USVI Moving Center - Which Island

Each of the U.S. Virgin Islands offers a distinct atmosphere, pace of life, cost of living and job market. Which island you choose to live on depends on the lifestyle you seek, as the islands are truly different.

St. Thomas – The most cosmopolitan and busiest of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is home to the capital of the U.S.V.I, Charlotte Amalie. Charlotte Amalie is one of the busiest cruise ship ports and shopping destinations in the Caribbean. Private businesses thrive on a largely tourism based economy. St. Thomas is the second largest of the Virgin Islands. It is in close proximity to St. John and Water Island, and approximately 40 miles from St. Croix. St. Thomas is known locally for its ‘big city’ feel, as it is home to a more bustling community, larger stores and many businesses. Although a busy little island, it is still little, only 31 square miles. Beautiful beaches, great dining, fun bars, active water sports and entertainment are available. St. Thomas is often a newcomer’s choice because of a wider selection of job opportunities and stronger possibilities for entrepreneurship. There are many associations to participate in from Rotary clubs to Girls and Boy Scouts, Chamber of Commerce and Yacht and Fishing clubs among others. St. Thomas has large grocery stores and bulk stores. St. Thomas has a large airport. A medical hospital and abundant doctor’s offices are available. Education facilities from elementary to university are available. Apartments are fairly easy to find, real estate options are good. St. Thomas is a Caribbean island with a wealth of American amenities.

St. Croix – The largest of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix’s style is often described as having a combination of St. John’s laid back atmosphere and St. Thomas' faster pace. Tourism, agriculture and oil refining are the island’s main industries. St. Croix is home to the Hess Oil Refinery. Historical sugar mills are strewn across St. Croix’s beautiful landscape. St. Croix has two main towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted. Between the islands developed areas are ‘rain forest’, grassy cattle fields, historical buildings and golf courses. St. Croix has a town and country feel, more so than any of the other Virgin Islands. Although St. Croix is a quiet island, it does have its fair share of entertainment in the form of music festivals, Carnival, crab races, dining and theatre productions. Fishing, scuba diving, sailing, boating and outdoor water and land sports in general are popular activities. The only casino in the Virgin Islands is on St. Croix. St. Croix has many of the same associations as St. Thomas; Rotary clubs, Chamber of Commerce, historical conservation groups among others. Educational facilities range from elementary level to university. St. Croix is set apart from the other islands because of a larger physical distance; it is some 40 miles away from St. Thomas. Traveling between St. Croix and St. Thomas is facilitated by ferry service and small commuter airlines. St. Croix has it’s own airport for commuting to the mainland. The Juan Luis Hospital is available for medical needs.

St. John – Mostly National Park, St. John is a beautiful gem in the Virgin Islands. Tourism is the main industry. There are only a few hotels, campgrounds and bed and breakfasts on the island, however each year thousands of visitors come to visit little St. John. Traffic jams are caused by herds of goats or wild donkeys. Compared to St. Thomas and St. Croix, St. John is a quiet, laid back island. Cruz Bay gets hopping in the early afternoons and during season as patrons in small bars in Cruz Bay spill into the roads and sidewalks during happy hour, sometimes barefoot. But no matter, St. John has an easygoing atmosphere. You wont find large shopping areas. Cruz Bay does have several unique shops. Grocery shopping is getting better every year – but many residents still go over to St. Thomas for wider selection and savings. Medical and educational facilities are on St. Thomas for the most part. St. John offers elementary to high school facilities  as well as doctors offices and a medical clinic. Many people from St. Thomas work on St. John in the hotels and restaurants. They commute back everyday to their homes on St. Thomas. The commute is necessary as accommodations, real estate and apartments are extremely scarce and the market is extremely competitive on St. John. St. John does not have an airport; a water ferry from/to St. Thomas facilitates commuting.

Water Island – The smallest and newest member of the Virgin Islands, Water Island is the little sister at only 491.5 acres! There is very little commerce on the island at this time. For the most part working residents work on St. Thomas, and commute either on a small ferry or on their own personal dingy. There are no gas stations, no malls, not large stores and no offices. There are a few cars and other modes of transport such as golf carts. No taxis or buses. Residents bring their groceries over from St. Thomas, as is the case with all other necessities of life. Water Island residents have their own civic association that is responsible for island cleanups and overall island maintenance. There are a few rentals properties, mainly for seasonal vacationers. There are also a few apartment rentals. At this time there are no other forms of accommodations. Life on Water Island is certainly different, and it does take someone who wants their own ‘private island atmosphere’ with all its pros and cons to be happy there, and many are - the population of Water Island is about 161 people (2000 census).

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