Moving to St. Croix

Check with the Real Estate agent you have helping you find a property that's to your liking and budget but requesting 20% off asking price would be completely insulting to most sellers and they're not even going to bother to respond to such a lowball offer. You'll have burned that bridge, IMO.
They'll be pissed and it'll make any future negotiations difficult, especially if it's something you have your heart set on.
If you really like a property, put in a reasonable offer and pay what it's worth.

Good advice from Alana33. Your Real Eatate agent should be able to advise you on how motivated the seller of a particular property is and whether your initial bid is too low, too high or just right.

To answer your other questions:

1) All ready answered.

2) All contractors move on "island time". - expect everything to take longer and cost more than initial estimates. That way if the work happens to come in close to budget and near schedule you'll be pleasantly surprised.

3) If you are a friendly outgoing person and easily make friends where you now live you should have no difficulty doing that in the USVI's.

4) Depends where you purchase your property. You RE agent can guide you to the properties that meet your specific requirements.

5) The higher up you are the less chance you'll get damage from storm surges. Likewise they further from the beach the less the salt spray will affect your property, it's contents and your car. That said, the heat, strong sun, humidity and salt air will have an adverse affect on everything, especially electronics. No place will be immune from the ravages of the sea.

6) For tips - use the drop down menus at the top of this page. Start on the left and work your way to the right. There's tons of useful info that you can read. Also, search the forum archives for topics that interest/concern you. Every question you have and hundreds more you haven't thought of yet have been discussed at lean goth hundreds of times. It is all there at your finger tips.

Thanks to both for your responses. I will continue to research and really appreciate the help. Looking forward to an adventure.

Find out how long the property has been on the market. If it has been listed for several months, any offer would be considered and not be an insult.

There are still bargains to be found on St Croix. A friend of mine recently purchased a condo in Schooner Bay for $88,000 that was originally listed for $129,000.

Honestly, putting in a lowball offer for something you really want is risky.
I've seen it.
As a licensed Realtor, I've had to submit such offers against my advice and I've yet to have customer succeed in that endeavor. It may be more acceptable in STX but not in my experience in STT/STJ.

PLUS, it's not unusual for a property to be listed for more than a few months, sometimes even longer and unless the owners are particularly desperate, that lowball offer will be consigned to the trash.
People are willing to wait for a reasonable offer. Unless they're in dire circumstances, they're not going to give their property away.

Have your realtor do a comparative analysis of like properties to see what they've sold for.

We have a wide range of house prices on the market in STX. Work with a RE on what you are looking for and rice range and get in the ball park. Then work on what's a reasonable offer. Every deal will be unique. There may be more or less wiggle room on a price depending on condition and how long it's been on the market and of course the comps.
(Sometimes it's difficult to find good recent comps.) If the asking price is way above market value then it's not unreasonable to make an offer based on what would seem to be reasonable market value. After an offer is accepted there may still be some negotiation depending on what the home inspection finds, appraisal, or other due diligence.

From your questions, it sounds as if you've never visited here. I'd suggest a PMV, pre-move visit. STX is a large area with many different areas. What if you decide you don't care for an area after you buy?
After going through a hurricane, I hope to never live close to a beach. It's an island, get a view, all beaches are just minutes away.
After living east and in Christiansted area, I now prefer living west. Glad I didn't purchase a few years ago. We have many rentals here that are furnished.
Most people I've met throughout the years are friendly here.
Living here is different than vacationing here. Island life isn't for everyone. We have lots of warts that you either let it drive you crazy or you just accept and go with the flow.

And one of the top recommendations here at the VI Moving Center: Do not buy anything until you have been here a year. You will want to find out what part of your island calls you and even more importantly,if you hear the call at all. 😉

Making friends can be very difficult. Took me 2 years to get a good group on STX. STT was much much easier, I attribute that to a younger more outgoing crowd. I have seen some older ladies be REAL caddy to a newbie who was trying to make friends with them. STX makes me laugh in this regard - it feels very "high school" clique here.

Now being in the VI for a while I find myself even being stand offish to newbies as I've lost nearly all my STT friends back to the states. Even some of my STX friends are not enjoying STX and are in their first year... but hopefully they'll stay. Turn over is crazy high for lots of reasons.

I would never live right on the beach, my electronics are too important to me.

I would NEVER buy right away here. EVER.

do you know what the condo fees are?

Find out how long the property has been on the market. If it has been listed for several months, any offer would be considered and not be an insult.

There are still bargains to be found on St Croix. A friend of mine recently purchased a condo in Schooner Bay for $88,000 that was originally listed for $129,000.

do you know what the condo fees are?

Find out how long the property has been on the market. If it has been listed for several months, any offer would be considered and not be an insult.

There are still bargains to be found on St Croix. A friend of mine recently purchased a condo in Schooner Bay for $88,000 that was originally listed for $129,000.

Just look at the current MLS listings. 2 Bdr - Insurance Amt: 217; Insurance Remarks: Monthly; Condo Fee Amt: 445.89; Condo Fee Remarks: Monthly; Assessment Fee Amt: 122.90; Assessment Fee Rmks: Capitol Imporvement; Other Fee Rmks: Monthly;

thank you

First, St. Croix is a great place to live!

Ok, as to your quetions...

A 10% discount off an asking price is doable, but probably not 20.

Condo fees can be steep here, some are 300-600 per month.

Renovations can take te to line up contractors and have them fit you in. The good ones are VERY busy.

A good real estate agent will help you. Ours was terrible, but there are many.

Living on the water increases salt spray and corrosion, but u can live inland with a nice view. Stay easy, the west end is wet and wild, east is drier and more upscale.