From AZ to STX

1. safety-most of those posts were to warn someone not to camp in an area he knows nothing about. you should be fine but always watch your back and take precautions-read more threads on crime. we do have the highest murder rate per capita and sometimes people who are not into crime get killed.
2.you might be able to find good used cars with people leaving island due to hovensa closing. i brought my car because i bought it new and knew what was up with it-cheaper than buying a used care here.
3.not really any best areas unless you have money to buy a home in a place like Judiths Fancy or something like that, we live in christiansted. most of the time safe, but you can look at my posts to see about the crime we have dealt with. christiansted for dive shops.
condo fees can be pretty high-threads on that. your question on chickes would be best asked to a Realtor or rental agent.
4. in the summer, a/c would be nice. my mom/her husband were out in august of last year from az and we do not have air-we all took many cool down showers. it was just much hotter humidity wise than they were used to and with no air-well you can imagine. i have been to az in the summer where the temps were 120 or so. i think that is easier to deal with than the heat here- i actually get rashes now. if you can afford the air i say go for it. also threads on cost of living and electricity-look them up

when you say your bills are 250-400 is that just electric?? are you the type of person who needs air conditioner?

also factor in the cost of food- more than twice here than what you pay.

Re: safety, is STX better than or worse than STT? Seems that STX is more spread out. our plane comes in at like 6:00 and were gonna have to get a rental and try to navigate the island to find the place were staying at. Does this put a huge target on our backs? is there a set time at night that we shouldn't be out? Would getting a cab from the airport be better and then a cab next day back to get the rental?

Our AC bill only is on average $300 I think I can live without AC but will need fans thou. July should tell us more about if I can hack it without. I see many have it just in the bedroom or something. That's most likely what we would do.

Who does home security alarms on the island?

Foods gonna be pricey Ive learned that lol. Lucky for us we live pretty simply for food and make sandwiches and don't like milk for the most part. Fish and veggies occasionally a steak is our style. We're gonna go shopping the first day in town on the PMV and hopefully I will get close to my estimated budget for groceries.

stt and stx-depends on who you ask. if you are comfortable driving on the left, you should be fine. we dont mean to scare newbies, just like to give an accurate portrayal. just use your common sense and trust your gut.

go to all three store- cost u less, plaza extra and pueblo. none of the stores-for the most part have everything you might need. we went to kmart, cost u less and pueblo today. of course kmart was out of the sale items i went there for. could not find canned mushrooms at cost u less, so we went to plaza. did not want to pay almost 5 bucks for a pack of fresh, especially since we were not making tempura.

if you get a/c go for the split units. i hear they are somewhat okay cost wise for electricity

I guess I can add that we're looking for a place to rent in STX for 16days in July while we're there. Craigslist is a joke lately with the scammers, one even had under floor heaters, yea right buddy lol. Shoot me a PM if u know of one.

lol, i wish i knew of one. there should be plenty though. under floor heaters sound neat. wonder where that one is.

You've got a lot of good advice ... the only thing I'll add is regarding AC.

It really depends on where you live and how it catches the breeze. We first moved here in the summer and the way our first house was oriented, it didn't get ANY breeze. It had no AC and it was brutal. You couldn't plug in enough fans. All we could do was get out of the house between 11a and 3p.

However, after searching and adjusting, we've found the place that is best for us (we're on number three _ never signed a long term lease) and the breeze is PHENOMENAL. There is a window AC here, but we never use it. In fact, we only keep one window open and a fan on in the bedroom and sometimes I have to halfway close the window next to my desk in the office because there is too much breeze!

As for humidity, I grew up in Florida and have lived in Atlanta and Washington, DC. To me, all three are much stickier in the summer than here.

(One more thought regarding crime: you mentioned you've considered Bahamas, assuming New Providence or Grand Bahama, I think crime here is about on par with crime there.)

Thanks speee1dy and jbatl for the input! Where about did u find the place with the breezes? We too are looking for a place like that. I don't need to be on the beach but do want a higher up place with a decent view and trade winds. One of our MUST haves is lush landscape. I know some of the island is more arid and coming from AZ we want the tropicals, Mosquito's and all! We're going to do quite a bit of learning the island and where the breezes are when we do our PMV. We will be bringing 2 cats so need a place that is cool enough for them and us. we may need to find a place with AC.

Great comments and advice already and only a couple other things to add.

Double check on the generator situation at condo complex(s). There are several that don't have any or limited service if they do.

Gardens and chickens in some areas allowed, I know in our community there are both. We have many fruit trees, tomatoes, peppers and chickens (for the egss 😉 We use run off water from the laundry for watering. You can check with agent or owners on rules.

Also breezes are another thing to check for. We literally haven't used AC but one time in 7 yrs years, have great breezes.

Energy eff features are also added to some homes and condos already to help lower power bills. Check for solar features or gas appliances. For us, 2 people in a 2 bd 2 ba with a pool, solar hot water and gas stove and dryer, our power bill has averaged $160.00 over 7 yrs.

Hope this helps and enjoy your adventure you're gonna love the coral and sea life here:)

The wind almost always comes from the northeeast, east or southeast. A building should have a breeze as long as there are no major obstructions to the east, such as trees, hills, other buildings, etc. The higher up, and the fewer obstructions, the more breeze. You may also get a breeze without a clear shot to the east. It depends on local topography. You'll also want east-facing windows, and it helps to have windows downwind, so the breeze can go through the building.

