Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Okay, I know that there are many Boobirds out there who will break out in hives at the mere mention of "the island whose name we never speak".
Even so, I would like to someday commute back and forth from the caribbean, much as tim does. St Barts is, frankly, a bit beyond my purse. But a condo on St Martin is within reach. Yes there are more crowds. Yes there are tourists, etc. I have a pretty good clue about why I shouldn't do it. But I would like to hear some thoughts from people who think it might not be a bad idea.
Are there such poeple here? LOL.
Merci.
|
andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
You are asking for it. It could get ugly.
--------------------
Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Quote:
You are asking for it. It could get ugly.
I know, andynap. But I threw out enough chum down in EE with American Idol and Barry Manilow that I figured we could swim in this bay for awhile before les requines had a chance to get over here. We'll see...
|
Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
|
|
Listen.....remember when....oh wait you re too young for that...so let me restart......your kids as they reach junior highs school will start to exhibit this strange behavior with friends.....suddenly the sun will rise and set on this one friend, and only on this one friend....there will be no way your child will be able to exist without this friend...the thought of having another friend will send them into panic...they will only want to talk, walk, eat, and God knows what else with this friend....happiness, as they define it, can only be accomplished in the company of this friend....you as a wise adult will know this faze will pass and thus will tolerate it, albeit not so easy at times....
thats pretty much how I feel about those who think St Barts is the only place to go and would just DIE if they had to go somewhere else and this place sucks and that place sucks and no place is St Barts and all that other nauseating whoohah that comes with it all...yada yada....you laugh at it... you tolerate it...but you know inside its not a healthy way to be and its a very limited way to view the world....
go for the condo if it works out for you...it will be a hoot..and St Barts is a mere fifteen minutes away
--------------------
karma is a beautiful thing at times
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
When I saw the fin in the water, I was expecting a bloodbath. Instead, that was more of a licking than a biting.
Who says Old Sharks never mellow?
|
andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
You are like the parent that shows his kid a big candy bar and then will only allow one lick. What a response. Yes- No-Maybe- Maybe with qualifications- Could be- Unless- If- But?????
--------------------
Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
|
Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
|
|
you want me to attack you??..I cant..I dont think St Martin is that bad....besides...here is another twist....because we are in the resort retail business we typically buy townhomes and/or condos to live in to be near the shops.....you know what the average return is when we have gone to sell it???....its REAL good, trust me.....and when we sell this one in Colorado it will be off the scale obscene good....thats just how it goes with condos and townhomes in resorts...so if it doesnt work out for you...you dump it....make a cool profit, call it a day, and walk away...
so where's the risk???
--------------------
karma is a beautiful thing at times
|
Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
|
|
Quote:
You are like the parent that shows his kid a big candy bar and then will only allow one lick. What a response. Yes- No-Maybe- Maybe with qualifications- Could be- Unless- If- But?????
Quote:
go for the condo if it works out for you...it will be a hoot..and St Barts is a mere fifteen minutes awayQuote:
what part of that did you not understand?...I think I made it grey goose clear what he should do
--------------------
karma is a beautiful thing at times
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Quote:
you want me to attack you??..I cant..I dont think St Martin is that bad....besides...here is another twist....because we are in the resort retail business we typically buy townhomes and/or condos to live in to be near the shops.....you know what the average return is when we have gone to sell it???....its REAL good, trust me.....and when we sell this one in Colorado it will be off the scale obscene good....thats just how it goes with condos and townhomes in resorts...so if it doesnt work out for you...you dump it....make a cool profit, call it a day, and walk away...
so where's the risk???
Oh boy, like I REALLY needed to read that, especially with US Scair quoting a $398 roundtrip to SXM.
I may have to book it soon.
Merci.
|
TPunch42
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 170
Loc: San Diego, CA
|
|
Dare I reply... I actually think it is a good idea. you all have accused me of wimping out on St. Martin in my "survival" comment. But I actually do like St. Martin. The French side being the prefered. It has a regge party environment that is relaxed and a lot of fun. I hate the airport in SXM but so does everyone. Live near Grand Case and fly that way or live near the RE ferry. Once our kids are a little older we will probably spend time on SXM every visit just to mix things up a bit.
My real complaint about SXM on this particular trip is hassle factor. nothing more...Plus I would rather stay in Grand Case near the yummy food than on the Dutch side with the Casinos. Not my thing as much, but all in all St. Martin is fun, if you are staying, it is a nightmare though for those quick connections between places. Nothing you don't already know.
