Essentials
- City
- Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Population
- Approximately 18,500
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps via Viya or Liberty USVI fiber optics
- Currency & Banking
- United States Dollar (USD). Banking via FirstBank or Banco Popular
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; mostly rainwater cisterns. Use bottled water ($2.50/gallon)
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Standard US sockets)
- SIM Card
- Liberty USVI, Viya, or T-Mobile (mainland plans often include USVI)
- Banking for Expats
- US Mainland banks work seamlessly (Chase, Wells Fargo, Revolut US)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, VRBO, or local realtors like Sea Glass Properties
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes, but 'Safari' taxis and local beach bars require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Hillcrest Guest House or Airbnb apartments ($150-$300/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Tillett Gardens Guest House (approx. $110/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Frenchtown or Waterfront/Main Street for accessibility
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Red Hook (east end) for amenities or Peterborg for quiet/views
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Virgin Islands SBDC (Training center) or private rentals at Yacht Haven Grande
- Best Cafe for Work
- Virgin Islands Coffee Roasters (Main St) - excellent Wi-Fi and artisan coffee
- Networking Events
- St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours events
- Social Events for Expats
- What's Going On St. Thomas? Facebook Group and Friday nights in Frenchtown
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Lyft. VI Taxi (App) or local 'Safari' open-air buses ($1-$2)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Fruit Bowl area rentals (~$60/day). Note: Roads are steep and narrow
- Best Beach Nearby
- Magens Bay (Entry fee approx. $5 per person)
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways or InterCaribbean Airways
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, Delta, and United from major US hubs
- Highway Access
- Veterans Drive (Waterfront) and Weymouth Rhymer Highway
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. The Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal (Ferries)
- Public Transport Passes
- VITRAN buses (approx. $1 per ride, no long-term passes)
- Regional Travel
- Ferry to St. John ($16 roundtrip) or Water Taxi to BVI ($60+)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Schneider Regional Medical Center (9048 Sugar Estate Rd)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Breezeway Yoga at Yacht Haven Grande ($20 drop-in)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- BVI Fitness or Rock Life Crossfit (Havensight area)
- Laundry Services
- Lighthouse Laundromat in Contant ($5 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Island Direct (Local delivery service for many restaurants)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fungi and Saltfish or Pâté (meat-filled pastry)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Barefoot Buddha (Havensight) - great bowls and wraps
- Best Dessert Spots
- Scoops & Brew at Crown Bay Center
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Cost-U-Less or Kmart for bulk goods
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (shipping can be slow), VI Buy & Sell
- Grocery Delivery
- The Market (formerly Fruit Bowl) via Island Direct
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Frenchtown (The Tap & Still) or Red Hook (Duffy's Love Shack)
- Local Brewery
- Leatherback Brewing Company (St. Thomas location near airport)
- Wine Bars
- Sea La Vie in Frenchtown
- Street Food Stalls
- Market Square for local pates and fresh tropical fruit
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mafolie Hotel Restaurant (European/Caribbean fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- 99 Steps and Blackbeard's Castle (historic district)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Fort Christian (Oldest standing structure in USVI)
- Historical Sites
- St. Thomas Synagogue (Second oldest in Western Hemisphere)
- Religious Sites
- Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
- Annual Events
- VI Carnival (April/May) - immense parades and caloric food
- Cultural Districts
- Savanne and the historic downtown area
- Theater Venues
- Pistarkle Theater (Tillet Gardens)
- Local Markets
- The Market St. Thomas (High-end local and organic goods)
- Music Scene
- Live Calypso and Steel Pan at Yacht Haven Grande
- Street Art
- Murals along the waterfront near the ferry dock
- Cooking Classes
- Private classes via local chefs at The Shops at Yacht Haven
- Art Galleries
- Gallery St. Thomas (Palm Passage)
- Historic Buildings
- Government House (Official residence of the Governor)
- Local Heritage
- Danish-influenced architecture across downtown
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Water Island (10-minute ferry from Crown Bay)
- National Parks Nearby
- Virgin Islands National Park (requires ferry to St. John)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Waterfront Promenade (approx. 2 miles of flat walking)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Drake's Seat (Overlooking Magens Bay and BVI)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangrove Lagoon (Kayak tours available)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Hull Bay (Popular with locals/surfers, check permits)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS (Domestic rates apply), FedEx, and DHL
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer Solutions USVI (Subbase area)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local community centers or bars like The Dog House
- Language Classes
- University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) continuing education
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Charles Wesley Turnbull Regional Library
- Community Centers
- Gwyneth Moolenaar Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Various local sports bars in Red Hook
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Southland Gaming machines (Found in various bars/lounges)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $220,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $172,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $312,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $240,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $384,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $288,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (US Federal rate, though local incentives apply)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Standard US rate, may vary by treaty)
- Tax System
- Mirror Code of the US Internal Revenue Code
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal US brackets apply)
- VAT
- 0% (No Sales Tax or VAT in USVI)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, US GILTI and Subpart F rules apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on assessed value (approx. 0.0075%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax ranges from 2% to 3.5% of the value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- EDC Program offers up to 90% reduction in personal and corporate tax for qualifying businesses