Any RVs in the USVI?

Hello Erik,

No RV campgrounds. I remember seeing one small/old RV in the last year in someone's yard but I don't recall where it was. In any case... not a common thing here.

--Islander

Hello Islander,

I was just trying to think of a cheaper housing alternative. Is there anything that would prevent me from shipping an RV and using it as living quarters? Of course, I would have to rent or buy land.

Thanks,
Erik

Shoot, the land will probably cost you $50K. You might be beter off renting a place. JMHO.

Hello Erik,

Your idea is very similar to what many locals (here & in the Caribbean in general) do. Most do not have the money to buy the land and put up a house all at once. So they start with the land and then they might build a small building or use a trailer for a few years and then start building the house. Often the house will be in steps also, the cistern and foundation, then the walls & roof and then the finishing - over several years.

Whether or not a trailer is allowed depends on the area and more specifically the zoning of the parcel you have. The folks in charge of this are at the Dept. of Planning & Natural Resources. I haven't asked about RV's specifically. You can call DPNR at (340)774-3320 (St. Thomas), 773-1082 (St. Croix) & 693-8735 (St. John). They will ask what area you are interested in and then the parcel number so they can look it up; but perhaps you might call and ask about RV's and whether they know if there are any areas where they definitely would not be allowed and which areas they are more likely to be. That would give you an idea of if its a realistic option and where/which areas you would have to look for land.

--Islander

Hello Erik,
I am also interested in this idea. What island are you looking into? I thought
STX would have more land. I have a 31 foot class C Minnie Winnie . Let me know how your research goes. Perhaps we could go in on the land and septic and water together.
Just a thought. Where are you now?

One very important thing to keep in mind id hurricanes.

When a storm hits the island how do you propose to keep th shinny side of your RV up?

My guess, one of the reasons you don't see trailers in the VI, other than the logistics of getting one here, is they seem to fair poorly in high winds. No place to run and hide from a storm here.

Jim

Islander - Thanks for all the great info!

Stephen - I was thinking about STX or STT. I'm in the planning stage of my move to the USVI. I would consider splitting land and utilities. My wife and I currently live in NC and hope to move to the USVI in about 2 years.

Jim - I'm exploring the RV option as a temporary (1-2 years) means of living. In the event of a direct hurricane, I'm not going to be in it to find out how it holds up : )

Jim,
Depending on the lay of the land, I was thinking about diging a trench or an open
topped cave that I could back into for hurricanes. Maybe even a cinder block (filled with rebar and concrete) garage. I really don't know, I'm just looking for ideas at this point.
I have also thought of trying to use cables attached to concrete moorings in the ground.

Erik,
Let's keep in touch for updates to eachother's plans.