Just got back from an Interview

Congrats! I'm not 33, but...;) The area by Antilles is probably a bit quieter. You are close to town, Frenchtown, etc. There are some condos in that area, but probably you would find an apartment within a home. If you are doing Crossfit first thing in the morning, it might be nice being close by, and you would be driving against traffic to the Coki area. On the other hand, there are many more condos in the area between Coki and Red Hook. And that area is closer to the ferry for St John as well as marinas. I don't know, I just don't know. 🙂

It's really six of one and half a dozen of the other in my opinion but if you're going to be essentially working half the time at one location and half at the other, look at places in between the two. Both the South side and the East end are warmer than the North side so (just a suggestion) look for somewhere at a higher elevation so you have more of a breeze and save money on cooling bills. Nothing is far from anywhere!

Thanks for the advice and input guys, every little bit helps in my decision!

Keep an eye out on share situations on vicraigslist - there's a whole section devoted to it.

Great News!

So this means the pre-move visit and interview went well and you will be relocating soon.

Kudos

So glad to hear things are moving along well.

One thing I struggle with is "why" must things be so expensive? it's always cheaper to fly to St Maarten, or other countries near by, but not to seek employment if American so USVI is a great option. Then, once you secure the pre-move visit, interviews in USVI, the elusive questions are always the same i am finding here............"Now, what about housing options?"

Moving to paradise before retirement age is not a cheap investment. It takes raw cash at hand....no getting around this.

it's always cheaper to fly to St Maarten, or other countries near by, but not to seek employment if American so USVI is a great option.

US citizens are able to live and work (without a work permit) on St Maarten under the American-Dutch Friendship Treaty of 1956.

So one can work and live on the Dutch side only?
Does this apply to ABC islands too?

Yes and yes.
http://www.ekvandoorne.com/en/publications/882-american-dutch-friendship-treaty-us-citizen-rights-in-st-maarten

I'd be living on the Northside since you mentioned not being a partier. Congrats on your trip and interview, hopefully everything will work out for you on your new adventure of a lifetime. Man what I wouldn't give to be 33 and single living on St. Thomas, mothers would have to hide their daughters for sure.

I'd be living on the Northside since you mentioned not being a partier.

Not a really good option when working on both the East end and Frenchman's Bay - long commute. No lfewer partiers on the North side than on the East or South or West, come to that! 😀

I agree with that. I LOVE northside and for me its worth ANY drive to live there but in this case I would recommend somewhere in the middle.

Traffic in season, tho much better than it ever was, thanks to the widening of road in Havensight can still impact your travel time depending on times you're heading to Frenchman's Reef/Bay area. You've got Antilles school parents dropping off kids and people living around there and east end, all heading into town. Not to mention tour buses getting the cruise ship passengers off on their trips from Havensight.

You may wish to do a couple early morning runs to check times.
Summer's not an issue as school's out and barely any ships in port so less traffic..

It might be easier to live closer to Frenchman's Bay and then head to Coki Beach as you'll be going against traffic. Both east end and southside locations are dry and hot from May - November, meaning you may need AC and pay accordingly for usage.