Frederiksted St. Croix

If you are talking about living in the heart of downtown F'sted, you might want to re-think that. But, if you get a couple of blocks out of town in most any direction (except west, obviously!!!), you can find nice enough areas. I particularly like the area to the north and up in the rainforest.

You will get lots of different answers to your question. It comes up on here every once in a while, but the best advice is to come down for a pre-move visit, if you can, or at the least book a short term rental before deciding for yourself.

Disclaimer....I happen to own some short term rentals.;)

http://www.virginislandsrentals.com

This is strictly a personal issue; personally I prefer the West side; but you need to to a pre move visit to see for yourself.

Last month we spent two weeks in a beach house just south of F'sted and were burglarized.
They broke in during broad daylight while we were gone for just under 3 hours. It was locked. Professional job. Lookouts.
We were told it was the fourth time that house had been burgled.
The cop who came said he had recently been burgled, and added that the west is worst but no area was immune.
The agent who rented us the house had her car broken into the day she rented the house to us.
Many of the Crucians we know who heard what happened to us immediately shared their own stories.
Many of our transplanted statesider friends came forth with their stories too.
The ADT guy who was out the day after the burglary to look at the system and maybe beef it up said there has been a rash of them lately, especially on that end, and they are even busting into wired houses. He said police response time is anywhere between 20 minutes and 20 hours.

Couple of months ago I took some heat on this board for not feeling guilty about living in a gated community (to which we returned after the holidays). I still don't. Yet people here have their stories about things happening here too, even though the frequency might be less than in other places.

Anybody ever seen a map of WHERE crimes are occuring on StX?

I would never live anywhere close to f'sted or c'sted. I would never live anywhere close to a beach bar, especially north shore. I'm not saying other places aren't robbed but those definitely get more then their fair share. Its another reason I honestly would not want anyplace on the water. I like being up in the hills and I love all my dogs. You must be able to protect yourself and don't buy anthing you aren't prepared to loose. But I would definitely not live anywhere near f'sted again. And yes I know its beautiful, but so's the whole island. I found the crime and poverty to be much worse on the west end when we lived there.

When I first arrived I was advised to live on west end or mid island ( I ended up mid island) I had not one story of such. I left my car locked,unlocked,windows up,windows down... after being there for a few months I felt safe at home,in a gated condo. But I do love the F'sted side for the beach.

When I first arrived I was advised to live on west end or mid island ( I ended up mid island) I had not one story of such. I left my car locked,unlocked,windows up,windows down... after being there for a few months I felt safe at home,in a gated condo. But I do love the F'sted side for the beach.

We felt safe too, until we became a statistic. Then you just feel embarrassed that you were so naive.
To be sure, we had some petty problems when we lived in the states, but never a full-blown burglary.

I can't imagine anyone "advising" that you live west. We have heard just the opposite, but....thought the house where we were staying was immune because it was built like a fort, had a fence and big gate, and was a bit off the beaten track and south of Fsted.

No doubt others will add posts here that "you're not immune anywhere" and that's probably true, but you have better odds in some places. Some friends of ours who have a house in Mt. Wash. (SE side) mentioned that their neighborhood gets some random break-ins, but they've never had a problem because (they think) they live on the second story and have stay-at-home renters in the first floor. Probably something to that, except that we were only gone 3 hours when our breakin occurred and they came in the second floor.

Betty's advice not to have stuff "you aren't prepared to lose" is DEAD ON. But her advice to live up in the hills is no insurance either. It just gives the professionals plenty of cover and time. Given what we've learned, nosy neighbors would be preferred! Regarding dogs... we have one who barks at new people, then wags his tail. One cop told us we were lucky, saying, "some burglars will hurt your dog, some will bring dog treats."

A thing like this makes you question your decision to move here. But we've already made our way through those emotions. Friends, faith and a healthy amount of sunshine and beach time work wonders.

neil, why would you be given a hard time about living behind gates. i dont understand that. why wouldnt people want you to be as safe as you can be

I wish to thank all who replied to my inquiry of the living conditions. This can not be any worse than the crack infested areas of the mainland.
Another question, Does any one have any advise concerning a walking or bike tour of St. Croix ?. I know about Mt Victory camping and this is a destination. Is this type of holiday a good idea here? I have been to St. Thomas , St John for an extended visit in the past and am considering a different manner of visit.

I would NEVER ride my bike there,traffic! although there is a bit of a bike trail along centerline. Also, I was tired and made a mistake on my last post, I was advised to live on the east end.

Plenty of crackheads here! Oooh, just had a business idea. Maybe crackhead bike tour of StX? "Keep up if you can!"

Yes, but who would choose to live in a "crackhead" area, unless money was such an issue that that was all you could afford.
A couple of friends of mine lived in the pink complex at the south end of Fsted for a while. They had no problems other than the owner who refused to fix the broken things in the house, so they moved out. They loved living in Fsted, but then maybe they were just lucky.

neil, why would you be given a hard time about living behind gates. i dont understand that. why wouldnt people want you to be as safe as you can be

It was only a few.
Some people equate "gated community" with fearful living, or desiring exclusivity, or erecting a barrier that keeps you from taking in the local scene and local people. Especially now, I view it as a method of "neighborhood watch" --sensible and reasonable given the realities here on this beautiful island, ...especially if you have a family.

Truth is, many of the homes here owned by natives (poor or otherwise) are 'gated' in that they have iron driveway gates, fencing all around, and/or gates (bars) on their windows.

