Essentials
- City
- Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Population
- 3,000 (Town), 41,000 (St. Croix Island)
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps via Viya or Liberty USVI
- Currency & Banking
- U.S. Dollar (USD). Local banks: FirstBank, Banco Popular
- Tap Water
- Generally unsafe to drink; most residents use cisterns. Bottled water (~$2.50/gal) is recommended
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Same as USA)
- SIM Card
- Liberty (formerly AT&T) or Viya. $50-$70/month for unlimited data
- Banking for Expats
- Standard U.S. banking applies. Residents use FirstBank or popular mainland banks like Chase/Schwab
- Accommodation
- Short-term: Airbnb (~$150/night); Long-term: Craigslist or local real estate agents (St. Croix For Rent)
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes, but small shops and food trucks prefer cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Company House Hotel, Holger Danske Hotel, and Airbnb condos at Mill Harbour
- Budget Accommodation
- Cruzan Hospitality or staying at inland guesthouses (~$95/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Boardwalk/Downtown Christiansted for proximity to dining and ferries
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Gallows Bay (walkable to town, quieter) or Shoys (gated, higher-end)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub St. Croix (52 King St) - Day passes ~$25, Monthly ~$250
- Best Cafe for Work
- Virgin Islands Coffee Roasters (Boardwalk) - High quality brew and decent WiFi
- Networking Events
- St. Croix Chamber of Commerce 'Business After Hours' monthly events
- Social Events for Expats
- St. Croix Expats & Locals Facebook Group; Trivia nights at Common Cents Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Lyft. Reliable taxis: St. Croix Taxi Association (Rates fixed by law, e.g., $15-$25 for airport runs)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Cruzan Scooters (Christiansted) - ~$65/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Cane Bay Beach (25-min drive) or Protestant Cay (2-min ferry from Boardwalk for $5)
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways or Cape Air (flights to St. Thomas/San Juan)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, Delta, and Spirit (Primary routes to Miami/Atlanta)
- Highway Access
- Melvin H. Evans Highway (Route 66) connects Christiansted to Frederiksted
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- VITRAN Bus Station (Christiansted Center). No trains exist on the island
- Public Transport Passes
- VITRAN Bus: $1.00 per ride. No digital passes available
- Regional Travel
- Native Son Ferry to St. Thomas ($60 one way); Seaborne Airlines (Seaplanes) to Charlotte Amalie
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center (Estate Diamond)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Center (Gallows Bay) - ~$20 per drop-in class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Beeston Hill Health & Wellness ($15 day pass, full service)
- Laundry Services
- Speaky's Laundromat (Peter's Rest) or wash/fold at major hotels
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Limited; Island Direct is the primary local delivery service
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Saltfish and Fungi or Kallaloo at Harvey's Restaurant ($15-$20)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- V.I. Itals (Fresh Ital/Vegan food in downtown Christiansted)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Armstrong’s Ice Cream (Locally made tropical flavors like Soursop and Gooseberry)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Cost-U-Less (Warehouse style) or Plaza Extra East
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (shipping can be slow); local 'Buy/Sell/Trade' Facebook groups
- Grocery Delivery
- The VI Deliveries (Grocery concierge service)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Christiansted Boardwalk (Brew STX, Shupe's on the Boardwalk)
- Local Brewery
- Leatherback Brewing Co. (Near the airport) - Craft beers and pizza
- Wine Bars
- Sion Farm Distillery (Mutiny Vodka tasting room) or Caroline's Breakfast
- Street Food Stalls
- Pate stalls (meat pies) found along King Street (~$4-$6)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Savant (High-end international/fusion) and Bombay Club (Steaks and Pasta)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fort Christiansvaern (Yellow 18th-century Danish fort) - $10 entry
- Museums & Art Venues
- Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (Frederiksted) - 30 min drive
- Historical Sites
- Christiansted National Historic Site (Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse)
- Religious Sites
- Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church (Historic Danish architecture)
- Annual Events
- St. Croix AgriFest (February); Crucian Christmas Festival (December-January)
- Cultural Districts
- Christiansted National Historic District
- Theater Venues
- Island Center for the Performing Arts
- Local Markets
- Farmers Market at Agricultural Fairgrounds (Saturdays)
- Music Scene
- Live reggae at the Boardwalk; Quelbe music during festivals
- Street Art
- Murals along the Christiansted bypass and near Gallows Bay
- Cooking Classes
- Crucian Food Tours (offers tastings and historical context)
- Art Galleries
- Many Hands Gallery (Native art and handmade jewelry)
- Historic Buildings
- The Steeple Building (First Danish church on St. Croix)
- Local Heritage
- Mocko Jumbies (Stilt dancers) appearing at most cultural festivals
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Buck Island Reef National Monument (Underwater snorkeling trail)
- National Parks Nearby
- Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Bypass' hill for morning jogs with town views
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Point Udall (East End) - The easternmost point of the U.S.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (Seasonal access)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Only permitted in designated areas like specific West End beaches with permits
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS is standard (domestic rates); FedEx/DHL have hubs but are expensive
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer Solutions USVI (Mid-island)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Check community centers or local bars like Shupe's
- Language Classes
- English is primary; Spanish classes via UVI (University of the Virgin Islands)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Florence Williams Public Library (King St)
- Community Centers
- St. Croix Foundation for Community Development
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly local sports bars with poker/slot machines
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Divi Carina Bay Casino (East End)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500/m² ($180,000 for 40 m² condo)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200/m² ($128,000 for 40 m² studio)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200/m² ($252,000 for 60 m² apartment)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000/m² ($180,000 for 60 m² house)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800/m² ($304,000 for 80 m² condo)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800/m² ($224,000 for 80 m² house)
- Corporate Tax
- Mirror System of U.S. Internal Revenue Code (21% local tax)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Generally 30% for non-residents, subject to treaties/US status
- Tax System
- Mirror Code; US citizens are USVI residents for tax purposes
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Mirroring U.S. Federal Income Tax brackets)
- VAT
- 0% (There is no sales tax in the USVI)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following U.S. federal tax guidelines
- Property Tax
- Yes, assessed at 60% of fair market value with millage rates (approx. 0.00378)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty ranges from 2% to 3.5% based on property value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Economic Development Commission (EDC) program offers up to 90% reduction on income tax for qualifying businesses