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Long story short, I have been looking for a place for about 2 weeks on STT, while staying with a friend that lives on STJ. The commute from STJ to the Airport took about 3 hours each day round trip, and was tiring, but worth it. I have lived in STX, and SJU before but never STT, and STT proved the hardest to find housing on. I think this is primarily because I can not guarantee a landlord more than a 6 month stay, but I can guarantee them that they will have a good, clean, tenant. I went and visited many properties just to be told "thanks but no thanks." Here is my gripe, if you require a one year lease, then for god sakes put that in your ad! I understand why you would, trust me I do, I fly for the Airlines and I know how cyclical the economy is here. But I felt like I wasted a lot of time because landlords were not upfront with what they had to offer. There was one poster here that was completely upfront about her place, it just wasn't what I was looking for. She was however a powerful resource to ask questions too. Other gripe, put in your ad where your apartment is, not just "East Side" or "Saint Thomas." I read one ad in the Trader that basically said "Rent my condo"
I looked at all kinds of places, ranging from room mate situations to 1br / 1 ba apartments. I even got offered a hit of hash while in full uniform by one "potential room mate" that had a room for rent. I personally really don't care, but come on, if you know I am a pilot have some common since right, no I do not use drugs or care to have a room mate that does, but what you do in your house is your business. haha That was one of those, I think this story will stick with me for a while kind of situations. Maybe I have a sick since of humor, but I got a really good laugh out of that situation as I pulled away, after all the guy thought he was just being friendly?
I also ended up crashing on some newly met people's couches for a few nights while looking, but hey, this is always an adventure, and I love traveling and meeting new people. I think that is why I enjoy my job so much.
Any how, I am finally comfortably sitting in a chair in my new apartment located in Pineapple Village which I found on Craigslist. This is a cool little place. I feel like I am living in a ghost town of a resort, probably because I pretty much am. Kinda like visiting one of those ghost towns in the desert west. I was walking to the beach just a little bit ago, and a giant crab hopped right out in front of me and scared the living day lights out of me, which just goes to prove I am still getting comfortable with my surroundings.
Could someone enlighten me as to the history of the resort, why it was shut down, and what the plan is for the place? It seems like awfully big waste.
To everyone I came into contact with while doing my annual transplant, thank you.
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Things I can tell people that will help.
1. Buy a Island Trader ASAP, and get a newspaper ASAP.
2. Post here, at the very least you will have some resources to ask questions too from this site if you don't end up finding a place here.
3. Craigslist is a powerful tool for relocating people here, although I never got responses from a good number of people from there.
4. Most honest people will post their phone number with their ads, or quickly give it too you via e-mail or PM. Your conducting a business transaction after all.
5. Have somewhere to stay while you look, even if it isn't the most convenient situation.
6. Go out and have some cocktails, and talk to the strangers around you. After all, they likely were in the same boat as you at some point.
Posted : October 25, 2010 3:51 am
It was owned by the Pepperdine Family and a resort called Pineapple Beach was constructed there in the 60's -[ as far back as I go] it was built with sprayed concrete -Gunite- buildings -- soon after the owner was shot and killed there the children sold the property to the Allen Williams Corp who razed the buildings and built the Virgin Grande in the 80's. It was then owned by Allen Trammel Crowe, Double Tree, someone ??, and the Renaissance, eventually sold to a Mexican Company who closed it and now rumored to be the next Wyndham development.
It is called Water Bay on any chart and dredging and development over the years have radically affected the bottom and eco structure.
Congratulations on finding a home and sorry about the long drive to the airport.
edited to correct my spelling.
Posted : October 25, 2010 4:05 am
Topic starter
Now I just have to memorize all that. 😀 Thanks Zero! The drive isn't bad, and after commuting all the way from Saint John to the airport this is going to seem like a cake walk. The good news is that I think with my schedule I will catch the traffic at good times going over the hill.
Posted : October 25, 2010 4:13 am
Topic starter
Is Water Bay's water always that contaminated, or is that still a carry over from all the rain we had?
