Regional Climate

i live on stx. the closer to the water you are, the more stuff will rust and mold. some places are dustier-and yes, for some it is a big deal. elastics go bad faster-bras, elastic on pj's, that kind of stuff. certain colors fade-green, purple and some blues. shoes do not last as long.

have fun on your pmv

Don't bring any winter clothing tho you might need a light sweater or jacket during the winter months depending on the altitude you will be living at.

This is the tropics so salt air, sunshine, heat, humidity and rain all takes a toll on things.
North side is much cooler IMO than East End/Red Hook and south side of island.
You just have to figure out what suits you best depending on your needs/desires/budget.
It may depend on where you are working as to where you wish to live.
If you are going to UVI, Red Hook is a long daily commute.
There are lots of resorts on the east end but noot sure what you're planning on doing so can't comment.
You should be okay with your budget but it depends, again, what you want.
Always helps to bring more than less. Good luck.

I thought it was interesting that you mentioned your boyfriend may prefer:
......................"being in an area that has more things going on and can walk to the corner store"

Red Hook has a lot going on, but it not as cool as other areas. Walking to a corner store is very unlikely at any area of the island. If you plan to work at a hotel resort, most resorts are located closer to Red Hook or on the south side.

You mentioned mold issues? The higher elevations have the mold issues, but it is much cooler and better breezes at the higher elevations. Depends on your preference for the cooler temperatures in exchange for dealing with a little mold. I live on the north side at a lower elevation and almost never have problems with mold unless it has been wet, cloudy and raining for several days.

Once you visit in person, you will have a better perspective of what the island has to offer and what will fit your needs and preferences.

We live on the north side + out daughter goes to daycare in redhook. Most days the outside temp in the car varies 5-10 degree between our house and her daycare. We have not had any mold issues, but we try to keep up with all that... maybe it's our elevation. I guess we're high enough to get the cool breeze but not high enough for the mold?

Northside to redhook is about 20-25 min.
Northside into Town - 12-15 min.
Redhook into town on a busy cruise ship day can be 45 min or more.

Every area has it's own restaurants/bars. I dont know how many people WALK to them, a lot of that also has to do with the hills.

This is the kind of information I was looking for. In other forums people are very vague on the different regions of the island. Me personally, I would prefer something a little cooler and not TOO hot so I don't think southside would be right for me although I'm used to humid temperatures. Summers in Maine and Boston can get pretty hot and sticky.

It does sound like Northside is cooler and the mold really isn't an issue....maybe that might be the better area for me. If I were looking at the Northside, where would the best neighborhood be for a young couple (inter-racial) we don't have kids together but he has a son (he'll be 16 when we move) that would come to visit. We don't want to be in an area that's secluded so probably somewhere that has restaurants and bars. I obviously love the beach or I wouldn't be moving down there so a beach nearby is a must. I also like more modern accommodations and not places that are run-down. I would be renting when I first get there so if I don't love the area, I can always move. I want people's opinions that live on the island because you are the ones that are more familiar with the lay of the land than I am. Just like if you were to move to Maine I would tell you "this city is good" or "make sure to avoid this city because it has a paper mill that makes your whole place smell when it rains". I want honest opinions!!!!

The neighboods are different here than in the states.
There really is no "best" neighborhood for an interacial couple. I don't think you'll fiind that an issue as island has a predominently a black population and there are people here from all over the world and the states. Almost every place you live you will need a car to get where you want as there really is no walking to the corner store. There are very few areas that even have sidewalks (downtown and Red Hook) and there is no reliable bus service. Some areas such as the North side there is NONE!
Safari's run back and forth from Red Hook into town but stay on the main roads and theres no real schedule to their passing.

There are lots of beaches all over the island so you are never too far from one. The island is small and the terrain is mountainous but it's not like in the states where you have to drive for hours to get where you want to go.

Melissa: When you come here in January or February, it will probably be chilly and breezy on the Northside. And it will be pleasant everywhere else. The "hot" part is usually in late summer- August-September.

