Limin'--Life without A/C

Dream of moving to the Caribbean? Spending your days caressed by trade winds, relaxed, soaking up the genial sun . . .Limin’, to use the local phrase. If so, know that when you leave your stress-filled stateside lives you also leave behind a few other aspects of your daily routine, such as: central air conditioning, low electricity rates, curb-side trash pick up, underground gas lines, guaranteed access to high-speed Internet, low-cost dish-based television service, and in most cases city water/sewer and home mail delivery.

Air Conditioning

Used to the climate controlled ice box—you may have difficulty adjusting. Very few locations have central air conditioning. I have witnessed this luxury only in large commercial buildings. Many residents operate window unit AC; however, be prepared for to pay for this convenience. The rental we lived in when we first moved on island was just about 1000 square feet, one window unit and four ceiling fans. Our monthly electricity bill averaged $220.

Too many visitors from the states (continentals) depend on A/C so that local hotels often charge an additional 10 percent energy surtax.

I plan to operate our bed and breakfast sans A/C. Ceiling fans and stationary fans, yes, but no window units. We do not have this convenience in the main house and I hope to compete in local hotel market by being 10 percent cheaper than the next guy. I also hope to entice the kind of guests that want to live like the locals.

Propane

To off set the expensive electrical rates islanders use propane wherever possible. Our stove, clothes dryer (an appliance I rarely use because the clothes line works well) and hot water heater are propane based. Gas is delivered in large tanks, about 4 feet high, and stored outside one’s home. One visitor remarked that this method is akin to having a bomb outside your door. Would the underground gas line then be like having a bomb under one’s house? Out of sight, out of mind, maybe?

Check upcoming entries on the shedding of other stateside conveniences, sharing bathwater with the frogs and a trip to the dump all coming soon.

Island life is different. A new resident’s attitude in accepting these differences determines whether a move to the USVI is paradise or paradise lost. Don’t blame the Islands for not being like the States, blame yourself for an inability to adapt. Limin' is a trade-off.

Settling in Paradise--five house hunting snags

Relocating to America’s Paradise? Since St. Croix is a US Territory buying or building should be just like the states, right? Not quite.

Mortgage Rates

Be prepared for mortgage rates up to 1 point higher than stateside. The probability of damage due to natural disasters and high default rates on loans yield the increase mortgage rates. Compute this rate hike in your budget while house shopping. The high interest rates may put a once affordable asking price out of reach.

Property Insurance

In comparison with the states, property insurance can be astronomical. In addition, it is doubtful that you will be able to continue coverage with your local stateside insurance provider. On St. Croix all the property insurers are Caribbean-based. A buyer can retain his previous stateside insurer to provide insurance on the contents of the home.

Amenities such as hurricane shutters and home construction material affect rates. A wooden structure would result in a huge insurance bill. Most houses on St. Croix are constructed of concrete for both exterior and interior walls—in short a hurricane bunker.

Flood insurance is required based on land surveys. Not only low-lying properties are affected—a house located on a mountainside could potentially require flood insurance due to storm run off.

Building Costs

At present (mid 2007) the building costs on St. Croix average $200 to $250 per square foot. Land costs (the price of which has increased dramatically in the past five years) are extra.

Homeowners Associations and Road Maintenance

Many neighborhoods operate under the agreements of a homeowners association. Similar to stateside groups, St. Croix’s homeowners association often take on the additional duty of road maintenance. Limited Territorial government budgets for road repair and maintenance typically result in the repair of main roads only. Homeowners associations step in, collect dues, and repair and maintain roads within their respective jurisdictions.

Closing Dates

A 60 day closing time frame is typical. So get ready to wait a few days to move in to your new dream home.

Search the multiple listings service (MLS) with St. Croix-based realty agency (operating since 1930) Farchette & Hanley.

On and off the Rock

Unless you own a watercraft (or know someone who does) air transportation is the only reliable, scheduled way to get on or off island. Two major airlines service St. Croix: American and Delta. American offers one flight daily from Miami and Delta offers direct flights from Atlanta twice a week. The nearest airline hub is Puerto Rico. American Eagle offers flights several times a day as do smaller carriers such as Cape Air and Liat.

To island hop from St.Croix, Seaborne Airlines, a sea plane, offers flights to St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. A seaplane bonus is the ability to land right in the harbor of both islands, closest to the historic districts and shopping. (A seaplane review is imminent.) Sea plane barely visible above Hotel on the Cay (see photo).

Cruise ships fail to frequent St. Croix. While the local economy may miss the boost from these floating tour groups, I am not sure St. Croix would please the cruise traveler. Although great duty-free shopping and nightlife exist, St. Croix is not a shop-till-you drop, party the night away place. In short, St. Croix is nothing like Vegas on the Caribbean. St. Croix is a place to enjoy the beautiful scenery, learn about the rich local culture and treasure the simple pleasure of relaxation.

Welcome to my business adventure

I like B&Bs. I like the concept of gaining a bit more than surface detail about a certain locale. If one stays in a corporate hotel one can count on a private bath, cable television and now-a-days wireless service. Yet, corporate hotels can be generic. How is a room in Peoria different from one in Pensacola? Moreover, what does the traveler learn about that location from the hotel?

At a bed and breakfast; however, the baths may be shared, the rooms may not have phone or wireless, but then a certain kind of traveler takes a trip to get away from the generic everyday. Given the opportunity, I would like to learn more about a place: scraps of history, tastes of culture, glimpses inside the everyday life of residents.

Sixty channels of cable television are less important. Why should some actor, anchor, or reality participant get all the action? Travel is not a time to be passive, in my opinion. Travel is your own unique adventure.

I am thrilled to open this bed and breakfast and thrilled to check off a goal on life’s to-do list. I look forward to sharing our little piece of America’s Paradise with like-minded travelers. So, welcome.