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Howdy folks! I am relocating to St Thomas this summer and was hoping to get a little feedback about a couple of the places that I've been checking out online.
The first place is Villa Fairview. Does anyone have an opinion about its safety and location? It sounds as though it is fairly close to town but it is difficult to tell how close it is and what the neighborhood is like. Like almost everybody else who has been posting messages, I will be looking for a waitressing job so I will most likely be walking home at night. I've been to St Thomas only once but only for the day when our cruise ship docked. We went on a dive trip so didn't get to see much of the town. Also, are there any beaches within walking distance? If there are, are they pretty polluted from all the ships pulling into the harbor there?
The other place the Sapphire Village. With utilities taken into account it'll come out to be a few hundred more dollars a month. The studio is supposed to be on the beach, the location looks nice, and they have much better amenities.
I'll be bringing enough money to live off of for a few months but don't want to spend too much on rent since it'll be the off-season and don't konw how long it'll take me to find work.
Thanks!
Posted : February 5, 2004 12:48 am
Sorry guys, I just went back a bit farther on the message board and read the postings about Villa Fairview's location from an anonymous person, a former tenant, and the owner Ronnie. Guess I should put the possibilty to walking home from work out of my head right now. Does anyone else have more insight or a different opinion about the place?
I'm still curious about the nearby beaches and Sapphire Village though.
Also, does anyone know where I can find the bus schedules online? I'd like to see their routes, frequency, and how early/late they operate.
You guys are great! I wish I found this sight a long time ago.
Thanks a bunch!
Posted : February 5, 2004 1:50 am
There are not many places that a waitress can walk alone at night. You are going to need a car. The beaches near the harbor would include Morning Star and, no, they are not polluted. Sapphire Village is on the east end, closer to Red Hook, but you still are going to need a car, unless you worked at Restaurant Azure.
Posted : February 5, 2004 11:51 am
Welcome Kealoha,
Villa Fairview is sort of up on the hill above town - like half way up the hill... in any case it is not a good idea to walk home at night in town or other areas alone. If you found a job and an apartment very very close together then you might get co-workers to drop you off after work. For example if you worked in Red Hook and got an apartment in that same area that would be doable without a car.
Beaches in walking distane from Villa Fairview or Charlotte Amalie - no. You could take the bus to Brewers Bay down by the university or Lindberg Bay by the airport. They are not far from town but would be a considerable walk.
Sapphire Village is nice and you can walk down to Sapphire Beach. You wouldn't be too far from Red Hook where you could look for work. Again not a good idea to walk home at night.
The bus schedule is:
Country Buses travel between town and Red Hook every hour. They start running at 5.30 am from town and end at 8.30pm from Red Hook. There are buses that travel past the airport toward Bordeaux. City buses travel between the Hospital area to town starting at 6.15 am until 10.15 pm. The first bus from the Airport to town is at 6 am and the last is 9.30pm.
You can also learn to use the dollar safaris and the route they travel - which generally is to main areas both residential and commercial.
All the best.
--Islander
Posted : February 5, 2004 4:43 pm
If I had to chose between the two I'd chose Sapphire. BUT there are much cheaper places to live, especially on the North Side.
Hitch during the day in the back of trucks, but NOT at night. Safari's are a great option. At night catch a ride with someone you know or chose a good cabbie. Don't let them overcharge you, they'll try if they know you are new to the island.
Honestly I wouldn't live too close to town. If you do it's hard to get away from the tourists and TRUST ME there will be a time when you don't want to see anyone especially tourists.
Good luck.
Posted : February 6, 2004 4:06 am
Thanks for all the advice everyone! I won't hurry into a long lease until I get there and see what other options are available...looks as though I might need to put more aside for a car as well...lots to think about!
In the meantime I'll keep watching the board for all the awesome insight you guys give.
Thanks again!
Posted : February 9, 2004 1:20 am
