Journal
Types of housing in the US Virgin Islands
An island is surrounded by water, so in all honesty, the land is finite. They’re not making any more of it. So it follows that housing is expensive. Whether it is a single family dwelling, a condominium or apartment building, it is an expensive build, as every nail, board and paint can is shipped in. A great many of the beaches are ringed by condo developments popular with both residents and tourists. If you like people and hate to garden, this is your place in the sun. If solitude, tropical flora and maintenance are your bent, then buy or build the house of your dreams.
That house rises from the cistern up. What’s a cistern? It’s virtually a flooded basement, or to be precise, it is where rain water is collected and stored for your personal use. The heavens giveth and you learn to be frugal. Waste not, want not, or you will be paying almost $500 for a truckload of water.
Architectural freedom runs rampant, but paying attention to prevailing winds, plus sun and shade, offers cooling effects year round. Raw land is still available for purchase, but be advised that by the time you finish with plans and permitting and hire a contractor, you can be looking at 1 to 3 years depending on size and scope of the project. As brokers and homeowners, we’ve seen it all. We will flesh it out for you.