living in st thomas virgin islands
Many of the islands are free from light sources at night too, which means you can do some fantastic stargazing. We are now happy St. Thomas homeowners and without her diligence, it never would have happened. 450. from $79 per adult. There are relatively few shopping destinations that you can find on St. Thomas or the USVI in general. The government of the Virgin Islands provides a tax break to companies that locate to the territory to do business. personal and commercial convenience, the US Post office Mermaids Chair is also a location on the Rock Citys West Coast which is a must see on the island of St Thomas. St Thomas: St. Thomas has a wonderful community atmosphere, with great shopping, nightlife, golfing for those who like a little more activity . If you need more information contact to the Puerto Rico Contact center. After over a decade of traveling through the Caribbean islands, Rachel is sharing all of her secrets. Youll see stunning artwork displays, beautiful European and colonial architecture, and get to experience the folklore and traditions of the island where you choose to live. The U.S. wanted to maintain control over the Caribbean region during World War I, and these islands held strategic value. Whether youre looking for a relaxing vacation or an action-packed adventure, St. Thomas has everything you need. Theres always a risk of natural disasters like tropical storms and hurricanes during hurricane season. As per the Police Commissioner, Trevor Velinor in 2020 there was double the amount of robberies, a 14% increase in homicides, 24% increase in domestic violence calls and an increasing in shooting assaults when compared to 2019. Traveling between St. John and St. Thomas is very easy. The storms coming in from the ocean are an incredible sight to see as well, and then you get to experience some of the best sunrises and sunsets that our planet can offer. , We worked with Barbra about 2 years ago on purchasing a home on St. Thomes. These islands are St Croix, St Thomas, St John and Water Island. They also have the ability to make emergency transfers if necessary. Generally, the ships of Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean (except Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas) dock at Havensight. The US Virgin Islands were purchased by the United States from Denmark in 1917. Not to mention you will need it if you decide to travel to the neighboring British Virgin Islands while living here. Mortgages, inspections, insurance? , Barbara is a gem to work with - she guided us through the process from start to finish with great care and expertise. Cost of Living in Virgin Islands by Sea Glass Properties. . As with any city, there is crime on the island, mostly within the local community. African Diaspora in the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is a vibrant and picturesque island located in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea. Cunard, Princess, Holland America and Oasis and Allure typically dock at Crown Bay. Your Guide to the Perfect St Croix Honeymoon. Most places will accept credit cards. combination wedding/honeymoon. You cannot use the national form to register to vote if you decide to move to the Virgin Islands. Plan ahead and take into consideration instances where there is current road construction. Rule Two: Dont presume things will be logical (see rule one). of U.S. mortgage, insurance and banking companies offer In terms of living in the Virgin Islands, it's always important to do your own research and know where is safe to live and where is not. There is also a world-famous golf course for you to enjoy, stunning beaches, and an active nightlife culture that can help you to have a lot of fun. Because St. Thomas is not part of a state, then your legal residence there will disqualify you from voting for a presidential ticket. Copyright 2023 Barbara Birt. In order to keep residents and visitors safe, it is important to be aware of these dangers and take precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime. That change in status also means that you can no longer vote in stateside elections. On August 20, 2003, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assumed. means mainland US companies do business here including St. Thomas is located in the Getting Around in 2023. Bring your snorkeling gear because there is fantastic . Competitive Tax Benefits for Residents. Although they are part of the United States, the Virgin Islands have a unique culture and history. 