st croix - rental logistics ?

Hello,

What has been the experiene of those of you that moved to St. Croix; did you find more furnished apartments or non-furnished??

--Islander

I've recently returned from a pre-move visit. I got the feeling that most apartments/condos were furninshed. The difficult part that I found was trying to look at any that were not on, or just off, a main road since I do not know my way around very well and it seems to be true what they say about locals being quite friendly but not being able to give directions that an outsider finds easy to follow. Plus many roads are not well marked, again I was warned about this. At this time of year there seems to be plenty to choose from. I suspect that isn't the case during tourist season.
doreen

hi islander
thought I'd let you know that although my name is doreenweekley here I'm the same person as the doreen on the orginal post. i've had some problems with my login (long story) and had to create a new one. didn't want you or anyone to think i was playing some name games.

Doreen,
Most rental units here are furnished. Sometimes all you need to bring are your clothes. Sometimes you need a little more. You can get everything you might need here on the island. I suggest you bring things that remind you of where you come from. Things like pictures and knic-nacks. They tend to make the place feel more like your own.
As far as short term while you're looking, we stayed at the Waves at Cane Bay. There are many places on island where you can stay for a week or so without killing the budget.
Feel free to email me directly if you have other specific questions you think I might be able to answer.

Ric

Hello Doreen,

How was the pre-move visit? What did you think of St. Croix, good trip, bad trip, learned a lot???

--Islander

We have a condo at Colony Cove. Its fully furnished, including kitchen stuff and knick-knacks. Its a 2br/2ba on the beach. The website is www.mindspring.com/~stcroixcondo
if you'd like to look at it. We have changed the upholstery and I have to upload the new pics. We rent it by the month as well, so don't let the daily rate scare you!

Abbi
stcroixcondo@mindspring.com

hi Islander (hello and tks for the info to Abbi and Ric if you're reading this)

I had a great visit, tks for asking. I was well prepared from all the research so there weren't many real surprises. Reading the posts on this board over many months was very helpful for both the positive and not so positive points made about island life in general and STX specifically. Since I so much appreciate everyone's honesty I'm going to admit that it was not love at first site. I went with an open mind and determined to keep it that way for the entire visit. Honestly, the first couple days I had many times that I thought maybe this is just too big of a change. I had to remind myself "no decisions during the trip either for or against a move". By the end of just my short week I didn't want to leave and had to again remind myself "no decisions that week" but for different reasons 🙂 After all I was going to have to actually work after any move - it wouldn't be endless days of diving, exploring, and mango rum daiquiris. 🙂
I loved the hilly terrain although some of those blind curves were a little scary for a first timer. Driving slow was good advice. Finding my way around was difficult at first but the main roads become familiar after a few days. The ocean views were breathtaking. I found the people very friendly.
Is STX, or any island life for that matter, for everyone? I doubt it. It quickly became clear that tropical living would be very different than stateside living. Even though I've visted Grand Cayman many times this was the first I've given real consideration to a move off the big continent. Is it for me? I believe it is and I can't wait to get back there in Oct. Is it forever? Who knows? Life changes too much to worry about forever. Does that mean I never question this decision? No. For me, it's like starting all over. Selling most of my "stuff", leaving a good salary and comfortable lifestyle not knowing exactly what lies ahead. It's both exciting and scary at times. I know that regardless if this is for a year or a lifetime I'll never regret it. I would, however, regret it if I decided not to experience it.
Lessons learned, let's see.....don't schedule a layover in PR that is less than 2hrs. Too much chance of being late and missing your connection. On time arrivals seem rare and over-bookings appear to run high (was 15% on one flight of mine). I spent an unexpected night in PR on the way to STX. Coming back to the states we were at least an hour late leaving as the airlines delt with their over-bookings - and this was the slow season. Then again, if you have the time, chances are high you could get a free ticket for giving up your seat! All in how you look at things.
Other thoughts...do searches on this moving board - there is a LOT of information for anyone considering a move to the islands. Personally, why am I moving? Over the years I've fallen in love with diving, carribean waters and tropical weather. I'm ready for a more laid back lifestyle. I like the fact that STX is part of the U.S. for the freedom that represents, my being a U.S. citizen. Also, to me the diversity is one of it's charms.
Well I better go do some sorting and tossing. This is the hard part. It is amazing how much stuff I still have that I never use even after many moves and downsizing from houses to apartments!!

Hope to meet some of the board contributers at one of the get togethers after I get settled.
Doreen

The rental scene on St. Croix seems very mixed. I've read on this board of people who have signed a one-year lease and paid a security deposit plus the first and last months' rent. I simply gave my landlord a stateside check for the first month! And I didn't even have a job yet! There's no signed lease, either. I just write a check at the beginning of each month. I think if you look honest and employable, you can find situations like this. There are a lot of empty apartments right now (off season). Most aren't advertized and are filled by word of mouth, either by transplants or seasonal vacationers. I think a lot of landlords do some rather spotty leasing.

Doreen, it sounds like you'll fit in well on St. Croix. Yes, you have to work here but can have daiquiris on the weekends!

Hello Doreen,

Thank you for sharing. All the best with your moving plans and with sorting through all your things and packing - that seems like one of the biggest challenges folks are reporting. 🙂

--Islander

hi FormerOhioGuy

From what I've heard and experienced I have to agree that word of mouth seems to go a long way for both apartment hunting and job hunting. Also, I too got the impression that looking honest and employable goes a long way.
By the way I grew up in the Pittsburgh area and my brother and his wife lived in Ohio for a number of years, can't recall the area off the top of my head. Pretty different terrain there in STX!
Hoping to meet some of you transplants (and locals) later this year in one of the get togethers!
doreen

Doreen,

What neighborhood in the Pittsburgh area?

