About St Thomas
Looking for cosmopolitan living with a heaping dose of island paradise? Look no further than St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands! This beloved vacation destination is bustling a Caribbean locale known for its impeccable duty-free shopping, Danish colonial architecture and cultural landmarks. Thanks to its protected harbor that was perfect for trade, St. Thomas became the ultimate place in the islands for exotic finds and everyday goods.
One can easily adapt to life on St. Thomas when coming from the mainland United States. As a United States territory, U.S. citizens aren’t required to have a passport to travel to the area. The U.S. Dollar is the currency with English as the primary language. St. Thomas follows Atlantic Standard Time (AST) which means we are in line with Eastern Standard Time (EST) during summer months and one hour ahead during winter months. Driving on the left combined with the island’s hilly terrain is understandably the biggest adjustment for new residents to the island. Practice patience and take your time; you’ll be a natural in no time!
St Thomas Weather
St. Thomas’s weather remains constant year-round thanks to our tropical trade winds. Summer temperatures can get extremely hot with temperatures climbing to upper 80s to low 90s. July is known to be the warmest month with an average maximum temperature of 87°. We experience a slight drop in temperatures in the winter months, ranging from the mid-70s to mid 80s. The island’s rainy season typically occurs in September and November with November seeing the most rainfall. Pack light and keep it simple; we keep things as casual as possible on island.
U.S. Virgin Islands Geography
The U.S. Virgin Islands lies within the Caribbean approximately 1,100 miles southeast of Miami and 1,675 miles southeast of New York. St. Thomas is the second of the three islands at 32 square miles (13 miles long and 3 miles across at its widest point) filled with beautiful beaches and world-class snorkeling. Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the USVI, lies in the heart of St. Thomas amidst a bevy of duty-free shops – many of which are high-end jewelers. The most accessible of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas has daily flights from major airline carriers that offer direct flights from major East Coast airports such as New York, Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. A short 15-minute ferry ride will bring you to the shores of Cruz Bay in St. John and a 25-minute seaplane flight takes passengers to the heart of downtown Christiansted. St. Thomas is also a popular port of call for cruise ships, seeing upwards of 500,000 cruise passengers per year.
Fun Fact: St. Thomas is home to the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest in continuous use in the United States. Declared a national historic landmark in 1997, St. Thomas Synagogue has sand floors and a menorah that dates to the 11th century.
St Thomas Travel
There are a few options available for getting around on St. Thomas, ranging from buses and car rentals to taxis and private transfer services. The best way, which is also the most cost-efficient, is by car. There are several rental car agencies conveniently located at the airport and at various points throughout the island. These should be arranged in advance to ensure availability upon your arrival on the island. St. Thomas taxi services are available 24 hours a day but can add up rather quickly due to the cost per passenger. The other options available are the island bus system and local safari buses. The bus system travels along specific routes from east to west and is known to run on “island time” – meaning the schedule can run a bit behind their scheduled arrival and departure times. The local safari buses are available on limited routes, following a figure 8 pattern from west to east. While it can be a bit tricky at first, this option is rather affordable ($1-2 depending on the distance) and can be quite the adventure for first timers.
St Thomas Population
The population on St. Thomas is approximately 42,000 people emerging from a variety of cultures and nationalities. The people of St. Thomas (known as ‘Thomians’) represent the larger segment of the population. The rest of the population is comprised of transplants from the United States, Europe, other Caribbean nations, and snowbirds. While St. Thomas is about one-half the size of St. Croix, their population is slightly larger than the big island.
St Thomas Real Estate
Real estate on St. Thomas offers easy access to dining, shopping and job opportunities for families, couples and retirees. When purchasing a home here, quality and convenience are invaluable. Property costs starts around $200,000 and go upwards to seven figures based on property size, location, age and condition. The most popular real estate purchases for potential buyers tend to be homes that provide beach access and condos, thanks to its low maintenance. If building your dream home is your preferred option, construction costs per square foot start at about $400 and can go upwards from there depending on location, finishings and amenities.
