looking for a cheap apartment

What island?
On STT you may get a refrigerator box in Savan.

I suggest that you DON'T come to the islands. I don't know where you are from but 500 a month is an insult to most land lords here. Simply an insult. Now you probably can find some place that rents for 500 but you had better bring a gun and ammo to protect your self. And I guess the next thing you will want is a car for $100.

Stay where you are.

billd

I have to agree. Even on STX, where living is a little cheaper. $500 with untilites would be impossible, maybe barely possible with 3-4 roommates. You should reconsider.

Hey Jeffi, since you have experience in fine dinning, I want to know where you can get say, Rack Of lamb dinner w/ all the trimmings, or lobster tails & fillet Mignon(Kobe Beef, Blue Lobster only) Including soup, salad & dessert (Strawberries Arnaud or simular).w/ a large wine glass of Dom Perignon
I know it's a stretch, but I'm thinking in the $10-$15 range (including tip)

Jeff, Wapa utilities on my boat are $300 a month, not a big boat either, yes it has A/C

I have to agree with Linda. Unless you have roomies, you aren't going to get that in a safe place here. Maybe not even in a bad area! Be prepared before you get here. Or, it could be an awful expensive lesson learned.

I think you get the picture!

No more need to be said.

billd

Hi Jeff,

I guess the replies have been a bit discouraging - sorry - this is a very nice, friendly place - but it is expensive - and the other folks are right - gonna be difficult to find anything for $500 a month in an area you'd be safe. However, I've got a really nice little place (key word there - LITTLE) - in a safe area for $800 a month including utilities. It's an efficiency and it's in a brand new home - in a convenient and safe location. Let me know if you're interested.
Kim
340-626-3758

You should snap this up!!

This is a deal. Tale it and then report on how your doing a year later, if you last that long.

billd

Geez. I know quite a few people who have roommates and pay about $500/month. It is possible - you'll just have to find a house that's looking for another roommate. I haven't seen any listed recently but keep looking!

Some landlords are willing to trade some rent for work around the place. If you have certain skills and tools be sure to offer if you're interested in doing so. Handywork, landscaping, pool maint., painting etc.... can reduce your rent with some owners.

Most owners won't take the risk on the free services because it really puts a weird element to the landlord relationship. It can often be hard enough to get renters to pay on time but then having to get after them to do "chores" is usually a big ole pain in the rear. And you just don't know if they will main your property, equipment, etc the way you or a professional would. And it can become a legal pain as well if they don't do chores or pay rent and you have to get them out. So make sure as a landlord you spell out the monetary value of said services in your lease, but I still don't know how you could really "prove" some things.

And I can easily see how it could also be a nightmare for the tenant if you get a crazy landlord who thinks you're not doing a good enough job. So be really careful with this.

I suggest that you DON'T come to the islands. I don't know where you are from but 500 a month is an insult to most land lords here. Simply an insult. Now you probably can find some place that rents for 500 but you had better bring a gun and ammo to protect your self. And I guess the next thing you will want is a car for $100.

Stay where you are.

billd

I suggest that you go FUCK yourself. I'm from Texas and living in Costa Rica. 300-500 a month, with a roommate is no insult.
bring a gun and ammo...haha. Ive managed just fine in puerto viejo on the caribbean in costa rica.
hopefully you are an exception to the laid back island atmosphere I was hoping for.

This is a deal. Tale it and then report on how your doing a year later, if you last that long.

billd

if I last that long? im surprised fellow islanders haven't deported you to ciudad juarez mexico.

Hi Jeff,

I guess the replies have been a bit discouraging - sorry - this is a very nice, friendly place - but it is expensive - and the other folks are right - gonna be difficult to find anything for $500 a month in an area you'd be safe. However, I've got a really nice little place (key word there - LITTLE) - in a safe area for $800 a month including utilities. It's an efficiency and it's in a brand new home - in a convenient and safe location. Let me know if you're interested.
Kim
340-626-3758

yeah it seems very classy based on some of the responses here but there are bad apples everywhere.
Send me a PM. I have enough to last several months. Obviously I would need a job to stay longer. If you can tell me anything about the current state of the economy up there, like when is tourism season, are there any restaurants/hotels/resorts hiring you know of, I'd appreciate it.

Hiya,
I agree working off your rent can be risky. We were fortunate enough to have such an arrangement for over 4 yrs before we purchased our home.
It can be done and work out well! We became very good friends with the owners. Mutual respect goes a long way.

$300-500 with no roommate is nearly impossible, really. this isn't Texas and this certainly isn't Costa Rica. If you find a place for less than $500, it's not gonna be in a good neighborhood and probably won't be anywhere that you can access public transportation or even walk to anything you need. Most people that get less expensive places know the renter.

I know the last postings were quite rude. Let me try to be more helpful. I just moved here and my experience was quite an eyeopener. First off you can find rooms for rent for $500 a month, but not 300, but you must know that the initial move in rate for ANY apartment or room is three times the rent! ALL renters here expect first, last months rent plus deposit, which is always equal to the monthly rent. You must also take into account that almost none of those places will provide free everything. The water here is by cistern, so it's free unless you run out then it's split by the tenants for that home/apartment complex. The electricity is pretty expensive but if you rent without a/c it can be reasonable. The other thing you need to account for is the cost of food and household goods here. For example, say you go to the market to get milk, eggs, cheese and lunch meat, your looking at $20-25 just for those staple items. If this is worth it for you then by all means go for it, hell you only live once! Just be prepared. Also, I saw that you asked about the busy season, It's from about the mid Nov. to March 1, then there is a slow down, but the younger crowds come for the summer rates. Then it's Hurricane season. So right now is when most people are getting settled, but some will leave after the holidays cause they can't hack it, then some jobs will re-open. As for jobs, what is it that you do in fine dining? Finally, Coral Bay is cheaper than Cruz Bay, so you may have more luck finding something cheaper there. Hope this helps, and by the way, not everyone is a dick down here, it's just hard living here and most people don't understand it, so the people here try to tell you ahead of time. Cheers and good luck!

Jeff

One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch!
Don't sweat the haters.
I have two efficiencies available (550.00 & 450.00). Both with utilities included; !/4 mile east of C"sted, in a good neighborhood, on a bus route, near shopping and with a decent landlord. According to the previous posts, I am rarity. Not so, I have other
friends that offer similar apartments around the same price. You usually find them once you have already moved here. They are for the most part not advertised. Usually word of mouth. It is not that bad here, you just have to have a job and be budget conscious.

Jickes,

I guess by your remark that everyone is a DICK that lives here. So I guess I am a DICK as I live here about 8 months a year. But I would rather be a DICK in STT than a DICK anywhere else.

Signed

THE DICK THAT LIVES IN STT

If one wishes to be the ultimate DI(k, get a taxi medallion (I believe you must fail the hospitality exam to acquire one).
It's kinda like running for Senate here,in most cases you can't unless your a felon!

jeff,

i was considering costa rica along with STX as a moving place, what did you think of it? what kind of place did you live? ive been to the west coast but not the caribean side...

eVan

i am looking for a room for rent if you still have on available let me know. If not do you know anyone who does have one. I am a first timer moving from the states.