1.340.690.9995. barbara(at)seaglassproperties(dotted)com. News. Otherwise, you can join the millions of people like me that have fallen in love with the beauty of the US Virgin Islands! If moving to the island, consider renting a place with a generator especially if you are digital nomad and dependent on power for your work. And, when it comes to purchasing a home on St. Thomas, youll want to find out how big the cistern is on the home, and inquire about its condition. Basically, it's the same as boarding a flight in Florida and traveling to New York. From mountain top you can see a total of 20 islands. Most people add a small amount of bleach to their cistern on a regular basis to keep bacteria down. BVI is better for couples and getaways when you want to hide on the beach and not be disturbed! Some maps also list Culebra and Vieques as being the Spanish Virgin Islands, but they are part of the territory of Puerto Rico. The high crime rate is due to a number of factors, including the high population density. This leaves most vacationers asking, is St Croix safe? The U.S. Virgin Islands are best known for the three largest isles: St. John, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Online shopping is an option available for specialty products. St. John . My three daughters grew up on St. Thomas, got a great education and went off to wonderful colleges. This St. Thomas hiking trail is pretty basic and can be summed up as a rugged road with hills that offer some lovely views of Hull Bay itself. There are strands with crystal blue water and swaying coconut trees where a beach bum can enjoy a lazy-lazy day. In other words - you supply your . Snorkel, sunbathe, surf, and more. Outside of the tourism industry, the government, and the handful of retail outlets that have made their way to the island, there isnt much for work. The islands offer stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back atmosphere. beautiful island destinations in the world, dressed with powdery 9. Then you can enjoy the snorkeling, sailing, and diving that is part of life here. I am happy to share my enthusiasm . If you are contemplating traveling to St Thomas or the rest of the Caribbean, cruising is an affordable option to consider. As part of the Virgin Islands under the control of the United States, you can move here with minimal headaches. There are no water sports rentals or a bar to have refreshing drinks. If you decide to move back to the mainland, then you can keep the furnishings with your property to give yourself a better price. St. Thomas. Copyright 2023 Barbara Birt. In terms of difficulty, it's an easy enough trail that hikers of all skill levels can enjoy it. The beach area has several amenities which make it perfect for entertainment including tables, bathrooms and lifeguards. Pros & Cons of Living In The US Virgin Islands, Living In The British Virgin Islands (Pros & Cons), Best Caribbean Islands For Solo Female Travelers, St Lucia Vs St Thomas: Which Island Is Better For A Vacation. Baseball is the most popular game played on the island, but there are other sports teams organized by the schools that offer competitive play. The Caribbean is one of those sights that is similar to the first time you see a professional baseball or football game or climb a mountain to view a sunset. On St. ThomasMore Info, So many wonderful events and things to do in St. Thomas. WTJX-TV Channel 12 invites everybody, everywhere to join its live coverage of the St. Thomas Carnival parades. Do you live in St Thomas? Below are the tax rates by property type. After visiting all of the Virgin Islands, I can say that I, personally, feel safe in the Virgin Islands. Youll rarely experience a day that dips below 75F, even during the rainy season or the winter months. This makes it convenient for tourists visiting from other islands as well as persons who are considering relocating to St Thomas. If you decide to start living in the USVI, then it will not take long for you to realize that youre joining a very different culture than what you might have experienced before when living stateside. 10 Sorgenfri Ss. Its been said that there are over a million things that you can do when living in St. Thomas even though the island is only 32 square miles in size. Mobile units reach the outlying islands . You will lose the right to vote in presidential elections. Over the past few months, there were a number of power outages on the island. Your resort or hotel will warn you ahead of time if there is a problem with the tap water. That includes rental income, which gets taxed at a flat rate of 10% and is withheld by the tenant. These were not as a result of factors such as natural disasters. If you are ready to start living in St. Thomas, then the prices are not going to be as high as you think to get a decent place. Most tourists and locals do feel safe in St Thomas overall, but it is always best to take precautions. A key feature in Smith Bay Park is Lindquist beach has clear turquoise waters ideal for swimming. St. Thomas and its nearby neighbor St. John, lay between the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Many of the local residents felt that the Dutch were poorly managing the island, so they persuaded a sale of St. Thomas (along with St. John and St. Croix) to the United States. Youre just not going to be living in a state unless the USVI make an effort for statehood that Congress approves in the future. wedding at home by escaping to a Caribbean island for a WTJX encourages everyone to support our young people in person by attending the Children's Parade, but if you can't make it, WTJX has you covered with our hosts Lillian 'Lilly' Moolenaar