North side of STT compared to the East side.

Some one from the Northside will have to correct me, but I don't think that there is a safari route over there. You might be limited to the "loop." Also, won't you have to find out where you'll be working before you find something close to it????

Hello Matt,

Northside is more residential; there are two hotels, a few restaurants, a couple elementary schools, a gas station... and residences. It’s a mountainous area (most of St. Thomas is but the highest mountain on St. Thomas is on the Northside), so you have more moisture.

East End is more a mixture of residential and commercial; there are about 10 resorts, numerous restaurants, grocery stores, marinas, bars, ferry dock, schools, mail center, doctor's offices etc. and residences. It’s a flatter/lower area, more dry.

Population wise they are about the same (according to the Census East End: 7,672 and North Side: 8,712) but the East End has always felt more populated to me - perhaps because of the commercial aspect. And because of the commercial aspect it is, like East Ender mentioned, on the safari route; which is what many that don't have their own transportation rely on, in addition to public buses.

There are a couple bus stops on the Northside but I can't say I have ever seen a bus at one. And the safaris you see in the Northside are giving tours for visitors, rather then running the dollar ride/public transportation route.

Some like the Northside and some prefer the East End. Both are good choices.

Based on you looking for work in Restaurant/Bar, you’d likely find more options on the East End in Red Hook or at resorts. And then also in downtown or Havensight (which is the south side of the island). There are only a few restuarants on the Northside, I can think of 5 – but hey, if you found work at one of those then northside would be a choice for finding an apartment (however you'd be far from grocery stores, banks etc since you wouldn't have a car and that area isn't on the public transportation route).

Hope this helps.

--Islander

Dear Matt,

You'll quickly find that you'll need a car. Going by safari and taxi gets really old after just a short while, especially since you're looking for work in the restaurant/bar business and you probably won't be getting off work early. The safari buses don't usually work after dark and definitely not on the Northside - and most taxi drivers won't want to take you to the Northside after 11PM unless you really want to make it worth their while.

Just a late-night thought!

I once heard from a dollar ride driver that there was one guy that did about 5 Northside runs starting at about 5 in the morning. Will try and find out more when I see him again.

RL