St. John USVI - abject proverty? Oh, think she was on a different island.

I can see getting that impression in parts of St. Thomas but St. John - nah, can't see it.

Pamela

As a former resident of STJ, Ihave to say that I am still puzzled. I will relay a slightly funny story to add some perspective.

When I lived on STJ, I rented apartments. My last apartment was a beautiful 2 bedroom 1 bath with a view. I loved that apartment. The outside of the building was not overly pretty but the tile work and high ceilings inside were awesome.
I was a REALTOR and was showing some property to a stateside couple in my neighborhood. As we came down the hill, there was a garbage truck emptying the dumpster across from my apt. (yes, the dumpster being so close was one of the benefits of my apt since there is no hosuehold trash pick up on island) and we had to stop.

We were right next to my apt and my customers said "I feel bad that people have to live like that when I am looking at a million dollar house down the street" :S

It is all perception. You may think it is a dumpy property when in reality it was a highly sought after apartment with great amenities.

Are there people that are considered below the poverty level? Of course, but that is true anywhere.

The islands are different and perhaps native virgin islanders live in a way that would seem impoverished to you, but in reality, that is not always the case.

My (now) fiance and I stayed on STJ, at Concordia near Coral Bay, for a week and felt pretty safe. We did have a backpack stolen off the beach at Salt Pond Bay while we were snorkeling, but that wasn't really a safety concern. We had put our stuff back in the foliage where no one could see it and there were two locals hanging out in the Salt Pond who must've come through the woods and grabbed the closest thing. In retrospect it makes more sense to leave your stuff out in the open.

Anyways, way went all over the island during the day and had dinner each night in Coral Bay. By Jeep it's all very safe.

On our way home we spent one night on STT in Frenchtown. It was very odd. Fancy restaurants and bars surrounded by poverty. As we sat in a bar with some drinks there were people digging through dumpsters across the street and a fight almost broke out. We went back to our room pretty quickly. I can say we can't wait to return to STJ, but won't visit STT except as an access point.

After driving all over St. John, I can't say I saw one instance of poverty. Simple living perhaps, but nothing like St. Thomas or my local ghetto for that matter.

Utter nonsense about any "abject poverty", just nonsense. Aargh, makes my head spin for true and I'm just not sufficiently compus mentis to respond right this minute as I'm covered in debris after doing yard work in the middle of the most dreadful neighborhood of Smith Bay where I've lived and maintained a business for the past 15 years. Darn it, almost 26 years now since I've been a permanent resident of STT but of course I'm either wearing rose-colored spectacles or am a complete loony ...

What some casual visitors see as "poverty" is so far from the reality but then when one's upbringing is in Maintown USA and the whole yuppie scene, it might seem so from a most cursory perspective. Cheers!

STT Resident

Take a deep breath my lady. Rest assured, as you are well aware...one man's hell is another man's heaven.

I have visited STJ a couple of times and once at night. Like what others have said, its not any worse then your own home, just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine. You are more likely to have a problem with other tourist, not the islanders.

Have been coming to STJ since 1978, I was a victim of crime there once in the 80's while staying at Maho Bay, I had a shoe stolen from my deck at one of the tent sites.

After investigation by employees the thief was caught and apprehended, and I got my shoe back.

It was a local wayward dog.

So be very careful.

In my experience the visitors to the island are a much larger threat to your safety than anyone who lives here.