Rental Prices

Sara,

Good Morning and Merry Christmas!

Assuming you are talking about St Thomas, the rental rates range greatly, as does the quality of the housing. Strangely, it also does not necessarily follow that a more expensive place will be "better" than a cheaper place. A lot of it has to do with your luck with regard to what is available at the time you are ready to rent.

Also, this is a big little island, so where you want to live will greatly affect your rent, but it will also greatly affect HOW you live.

Do you want an urban setting? You may find a cheaper place in the city. That means you won't necessarily need a car, and you'll have quick access to retail, restaurants, etc. However, you will also have to deal with the noise, crowds, and other problems of living in a big city.

Would you rather be more rural? Great, but then getting around is going to be tough if you don't have your own wheels. Yes, there are taxis and buses, but it is not like you just get in your car and go whenever you want to.

Also, keep in mind that some places are furnished, while others are not. (And that "unfurnished" sometimes means no stove or fridge either).

It really depends on you. What are your expectations? Are you a youngster, with an easy "whatever" attitude? Or, do you have a few more years behind you and have grown accustomed to certain things? This is a great place to really test how much a person can change. I am finding out a lot about myself as I go through this process.

I guess I have written a lot here, and not really answered your question. That is because without knowing what you expect, no one can really answer your question.

I'll tell you this--for $600 a month (or $750 for that matter) any place you rent is likely to be small and very basic. I don't think I could be content in the places I imagine go for that price (but that's just me, and that is my point).

Please keep in mind that other things are expensive here too (though it sounds like you might be moving from Hawaii, where the COL is also quite high). My point is that if the difference between $600 and $750 is a make-or-break number, please reconsider moving here, because there are probably LOTS of other costs you haven't thought of that could eat up that $150 each month anyway.

If you can, try to come here for a longish vacation before you move, so that you can check it out. This way, you could see a sampling of the types of places that are in your price range, and also get a sense of the other costs associated with living here.

Good Luck!!

Hello Sara,

Here are the rent averages/ranges on this site under moving.

Studio
$500-$700

Cottage
$800-$1200

1 Bedroom
$600-$1000

They are pretty large ranges and that is in fact the case. You can find a small, unfurnished, clean studio out in the "country" (which is anywhere outside of town) for $500, 600, 650... You can find a one bedroom for $650 and a two bedroom for $800.

Apartment prices from experience; large one bedroom with modern furnishings, washer and drying and really nice view - $750. Two bedroom, clean with nice furnishings and great view but out in the middle of nowhere $800. Small one bedroom, clean but older furnishings, no view, quiet neighborhood - $600 utilities included except water. Large one bedroom with large kitchen, large living room, quiet, no view, parking area, furnished $750. Some studio apartment no furnishings $500. You might want to order a Settlers Handbook so you can read about living and moving to the USVI and also request an Island Trader Newspaper which includes lots of classifieds - you can then read through the classifieds and get a great idea of whats out there and how much they run.

When you move here if you have a budget you just need to look for an apartment that is in that budget because they do range in price depending on view and furnishings...

--Islander

Thankyou so much. You are a great help to this site and truly seem to know what you are talking about, and I appreciate a nice person being able to help. I am keeping my hopes up that all will be OK. I have lived on a territory before. As long as rent is in that price range I can handle that. I just don't want to get there and find out we should have stayed in Hawaii. I am banking on statistics and factual information. They say Hawaii is the most expensive place to live in the US so i figure if we can make a go of it here, we can make it anywhere.

aloha sara, did you and your SO make it over to the VI from HI? I live on oahu island, hawaii, like you do (or did, as the case may be) and am considering a relocation to the VI also (in June of this year). I'd be interested to hear your comments about the VI.

Thanks very much!
-m.a.