Which community?

I live in the east in a community near the south shore called Union & Mt. Washington. I love my area and we have great neighbors. Its generally quiet and the homes are well kept by middle class working folks of all races. We dont have a community association or gates, but everyone is repsectful and people get along. I have no regrets about buying in this area.

Mrsyogadoc: You have a bunch of threads going on different subjects but have you gone through all the general information available on this site? I only ask because some of the questions you're asking are addressed in the general information available (see top bar from "Pre Move" to "Message Board"). More first hand specifics can be found by using the forum search engine as these are FAQs common to most potential newcomers and have been answered many times over in great detail. Good luck with your plans!

Yes I have gone through all the info from VI MOVING CENTER. However, that info is basic. I'm looking for real life experience opinions and not the sales pitch.

Yes I have gone through all the info from VI MOVING CENTER. However, that info is basic. I'm looking for real life experience opinions and not the sales pitch.

With all due respect, the VINOW information is far from sales pitch. The administrators of this site don't, to the best of my knowledge, have any ties to commercial enterprises apart from accepting advertising from same to cover their costs of providing an invaluable resource to both visitors and to potential newbies. And, again, if you use the search engine you'll find a bounty of information relevant to many of your questions. Don't shoot the messenger - I'm just a simple 30 year resident who takes time to answer questions and help out when I can.

My reply was not to "shoot the messenger". It just I'm looking for more than what the website has provided. And this message board is here to serve that very purpose (or so I thought). So why not ask those like yourself who have been "there done that". If my questions seem redundant although not ment to be, perhaps it's because I didn't find satisfaction trough the website.

I'd like to suggest what is always suggested - the PMV ("pre-move visit"). There are many good places to live on island, and you have to decide which one is best for you and your family...and the only way to do that is to experience it for yourself. 🙂

Years ago when I sold real estate in Texas, I would tell clients that once they thought they wanted to live in a particular home, that they should visit that neighborhood many different times of week and just observe if they liked what they saw and experienced. It's the same here - we can tell you about our different neighborhoods but you need to experience it yourself.

There are gated communities and non-gated communities, and different amenities that vary with the neighborhoods as well. You can live as "in the middle of things" or as "exclusive" as you want - it's all here. Personally I decided a while ago I never want to live again in a gated community - it didn't make it any more safe, and it was more a pain than anything else. So I don't know what to tell you - I'm on the East End too, but there are many times when I see all the fun going on on the West End and wish I lived there!

My reply was not to "shoot the messenger". It just I'm looking for more than what the website has provided. And this message board is here to serve that very purpose (or so I thought). So why not ask those like yourself who have been "there done that". If my questions seem redundant although not ment to be, perhaps it's because I didn't find satisfaction trough the website.

Maybe there's a misunderstanding here. I suggested that apart from reading all the general information on this site (which you've apparently done but didn't find sufficiently informative - which is fine) I also suggested you utilize the forum search tool which will provide you with details related to your questions on health care, education and much more. Just be sure to adjust the search dates (preset to only the last 30 days as I recall) once you've entered the key words and you'll find a ton of information to help in your decision. If this is something that you've already done then I apologize for the redundancy.

The importance of the PMV which JulieKay brought up can't be denied and I'm sure you know about that as it's addressed in the general information on this site and at greater length in the forum posts.

All the best with your research!

One thing some people fail to comprehend is that we Realtors are real people who live on the island, too. We live in the same communities and shop at the same stores and send our kids to the same schools, etc. Being a Realtor in the islands isn't about making a sales pitch. It's more about helping new arrivals by offering relocation assistance, to include information on many topics you might not even think about until you get here. As we perform these services regularly and help a wide cross section of people find the answers they seek, we often have a broader range of information to share and up to date changes in how some procedures occur. Finding a Realtor who listens to your needs and makes an effort to understand what you are seeking with your relocation to the island can be highly beneficial to a new arrival.

