ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
The American Paradise
Since we are the American Virgin
Islands we offer you all the shelter of being under
the U.S. flag while still offering a tropical island, relaxed lifestyle and
year ‘round fabulous weather. Imagine living in a place where the coldest
winter night’s temperature is about 68°
and the average daytime temperature is 82°…ahhh!
Now, let me tell you a little about “my” island.
St.
Thomas is a mountainous island with fabulous water and out island
views no matter where you are or where you look! Since the island is just
28 square miles and 3 miles at its widest, we are an easy island to
negotiate. We drive on the left hand side. However, with speed limits
outside the city limits at just 20 miles per hour, it’s difficult to
make a wrong turn! The south
side of the island boasts the Caribbean Sea while the north
side of the island has the Atlantic Ocean in its “front
yard”.
The entire
island is divided up into areas with estate names which date back to old
families and their plantation names many years ago.
The airport is
at the western
end of the island and beyond the airport the rest of the
west end is sparsely populated. The north
side of the island is known for its lushness, ever presents
trade winds and stunning down island views. The landscape is covered with
colorful hibiscus bushes, native fruit trees and herbs. Down island views
refer to views to St. John, the British Virgin Islands and out islands on
the Atlantic Ocean side of St. Thomas. The northeast
coast of the island is known for it’s rocky coastline and
crashing Atlantic Ocean and some of the most incredible scenery on the
island. Wild orchids grow on huge boulders on the Estate Peterborg
peninsula and both Mahogany Run Golf Course and Magen’s Bay are on the
northeast coast. The east
end of the island is flatter in terrain and is the yachting hub
of the island and boasts some of the best beaches on St. Thomas. The
landscape is dotted with cactus, fragrant frangipani trees and brilliant
bougainvillea bushes. The south
side of St. Thomas boast gorgeous Caribbean Sea views and views
to St. Croix, Puerto Rico, the historic port town of Charlotte Amalie and
the harbor islands; Hassel and the newest and 4th Virgin; Water
Island. After a while, each visitor and local will tell you their favorite
part of St. Thomas and why they love it only there. For such a small
island, the terrain, landscape, views, etc. are very different, but all
breathtaking.
St. Thomas has
at least 44 beaches, all of which are open to everyone. Except for one
(Magen’s) our beaches are small and scattered around the island. MAGEN’S BAY was voted as one of
the ten top beaches in the world by National Geographic magazine. And
indeed, it is spectacular! Magen’s is heart shaped and one mile of pure
white sand beach fringed with palm trees opening to crystal clear waters.
Magen’s is the only beach on the island that charges admission, a
nominal $1.00 per vehicle and $1.00 per person. There are life guards,
picnic tables, a beach bar and restaurant and great beach boutique. Other
beaches on St. Thomas range from
Hull Bay where the surfers meet to hopping Sapphire
Beach with Sunday beach barbecues and bands and reef snorkeling
to sleepy Secret
Harbor where the sea grass bottom encourages great snorkeling,
the plentiful palm trees encourage napping and the great restaurant right
on the beach encourages long, lazy Sunday brunches. If shelling is your
past time you’ll love Brewer’s Beach near the University
of the Virgin Islands. Morningstar
Beach near Frenchman’s Reef Hotel is home to beach volleyball
players and some serious tanners. You’ll soon discover your favorite
beach.
The population
on St. Thomas
is about 50,000 people of a mixture of ethnic groups, races and cultures.
We are a cosmopolitan population enjoying each other’s diversity in
background, language, foods, music and culture. We have many cultural
activities on the island from local calypso music to classical music in
open air gardens to art and antiques shows, carnival parades with
incredible floats and bands, flower shows, and many fund raising
activities. The Orchid Society, Garden Club and Rotary Clubs, Chamber of
Commerce, Pony Club and many others are well represented and encourage new
members.
Here is School
Information in case you need it!
