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Hello Everyone,
I'm Teresa's husband who just started working in St. Thomas 3 weeks ago. So far so good. The best advice I can give to anyone who is about to move here is have plenty of patience.
If you will be looking for a place to rent, don't expect to find something in one day (unless you are renting a condo and want to pay $$$$$). The Island Trader weekly paper has the best leads for rentals. Most real estate agents advertise that they handle rentals, but don't expect them to be much help. Someone told me that the rentals they are really interested in is vacation rentals so they can make a huge profit. The local Daily News has different listings each day (Monday - Saturday - they do not publish on Sunday's). My advice for the Daily News and the Island Trader (the Island Trader is published on Thursday's) is to call early. I called one ad from the Trader mid-day on Thursday and it was already rented! Also many of the ads say "leave a message". A few are good about calling back quickly, however most will call back after a day or so, or not even call back. By the way, two places I know of that you can find the Island trader are the bookstore in Havensight and Modern Music in Havensight. I have discovered that the best method of finding a rental is networking. I just found a studio apartment for short term through a co-worker. If you are about to relocate here for work, co-workers can be your best resource for adjusting. As far as which part of the island to live on... everyone you talk to has there own opinion. Don't take anyone's word. Visit each section and make your own opinion. Each section of the island has it's own micro-climate (except for the past week it has RAINED EVERYWHERE). I wouldn't be surprised if the cisterns are overflowing by next week.
Shopping for everyday essistials is not as bad as I thought it would be. The K-Mart in Tutu Park and Cost-U-Less are similar to stores in the States. I'm still searching for the best grocery store though. From the few stores that I have visited, the prices aren't that much higher than back in the States (actually I think it's cheaper than DC). I ahve heard that the PriceMart store is a good place to go, but I have not found it yet.
Driving on the island will take a little adjusting. You get used to driving on the left after a week or so. But you still have to think extra carefully at intersections. A lot of drivers are very courteous here and will let you go even when they have the right of way. However, beware of the taxis! The often drive down the middle of the road and try not to let them in front of you. They make frequent stops picking up and dropping off passengers. Gas is a little higher than the mainland, but still a bargain compared to Europe. Currently the average is $2.20 a gallon. When the cruise ships are in, be prepared for traffic delays on the south side. The can be four ships in or just only one... gridlock will occur. Again, just have patience and enjoy life on Island time. One word of caution... be very careful when it is raining. The roads get very slippery, especially on the steep hills.
There are plenty of excellent restaurants on the island. Bluebeard's Castle has two very good eateries: Room with a View and the Banana Grille. Be sure to make reservations. The Shipwreck has very tasty burger and Pizza Amore has the best pizza I've tasted on the island. Both are located in Al Cohen's mall across from Havensight. For the Irish Pub fans out there, there is Molly Malones in Redhook. If you like fast food, there are McDonalds (breakfast till 11:30!!!), Wendy's, KFC's, Subway's, and Pizza Hut's located on the South and East ends of the island.
I hope this post has helped anyone who is about to move. I am still in the learning process about this remarkable island and will be happy to post my experiences as I go. Good luck to everyone!
Chris
Posted : May 23, 2004 4:14 pm
I'll be there a week after tuesday. I'lls have about a week to find a place. What is your place like and how much are you paying? Are there very many option available in the paper at the moment?
Thanks for the help
Steve
Posted : May 23, 2004 6:01 pm
Topic starter
Steve,
I just replied to your email with the link to the local newspaper and a few listings on the East side from the Island trader. For those who don't have the newspaper's web site, it is
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com
I don't believe there is a web site for the Island Trader.
I just found a studio apartment on the South side next to the Marriot Frenchmen's Reef for $850 month plus utilities. This place was designed for short term rentals and therefore is a little higher. I've seen studio and 1 bedroom apartments advertised for less but you have to act fast and make sure they're in a good area.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Chris
Posted : May 23, 2004 7:28 pm
Chris, a great grocery store is Food Center. It's on the road to Red Hook. Much better than getting shocked at Pueblo!
As to the gas prices. The nationwide average is now above $2, so we do have cheaper gas now, strange as it may seem!
Ronnie
Posted : May 23, 2004 7:39 pm
By the way. Great advice!!
Ronnie
Posted : May 23, 2004 7:42 pm
Chris,
Thanks honey. I knew you would have good info. My advice is limited or second-hand. BTW - weather here (Missouri) was 90 something degrees, hot, muggy, sunny, with no Carribean breeze to cool us down. Stayed in the air conditioning all day. I am sure after we have been there (STT) a while and had to buy water that rain will be a welcomed sight. See you soon.
Not to be too mushy, but I have to say I love you.
Teresa
Posted : May 23, 2004 11:30 pm
Thanks Chris for sharing your advice!!
Pricemart is easy to find... its in between Cost U Less and K-mart at the Tutu Park Mall. If you drive from Cost U Less area toward the Mall PriceSmart will be on the right hand side of the road - look for the sign, its just before you get to Fort Mylner Shopping Center where KFC is located and then Banco Popular - if you see the bank you already missed PriceSmart.
--Islander
Posted : May 23, 2004 11:38 pm
Jumping in on Ronnie's post about the Food Center as a good grocery store - we lived out of there when we stayed at Secret Harbour on our vacation last December and grew to love the place. Food Center has a wide variety of products (laid out logically) and the prices are definitely reasonable (we didn't notice any difference between 90% of the prices there and what we pay in DC).
