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We just returned back to the mainland from a week of househunting in Saint Croix. made some observations and thought we would share this with any potential future "Island people". We have checked all areas and did decide on the East end or middle east end in which to concentrate our search to. Here are our findings.....
Home prices are very high compared to the mainland......
Home inventory very low....
Home conditions are poor...
It is hit or miss on finding a house with a paved road. The condition of common areas (driveways or streets) are poor to say the least. Some are just DANGEROUS.
There is so much illegal dumping....cars, appliances, and all sorts of things are scattered everywhere. I have seen more then one beach dump as I call them.
Roadside litter is everywhere and it is so bad. Broken bottles, plastic bags, tires, etc.
Food is expensive and inventory is limited. Many items are up to 100% higher then the mainland.
House Taxes are not that high.
Homeowners insurance on a 300,000 is $6,000 a year which includes hurricane insurance.
Gasoline is cheap
Some people bring their garbage to a dumpsite area in full view of the street....what a mess!
Utilities are double the mainland price.
Water....oh yes the water problem....just plain is not enough water. Talked to homeowners and seems they buy about 6-7 truckloads a year. $$$$
The islanders are either friendly or ready to grab your wallet. They are putting up cameras on the utility poles all around the town....even in front of the police station!
Hurricanes are common while hurricane insurance is ready to pull out. many people with mortgages will loose their investments if they do not or are not able to get hurricane insurance. Before the hurricane hits the power CO. shuts down leaving no power to the island. Then on top of that there is a curfew for days. You will have to run your house on a generator for 2-3 weeks but you can go out and get any gas.....what a life.
Next time you fly into or out of Saint Croix take notice and look closely as to the number of illegal dump areas they have scattered throughout the island. Seems the normal is to take your garbage out before bed when it is dark.
The US should consider giving that island to the first taker. America's Paradise is nothing but a garbage dump that is burning no less.
Thanks, SL
Posted : March 13, 2003 2:21 pm
I too just got back from looking into relocating to St. Thomas. What a mess. Almost all homes have some kind of garbage or junk laying besides them. I talked to many many people there on what there is to do also. Everyone says go snorkling, I just cant snorkle that much or that long. I think I ll stay in Ohio where the streets are clean and the homes are nice and nicely kept. I can always find many things to do here to keep myself occupied. St. Thomas is a nice place to visit for a week, buts thats about it.
Posted : March 13, 2003 2:53 pm
Scott,
You have selelcted the East End of St. Croix - which is a good choice. A lot of the things you described are in larger residential areas around the towns, as I have experienced. The East End as you have seen and areas around the 'rain forest' are quite different. Almost like a City and Country difference.... The water issue you mentioned is true for the USVI in general. All water resources are basd on rain fall, as a way of life conserving water is a must!! or you will pay for it literally by buying it.
Your description of hurricanes.... well yes we get hurricanes. We have gotten two big ones since 1989- Hugo in 89 and Marilyn in 1995. It is not an inconvience to have the power turned off before the hurricane hits. It is necessary for safety. When hurricanes hit the power poles sometimes are toppled, lines snap.... it would increadibly dangerous to leave power on so that these lines are live while a hurricane is passing though... after hurricanes it is necessary to check lines and poles, fixing damaged ones before restoring power. And yes power takes a while to restore after large storms like Marilyn. Many continentals that live in the USVI will say its a small price to pay for enjoying warmth all year round, not shoveling snow, going out on their boats every weekend... depends on the person really. The curfew that exisit after hurricanes is at night, because there is no power. Also for the first days, when fema and national guard as well as local officials are trying to access damage and get help to people - they prefer that residents are not out trying to drive around and get into accidents or trouble... you are free to walk around if you like and some people go out and try to drive... often roads are blocked by debree however. Nighttime is really dark without lights so curfew is necessary to keep folks from getting in the way of recovery efforts.
Are you still interested in lving there?? Did you find anything positive from your experience?
--Islander
Posted : March 13, 2003 4:11 pm
Topic starter
I agree with you 100% Snorkling you can only take so much of. No place like home for sure.
Posted : March 13, 2003 4:14 pm
Hello Craig,
Just curious as to where you explored for homes... I completely agree with you that there are quite a few homes and residences with junk gardens outside rather then beautiful hibiscus and bouganvilla. Certainly quite different from well groomed lawns prevelent in many neighborhoods in the states. However there are areas in St. Thomas where landscaping around the homes are well maintained... the northside (with the exception of a fishing boat or two in the yard :-), Frenchmans Reef area, Peterborg... These are often more expensive areas as well. St. Thomas is small and you can see the differnces between neighborhoods easily since a short drive is all that is necessary to get from one area to another, however it is similar to the areas of the states where one neighborhood is differenent then another. Just maybe ore apparent in the VI. Did you visit the northside area - did you find it the same as everywhere else??
The persons you spoke to for recommendations sound like they were making recommendations to a visitor/tourist. Snorkeling/beach and island tour or shopping is what most residents will say to a visitor. You are right however if a person does not favor watersports and activities directly related the ocean then they will not be impressed by the things there are to do here. Some residents report having rock fever - which is being stuck on an isalnd with limiting range of things to do. Activities are around water sports, beach, surfing, windsurfing, boating, sailing, diving, day tripping to other islands... there are also concerts, dining, plays for nighttime activities. Many permement residents (transplants from the US who own businesses in the USVI) with the means to travel will go home to the states once or twice a year for 3 weeks stays. Some go sking, take the kids to disney... to get a change of atomosphere. Then they return to their island homes to enjoy the laid back island life.
I am glad to hear from both of you, it goes to show that the islands are not for everyone and its a great idea to plan a longer vacation/see if you could live here visit. Some people love it and some don't.
--Islander
Posted : March 13, 2003 4:22 pm
Topic starter
Finding a few positive things things in my experience is easy. Many of the people I met around the east end were wonderful. I have been driving with my map trying to find 5 flags area. Stopped at a gas station and was told where to find it but I still could not find it and it was only 1/4 mile away. I went back to ask someone else and he had me follow him there. Finding places there is really hard.
Stopped at Dugans Reef. Great bunch of people there and nice Bar on the beach. The bartender lives on a boat and travels back and forth to Key West . My kind of life 🙂
There was a restaurant at gallows bay that is outstanding!!!! I would come back just for the pork chop dinner I had there. Best on the island. In town there are many small breakfast and lunch places that are inexpensive and good. Stayed at Hotel on the Cay. Great place and staff. Needed batteries for my camera and an office staff person took me to town on the boat and showed me where to purchase them. She was so nice.
The biggest problem that I had was the island was so dirty. It would seem that the government have a plan on getting it cleaned up as in using prisoners for road patrol and neighborhood clean up parties. That should be Job # 1 for the island. It is a tourism supported island and many people will come back and tell others if the place was really kept up nice. Saint Croix could be the island of choice with a little orginization and planning. Without all the garbage the land is beautiful for sure.
Posted : March 13, 2003 4:40 pm