We are two white professional women who live on Queen St in F'sted. Have owned the home for 4+ years. We have never had the house or cars broken into. We would live nowhere else on the island.

IF that is true that is the rarity not the norm. Also if you seem crazy enough people do seem to leave you alone.

neil, why would you be given a hard time about living behind gates. i dont understand that. why wouldnt people want you to be as safe as you can be

It was only a few.
Some people equate "gated community" with fearful living, or desiring exclusivity, or erecting a barrier that keeps you from taking in the local scene and local people. Especially now, I view it as a method of "neighborhood watch" --sensible and reasonable given the realities here on this beautiful island, ...especially if you have a family.

Truth is, many of the homes here owned by natives (poor or otherwise) are 'gated' in that they have iron driveway gates, fencing all around, and/or gates (bars) on their windows.

Neil, I think I was one of the "few" that you were talking about. I can't find the thread so I can't quote myself. I don't give anyone a hard time about living in a gated community. My feeling is that on St. Croix and I am only talking about St. Croix that there is the illusion from local people of "fearful living, desiring exclusivity, not becoming part of the larger community in which you live in. I think in the earlier thread I made a comment that I would not live anywhere that I was afraid. Most gated communities are beautiful, well maintained and have nice amenities. That in itself is a reason to live there if it is what you desire. I have met many statesiders who have moved to St. Croix that are "afraid" to live there. Some are happy and feel reasonably safe living in gated communities. They mostly only socialize with other statesiders and don't have many local friends. The rest only come for the winter or are just finishing up their job contracts and cannot wait to leave the island. For myself I prefer to immerse into the local community and culture. I am not afraid to live in St. Croix. With that being said I also have not been a victim of crime on St. Croix and I don't know how I would feel if I were a victim there. I do know that if I became afraid for myself or my family I would not live there.

IF that is true that is the rarity not the norm. Also if you seem crazy enough people do seem to leave you alone.

"IF" ? "Crazy" ?

Why would she lie? Only crazy people would live in Frederiksed?

I agree with Tam...Make friends with the locals, get more involved in the culture, the more local friends you make and start networking magical things happen.

Has anyone heard about the robbery of a family restaurant on the north shore of St. Croix? It was robbed this past Sunday night at GUNPOINT, and apparently the robbers made all the customers lie down on the ground and took their money. Shots were fired but they may have just been blanks. This happened before 8 PM. I hate hate hate this part about living in STX. This restaurant is one of my favorites - I go there with my kids at least once a week. We always leave by 8, but I guess we are just lucky we weren't there that night. I cannot imagine having that happen. People who are considering moving here - this is true. This is real.

We are probably going to move back to the States at the end of the school year. I always leave my money, phone, and keys at home when we go out to eat. In case I get robbed at gunpoint. I know you can have problems anywhere, but this is totally unacceptable to me. I asked if the police caught anyone and everyone just laughed.

Ric and I were at Off the Wall on SATURDAY night during the robbery. It was bad enough, but not quite as dramatic as reported above. It was all over in less that 60 seconds. Two shots were fired and one woman's purse was stolen. The robbers did not stay long enough to take money out of the register or even take the tip money out of the jar. The place was jammed with people, many children. We all hit the ground, but as I said, it was over almost before it began.

Even though it was only an hour or so after the adult parade, the police arrived in less than 10 minutes. The police forensic unit also came immediately , but the thieves had apparently not touched anything and no bulllets were found. I have never heard a live gunshot, so I have no basis for comparison, but the shots sounded like a large balloon being popped, so maybe they were blanks, I don't know and it certainly didn't matter at the time.

The problem of crime on the north shore is growing, no doubt about it. The police had planned to put the mobile sub-station across the street from Off the Wall and even had the field cleared and graded. My understanding is that one neighbor complained and the placement was put on hold. We really need the police presence on the north shore. I hope this lastest robbery will get things moving and get the sub-station in place.

I've lived here 6 years and this is my first experience with crime of any kind. I didn't like it - but I'll be damned if I'll be forced to live my life, not the way I want, but the way I HAVE to because of fear.

So, tomorrow night, Ric and I will be sitting at the bar at Off the Wall, just like every other Friday night. Diana and Craig are great people who don't deserve to suffer because of a fool with a gun.

Linda -

I really appreciate your telling what happened. I have been trying to get my head around the story I heard. Either way, it still freaks me out. But I agree, Off the Wall is an awesome restaurant, and I will continue to go there regularly. I know this happened at Cheeseburgers this spring, and other places have been robbed as well since we moved here, so it doesn't mean any other place is safer. I guess this is just one of the "downsides" of living in the VI.

Thanks.

Linda J (tu)

Yes it is my opinion that you would have to be a little nuts to live in F'sted city limits. Most people will not live inside either town for good reasons. Crime being a big one. IF because I'm pretty sure I know who he/she is talking about and they are a little nutty.

I happen to know A LOT of people that live in WEST city limits that have NEVER been victims of crime.

Crime is a very big problem on the island..YES, but in my opinion it's not as bad as it's made out to be...you don't have to live in fear. Just have to be smart. In my opinion <--- DISCLAIMER, if you are going to segregate yourself or segregate a group you open up yourself to become a victim. I've said it before and I'll say it again..everyone on here has a direct link to Senator Sammuel Sanes, who happens to be dealing with Public Safety and Homeland Security, If anyone has any ideas or suggestions let me know and it will be conveyed to him. If you want a personal call from him let me know and I will set it up. We know have a crime stoppers hotline...things are getting better...Feel free to pm anytime.