Good Neighborhoods / Bad Neighnorhoods.....

Which island? In most places here, abandoned structures coexist with extravagant villas and multi-million dollar homes may be next to a shack.

Oh i forgot............ST THOMAS is where im asking about

Most all areas of the island have good & bad sections. There isn't a clear answer. Bovoni where the dump is probably not where you'd want to live.

Yes, stay away from Bovoni, far far away. Northside where I live is often considered a safe and calmer area, although it's no secret that homes are broken into up here on occasion.

I imagine Fortuna probably the safest place on the island, since it seems so far away from civilization, but that's what stops many of my friends from considering going out there. And if you're around my age (late 20's), you'll get bored out there quick.

Cory

There are no real SAFE places, but there are SAFER places. Stay away from Bovoni, down town back street and up the hill to Moflie, the old hospital grounds, smith bay and parts of Annas retreet. Most of the east end is pretty safe and the north side but you need to be watch full.

Billd

Water Island is a safe/secure place. There are apartments there called the Casa's that start at $1200/month though I have no idea if there's availability. There are also some homes on WI that do long term rentals for an apartment they may have connected to their property/house. You would also have to consider the 5-8 minute ferry from WI to STT/Crown Bay Marina as additional cost.

Alright....so far so good. Thanks for the posts! I understand that St Thomas has its bad neighborhoods and crime, just like many other carribean islands and major citys out there. Me being from NY, and very familiar with ghettos in the boroughs, i figure i'll know what to expect.

Frenchman's Bay on the south side is a good area & central. You might consider where to live relative to where you work, also.

"Me being from NY, and very familiar with ghettos in the boroughs, i figure i'll know what to expect."

I think you'll be surprised.

I imagine you will do what a lot of us did and that is start by looking at what is available in your budget and then decide whether or not you feel those areas are safe. As stated in this thread there are areas all over the island with million dollar homes on one side of the street and shacks on the other.
I lived in Estate Elizabeth above town when I first got to the Island and loved that area. Great views and I always felt safe. I then purchased in Estate Nazareth on the East End at Cowpet Bay East. I always felt safe there as well.
The places you want to avoid will become self explanatory when you come to the island and look around.

I appreciate everyones advice and suggestions. I figure i will see a similar living situation as to St Maarten/Martin when i visited this past summer. Wealth and Poverty living side by side. I guess i'll discover the island little by little with a rent-a-car when i get down there.