U.S. Virgin Islands to live? (homes, safe area, schools)
U.S. TerritoriesPuerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.
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Wow, TX I think you are way off, I love living on St. Croix, cruise ships are back, we have had record rainfall last year, the entire island was a nice lush green, we have the Home Depot coming in September. I've talked to some people over the years from the states about living here, most love it, a handful of people mostly Hovensa outside contractors have told me there aint nothin to do here, which makes me cringe, there is more to do here then in most places in the states! If you love the outdoors you'll love it here, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion but it sounds like you are being a little obtuse. You need to travel more, there is more out there then Texas.
I was thinking about moving to St Thomas. It is a nice island and I have vacationed there several times for 2 weeks at a time.
I realize vacation is different from living there, the thing that makes me hesitate is I read that a person was shot there after leavinga cruise ship and someone shot up a funeral also. I am concerned about home invasions etc. Since its a US territory do you have the right to have arms in house and use in self defense?
Also what side of island is more crime ridden/less crime ridden? How often do home invasions happen. Some of the locals seemed like they were lazy and content with smoking pot all day. Went to a local bar at night and nothing but hoodlums.
Any advice on whether I should move to this island or not? Give the Good, Bad, and the Ugly!
I was thinking about moving to St Thomas. It is a nice island and I have vacationed there several times for 2 weeks at a time.
I realize vacation is different from living there, the thing that makes me hesitate is I read that a person was shot there after leavinga cruise ship and someone shot up a funeral also. I am concerned about home invasions etc. Since its a US territory do you have the right to have arms in house and use in self defense?
Also what side of island is more crime ridden/less crime ridden? How often do home invasions happen. Some of the locals seemed like they were lazy and content with smoking pot all day. Went to a local bar at night and nothing but hoodlums.
Any advice on whether I should move to this island or not? Give the Good, Bad, and the Ugly!
This thread was started a long time back but what was said before remains so (things just don't change much here) and most of the questions you're asking now are "FAQs" which have already been answered.
Next time you visit, spend it on a PMV (pre move visit) which is completely different from a vacation. (There's a couple of long posts devoted to it on this thread). Whether you should move or not is something which nobody but you can decide. I will tell you that the downslide in the economy is very evident here (and particularly with the recent closing of the Hovensa oil refinery on St Croix) and all the young "newbies" I know right now aren't looking forward to the rapidly approaching slow season as they haven't been able to put away nearly as much money in high season as they anticipated to tide them over. Many are now hustling to find whatever second (often third) jobs are available.
Living and working here can be a great opportunity to broaden horizons both physically and mentally. The ones who make it are those who come with an open mind, a desire to learn about different cultures and lifestyles, and both the ability and the desire to work hard. If you come here looking for easy work and an extended vacation hanging out in the bars and on the beaches you'll be quickly leaving with your tail between your legs after wiring home for the airfare!
True that the economy has nosedived since Hovensa closed. In fact, my spouse lost his job of 24 years and we are relocating soon (he's already there, I'm going soon).
Even before Hovensa closed, expect food at grocery stores to be exactly twice what you spent on the mainland. Or more. Electricity is crazy expensive. There are no jobs. However, there are soon to be lots of really cheap houses to purchase as people are forced to leave to find other jobs.
I always thought the murders (oh, so many!) were all hoody-on-hoody but I read an article in one of the local papers stating that there are too many drive-by, innocent victim murders now, including children.
Don't get me wrong, it is a beautiful place. But it went from dysfunctional (eye-land nation) to extremely dysfunctional (eye-land nation about to lose their source of fuel for utilities and gasoline) and while I LOVE this place...I would NOT move here today. Lucky for me, I'm outtahere in two months. Sadly. I LOVE this place. But it stopped working for me...and most of the people we know.
St. John is the only place I would live in the VI. Clean, safe, beautiful. It is pricey though. There are nice parts of St. Thomas and St. Croix though.
Who has investment property in st. Thomas? I'm thinking of buying an investment condo. Is it possible to turn a profit if you pay in full with high hoa fees? I'm always seeing people say its impossible. would like to hear from some actual investors who are currently having success
Who has investment property in st. Thomas? I'm thinking of buying an investment condo. Is it possible to turn a profit if you pay in full with high hoa fees? I'm always seeing people say its impossible. would like to hear from some actual investors who are currently having success
I know many people who own condos here and the majority have them as "home away from homes" to enjoy for vacations while renting them out (via vrbo) the rest of the year. The only way to determine if such a purchase would be to your advantage (and profitable) you would obviously have to come here and familiarize yourself with what's available. As everywhere else, the market here right now is static. If you decide to come here to look around I'd be happy to recommend some reputable real estate professionals and put you in touch with a couple of longtime owners.
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