and Patrickson Thomas - What a . You can also find family-friendly stuff at the best local events, like the annual chili cook off and the Carnival celebration. Housing costs on St. Thomas are surprisingly affordable. Terms of Use and The U.S. Virgin Islands enjoy warm sunny weather year-round. Hello - with so many great perspectives in this forum, I hoping those with insight can weigh in: my husband and I are considering buying a vacation home in the Caribbean. Located on the islands East End in order of cache are Water Point, Deck Point and Cabrita Point. When is Carnival in St. Thomas 2023? Explore St Croix Real Estate Market Stats. These terminals are Crown Bay Marina, Red Hook Terminal an Edward Blyden Terminal. The last major hurricanes to affect St Thomas were hurricane Maria and Irma both in 2017 which hit the island as category 5 storms. Visitors to Coral World Ocean Park can observe the rich sea life from a 20-foot-high . There are spectacular diving and snorkeling opportunities on all of the islands. Both are located on the south side of the island not far from Charlotte Amalie. The USVI primary uses paved streets that meet the current standards that you would find in all of the states. Most assessments are for about 60% of the fair market value of the real estate. , Quite frankly, I dont know how we could have made this move without Barbara. The island's natural attractions include numerous bays and beaches. There are currently no travel notices for visiting the US Virgin Islands as of the end of 2022. ln addition to America, most countries, like Canada and New Zealand, consider USVI a safe place for tourists. It wouldnt be until 1657 when the Dutch West India Company would establish a post on the island. Its home to the islands capital, Charlotte Amalie; any bustling city comes with its downsides. For more active beach goers there are sandy coves with activities like windsurfing and kayaking. The University of the Virgin Islands (established in 1962) has campuses on both St. Thomas and St. Croix. St. and its sandy floor. Others have more basic filtration systems. These flights serve persons visiting other US Virgin Island territories. Nevertheless, USPS treats St Thomas as a US territory. This course provides detail tips and techniques on how to save money while cruising onboard, onshore as well as the importance of insurance. Living in St. Thomas - Welcome Input! Youll find that some businesses prefer to hire only transplants, while others want to employ only natives. $3,600. along with St. Croix and St. John, St. Thomas is one of the most No Pressure. Gun violence, drugs, theft, and various other crimes are serious problems that the government is working to solve. On the other hand, the cons of living in St Thomas are frequent power outages, the threat of natural disasters, limited access to the specialized products and traffic congestion. In terms of snorkeling, Coki beach is one of the best options in St Thomas. 6 Bedrooms. St. Thomas sits in the warm Atlantic waters that mingle with the Caribbean to create tropical storms and large storms that can create numerous issues. includes St Croix, operate under U.S. law which Deeper draft ships such as Queen Mary 2, Oasis and Allure are required to dock at Crown Bay. St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. In addition, residents of the Virgin Islands are US citizens and have all of the same rights and privileges as other American citizens. Being a hub island in the US Virgin Islands, there are many ferries traveling daily to neighboring islands. If you dont want to go through all these additional steps, consider buying a car once you get to St. Thomas instead. The island of St. Thomas in the Caribbean belongs to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The mountains of the island provide opportunities to have a few of the water from your place if you want, with numerous condominium complexes offering an opportunity to purchase or rent. Theres no Uber in USVI, so your options are to drive yourself or take taxis. Saint Thomas (Danish: Sankt Thomas) is one of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, one of the three largest of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of the United . If youre planning on visiting the US Virgin Islands, you may be wondering if its safe to drive. Before I left for the island, I began corresponding with Barbara through a local St. Thomas referral, and am grateful that I did. Generally, St Thomas is a safe island. Then there is the island time to consider. Fast food chains such as KFC, Mc Donalds, Wendys also have a presence on the island. Every day feels like summer when you start living in the USVI. . Examining single-parent households, single mothers are more at risk of falling into poverty, representing 76% of all families in poverty. Food costs in St. Thomas are less affordable than average in the United States. IKEA products are transported from the distribution center in Puerto Rico to these islands, therefore non cross border sales are taking place. Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area.