Food and Drink
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Frederiksted Farmers Market (Saturdays at Buddhoe Park)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Note: Shipping takes 7-14 days to USVI; use 'US' as country)
- Grocery Delivery
- The Market (formerly Plaza West) offers online ordering for pickup
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Strand Street Waterfront (Tap Deck, Blue Moon for Jazz)
- Local Brewery
- Leatherback Brewing Company (Mid-island, near airport)
- Wine Bars
- Six Nine (69 King St) - Upscale dining and wine selection
- Street Food Stalls
- Pate stalls near the pier (Meat or saltfish turnovers, ~$4-$6)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Smoke STX (BBQ/Fusion) at 410 Strand St
- Best Food Delivery App
- Island Direct (the only major local delivery platform)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Saltfish and Fungi or Kallaloo at Gertrude’s Restaurant
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Vital Vibes (West End) - Fresh juices and plant-based Ital food
- Best Dessert Spots
- Armstrong’s Ice Cream (Local tropical flavors like Soursop and Gooseberry)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fort Frederik (18th-century Danish fort); Frederiksted Pier
- Museums & Art Venues
- Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts ($10 entry, 10 Strand St)
- Historical Sites
- Estate Whim Museum (Sugar plantation history, approx. $15)
- Religious Sites
- St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (Beautiful neo-gothic architecture)
- Annual Events
- Crucian Christmas Festival (December-January); AgriFest (February)
- Cultural Districts
- The National Historic District (Town Center)
- Theater Venues
- Caribbean Museum Center courtyard performances
- Local Markets
- Saturday morning market at the Customs House
- Music Scene
- Quelbe music at local festivals; Reggae at beach bars
- Street Art
- Large-scale murals along the waterfront depicting V.I. history
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions at Ridge to Reef Farm ($75+)
- Art Galleries
- The Blue Mutt (Eclectic art and gifts)
- Historic Buildings
- Victoria House (Restored Victorian architecture)
- Local Heritage
- Emancipation Day (July 3rd) celebrate the 1848 slave revolt
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS (best for flat rate), FedEx/UPS (very expensive to islands)
- Tech Repair Services
- The Computer Is... (Christiansted, approx. $100 diagnostic)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Commonly found in local bars like Rhythms at Rainbow Beach
- Language Classes
- Mostly English speaking; Spanish classes via University of the Virgin Islands (UVI)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Florence Williams Public Library (Christiansted - better facilities)
- Community Centers
- St. Gerard's Hall (Frederiksted)
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly focused on slot machine parlors in town center
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Divi Carina Bay Casino (East End - 45 min drive)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $180,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $252,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $320,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (US Mirror Code, but 90% reduction via EDC program possible)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Generally follow US Federal Tax Code)
- Tax System
- Mirror System of US Internal Revenue Code (Special territorial status)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Aligns with US Federal Brackets)
- VAT
- 0% (No Sales Tax or VAT in USVI)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following US Internal Revenue Code Section 951
- Property Tax
- Yes, approx. 0.0037 x assessed value/year
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- EDC Program offers up to 90% reduction on income tax for qualifying businesses
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty between 2% and 3.5% of purchase price
Essentials
- City
- Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Population
- Approx. 3,100 (Town limits), 50,000 (Island total)
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps via Viya or Broadband VI (Starlink now widely used by nomads)
- Currency & Banking
- U.S. Dollar (USD). Major 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); outages occur, surge protectors advised
- SIM Card
- Liberty VI (formerly AT&T) or Viya. $50-$70/month for unlimited data
- Banking for Expats
- U.S. mainland banks (Chase, Wells Fargo) work via ATM; Revolut/Wise accepted digitally
- Accommodation
- Short-term villas, Guesthouses, and Airbnb. Prices: $1,800 - $3,500/month
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in Frederiksted town, but 'Cash is King' for small beach bars and roadside fruit stands
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or local agencies like St. Croix Rent A Villa
- Budget Accommodation
- The Frederiksted Hotel (approx. $150/night); camping at Mt. Victory Camp ($50/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Strand Street / Waterfront for walking access to beaches and sunsets
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Prosperity or Two Brothers (Quiet residential areas just outside town center)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No formal coworking in Frederiksted; most use 'The Frame' (Christiansted) or 'St. Croix Business Center'
- Best Cafe for Work
- Polly's at the Pier (Great Wi-Fi and coffee, 452 Strand St)
- Networking Events
- St. Croix Chamber of Commerce 'Business After Hours' monthly mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- Sunset sailing trips from the Pier or 'St. Croix Expats' Facebook Group meetups
Transportation
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways or Cape Air (flights to San Juan, PR)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, Delta (direct from Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta)
- Highway Access
- Melvin H. Evans Highway (Route 66) connects West end to East end
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. VITRAN Bus terminal near the Frederiksted Vegetable Market
- Public Transport Passes
- VITRAN buses ($1 per ride), but highly unreliable for professional schedules
- Regional Travel
- Native Son Ferry to St. Thomas ($120 roundtrip); Seaplane to St. Thomas (~$200)
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Lyft. Must call independent taxi dispatchers (approx. $20 from F'sted to C'sted)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Island Life Watersports (approx. $40/day for bike rentals)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Rainbow Beach (North of town) or Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital (located in Christiansted, approx. 20 min drive)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Center (Strand St) or Beach Yoga at Rainbow Beach ($20/class)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Cruzan CrossFit or 340 CrossFit (approx. $150/month)
- Laundry Services
- Clean Sweep Laundromat (Queen St, Frederiksted)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Rainforest (West End) - Mahogany Road drives
- National Parks Nearby
- Salt River Bay National Historical Park (Bioluminescent bay tours)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- West End Road (Frederiksted to Hams Bluff) - 5 miles of coastal road
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Hams Bluff Lighthouse (Rugged hike with panoramic ocean views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- South Shore ponds near Sandy Point
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated areas at Dorsch Beach (Permit usually required)