YIKES!

You shouldn't, sometimes can't rent places over the phone. The best, sometimes only way to rent is by being on island. Get a weekly or monthly rental like Villa Fairview and then find your place. There are some monthly rentals in Frenchman's Bay near the Marriott. I don't have their number anymore, but someone else may. Don't panic, I never saw the trader without any rentals. Three bedrooms are harder to come by, but studio's and two bedrooms are more plentiful.

Teresa

Get on island, get an island trader, and sit at any local restaurants/bar and start talking to people. Word of mouth is the best way to find the right place. We found that people were always willing to help.

I changed the subject to something more appropriate. Add your island to the subject for even more targeted help.

Thanks for your suggestions. Our situation is as follows: we cannot get to STT until after Thanksgiving and are starting work December 1 (give or take a day!). I understand the importance of seeing the place before renting but I'm afraid if we wait until then that we won't be able to find something affordable. By affordable, I'm hoping to keep rent around $1200 (give or take $100!). Should we take the chance of waiting until the end of November, or try to secure a place NOW via phone? We plan on being on the island until mid-May, and we are looking for a place as close to Bolongo Bay as possible. Thanks so much!

I would not, under any circumstances, commit $$$ to anything without seeing it. Just my opinion.

BGee: I second Linda J's comment. You must see before you rent. Some of the rentals are really not acceptable to many. Arrange short term space at Ronnie's, Onika's or another B & B, etc. I have a friend who was looking for a place recently and found that when she looked 2 months ahead, landlords laughed. She found something when she was down to less than a month from moving. So if you find a month's rental to start, you should be good. Most people who are moving out December 1st have not given notice yet.

BTW, re: prices in the Bolongo area- last week's Island Trader had a 3/2 for $2000, 2/2for $1550, 2 bdrm for $1500, efficiency for $700, Seacliff condo 1/1 for $1600.

You might want to check http://www.hangyourhammock.com/index.html for rentals. You can walk to Bolongo from Carol's rentals. Most are two bedroom starting at $1200 and one bedrooms start at $900. I am not affiliated with them at all, but I know many people who have rented from Carol. They have air conditioning, pools, etc. Very nice living by island standards, but when we looked at them two years ago, we were needing three bedrooms and rented elsewhere. Just an idea that seems to fit what you are looking for in a rental. Good luck and really don't panic. It will come together.

Teresa

Does anyone know if the Island Trader is availalbe onlline? If so do you have the link?

Thanks,
Traci

It is online. If you go to the Virgin Islands Daily News and click on the Island Trader picture, it will go to it. It comes out online on Thursdays. You can also look at back issues. To reach the VI Daily News online, go to www.virginislandsdailynews.com

Check out virginislandsdaisynews you'll find a link there for the trader.

Here is the direct link to the Island Trader

http://83.138.169.18/Openpagesuite.aspx?pubid=115