Posted : October 25, 2010 4:23 am
The dredging and currents have produced a water supply disaster - and the fact it is in a ghut basin and then the salt pond was drained and filled in, the mangroves uprooted and all the concrete doesn't help at all.
Posted : October 25, 2010 4:48 am
Glad to hear you found a place!
Posted : October 25, 2010 5:55 am
Island Pilots:
We own at Point Pleasant (next door to Pineapple).....Water Bay does get cloudy after several days of rain....but it will clear up nicely.
F.I.
Posted : October 25, 2010 12:48 pm
Island Pilots,
Glad to hear that you are getting settled in at Pineapple Village. We bought a condo over 3 years ago and love the little community. I hope that you get the chance to meet some of the full time residents and owners. Very eclectic and nice group of people. Who knows, maybe you are renting our place. I know that our property manager Juliet Smith advertises on Craigslist.
We purchased our place the same time that the Wyndham purchased the surrounding hotel in a bidding war. At first they had big plans for reviving the property but have since scaled back due to the economy. Our association has kept in contact and although things don't seem to be rolling along yet they have applied for permits to begin renovating the property. Sooner the better, I'd love to see the hotel reopen, I've heard form our neighbors what a lively and wonderful hotel it once was. Even so, I feel that our association has done a great job to keep up the charm of Pineapple Village. If you get the chance rent the movie "Weekend at Bernies II", it was filmed on the property and other parts of St. Thomas. Goofy movie but still neat to see the island and how the hotel was in it's bustling heyday.
We will be back on island mid January. If you're still around maybe you'd like to meet up with my husband and I and a few of your other new neighbors for cocktails by the pool.
Best wishes,
Molly
Posted : October 25, 2010 2:13 pm
Molly:
Yes, the old Renaissance was very nice.....I enjoyed the beach and activities while staying at our condo (Point Pleasant).
I hope the Wyndham opens their time share property soon.......the property is really looking pretty bad.....
F.I.
Posted : October 25, 2010 2:56 pm
Future Islander,
I agree that the hotel property has continued to deteriorate but still very hopefull that with the application proccess started things will continue to move along. I think that although it will greatly impact Pineapple Village it will also be very beneficial to you property owners at Point Pleasant as well.
Although the hotel surrounds Pineapple Village and you can't help but notice the condition of the hotel as you are coming and going, the community itself is in excellent condition. Beautifully landscaped, easy acess to all of the condo's, pool was redone last year with new tile. A great community of people with many owners and residents that have been around for years. Just wanted to get the word out that although the hotel is less than becoming, Pineapple Village is alive and well.
Molly
Posted : October 25, 2010 4:01 pm
Molly:
I know....I occasionally take a walk around your property rather than driving to the National Park in Red Hook for my morning exercise routine.
You mentioned, above, an "application process" starting???......do you have any information when the Wyndham will start working on their property?
F.I.
Posted : October 25, 2010 5:55 pm
IP: Congrats on a successful search. The general advice here is: Don't rent anything you haven't personally seen. Do you agree??
Zero: I did not know the Trammell Crow connection! And the whole deal with Palace, the Mexican corp.... http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2004/08/14/palace-resorts-officials-grand-beach-wont-reopen
Posted : October 25, 2010 11:27 pm
Topic starter
9.75, wow that was cheap!
Posted : October 26, 2010 2:37 am
IP: I am on a short term (4 months) rental too, at Pineapple Village. I love your description of the place, and it is very accurate. I hope to run (walk) into you some day. It can be lonely around here. Have you seen the guy walking with his hand weights? I see him and we chat once in awhile. He's an owner and longtimer and gave me some great history as well as the changing beach/flooding/water conditions. He's a Coast Guard officer. Thanks to the owner's association for keeping the Village in nice condition. But it is oh so depressing looking at those abandoned structures.
Deb (travel RN)
Posted : October 27, 2010 12:59 am