Re: walking to the "corner store"...Unless you are going to a very expensive convenience store, I can't think of a place where one would do this for fun. If you live in town, there are stores, if you live in Red Hook or Frenchtown there are a lot of bars. Actually, Frenchtown is one area where you could walk to a corner store. On the Northside, there are individual restaurant/bars, but not an area full of them. You will get a better sense of this when you come visit.

I was unclear if you were going to attend UVI? Also the "luxury" resorts are not in Charlotte Amalie (again, when you get here, you'll understand.) The Ritz-Carlton is on the east end. Marriott is in Frenchman's Bay, near town. I am hard-pressed to name any other hotels as luxury.

Re: "modern accomodations"- can you explain what it is you need/want?

Lastly, since you asked...Ilike the east end of St Thomas because it is close to things I enjoy doing, although I travel quite a way for work. Yes, it is warm in the summer, but I have a/c to help with that.

Happy planning!

I don't plan on attending UVI....I'm going to school here in Maine and will be moving when school is finished.

I don't know what I was thinking when I said Charlotte Amalie....I totally meant Frenchman's Bay. I work part time for Marriott up here and I'll be transferring down to the Frenchman's Reef Marriott.

When I say modern accom

Opps...that's what I get for trying to do this on my phone.....accidently posted the message without finishing it.

So when I say modern accomodations I mean not anything run-down. More updated or at least well maintained.

I'm not really worried about transportation. We'll most likely ship my car or buy something on island. What are people's opinions on scooters....I was thinking about getting one once I got used to the roads and driving down there.

Opps...that's what I get for trying to do this on my phone.....accidently posted the message without finishing it.

So when I say modern accomodations I mean not anything run-down. More updated or at least well maintained.

I'm not really worried about transportation. We'll most likely ship my car or buy something on island. What are people's opinions on scooters....I was thinking about getting one once I got used to the roads and driving down there.

We just had a discussion on scooters - check out: https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,212009

Climate:
Frenchmans Bay is at a lower elevation, faces South and is dryer and warmer than the higher elevations or the Northside locations. You won't be concerned with the mold issues mentioned in some earlier posts, you might be concerned with limited rainfall and having to buy water depending on the cistern size and how many units have access to it. More A/C usage is also likely facing South with the afternoon and summer sun.

Modern Accomodations:
A high percentage of rentals are part of a bigger private house with attached apartment or cottage - there are not many apartment complexes, although I would guess Condo Complexes are sort of that. Condos are individually owned and furnishings will vary as such but outside property and infrastructure maintenence is usually pretty good.
This purely my opinion and observation: Unfurnished rentals are usually better maintained overall than furnished rentals. They are commonly rented to more stable and longer term residents who own good furniture and have their own kitchen equipment, dining ware, bedding, linens and personal belongings - it is much easier to clean, paint and refurbish an unfurnished apt. between tenants and often are cheaper with longer leases and asking for local references. Furnished apts. are often filled with mismatched furniture of varying quality that is almost considered sacrificial in the landlords mind, fairly cheap appliances and a very basic and limited supply of household goods------ unless you are looking at the whole house villa style rentals which are nicely furnished with quality goods across the spectrum. Turnover is much higher in the general furnished apt. market and there are more available year round. Do not rent anything unseen and if possible visit it during the day and night times.
Ask about the historical utility costs wherever you rent - electricity is expensive here, you may be charged for water by usage ---- and cable , phone, satellite, and internet are sometimes included or need to be in the rentors name and account. Consider the parking space and security features of the unit. It really depends on how long you expect to live in the VI and what you plan to bring with you to determine what your living accomodation needs will be.
Do not ship a scooter!!! - if you think you want to ride one after a while here, they are always for sale from disillusioned riders.

Ok.....so no scooter for me. The roads and drivers sound very much like the roads in Ghana, Africa where I've traveled several times. I went to St. Thomas many years ago with my family. We took a taxi to Coki beach and I remember the winding roads, the terrible pot-holes and the crazy drivers. I'm not sure why I thought a scooter would be a good idea! I wish I had paid more attention to the lay of the land back than.