When looking to buy a home or property in St. Thomas it is important to know road surface can vary greatly and the terrain being generally quite hilly, will impact the kind of vehicle you own. The main roads are the responsibility of and are maintained by the government; whereas roads in individual neighbor hoods are often the responsibility of those home owners who live in the development.
The Islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John are all beneficiaries of the stimulus money designated to improve infrastructure and create jobs. On St. Thomas, the road heading towards the East End of the island has been resurfaced. The neighborhoods impacted include Water Point, Deck Point, Secret Harbor, Pelican Point, Red Hook and Frydendal. More generally speaking the area is Smith Bay and Nazareth. At times, when going into these areas to show homes, condos or land, it feels like you are on a highway on the mainland. Some of the gated communities have homeowners associations that do a marvelous job in maintaining the roads as well as other amenities offered in those particular areas such as beaches with picnic areas, docks, playgrounds and the like.
The main road that runs the crest of the island of St. Thomas, Skyline Drive, is being worked on now. As this is a main thoroughfare, it will benefit just about everyone on island. The immediate neighborhoods it runs through include Anna’s Retreat, Wintberg, St. Joseph and Rosendahl, Louisenhoj, to name a few. While the work often causes traffic backups, as most of our roads are two lane roads, people are happy to see the improvements that are coming to our islands.
You may ask, what has this got to do with real estate and the value of property? Accessibility and comfortable accessibility is important. You can have the most beautiful home ever in paradise but if you can’t get to it easily or without destroying your vehicle, it is a deterrent to potential buyers. That is not to say that seclusion is not what some buyers are looking for and many homes or lots on St. Thomas are in secluded areas of the island, Botany Bay is still an enclave unto itself to name just one. It offers large 3 to 5 acre lots (so your neighbors will never be but so close) with wide well paved roads and underground utilities in an upcoming gated community.
There are still a few neighborhoods in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with notoriously bumpy roads, it is sometimes said, the owners keep them that way to keep people from randomly passing through. Owners, get your neighbors and friends together and work on those roads, it will improve your properties’ value and the salability of your home. There have been buyers who have told me they want to bring or purchase a particular model of car. While you will find just about every possible kind of car here, often the lower slung cars have to be a second vehicle because of the roads.
So when you see the hard working (happily employed) people on that huge equipment, holding those flags and signs, as you wait for your turn to pass; give them a thumbs up. You know, not only does your delay mean one less flat tire or jarring experience but a better quality of life for everyone.
To learn more about St. Thomas, St. Croix or St. John visit my website at www.talk-to-tanya.com
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