St Thomas or St John ? Give Your Opinion Please!

There are plenty of job opportunities on STJ, but very few if any reasonably priced housing vacancies. That's why lots of people live on STT and work on STJ. And you can't make any arrangements for October 2008 until September 2008.

"Away from the majority of commotion, traffic, crime, garbage, etc... I understand that St Thomas is less expensive to live on, and has more job opportunity.....but.......i dont want to settle for less"

Gee, I've been "settling for less" for 25 years & didn't even know it.

Hehe....i didnt mean it like that trade! But obviously you must be comfortable and happy on STT if you've been there for that long! It gives me hope if i to decide to stay there......

honk: Have you been to the Virgin Islands? I ask because St Thomas and St John are about as alike as Denver. and Aspen. What sort of work are you expecting to find? St John has very little available land (and it is shrinking daily with folks wanting their piece of the villa pie) which keeps prices up. If you are not a person of unlimited means, you may find the lifestyle a bit rough. On the other hand, who knows, it may be a perfect fit for you.

As an aside, I always wonder what people are comparing when they say St Thomas has too much commotion and traffic. Big America has commotion and traffic. What we have is pretty minor.

One good thing about being on STJ is you can't hear East Ender singing Feliz Navidad at Christmas time. 🙂

I am actually not very familiar with the virgin islands. St Martin and S Barts im familiar with ( which i know is not the same). But coming from NY, i understand that the commotion and traffic wont be as bad as here. Im just trying to get a better feel for the differences in the islands, and which one seems to be more suitable for my girlfriend and I. It sounds like STJ would be more for us, but maybe that wont be an immediate option for us at that time. Maybe we start on STT and work our way over there in time. Im not really sure. But all info is appreciated!

imho st. thomas is like manhattan,busy, loud, can be dirty, rude and quite exciting, st.john is like newport quite expensive and laid back and st croix would be like the midwest not as expensive as the other 2,more blue collar and honest, not so much a greed based economy as st thomas just because it's not as touristy as the other 2.

Have you considered St. Croix? Much less congested than St. Thomas and less expensive than St. Thomas and much less than St. John.

Yes, IMHO St. Croix beats 'em both. It's cheaper, less touristy, and has things that just can't be found on the other two isles. If you have a lot of money and like things really slow and quiet, then St. John would be the place for you. I personally can't recommend St. Thomas. It's the antithesis of island life to me.

Ok........well i havnt even really considered St Croix. Im not sure exactly why....but i havnt. I guess ill have to look into it a bit. Are there temporary apartment living spaces such as " Villa Fairview" on St Croix? Because that is a necessaity for us while we look for jobs and more permanent housing. Any info or help wih St Croix would be nice!!!

Alexandra knows everything about st. croix housing

Just wanted to chip in as a St. John resident. For temporary housing, I'd recommend the Inn at Tamarind Court. It's where my husband and many in his generation stayed when he moved here 10 years ago. People have been telling you that St. John is expensive, and it's true. I know a girl who pays $500 a month in rent for what is basically four stilts wrapped in screen (making the "walls") and no bathroom. I think she showers with a hose...no kidding. To get a feel for jobs and rents on island, you can check out the classifieds at www.stjohnnews.com.
St. John is by far more laid back and less congested than St. Thomas, but you also have to be willing to essentially create your own entertainment. There are only so many bars, restaurants and beaches you can cram on approximately 1/3 of a three by nine mile island (the National Park occupies the other 2/3 or so), and we have no movie theater.
I hope this has helped a bit and that I don't sound too discouraging. Certain people come to St. John and fall in love, but it's not for everyone. You should definitely visit each island before making a final decision. Good luck!

For short term housing on St. Croix, hop over to the classified board and check any posts by danieljude or j.v.o.

Now Trade, you will have to accept that YOU started it this year! 😉

Thank you all!! Im keeping my ears and eyes open to everything, on all 3 islands! Odds are though.....that we'll end up somewhere between STT and STJ. Im hopin for the best!

"we'll end up somewhere between STT and STJ..."

Had to giggle. You mean on a boat in Pillsbury Sound? 🙂

Ha! If thats what makes me happy! The so be it! I'll live on a house boat!! Why bother looking for apartments on the mainland