Moving late spring'14

I moved from Austin, and say St. Croix quite often has a vibe like Austin but in the ocean the eclectic scene, the music scene, arts, laid back people, hippies, counterculture, you name it. I couldn't live on STT - too crowded and busy and too much tourist culture, and STJ is more of the wealthy folks. I can already think of some folks on STX you'd probably really like to meet!

Same here, I totally agree with JulieKay about St. Croix and can introduce you to a really good picker who works gigs here! Come on down, many of us are from the baby-boom era. I love Austin, I'm from S. Ark. And have several friends living there now.

You sure you don't want to throw a nap in amoungst all that pickin and grinning. I know I appreciate a nap every now and then hahahahaha.

I'm partial to St. Thomas, but that is where I spent most of my time. I like the mountains of St. Thomas and at one time the night life. It's a bit busier than St. Croix though and I think a bit more densely populated.

Lots of us 60+ exmainlanders here on STX.

Great Island!

CD

Of course, STT has so much easier access to the delights of the National Park in STJ and all their beaches as well as much easier access to the BVI for day trips. It does get busy on cruise ship days during our very short season but one just checks the ship schedule and avoids town on those busiest days. It's a smaller island than STX so nothing really is too far a drive and most places have gorgeous ocean views. Face it, everyone thinks the island they chose to live on is better.;)

Of course, STT has so much easier access to the delights of the National Park in STJ and all their beaches as well as much easier access to the BVI for day trips. It does get busy on cruise ship days during our very short season but one just checks the ship schedule and avoids town on those busiest days. It's a smaller island than STX so nothing really is too far a drive and most places have gorgeous ocean views. Face it, everyone thinks the island they chose to live on is better.;)

Yep. And as a transplanted Austinite I can confidently say I would never choose STT. I don't like walking down the street and being accosted by jewelry dealers, even on non-cruise ship days. Or walking onto beaches and being accosted by street sellers or "excursion hawkers." I prefer to be left alone, quiet open beaches with few (or no) people, a good drink and a good sunset and some good music. We do get tourists on STX, but our island's economy doesn't revolve around the tourist industry, it feels more like home to me.

Oh, and I hate driving on STT! You folks have some insane roads up and down those hills! 😀

I don't know how long you lived in STT but I cannot remember ever being accosted on the beaches here or in STJ.
Coki beach is the only one I know that has active sellers.

I quite like our quiet beaches, of which there are many and varied, some being quite off the beaten track.
I don't get accosted by jewelry dealers on Main Strret, either. Our cruise ship season is very short and if you don't want to deal with tourists then it is simple to avoid places that may be busy when the ships are in town as there are many options.

I don't go out of my way to put STX down so don't quite understand the belittlement received about living in STT.
Sure you like where you live, so do I.

It's a great place to live and quite short distances to traverse from one side of the island to the other compared with distances one
drives in STX, also quite easy to get to STJ, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and all the other lovely cays and islands that surround us for day trips, sailing diving, fishing, kayaking, etc. or weekend getaways. Easier to fly in and out of as well. We love our hills, the views, and cool breezes they offer. Just saying! 😀

I don't know how long you lived in STT but I cannot remember ever being accosted on the beaches here or in STJ.
Coki beach is the only one I know that has active sellers.

I quite like our quiet beaches, of which there are many and varied, some being quite off the beaten track.
I don't get accosted by jewelry dealers on Main Strret, either. Our cruise ship season is very short and if you don't want to deal with tourists then it is simple to avoid places that may be busy when the ships are in town as there are many options.

I don't go out of my way to put STX down so don't quite understand the belittlement received about living in STT.
Sure you like where you live, so do I.

It's a great place to live and quite short distances to traverse from one side of the island to the other compared with distances one
drives in STX, also quite easy to get to STJ, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and all the other lovely cays and islands that surround us for day trips, sailing diving, fishing, kayaking, etc. or weekend getaways. Easier to fly in and out of as well. We love our hills, the views, and cool breezes they offer. Just saying! 😀

Alana, I just shared MY experience and decision process. Obviously your experience and choice of where to live is different, as we each choose to live where we are happy. If I said that everyone had the same experience as me, that would be belittling, but that is not what I shared. We each take our turns on this board making "digs" at each others' islands - you, me, and everyone else, such as your digs about STX being a longer drive ( STX is at it's widest 22 miles long, really?) to places. So please don't say that we don't all criticize each others' islands at times, because we all do. This is nothing new.

I refered a customer to a Realtor in STX because he was looking to purchase a home and we thought STX prices would be more reasonable for his budget. He lived there for awhile, checked out homes, locations, etc. and said he did not care for it since the distances there were much longer than getting around here, decided STT was the place he really wished to live. We found him what he was looking for here.

I lived in STX off and on for a few months each time as was working on a yacht at the time that was based there so I could extend my own license tonnage and I found the same thing after being used to driving and living in STT. STT is 31 sq miles. 13 miles long and 4 miles wide; Highest Point: 1,556. STX is 84 square miles in size, 22 miles long and the widest point is a little more than 6 miles. (altho another site said it was 28.96 long and closer to 8 wide.)

If you are used to driving long distances in the states, I am sure that is nothing but we have different types of roads with different challenges and speed limits than the states. Different strokes for different folks. Just depends what floats your boat.

I love all the islands as I'm sure we all do. But for various reason. To me, each island is different in many ways. But they are all paradise no matter how you slice it. But yes, if you want to be laid back, St. Croix would be for you, but if you are looking for a dazzling night life, which it sounds like you are, you might want to spend a little time of St. Thomas. Also, if you rent a place, you can always leave one island and try out the other. No problem Mon.,

Alana, I just shared MY experience and decision process. Obviously your experience and choice of where to live is different, as we each choose to live where we are happy. If I said that everyone had the same experience as me, that would be belittling, but that is not what I shared. We each take our turns on this board making "digs" at each others' islands - you, me, and everyone else, such as your digs about STX being a longer drive ( STX is at it's widest 22 miles long, really?) to places. So please don't say that we don't all criticize each others' islands at times, because we all do. This is nothing new.

I totally understand Alana's point in refuting the generalization you made which simply isn't true of St Thomas as a whole. As far as making "digs" at each other's island I hardly think pointing out that STX is more spread out than STT is a "dig" by any stretch. That's a fact - the island is much larger than STT and the topography completely different. If you ever wanted to truly experience STT I'm sure Alana would be happy to join me in taking you around and showing you what's outside the small tourist-oriented parts which have obviously formed your opinion.

I don't believe in many years of contributing to this forum I've ever spoken negatively of STX or any other island in our little group ...

most people do not speak negatively of any island, they just point out the facts as the pertain to them.

the only rivalry i hear about is crime and murder