Property is owned by fee simple absolute; that is you own, not lease, your
land. St. Thomas offers many housing alternatives from purchase of a
building site for future development, condominium living in large beach
side complexes or smaller more residential complexes nestled on the
hillsides to small or large homes offering the privacy of single family
living
on a simple or grand scale. Once you choose “your” favorite side of
the island we can show you everything on the market. We are members of the
St. Thomas Board of Realtors and have access to up to the minute on-line
Multiple Listing Service database. We can assist you with everything from
engaging an attorney, architect, builder, insurance agent, pool service,
housekeeper, etc. We’re
here to ease your way into the American Paradise!
Typically, land
is about ½
acre with R-1 the lowest density residential zoning requirement.
R-1 allows for a 2 family dwelling per half acre (unless certain areas
deed restrict to single family dwellings or greater than ½ acre). Large
undeveloped acreage is unusual and costly. A one half acre parcel with
great water views starts at about $50,000 and can cost up to over $100,000
dependent upon location and amenities. A typical vacation home has three
bedrooms and 2 or 3 baths, pool, lots of glass sliding doors for view and
breeze and a pool. The average cost of that type of residence starts at
about $375,000 and can exceed $1,000,000, again dependent upon location
and amenities. Homes and undeveloped parcels right on the water or a beach
are rare and therefore more costly. A two bedroom, two bath condominium on
the beach starts at about $160,000 to over $300,000.
Island
architects will give you more specific design and building information,
but I’ll offer you an overview. Homes are built from a variety of
materials with masonry (either poured concrete or filled and reinforced
block) being the most utilized. Roofs are very important as we use them to
collect our water, which is run by drainpipe to the storage under the
house called a cistern. Think of it as a big swimming pool under the house, about
20,000 gallons worth. Roof
materials can be either pre-finished aluminum in a color, tile (natural or
man-made) plywood coated with waterproof paint or concrete. A typical roof style is a hip roof with the pitch
assisting in water collection. Remember, no need for “cellars” here so
storage is at a premium. We don’t have nor need heating systems and no
need for those snow blowers! We have strict building codes, which will
dictate everything from the size of your cistern to the roof beam size.
Our homes are
built to take advantage of nature’s air-conditioning… our ever-present
trade winds. Paddle fans are the most many homes need to stir the air and
cool you off. Most bathrooms have showers only since water is so precious.
No soaking tubs for us! Mexican or ceramic tile is the choice for most
floors for coolness and ease of maintenance.
Other flooring choices are termite resistant wood (pitch or
Southern yellow pine) or terrazzo. Furniture
tends to be light and informal. You probably don’t want to ship down
great uncle Albert’s dark cherry sideboard until you design and choose
your “island style”. Outside
living space is the most important feature.
So, weather-resistant furniture is important. Materials fade in our
bright sun so choose carefully. You’ll
have large outdoor areas called “galleries”
which are usually roofed over but otherwise open to the fresh air.
You’ll live in the fresh cool air because flying bugs don’t bother you
if you’re in a breezy location. You can enjoy dining “al fresco”
under the stars in the dead of winter. How about that?!
Everyone
asks…just how much is it to live in Paradise? Our food costs are second
only to Washington, D.C., the utility rates are among the highest in the
U.S. and the housing rentals are likened to Manhattan and San Francisco.
In other words…it’s expensive to live here. But the trade off's are
wonderful… low property taxes, year round perfect weather, no winter
clothes, no heating costs and world-class views from every inch of our
islands!
Do we get
“island-fever”? Sure we do! So, plan on several day trips to St. John
and the British Virgin Islands and even Puerto Rico in-between traveling
to the States or “down-island” for longer visits and your
“state-side fix”. Many people feel that after 3-4 years on island
you’ll find that you miss the states less and less. Leave the mall
shopping, driving on the “wrong side of the road” (otherwise known as
the right hand side) at 75 M.P.H. and cold weather to the times you choose
to visit the states. With shopping via catalog and the Internet, we hardly
miss a thing anymore.
Please check
our web site www.CalypsoRealty.com
We look forward to assisting you in your search
for an island home! Come join us in St. Thomas, the American Paradise!
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