Seeking opinions--Still trying to decide-- Charlotte or Redhook?

Where is your place of employment? Do you have your own personal transportation?

town where there are no beaches?

no choice. Go to red hook!

billd

I will not and am not interested in having my own transportation, so will need reasonable access to Safari as that is how I plan on getting around. I will be looking for employment and flexible on that front.

Hello,

I am moving in 3 weeks and can't decide where to live. What are the pro's and cons of both Charlotte and Redhook? Good, bad, ugly please...and thanks!

*-)well Charlotte is a nice sports town with the Charlotte Bobcats of the NBA and the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Then there's NASCAR racing.

I like Red Hook alot, moved here July 25th, and I live in Red Hook.

Billd is correct, good beaches in Red Hook. The Safari runs through it. A couple I know live near Red Hook and work there and they don't have a car, they just Safari it.

Another part of the Island I am really starting to like is Frenchtown.......had lunch today at Betsy's.....blackened Chicken Cesar wrap was awesome! Pie Whole is another cool place I just learned about and have been there a couple of times already.

North Carolina vs St Thomas? Hmm, that is an interesting choice.;)

PMH,
In case you haven't caught on yet, it's Charlotte Amalie, NOT Charlotte. And...it's not "am-a-lee". It's "ah-mah'-ya" (or, as some say, ah-mah'-lee).:-)

Whew!! glad I know that now, what a relief and thanks for the clarification on that one!!! and wow, so much for "no worries" 'eh. Joey, I appreciate your response--thank you.

Can we get a little bit more about what you are looking for in a place to work and a place to live? Either area could work for you. I really love living in the Red Hook area. I have a vehicle, though, but you can do it without one. I have several friends who do. I work in Red Hook, of course, so that's one factor for me. I love taking day trips once a week to St John and I am close to the ferry here. I live a five minute walk from my favorite snorkeling beach on the island (my opinion, of course). Even without a car, you are close to two gorgeous beaches, both good for snorkeling. And I like the climate on this side of the island. We have a great breeze nearly all the time, enough rain to keep the cistern happy, but not so much that I have to buy Damp Rid. And I like the nightlife here in Red Hook. Most bars are laid back. You can find a wild time, if you like, too. People watching is fantastic! I guess I can't imagine living anywhere else, but what I am looking for may not match what you are looking for.

Sue, Thanks for your thoughts and personal angle-- I truly appreciate your views.

I would prefer to work in (order of preference) Marina, Retail, Waiter or Bartender. I am really quite open and have experience in all of these as well as being a past vice president of a $30 million a year company for many years. I also have my little business sourcing reclaimed wood products and lumber and re-purposing the material, which is something I can do from any location. The most important factor of working at this point is satisfaction of being happy with a job well done and making others happy while I am at it. I do not want a car, so Redhook looks to be friendly for public transportation and walking distance is reasonable to lots of great things to do and places to work. Snorkling is going to be a big part of my life, so the convenience of walking to that activity in Redhook is very appealing. I also want to get a sailboat, but probably won't happen until next season in reality, so getting familiar with the goings on at the marina is top on the list. Oh, and great people watching-- lol, Im sure I will be one of the cast (hopefully just a small role)! hah.

There is quite a community at Independent Boat Yard- workers, live-aboards, characters, etc. Never say never about having a vehicle. It comes in very handy if you want to go out in the evening or want to carry groceries or re-purposed wood.;)

I would think there would be more public transportation in Charlotte Amalie. And it depends on EXACTLY where you are in the Red Hook area as to whether you'd be convenient to public transportation. Safaris only run one way, and stop not all that long after dark. I spent almost two months without a car where I am in the area, and I did plenty of walking and decided that I really hate taxi drivers (greedy things, only after the tourists' dollars!) The friends I am talking about live closer than I do, but without a car in Red Hook, you WILL be doing some walking. And, as for what you want to do for a paycheck, there are marinas downtown, too, of course. Actually, those are just about all over the place! And there are many more retails stores downtown than in the Red Hook area. I agree with East Ender, think about a car. So many beaches here, beautiful, nearly desolate, that you can only get to if you have a car and know where they are!

Sure wish someone who lives in Charlotte Amalie would chime in here about why s/he likes it there!

Good luck with the move!

Even if you don't *want* a car, I suspect you will quickly tire of not having transportation here...it is going to be a task just to go to grocery stores and get things from Kmart to your home, regardless of where you live. East end and Charlotte Amalie have safari service, but that goes through Tutu, town, and East End only. With respect to Charlotte Amalie, it's not the best neighborhood on the island...I live above town and regularly hear gunshots ring out [at least twice a week], usually with someone empyting an entire clip, sometimes with accompanying return fire. I'm not trying to be a sensationalist, but these are things you *REALLY* need to consider.

I suggest a pre-move visit for a week [preferably 2], where you "live" like you would down here. This would give you the opportunity to apply for jobs as well, as very few will hire you here without you being here in person [unless it's a corporate relo]. In addition, it will give you the real live "feel" for what the different neighborhoods are like. There may be nicer areas of town that I haven't been to, but I looked at several places in town before I moved and there is no way I would have moved down there even though I found a few decent apartments with a lot of character.

It's all about what you are comfortable with, so do yourself a favor and come here for a period of time to "test run" what it's like to live here. Do mundane things like grocery shop and search for jobs. Wake up in the morning and make simulated runs to town or east end or wherever you may work to experience what it's really like. Keep in mind that rents here often require first, last, and deposit, so have a good bit of cash at your disposal before you move. Money goes quickly here!

Sorry for the verbose post and/or if you have already discussed some of this in a separate thread, but I wanted to throw my $.02 in for whatever it's worth 🙂

Good luck and keep us posted!