Several airlines such as Continental Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Airlines provide both connecting and direct flights to the island. If you decide to move back to the mainland, then you can keep the furnishings with your property to give yourself a better price. 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. St Thomas is a dependency of the United States of America and as such uses the US dollars. Tourism is the primary industry on St. Thomas, with over 2 million visitors stopping by the entire USVI chain annually Over 50% of those tourists come through the capital of the island, Charlotte Amalie, come to tour the towns and enjoy duty-free shopping. Along with surrounding minor islands, it is one of three county-equivalents in the USVI. However, petty crime still occurs in tourist areas so it's important to take the proper precautions. Top 5 Places to Stay in St Thomas. For example, precious wooden furniture might get damaged by termites which are a frequent pest here. NPR) WTJX-TV Channel 12 invites everybody, everywhere to join its live coverage of the St. Thomas Carnival parades. With all these advantages, You can visit either St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix, or better yet, spend a little time on all three islands. The parade fun starts on Friday, April 28, at 12:30 p.m. WTJX encourages everyone to support the young people in person by attending the Children's Parade, but if anyone cannot make it, WTJX has it covered with its hosts Lillian "Lilly" Moolenaar . A direct impact by one can be enough to wipe entire neighborhoods off of the island. The water is usually very calm which makes it perfect for small children. Mortgages, inspections, insurance? along with St. Croix and St. John, St. Thomas is one of the most St Thomas is blessed with amazing beaches. For those who qualify, this can result in up to a 90% reduction in income taxesand a 100% exemption on property taxes. If the property is newer then that, then the maximum rent allowed for the property is the initial amount charged during the lease signing. The hurricane season in the Caribbean begins in June 1 and ends in November 30 of each year. 2. Around The Caribbean is a resource for persons who want to learn more about the Caribbean islands. 2. 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. Elections 2022. If you were going to live on St. John, the story would be a little different. 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. For more active beach goers there are sandy coves with activities like windsurfing and kayaking. 5. 1. Everything feels familiar in the Virgin Islands. The Schneider Regional Medical Center has locations on all three islands, so youll always access to medical services while in the Virgin Islands. There is steel drum music that plays everywhere when you travel throughout the Virgin Islands. On August 20, 2003, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assumed. You may find some communities or neighborhoods are more willing to embrace you than others when you move here. 9. Tuesday, May 16 . Moving to the USVI as an American citizen means there is no need for any new documents like a work visa or identification papers. Brokered by Real Solutions Real Estate And Management Service. Youll find that some businesses prefer to hire only transplants, while others want to employ only natives. St. Thomas is the most built-up infrastructure-wise, while St. John is the least developed. Hurricane season is something that you will need to consider. There are scouting troops available for the boys and girls. Most Virgin Islanders are warm and accepting if you stay committed to the community and plan to live on the islands full time. Ive lived in several parts of St Thomas, so Im a good one to consult about being an East-Ender or a Northsider, the West End or the Southside. If you dont want to go through all these additional steps, consider buying a car once you get to St. Thomas instead. $1,995. The British islands and the USVI follow this law, even though most of the vehicles driven on the islands have the steering wheel placed on the left side of the car as well. for 2 people in 85m2 flat. St. John . The U.S. Virgin Islands are a tourism hotspot in the Caribbean comprised of four major islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island. Still, others purchase drinking water. This means it is a hotspot for U.S. citizens because they enjoy passport-free travel. Many US citizens make the move to USVI and love every minute of it. The pros of living in St Thomas are that the island safe, has easy access to international cities and amazing beaches. If you are building your house in St. Thomas, an estimated 10 percent of the building cost may go toward a cistern the bigger the better. 1,100 east, southeast of Miami; 70 miles of San Juan. This makes it convenient for tourists visiting from other islands as well as persons who are considering relocating to St Thomas. aerial shot of west end, st. thomas, us virgin islands - st. thomas virgin islands stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Relocation. The apartment market is quite active in the USVI, but expect to pay at least $1,000 per month for rent to grab a studio without a view. Life is similar to what you would expect in the States. You might want a birth certificate or a valid drivers license too. The average rate of taxation for a company on the island is just 3.37% and that was before the Republican congress passed sweeping corporate tax cuts with the blessing of the Trump Administration. Facilities such as next day delivery that apply if you live on the Mainland do not apply in St Thomas. The island's natural attractions include numerous bays and beaches. Because St. Thomas is not part of a state, then your legal residence there will disqualify you from voting for a presidential ticket. Many of the experiences that you will have are the same as any other destination as an American citizen. , We worked with Barbra about 2 years ago on purchasing a home on St. Thomes. However, it also has the highest crime rate in USVI. 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. Once weve solved the real estate questions, what about daily life? blue sea and near perfect year-round weather, there are The official 2023 St. Thomas Carnival dates have not been released but . Additionally, Cyril E King airport is also an important connecting gateway for the British Virgin Islands where no direct international flights serve this island grouping. The islands offer an authorized 90% reduction in the personal and corporate income taxes that are paid each year. Food costs in St. Thomas are less affordable than average in the United States. The last major earthquake that affected St Thomas was in 1867 which led to a tsunami which caused major damage to the island. 