Moving to Virgin Islands

Anyone?

1 bedroom condos, stj, currently start at about 375k.
the house market, for a real house [not a wood-framed tent] seems to bottom out around 500k. check on some of the stj realtor pages for all the mls listings...

Jamie,

While I don't live on the Islands, ( at least not yet *lol*)I have heard that virtually all of St.John is safe, so you should have no problem with that. I don't know about prices for condos or houses though.

If you end up opening a bar & grill..can I work for you? *lol*

I'm also moving down there. I will most likely be on St. Thomas,but I could commute. *lol*
I'm looking into being a waitress/ bartender when I hit the islands around the early spring time.

*Kandi*

I would hire you Kandi lol. But I have had this idea of opening a Bar/Grill since the first time I visited the Virgin Islands. It would be called "Jamies Island Bar" or something stupid like that lol.

Hello Jamie,

You might read through the real estate section on this site at

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/realestate/stjohn.php

New bar/restaurants come and make it and others don't. I don't think the market is saturated but it is all about getting the word out and being good on location, price, food, service, atmosphere. Research it well; perhaps you might move down and work in a few popular restaurants, talk to people, feel out the market - whats working and not.

All the best with your plans!!

--Islander

Thanks islander! I know the market from talking to a few people when I was down, but i didnt think that was enough. They basicly told me that although many restaurants fail, a select few turn out to be hangouts that are popular with locals and tourists. I was told by one "local" that it is easy to get tourists, but getting locals is the key to success because when the tourists arent flocking in heavy numbers, locals will be there. Is this true to any degree?

so is this partly true?

Yes, Jamie. For the most part, if people that live on the islands frequent your establishment, it has a higher chance for success. This could be ex-pats as well as folks born here. Places like the Hard Rock Cafe on STT, or Duffy's on both STT and STJ are exceptions to the rule. There are others, too, but I wouldn't bank on making it as they have.

thanks for the info...im now gonna try to look into this further

It's Marketing 101

What made you think to open a bar.grill on the island?
What is/will be unique about yours as opposed to others there?
What made seemingly good ones fail?
What made seemingly crappy ones succeed?
Why should I go to yours instead of Duffy's or the guy in the parking lot down from The Green House with the green truck and greatest chicken and pigeon peas in history? (sorry I had a flash back)

I know a lot about marketing lol...my mother is a PR manager so that would not be such a problem. I wanted to start up a restaurant/bar since i was a kid and I really got into it when I first visited some of the Caribbeans beach bars, I always thought they give off such a relaxed and laid back atmosphere that my dream was always to start my own.

That sounds wonderful - good luck to ya!! Also, keep me up-to-date so I can come have a drink with you at your new place.