Moving down Shortly - Seeking Neighhood Input (homework is complete)
Good Evening,
I'll try to keep this short and concise, wife is currently on island looking at our options. A decision must be made within a day or two however we are torn on location.
*About us
- Moving from Wisconsin in 5-6 weeks
- Long time visitors (10 plus years)
- Seven year old son (We have decided on Antilles)
- Not taking lightly, not resort or yacht type people
- Favorite location / Vibe - Cane Garden Bay Tortola (Not an option for relocation)
- Renting minimum 6 months prior to buying (no rose colored glasses)
- Been wanting to do this for 5-7 years now, have made some very good friends along the way (local and transplants)
*Our primary concerns
- Safety
- Community
- Ease of transition for son (he does quite well in the islands, has some good friends)
- Comfort / we are non ac folk whenever possible / outdoors is best (yes, ac will be needed at times we know)
- Family oriented area, less transient, people with good character
Areas we are considering
- Hull Bay
- Cowpet Bay
- Neighborhood up by Sibs
We understand while renting we can always move, just looking to start off right and decide on the long term later.
Thanks in advance for your insight, really appreciate it!
- Jeff and Libby
If your son is going to Antilles, then I would suggest Cowpet Bay.
Athough it's the furthest from Antilles, my immediate gut reaction after reading your list was Hull Bay/Lerkenlund. Safety/community/no need for a/c(!)/family oriented/less transient/people with good character - a more apt description of the area couldn't be found! I've lived pretty much all over the island except for town and West and the "down to earth" essence of this area in all aspects is, well, paradisical in my opinion.
Sent you a PM. Welcome to Rock City!
Sent you a PM. Welcome to Rock City!
Don't want to share your opinion?
Hi OT - there was just a lot more to what I had to say to them, and personal enough that I did not care to share it with the whole community here is all.
Thank you all for the input so far, much appreciated!
Still a tough decision however renting first does give us the option to change our mind on location if long term is for us.
- Jeff and Libby
ChrisMI, I'd be interested in your opinions as well since we are planning on moving to STX in the Spring/Summer of next year.
Thanks!
ChrisMI, I'd be interested in your opinions as well since we are planning on moving to STX in the Spring/Summer of next year.
Thanks!
This is St Thomas.
Are you going to be working as well as having a child at Antilles?
If so, you may wish to rent something within your different commuting ranges.
Whille I love the norhtside and live there, I think if I had a 7 yr. old going to Antilles,
I'd wish for something closer to school to rent so Cowpet/Red Hook/Nazareth would be areas I would look at. If you live northside and commute to Antilles School daily it can take 30 - 40 min. depending on traffic, one way, especially if you traverse Havensight where cruise ships dock to get to Antillies from northside. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Does Antilles still have school bus pick up available -- I know a bus comes to 4 Corners to pick up for somewhere?
My daughter used to get picked up for Antilles by the Fort and also before that by the old McDonalds in Wheatley when she was at Montessori earlier.
Thanks Alana, this was a consideration for sure. I can see that getting old fast to and fro every day no matter how much we like the North side.
Our original intention was to be closer to Antilles on the front end while renting and acclimating which seems to be the general consensus. If we find that the North side is our true calling which is highly likely, we can consider buying there once certain we are staying.
This is all very helpful, sometime you already know inside what the right answer is but can only see it once helpful advice like all of this is shared.
I travel 4 corners but have not seen a school bus there, ever since I moved further out here on northside.
There is a school bus that drops off kids by the intersection before you go down to Hull Bay Beach and there's a bus shelter there but don't think that's for Antilles as kids are wearing uniforms. OP would have to call to see if any bus service exisits for Antilles.
I don't know if the private schools provide buses?
Ooooops! Thanks OT! I missed that part. LOL! I need some caffeine to wake up!
Well, I would have said east end if you were going with Montessori. Montessori has a bus that picks up on the north side, too. I know of lots of north siders who go to Antilles, Montessori, too. If you are into sailing, near the yacht club would be good. Maybe renting a while and seeing how the work, school, shopping triangle fits for you?
The Northside was far and away the only place I would live on STT (and did for 5 of my 7, STT years!), however, if I had to drive to Antilles twice daily (or even once, to and from), I would consider somewhere East. The last year I was there I lived in Hull Bay and commuted to work at Antilles - pardon my language but a TOTAL pain in the ass! I had avoided doing that for most of my time on STT, even though I was offered some job opportunities there. I finally succombed because the offer was too good to pass up but the commute got old within the first 2 months for me...HATED it! If I didn't ever have to drive beyond Yacht Haven, I would be happy as a clam! In fact, any time I needed/wanted to head out East, I would use Northside roads to get there. My opinion, of course...rent and see what works for you and your circumstances.
I called Antilles and they advised that they unfortunately don't have bus service for students on the North side but they do have manyl students from the North side and advise that there's active car-pooling. Hope that helps.
I called Antilles and they advised that they unfortunately don't have bus service for students on the North side
Another reason why Montessori is better! LOL
All I know is that if I lived close to Sibs I'd be in there way too much. LOVE that place.
Thanks again all. We are setup to go, just need to deal with our "stuff".
- We looked at Montessori but they are at capacity.
- I have tried to stop by Sibs for one, always a time warp with several hours lost in the blink of an eye!
=)
Well, you seem like great additions to the island. Montessori or not. 🙂
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