Anyone who comes to the islands... or anywhere else... needs a place to live, whether a short-term or long-term rental or a home to purchase. Realtors don't need to sell you on that concept. You aren't coming here hoping to live homeless. So when Realtors discuss the neighborhoods and condo communities and gated communities and different areas of the island, we aren't trying to sell you on any specific one. Instead we are educating you about the pros and cons of each area, specifically passing on information we've gleaned from the many new arrivals before you and the experiences we've learned about through them as well as our own life experiences in the islands and those of our friends and neighbors. It's then up to the individual to weigh the information they receive and compare it to the way they choose to live their own life and decide which areas sound like the best potential match for their new home.

The ultimate goal is to match you with a property that fits your lifestyle and budget. I've personally lived in three distinct areas of STX over my years on the island, including two condo complexes and a waterfront house... but also lived on a sailboat in one of our marinas part time for a few years. Now I'm in the process of moving into an apartment not far from my current condo. Realtors ARE real people who do LIVE in the communities of the island. While we don't know "everything", we can be a great source of information. This website also fills in a lot of blanks.

What triggered the urge for me to respond to your post was that you were saying you didn't find enough satisfaction in the website posts but didn't want to hear from Realtors and get a sales pitch. Offering a breadth of information and experience isn't a sales pitch. It's a service. Just as assisting a new arrival to view as many properties as can be found that fit their preferences and budget is a service. We attempt to make the transition less stressful than it tends to be for those who try to do it all themselves when they don't yet have the contacts on the island to ease the way. Yes, I've seen in life that some people in sales positions have their own agenda; but the best ones are trying to HELP, first and foremost.

Thanks. We are planning a PMV in August. So we will get a chance to move about. The verdict isn't out for us officially "gated vs non-gated". We've lived in both. Most important will be good schools and sense of community, without tipping over into be "nosy". LOL! 🙂

august is the perfect time to visit, usually the hottest time of the year. it is always good to visit during the hottest time and coldest time of the year to get a good idea of what you will be putting up with no matter where you move to.

@Alexandra: In regards to "sales pitch" I'm referring to the website, which I thought I had clearly referenced in my statement. someone here told me I should just read the website about my questions. I believe we have found a great Realtor and I highly respect her opinion. Now I'm just looking to expand that opinion to others since she really has been the only one I've been in contact with. Again, I'm not trying to offend anyone with these inquiries. But it's nice to have feedback, if if it seems a bit angered. It also provides me with a feel for the people residing on the island.

.....But it's nice to have feedback, if if it seems a bit angered. It also provides me with a feel for the people residing on the island.

Ha ha! The sampling of folks who regularly post on this site (myself included) is too small to be statistically significant. You may find the VI to be like any "small town": a few know-it-all Old Farts; but, mostly families living an everyday life under the warm tropical sun. Having young kids in school is the best way to make like-minded friends. Lots of families have both parents working, so there is a "it's takes a village" type mentality to raising kids. The older the kids the harder it is to "break in". That was my experience anyway.... Many play dates, sleep-overs, pool parties, bar-b-ques, Sundays at the beach... I'm not sure how many busy moms take the time to post here????

Most schools resume the end of August. You may want to visit the schools...?

I'm reading up about different areas to live in St. Croix. I see what the real estate agents and adds say. But now I wanna here from those who actually LIVE in the communities. East, West, North. . . can you chime in for me? Any gated communities? Thanks!

I recommend you move to The Village in La Vallee. They probably need a good local doc.

Blu4u, you're too funny! Love the puns!

.....But it's nice to have feedback, if if it seems a bit angered. It also provides me with a feel for the people residing on the island.

Ha ha! The sampling of folks who regularly post on this site (myself included) is too small to be statistically significant. You may find the VI to be like any "small town": a few know-it-all Old Farts; but, mostly families living an everyday life under the warm tropical sun. Having young kids in school is the best way to make like-minded friends. Lots of families have both parents working, so there is a "it's takes a village" type mentality to raising kids. The older the kids the harder it is to "break in". That was my experience anyway.... Many play dates, sleep-overs, pool parties, bar-b-ques, Sundays at the beach... I'm not sure how many busy moms take the time to post here????

Most schools resume the end of August. You may want to visit the schools...?

Kinda on the same topic. . .which of the two main cities do you prefer?