STXBob is exactly right. It doesn't so much depend on where the house is as how it is oriented and where the windows are.

Done farming: It sounds like youve got the perfect place!! Thats really what we are looking for. Where abouts on the island are you? Do you have the high dollar solar water heater or the cheaper home depot kind that ive seen people using. Ive never used gas appliances so forgive me, I would assume you still pay for gas correct? Is it managed by WAPA also? Is it that much cheaper? Interesting.

StxBob: Thank you! Thats pefrect specifics that we can really use when on the PMV to find the right houses.

Ive never used gas appliances so forgive me, I would assume you still pay for gas correct? Is it managed by WAPA also? Is it that much cheaper?

Most all houses use propane. Propane comes from either Antilles Gas or St Croix Gas. Both are private. We use Antilles. We have two 23 gallon tanks at our home. They last a few months each (provided there are no leaks _ gas company can check this when they deliver). Each tank costs $90.50. When one goes, you switch to the other and call for a new one. They pick up the empty one and bring a full one. Usually same day or next day service. Very efficient. Good people, in my experience.

House has (2) 100 lb tanks, got the second one for back up in case of storm or "oops if I forget to check' 😉 delivered by St Croix Gas. Located on east end close to gas station. Solar system was installed prior to Home Depot. I can get the details and send in pm 😉

Hope that helps

Not much to add except that I think you'll easily find the answers to almost all your questions and everything will fall into place just by being here on your PMV - which of course is its purpose!

Keep looking on craigslist - there are a lot of scam ads (I flag about two a day!) but there are also a lot of legitimate listings.

All the best and enjoy your PMV!

I've Sent You A P.M.

Just to clarify ... 23 gallon = 100 lbs. One and the same.

Thanks Loucypher, I sent one back.

Good info on the gas thing.

Looks like most of your questions have been answered. (I've been out of town and away from the forum for a while! 🙂 ) I would just pick up your rental when your flight lands and save yourself the expense of a taxi. If you're even remotely adventurous, you'll be fine. You can't get lost for very long... the island is not that big! Just make sure you pick up a map at the car rental place. As for having problems... I look a lot like you, and I've never had trouble driving alone at night. In fact, I've had people walk over to my car and offer directions when I've been obviously lost. Just don't go into obviously bad areas (you'll recognize them... they look the same in any part of the country!), and be careful at intersections with the whole driving on the left thing.

Thanks roadrunner. I've been an emotional wreck with all the research I've been doing on the crime. I feel HORRIBLE for the locals and newbies with some of the terrible crimes that have happened and to innocent people. It's VERY sad. I was almost to the point where we were going to cancel the PMV but read a few posts that really made me see the AMAZING generosity and kindness of you all. I've been offered a meet up in my town to go over details, several rentals, a ride from the airport to our rental and even a room in someone's home. WOW! It literally made me tear up as I've really lost so much respect for rude, sense of entitlement types here. It really does amaze and delight me that's there ARE still great people out there, and it looks like many of them live in the VI.

A and A......I agree with most of what I see on this forum.........I just moved here last August from the Lake Tahoe region with my 3 kids, and husband still in California for a while. I work home health, so I drive all over the island every day, and into the best and the worst neighborhoods. I have to say, I have not had a single bad experience with this. I do not feel unsafe, however, I do not stay out past 10 or so, since I have my three young kids with me. We go to restaurants, I meet my friends at bars, I drive from C'sted to F'sted to get home regularly, and I do not feel unsafe. I do watch my surroundings, and make sure I don't put myself at risk. I have seen things stolen from cars and off the beaches, but I have seen that in California too. I only carry my one debit card or the cash I need with me and my drivers license, and leave the rest of my cards at home. I do have a safe in my home that I rent, so that helps, but I have all the normal things I had at home here.....no need to be paranoid. My neighborhood really keeps a good eye on who is around, and we all talk frequently....they would help if there was a problem, but I am in a full time neighborhood now. I first rented in a great area on the East, but it was a lot of parttimers there, and I was broken into frequently while at work, since nobody else was around. Just my experience.

I came from cold temps and very low humidity....the first few months were tough, but I have used an A/C only 2 times.....would love too, but just dont want to pay for it. and I get great breezes and have no need really!!! I am a five minute walk to beach on the rainforest end of the island.....much cooler feeling to me than the East.....(I love the East though too, don't get me wrong)

I have four of us full time, and a pretty large pool, and I do lots of laundry with the kids, and my power bill is usually a little over $300.00 We do have solar water heater, and gas dryer and stove......

Hope you get all your answers before you move down here....I bought cars here, as I was not really looking forward to dealing with shipping, and customs, etc...lots of cars right now that are going cheap.....the roads are hard on cars here.....I do a lot of preventative maintenance so I don't get stuck.....you will go through tires quicker than at home......

I find you can eat fairly decentl(price) here...once you figure out where to buy what you are looking for.....I do miss my options at home.,....but there are good options here if you have storage space.

good luck, and I am here for the long haul, it is a lovely place to live!!!

Just wanted to say hello and that we're ON USLAND! First day and were heading out to get groceries! If u see us around say hello. Thanks again for all the help so far.

Enjoy your PMV! You will love it there.

A and A have fun and enjoy your visit. maybe make a trip to the local post office to mail something-takes a long time. just to give you an idea on how slow things can be.
use sunscreen too, can not stress that enough

Go to the Mashup tonight at 54/Courtyard area, it'll be a blast. 😀

I'm kidding. Don't.