6. A church was built in 1660, and then attempts to colonize the area began in earnest around 1665. Your voting status will change once you become a resident. 8. I was trained at Columbia University in journalism, and I worked on St Thomas as a reporter for a few years, as well as for Antilles School as an administrator. Beginning in the early 1670's, The Danish West India company established a slave Market in the port of Charlotte Amalie, on St. Thomas. 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. Yes, the US Virgin Islands are safe for not just visitors, but the many locals that live there as well! 2 bed. 2. Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Postal Service delivers your mail here as well. Priced at just $16.95. She was very patient as I tried to get all family members on board. We're considering St. Martin, St. Lucia or St. Thomas. You will get to experience plenty of sunshine, have friendly neighbors, and experience Caribbean life without a significant investment. In addition there is a hospital on island that serves both St. Thomas and St. John residents. In broad day light. Many of the islands are free from light sources at night too, which means you can do some fantastic stargazing. The islands offer stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back atmosphere. But there are over 50 smaller cays and islands in this archipelago. Resort. IKEA products are transported from the distribution center in Puerto Rico to these islands, therefore non cross border sales are taking place. Home Blogs Moving to St. Thomas USVI: What You Need to Know. If thats the case, I carry around my Water-To-Go filtration system that filters that yuck out of unsafe drinking water. I worked with her remotely, to sell my deceased Mother's condo. Also U.S. When it comes to beautiful natural scenery, St Thomas has a lot to offer. personal and commercial convenience, the US Post office If you start living in the Virgin Islands, then you will need to search for scorpions in your house. Youll need to know how to prepare your property to manage the heavy winds and rain that will come if one passes over. St Thomas is 32 square miles and is Centre of commerce and trade for the US Virgin Islands. If you stay outside of the resort areas in the islands, then there is an excellent chance that youll have plenty of space to yourself. The tax rates on St. Thomas are usually beneficial for most families. Feel free to browse our website for more content on the St Thomas and the Caribbean by using the search bar located at the top of this page. Local news. 6. Most of the territories in the Caribbean require their residents to navigate along unpaved roads to reach their destination. Copyright 2023 Barbara Birt. Located on the islands East End in order of cache are Water Point, Deck Point and Cabrita Point. The United Nations reports that the USVI has the highest per capita murder rate in the Caribbean and the fourth-largest in the world today. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Baseball is the most popular game played on the island, but there are other sports teams organized by the schools that offer competitive play. Getting outside the box. Unless there is a default in rent, landlords must give a months notice for lease termination. As part of the Virgin Islands under the control of the United States, you can move here with minimal headaches. The incentives are meant to bolster the economy, where over 30% of the residents live below the poverty line and the per capita income is $13,000. Born in Buffalo, I will never forget being introduced to the island by a real estate agent who took us up a very steep driveway, prompting the all-intelligent question from me How do they do this in the snow?!. The beloved resort invites families, couples and adventure-seekers to encounter the beauty of the Virgin Islands in a new light. There are also capital gains brackets that youll need to consider when moving here, depending on how you generate income. The cost of living is higher in St John vs St Thomas and St Croix and it also has the lowest population. , It is our pleasure to recommend Barbara Birt as a real estate agent for any individual or family searching for the ideal home or desiring to sell their home. That means youll need to get used to driving under different conditions when you first move here, which can be a challenge for some people. St. John Source. And trust me, you wont regret it. The University of the Virgin Islands (established in 1962) has campuses on both St. Thomas and St. Croix. Terms and Conditions When you are a resident of the Virgin Islands, then you are under the status of a U.S. protected territory unless you are moving to the British or Spanish Virgin Islands, that is. The people of St. Thomas (and the USVI as a whole) are friendly, but it is up to you to start making new friends. . Youll want to have a generator, extra supplies, and fresh water available to manage this disadvantage. Many people retire on the islands to enjoy the white sandy beaches and blue coastal waters. Petty theft and vandalism are the most common crimes against visitors, so it is important to use common sense. , Barbara is a consummate professional! Impoverished conditions significantly impact the education of children. . Youll also experience the support and friendliness of your neighbors once you let it be known that your intention is to stay. Mobile units reach the outlying islands . Most importantly, the U.S. Virgin Islands, which St. Thomas is a vibrant and picturesque island located in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea. You can start a lower price if you search for options that might limit a little of your convenience. There is an overall lack of goods availability. If you dont know anyone in the USVI, choose to rent a home, and havent been there for at least six months, then self-employment might be your only option. Despite being a group of islands in the Caribbean, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) are actually a part of the United States. Youll pay double that cost for something closer to what you might be used to having where you currently live. Life moves at a much slower pace in the Virgin Islands, for better and for worse. Although employment can be tricky if youre not in the hospitality industry, there is still a lot of magic to find on this small island. Recommended Minimum Amount of Money for food (2400 calories, Western food types) Milk (regular), (0.25 liter) 0.38 $ Loaf of Fresh White Bread (125.00 g) 1.38 $ Rice (white), (0.10 kg)