Living on Unspoiled St. John

Anyone planning to visit St John will first behold its beauty from afar, or from the sea, since this
unspoiled and underdeveloped island has no airstrip or seaplane service. Its mountainous outline, extending
eastward to the British Virgin Islands, can be seen from neighboring St Thomas, intriguing from that vantage
point since the island’s north shore appears nearly uninhabited, carved with a sequence of tranquil aquamarine
bays capped by white sandy beaches. Indeed, this portrait is what sets St John apart for over half of the island
is protected as the Virgin Islands National Park, a generous gift from Laurance Rockefeller that took over half
of St John out of the real estate market.

The lure of owning property is particularly appealing since all real estate laws pertinent to the Virgin
Islands reflect stateside standards. Ownership is fee simple, under U.S. flag. There are no restrictions against
purchasing solely for investment, and no laws dictating when, if ever, you must build on undeveloped land.
Taxation is figured at $3,770 per million of the market value for homes, a favorable calculation that keeps this
aspect of ownership affordable. Most of the zoning is low density residential; indeed there is very little
commercially zoned property allotted on St John. Plans and permits are issued in accordance with an
enforceable building code. There are no high-rises; three stories is our limit. Neighborhoods usually have
covenants to shape the development and maintain some semblance of order, but these tend to be logical and
not terribly imposing. For instance, many areas prohibit hanging laundry in view, or keeping goats, donkeys,
pigs and chickens as pets. As charming as these country elements may seem as you tour the island, goats
and donkeys can ravage your garden in a day and it’s doubtful that the 5 A.M. wake-up call of a rooster will
enhance your life.

Development has evolved as St John has been discovered by more and more people looking for the
ultimate Caribbean retreat: that place where you can soak your feet in 80 degree crystal clear water and enjoy
your “Painkiller” or Rum Punch under a palm just hours after leaving the mainland. In the past fifteen years,
two new shopping centers graced the main town of Cruz Bay, and another, located on the outskirts of town,
opened in late 1999. Two luxury hotels, Caneel Bay and The Westin, compete for the high end hotel market. A
multitude of new homes have been built primarily as vacation villas, rented on a weekly basis to vacationers
and occupied by their absentee owners for several weeks a year. The mainly affluent rental market has
mandated an upgrading of construction quality, while the architectural theme holds strongly to the Caribbean
tradition of masonry construction, with arches, galleries, native stonework, tile floors and ceiling fans. Homes
are designed for indoor/outdoor living; here you can appreciate having your dining table on a covered porch all
year round, protected from the sun and rain, and cooled by the constant trade winds. Locals rarely use air
conditioning; however upscale rental villas often install air conditioning, at least in the bedrooms.

If you decide to establish permanent ties to St John, the scope of the real estate market ranges from
modest to astonishing. Raw land home sites start at about $100,000; with the best water view lots in the
$300,000 and up range. The more ocean you can see, the more you can expect to pay, with the best hillside
lots in the $300K and up range. Since most of the central region of St John belongs to the Park, residential
areas are oriented along the south shore near Cruz Bay and at the eastern end of the island near the quaint
village of Coral Bay. If you enjoy the quiet of the National Park surroundings, there are a few in-holdings that
garner prices well above $1,000,000, and for the prestigious north shore location at Peter Bay a half acre
hillside lot will start at about $1,500,000. Island wide, there are very few ocean-front home sites and even
fewer with beach frontage. The higher price tags attached to waterfront sites do not appear to deter buyers;
they are among the fastest selling and most in demand.

While the starting prices on homes are high, some properties remain within reason. The average price
for a home during the last two years has been over 2 million dollars. It is still possible to find something under
that amount, especially if you can live without an ocean view. The tendency in new homes is definitely geared
more to the vacation market, which is more discriminating and demanding now than in the past. With insurance
premiums very expensive, new construction of upscale homes is almost exclusively masonry or native
stonework. A great ocean view is a must, as well as a pool, and equally appealing bedroom suites numbering
from two to six, along with air conditioning in the bedrooms. Fully equipped kitchens, designer furnishings with
a tropical flair, along with all the comforts of home have become necessities. Outdoor areas are an integral,
year-round, part of the home. Flowering landscapes complement patios, decks, and pool areas which are
furnished with comfortable outdoor furniture.

Condominiums cropped up in the early eighties, primarily in or near Cruz Bay, where zoning permits
denser development. The largest and only waterfront complex, Gallows Point, sits at the entrance to the
harbor. Gallows consists of 60 one-bedroom units, in 15 buildings, with manicured grounds and a restaurant on
the premises. The new upscale Grande Bay Resort, located on Cruz Bay Harbor, has 48 units. Other popular
condo complexes are: The Hills, Lavender Hill, Battery Hill, Cruz Views, Pastory Estate, and Serendip. Condos
have proven to be a solid investment as most have vacation rental programs in place. Don’t be shocked at the
seemingly high monthly dues – most of these condo fees include your windstorm and earthquake insurance.

If you decide to live on St John, be prepared for higher prices for all purchases, and more limited
services than you may be accustomed to in the states. St John is a small Caribbean island where everything is
imported, primarily from the mainland. There are approximately 5,000 full time residents, so if you live here,
you have the chance to know most everyone and they’ll know everything you do. Activities and groups to
become involved in are: St John Yacht Club, Kids and the Sea, St John Singers, Historical Society, Friends of
the Park, Audubon Society, St John Community Foundation, St John School of the Arts, Rotary, and churches
of various denominations. People are friendly and come from very diverse and interesting backgrounds.

The views are stunning, the beaches gorgeous, and thanks to our National Park, vast acres of St John
will be preserved for future generations — a St John property owner’s greatest asset.