Also had really nice staff -- the gentlemen who often worked at the camera/film counter always kept me company while Kelly was checking out with our purchases (haven't yet found a checkout lane in any VI grocery store that my wheelchair will fit through, so I wheel around and chat politely with the grocery baggers or specialty counter folks while I wait for him to emerge on the other side).
HipCrip
Posted : May 24, 2004 9:46 am
Topic starter
Ronnie/HipCrip,
Thanks! I actually tried Food Center last night. Overall I was impressed. It was very well lit and very clean. The selection was the best I've seen on the island so far. The prices did seem higher than the other stores, but not too high to keep me from going back.
Posted : May 24, 2004 1:22 pm
Topic starter
Islander,
Thank you for the directions to PriceSmart. I will check it out this weekend. It sounds like I have passed it many, many times and have not noticed it. Do you know the cost of their membership?
Thanks again,
Chris
Posted : May 24, 2004 1:26 pm
Topic starter
Teresa,
Don't forget to cut the A/C back during the day!!!! I don't miss the Missery (I mean Missouri) weather, but I do miss you and the kids. Can't wait to get you down here.
Love you too.
Chris
Posted : May 24, 2004 1:30 pm
Awwh!
All that husband and wife talk is so cute ...
Very nice !
I remember visiting Price Smart when i was there ..(for carnival)
I wanted to buy a bottle of midol ...and when i saw the price $9.00 and change i had an instant headache..lol.....
Shopping at Food center is a bit cheaper ...
I pray to god i get used to those prices when i relocate ....
This board is very helpful !
Posted : May 24, 2004 4:23 pm
Think the cost at Pricemart is $12.50. Not sure, but somewhere aroUnd there.
Ronnie
Posted : May 25, 2004 7:32 pm
Hello Chris (and Teresa)!
I agree, Food Center is the absolute cleanest & organized grocery store on the island, but their prices are a little higher than some.
You'll find that PriceSmart is cleaner compared to Cost-U-Less, and most of the grocery items come in large sizes. Their prices are quite good, and it's one of the few places where I buy steaks. Their meat & seafood selection is fresh. When my wife & I joined over a year ago, the fee was $10. It may have gone up now.
Plaza Extra - at TuTu Park Mall - has a very good selection, but is only so-so on cleanliness & service.
Welcome to the island!
Posted : May 25, 2004 11:52 pm
Anyone else noticed the pigeon that lives in Plaza Extra in Tutu?
Wonder how they keep him off the fruits and vegetables...?
Posted : May 26, 2004 10:09 am
Onika; are you for real? Haven't noticed. I have seen a few small birds in the mall itself flying around.
--Islander
Posted : May 26, 2004 2:20 pm
Hey Chris, how big is your studio - would it be sutible for Hunter and Skye - as I mean if its so hard to find living quarters see about keeping it for when we move down their
Posted : May 26, 2004 7:17 pm
Chris,
Hi. Thanks for your insightful comments. They certainly help. I'm considering moving to St. Thomas with a family of four. Wife, 3 y.o son and 1 y.o daughter and am concerned about availability of unfurnished 2 or 3 bedroom apartment or homes for long term rental. What can I expect in terms of price, location, etc? Is there even availability or ???
Planned move is in June 2004.
Thanks
Andre
Posted : May 26, 2004 9:09 pm
Topic starter
Matt,
This studio is pretty small and the lease only allows for one person. I'd recommend you check out Villa Fairview. The guy I talked to there didn't have any available for June, but would probably have vacancy later in the summer. He quoted me $650 a month. Studio and 1 bedroom apartments don't seem that difficult to find here and I will keep an eye out for you.
Chris
Posted : May 26, 2004 9:37 pm
Topic starter
Andre,
My wife, 5 month old daughter, and two step-children (ages 5 and 7) are moving down in August, so I feel your pain about finding a place large enough! I've looked at 2 different 3 bedroom apartments (they both were actually upper levels of houses). They were both on the East side and ranged $1500-$1600 a month. I've seen 3 bedrooms advertised for less on the North and West side for considerably less, but it appears that these go quickly. 2 bedroom apartments are advertised more than 3 bedrooms, but you have to determine if it will be enough room for your family. I have a co-worker (who's a life long resident, by the way) who says that June through August is the best time to find a place to live. He says that because of the off season, that there will be plenty available and the prices are lower than any other time of the year. For example, I called about a 1 bedroom cottage last week. I explained that I was looking to rent it for a couple months, but he would not rent it to me because he was afraid of not being able to lease it out again in August. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Chris
Posted : May 26, 2004 9:55 pm
Topic starter
Thanks Ronnie. I'm going this weekend to sign up. I'll post actual cost when I find out.
Thanks again!
Chris
Posted : May 26, 2004 9:57 pm
Topic starter
TBoyd,
Thanks for the info. Sound's like that's where I'll be buying steak and seafood. What different types of fish do they offer? I'm not familiar with the fresh catches of this area yet.
Thanks again!
Chris
Posted : May 26, 2004 10:03 pm
Chris, I am the guy you talked to at Villa Fairview! And it's rue! Lots of people moving here this summer.
Ronnie
Posted : May 26, 2004 10:15 pm
Yes, Islander, unless they removed the poor thing in the past 2-3 weeks, there is a pigeon that resides in the Plaza Extra.
You can see him and his guano (or is that only for bats?) if you look up at the offices behind the cash registers. S/he usually sits on the sill and flies from one window sill to the other, occasionally making grand flights around the perimeter.
Posted : May 27, 2004 10:03 am