Hi Doreen,

I agree with FormerOhioGuy -- you''ll settle in here on STX just fine. Your premove visit write up was one of the best I've read because it's so honest about the things people really need to find out before moving here but don't spend enough time considering: can I make the emotional and intellectual adjustments needed to be happy in the islands? Seems like most people focus mostly on answering their questions about the physical stuff first, like where will I live, bring or buy furniture, can I find all the products I need in the stores there,etc. There's no doubt that those are all things that need to be figured out, but the place to start is where you did -- can I adjust to being here.

Onme more thing from FOG that I want to echo -- where did you live in Pittsburgh when growing up? I spetn a couple of great years there, and absolutely love that city.

Am looking forward to having you join us here on STX. Thanks for a terrific post.

HC

Doreen: I am glad you are doing so well. Iam comming over the 8th of sept. and am going to go in cold as I am used to doing. hope to meet you at the sept. 14th get togethr at off the wall at 6pm. Spent most of my life traveling so new places are standard for me. Good Luck and all the best.

hi FormerOhioGuy & HipCrip:
I thought that since you both were asking about Pittsburgh I'd reply in one post.
I grew up in the Beaver County area (Rochester) kinda worked/hung out in the Swickley & Greentree areas primarily. Those are all 15 - 40 miles outside of the city if you are not familiar with them. HipCrip where did you live those years? On my premove visit one employee at Hotel Caravelle grew up about 10 miles from me and Helenna (spelling?), who was a dear woman that works the front desk, has family in Monroville and says that is her second home. Small world isn't it. I've finally purchased my ticket so my official arrive on Island date is Oct 5th. Looking forward to meeting you all at one of the get togethers.
Doreen

hi rockPortJohn
Tks for the encouragement. I've moved quite a lot over the years, all across the U.S. but I still didn't think I could make a move like this without at least a vist. Brovo to your being so flexable and able to take it all as it comes. I think for those reading these posts I'd have to advise a visit first however. I've met a lot of people over the years and certainly some that I belive could do the move like you are doing and just embrace the "experience" but they were the exception not the rule. At least in my experience I'm not quite that brave 🙂 yet. I look forward to hearing about your experiences "setting in"! I'm sure all will go well with your open attitude. I'm not on island until Oct 5th so I will not make the Sept get together. Maybe Oct. enjoy!
Doreen

Hey Doreen,

I was in the city proper during my Pittsburgh years. Worked downtown right across the street from Kaufmanns Department Store. Lived first in the Shadyside neighborhood, then in Squirrel Hill. Adored my Squirrel Hill place because it was such a nice familty neighborhood -- if your family hadn't been there for a couple of generations, you were considered a newcomer. Didn't hurt that it was right off the main street and everything I could have ever wanted -- from bookstores, movie theaters and bars/restuarants to green grocers, bakeries, butchers and a supermarket -- we all within three or four blocks of my house.

Okay, FormerOhioGuy, our paths seems to have taken us to many of the same places -- what's your connection with Pittsburgh?

Congrats on getting your ticket and a firm arrival date, Doreen -- the time will go quickly and you'll be down here before you know it!

HC

Doreen,

Swickley is beautiful-all those Victorian homes on the hills. I love the drive along SR 51 along the Ohio River with all the factories, railroad yards, and industry.

HC-I just like big cities, and Pittsburgh is not far from northeast Ohio, where I grew up and later lived for three years. I used to drive over now and then on weekends. I've been in the Kaufmann's store and visited a lot of the sites. Squirrel Hill is cool. I have a Jewish friend in Alexandria, Virginia, who grew up there. He actually hates Pittsburgh!

I too have a fully furnished two bedroom, two bathroom condo at Colony Cove that, at the moment is available for short term, long term rental or sale. If interested, let me know and I'll give you more details.

Doreen: I agree with you that not too many people are able to just up and move like I have done in the past. A pre-move visit is a requirement for most people and then they need to consider all the ins and outs of the diff. in their old and new life styles. Me, I have traveled the bigest part of my life due to my former ocupations so new places have been the norm not the exception. We will get an Oct. get to gether put together and will see you then.

hi hipCrip
I love those areas too. Never lived in either but browsed around the stores now and then. Pretty area. The people are friendly in Pittsbugh too - just like STX 🙂
Doreen

sounds good rockPortJohn. Look forward to meeting you and the others! Maybe you should consider writing a book 🙂 Well off to work I go....
Doreen

Hello, my husband and I are planning a move down to STX and we were wondering what a 6 month or 1 year lease on a condo would be like down there, preferably 2 bedroom 2 bath? Our timeframe is still up in the air as we are in the process of selling our auto repair business here in Michigan which should close in about 2 weeks and then we have the house to sell. but as soon as that is gone we are on our way. as soon as the business is sold we plan a premove visit to maybe make some tenative living arrangements. so any information from anyone would be appreciated. I have talked to a couple people about leasing at Mill Harbour, we have stayed there before and that doesn't seem too bad, Thanks for any info.

Hi Leeann,
Our place, Colony Cove is right next to Mill Harbor, and to my way of thinking, a lot nicer. It is complete with a TV/VCR/DVD, washer/dryer, dish washer, gallery ( Cruzan for large private patio ), full kitchen and dining area. It is decorated in a colorful Carribean decor.
If interestred, let's further the correspondence in e-mail. It's easier to find.