Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
Background info...mid-50s couple living in Fl. Gulf coast (tourist area) scoping out STX for retirement since we don't like the cooler Florida winters 🙂 or even possible permanent move if employment opportunities were available to us. Did LOTS of research on the island but we knew we had to make a trip (or several) before we would commit to a move or purchase of any sort. We were looking for a "non-tourist" area (as much as possible) but with some creature comforts (grocery stores, good places to eat but not fancy, not overrun by people) so that is why we tried STX.
We were in STX for 10 days and stayed in a smaller condo complex. Cruzan Princess. Little disconcerting when we first got there that the fence around the complex had rusted wood screws sticking up all the way around the tops of the fence. New appliances tho the tv did not work. Lots of ants in the guest bedroom but got rid of those after spraying a few times. Room was directly in the beach with LOTS of breezes. Did not miss having a/c at all. Liked the location as far as being centrally located for our fact finding excursions.
Grocery stores - Food Town (it was close by) prices weren't too bad
Pueblos (sp?) - about the same prices but I did not like the store itself
Cost-U-Less - good prices for the stuff we bought (lunch/breakfast stuff, water, beer, RUM)
We wanted to get an idea of grocery prices for the items we would normally buy here and of course availability. Lots of Miller lite (which is a good thing) and my husband got "hooked" on Raspberry rum and cranberry juice. (We have already gone thru one of the bottles we brought back with us!!!). We did not find that the prices were that far out of line and the booze prices really made up for that (except for beer which was about what we pay in FL).
Car rental - We used Judi of Croix (877.903.2123 toll free). GREAT people to work with. Met us at the airport with the car. I waited for the luggage while my husband drove out of the parking lot and across the street to sign the rental papers then drove back in to pick me up 🙂
Shopping - we did go to Christiansted for an afternoon of shopping but my husband and I did not buy anything (I'm NOT a shopper at all) but our friend that was staying with us for a week did buy a bracelet (not at Sonya's) but at IB Designs.
Buck Island trip - A MUST as far as I am concerned. It was wonderful. We went with Buck Island Tours (Capt. Carl) on the Teroro II and can't say enough good things about them. Cap't Carl pulled my husband around with a buoy so he would be able to see the underwater snorkel trails (since my husband is a poor swimmer and doesn't like deeper water). He took very good care of us and a very good host.
Island Beaches - since we were within walking distance of the Hibiscus Beach, we did snorkel there a few times. Found the current to be pretty strong.
Shoys - really clouldy the day we went. Did not stay long.
Cane Bay - like that the best of the beaches on the island.
Golf - The Reef - Looks easier than it is. Got a work out the 2 times we went. Did 18 the first time and 9 another time. Both at 2:00 in the afternoon.
Carambola - I was beat by 18 holes. We walked this course too. I would ride the next time 🙂 Lost a few balls in the water. How unfair that water surrounds par 3 holes :)!!!!!
Restaurants - We did not get any dinners since we do not usually eat dinners out even in Fl. The prices looked high to us for entrees but again since we have nothing to compare them to, I can't speak to the topic of how expensive they are or not. Also, we did not have a bad meal anywhere. ALL the food was good and lots of it. We had sandwiches, appetizers, hamburgers and salads. We ate at the following places - H2O (first and only time, little pricey and slow service - even at the bar with no one there). We walked to it after getting settled in our condo and needed a beer and some food!
Breezes, Cheeseburgers in Paradise (my husband especially liked it and we went back several times), Deep End Bar (couple of times, once after our Buck Island trip), Ft Christian Brew Pub (loved the fried pickles, crab races and the Brown draft beer), Rum Runners, 2 bars at Cane Bay (Off the Wall and Full Moon), Divi Resort bar, and by far our MOST favorite was the Lobster Reef. Got lots of local info from the patrons and bartenders there and really liked the food. (Thanks Frankie).
We got a pretty good idea of where we would like to settle if we do make a move and I would love to go back SOON to verify that :). Too bad I have to work for a living but I am still keeping an eye out for any job opportunities in STX.
I know this was long but I wanted to make sure I covered as much as I could since I have not seen a lot of info re: STX on the forum.
SandyandBob
great info for anyone who has not been to stx
Where in Fl are you? Im close to Boca grande
Go Bucs
Great trip report. My hubby and I also love St. Croix. We bought a condo there a couple of years ago and go as often as we can. Next time try Duggans across from the Reef. Their food is good and on Tuesdays at Chenay Bay it's buy one dinner get one free. Nice views too!
Thanks, Sandy and Bob for your very informative trip report about STX. Good luck with your venture to move there. We will be there in 4 more days for our honeymoon, God willing! We are staying in Fredericksted. I'm hoping to make reservation with Captain Heinz for Buck Island. How was the weather while you were there?? Did you get much rain?
Was it really buggy in the evening?? Please let us know.
Re: bugs. We did find it was buggy at dusk and learned to keep some repellent in the car. We just sprayed our legs before we got out and it seemed to work for us.
As far as rain, we got lucky and only had rain the day we were leaving and it rained just as we were closing the windows in the condo. I know that they had a big storm just a few weeks before that and really appreciated it. I know in FL we like when it rains too tho the tourists don't agree. 🙂 (By the way, we live in Indian Shores, south of Clearwater)
We had Capt Carl take us to Buck Island and I think he is Capt Heinz's son? We called the night before we wanted to go, since they did need a minimum of 6 people before they would make the trip and weren't sure if there would be enough. If you can be a bit flexible, that might work for you too.
Congratulations too!!
Sandy and Bob
Gobucs....we did not renew our season tickets this year. Not too happy with Gruden or the cost of beer and parking.
Sounds lovely! I hope you do get to make the move. I'm hoping to get to STX some day!