East end is more "americanized" (more $). Mid island is a good mix and easy access to everything. West end, I would say, more locals. More traditional cruzian lifestyle.I lived west for 6 weeks and loved it but not the most kid friendly area. Had to live midisland or east to attend, what is considered the best public school, pearl b larsen.

Shelba, great feed back. Nice to know about the community stuff with two young girls. And thanks for the info on the school. I will look it up.

This has been said before on many other threads, but I have to throw it in here... please consider the drive time to work. 20 minutes may be nothing in the states, and it may feel like nothing during your PMV, but it becomes a huge pain in the a$$ when you actually live on the island. The island seems to get larger and larger the longer you live on it. There are people who live on one end or the other and haven't been to the other end in years. Try to live somewhat near work if you can.

Yes. I will take that into consideration. We plan on looking at areas within a 15 minute radius of the hospital. I can't believe that folks don't travel from one side on =f the island to another. It's not THAT big! Plus aren't there events on onside that's not on the other?

Judith's Fancy seems like the obvious answer to me. It's about 10 minutes from the hospital, gated, nice homes, nice area for walking with your kids and/or dogs either on the road or on the beach.

I'm not ignoring your PM, by the way, just haven't gotten to it yet, and now I'm being dragged away from my computer! 🙂

No problem. I don't expect folks to be sitting idly by their computer waiting to answer me!:@) We all are busy with life too. Whenever you get a chance. Today just happens to be a day off for me. That's why I'm on now. The weather is yucky! Cold and wet! We are getting rain/snow slurries. Best to stay indoors and out of crazy Neapolitan drivers' ways!:P

I moved to Judiths Fancy three months ago and love it. Previously I've lived in Tulipan Welcome (nice middle and lower middle class neighborhood), Boetzberg, Questa Verde, and Good Hope townhomes. Judiths is the nicest and priciest of them all but I've had good experiences with all of these locations really. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Sean

When I first moved here I stayed at a condo in Villa Madeleine on the east end. It was very pleasant, however, my kids started school at Good Hope and the drive was horrendous. I really fell in love with the west end because it was so much more green, close to the Botanical Gardens, school and the best beaches. Strand street in Frederiksted is a charming place filled with wonderful local people, although sadly the rest of it is so run down. I lived in the rainforest briefly. The rainforest is so lovely, however, it was difficult because of mold, BUGS and NOISY BUGS. More than my nature-loving self and kids could handle. I finally settled on a place in Enfield Green, and after all the smelly stuff coming from all the companies here and illness, I will never live downwind of anything again. I am now moving central where there is still a lot of green and closer to Christiansted, where there is more activity and more mainlanders. Although I think Christiansted central is too congested with cars and traffic, it's a very charming place and should be renovated one day into a pedestrian place to really make it come alive. Gallows Bay area is nice and still pretty central. East End is definitely more tourist, dry, but very pleasant and breezy. I also especially love the North Shore. I think you said you were from N. Cal? North Shore reminds me of that a bit. Truly you need to come and see everything for yourself, and obviously you will need to rent for a while to really get a feel for the island. It takes at least a year to really understand it and figure out if you want to stay here, as there are some serious challenges, especially if you have kids. However, I came here because I do not like the culture of the mainland. I prefer nature, simplicity, culture over consumerism. There is a flourishing art, yoga and farming community here. It's a special place. You have to put up with a lot, but somehow you realize you could never live anywhere else. Best wishes.

One thing you have to understand is that you do not want to do a lot of driving on STX. The roads are horrible and do a lot of damage to your car if you don't drive slowly. Also people drive horribly, lots of car crashes. You don't want to really drive at night. People blind you with their headlights, and you have to drive very slowly. Gas is also going to skyrocket with Hovensa closing. Driving 45 minutes. across the island for an event is going to become very expensive. Roads and driving here are nothing like mainland. Really this is an ideal place for homesteading. Hunker down on a compound, go out and get essentials once a week. Minimal driving. This place would be so cute for mopeds, biking, but sadly that's not available because the potholes and bad driving will kill you. People just dodging potholes and water can kill you. That's just an FYI that may not seem apparent coming from the mainland.