish I was going somewhere with great public transport, but alas, that is no where I want to go...

We lived on St. Thomas for several years before we bought a car. We rode the $1 safaris wherever we needed to go. (I think $2, now). They run very often, and you can get from one end of the island to the other. You might consider renting a car for a week, so you can get to all the out of the way places, just for fun, but you really don't need it for day to day living, assuming you live somewhere convenient to the main road.

Not that easy on St. Croix. Highly recommend having a car for the entire stay. Having said...some people do get by without one.

As for travel between the two islands, currently, flying is the only option, unless you know someone making a boat trip.

This information is AWESOME! We are looking to come to STT for 3 months in the summer before we decide to move full time. We have been contemplating the car situation - and I was wondering about a local rental (vs. airport rental co). Alana33 - if you could send me the co you have used that would be fantastic! We are also thinking of bring a car that we wouldn't mind selling if we decide not to stay because it seems like the used cars available are all really high mileage. But I worry if we decide we are relocating that we wouldn't have a place to store it if we have to go back to the mainland before our official move.

So many logistics, so little time.

You may be able to store it at Fortress Storage behind the RLS Hospital on STT. You can call to check. 340-776-3678.
I'll pm you other info.

Waiting for a safari, lugging groceries to main road, etc. and going where you'd like to go is a pain in the butt. Rent a car. Safaris only
run from east to west, so forget hopping on one if you want to go Southside or North side. No safaris go to Magens Bay, Hull Bay or many other locations. They only pick up along the main road so you need to walk there, wait on a roadside that has no sidewalks for the majority of roads until one comes by. There is no real schedule to go by.

For a month or two housing/condo rental, Pam McFadden at Coldwell Banker got me a nice condo at Mill Harbour last summer for a month for less than $1000. Utilities were extra but I was very careful about running the AC and line-dried my laundry on the balcony and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of the WAPA bill.

Awesome info everyone. This is why I love you guys! Thanks a lot 🙂