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
I think the french side is a better place to live perhaps but the dutch side has friendly tax laws concering yanks owning property. Because of this, the dutch side apparently is becoming Yanktown with lots of condos being sold to folks from les etats. The resale would therefore probably be much better on the dutch side. Plus, the french side charges yanks a 35% tax on the capital gain after a sale. Comment dit-on "ouch"?
|
TPunch42
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 170
Loc: San Diego, CA
|
|
Not a big deal... Aren't their some condos on Dawn Beach? What about that area. Seems a little quieter. Copecoy is gorgeous too but seems near all the time shares. where are you thinking about?
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Looking at both Cupecoy and Dawn Beach and yes there are some interesting thoughts in both places.
The French side would probably be more quiet and perhaps nearer to things that interest me and I will certainly look at it. But the taxes and rouge tape on the french side are a little more daunting than the freewheeling dutch cowboys.
|
andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
Dawn Beach and Cupecoy are on the Dutch side.
--------------------
Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Quote:
Dawn Beach and Cupecoy are on the Dutch side.
Exactly. They are the northernmost dutch beaches on the east and west side respectively.
|
andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
Well actually Oyster Bay is the northeastern most on the Dutch side.
--------------------
Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Quote:
Well actually Oyster Bay is the northeastern most on the Dutch side.
I was considering Dawn Beach - Oyster Pond to be the same area as they run into each other.
|
andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
In 1986 we stayed at Oyster Pond Yacht Club which next to La Sammana was THE place on SXM. I hadn't gone back that way until last year when we visited friends who were staying at Oyster Bay Club. I couldn't figure out where the old Yacht Club had been until I passed thru the reception desk and an epiphany-- the reception area was what the entire Yacht Club Hotel was at that time. Talk about a change of life.
Edited by andynap (03/23/06 11:56 AM)
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
The hurricane did a number on SXM and some places survived, other places died never to return whilst even other places were reborn in more grand fashion.
|
Theresa
Reged: 03/23/04
Posts: 410
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
|
|
Here is a link to a new condo development on Pelican Key. It isn't the French side, but having stayed at the La Vista property next to this new development a total of six times, I know you're only a quick drive away from the island's finest restos and beaches.
Eleganzia SXM
|
Cheri
Reged: 10/13/02
Posts: 1686
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
|
|
So, does this mean that our SBH Island Visitor will now become the expert SXM Island Visitor. Oh, think of the fun we will have! You might have to convince Kara to start another website with all the information that will be posted. Seriously, I am looking forward to hearing about your SXM visit and your impressions of the island and what information you come up with. Because like everyone, we often dream of owning a place in St. Barth and living there part time or even just living there via renting for several months a year. But unfortunately unless we win the lottery or money comes falling from the sky...probably more likely than us winning the lottery...our visits to SBH will probably never last more than 3 weeks or a month (we're presently veeery slowly working our way up). But owning a condo on SXM and hopping over to SBH could be possible (as you pm'd, a getaway from the getaway...good one LOL). Keep us posted on what you come with on this journey.
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
I am having mixed emotions about scheduling a trip. On the one hand, the rates out of ATL on Dulta are fantastic. Perhaps they are figuring on collecting low airfares for flights they know they will never fly?
On the other hand, were I to do something in SXM, it would only be as a Poor Man's St Barth. I realize that SXM and SBH are twenty miles and fifty years apart. And I know that SXM is most decidedly not SBH. But it is blue water with french restaurants and a civilized view of bronzage. As such, it is worth a look.
HOWEVER, I have surfed several St Marteen sites over the last few days. And given that andynap and I almost melted down the Anguilla server with a couple of offhand comments a month or so ago, I have been loathe to write the following. Alas, there is a pretty loud chorus of posts talking about crime on St Marteen. And these posts are coming from people who claim to be longtime lovers of the island.
I dont believe everything I read and I know you have to exercise caution wherever you go. Much to the amazement of Old School Cruzans such as Miker and Andynap, I have actually negotiated two crimeless weeks on St Croix. Being big, ugly and lucky probably have helped. Common sense certainly hasn't hurt.
It is one thing to zip into an island, stay in All The Right Places and then zip out and talk about how safe the place is. It is quite another to put down roots, such as a condo would be, and then deal with it all in property if not person 24/7. When you have to get a new television or curtains or a dishwasher, you really do have to go to those places that aren't in the Tourist Compound.
So where does this leave me? Perplexed to say the least. Part of me would love to grab one of these cheapy airfares and zip down to SXM and see what it looks like. Even so, part of me hesitates.
Bottom line is that I need to think up some scheme that could get me onto St Barth which is where I really want to be anyway. Even so, I will probably give SXM a look at some point. In the meantime, I am following the websites pretty closely.
|
Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
|
|
live on a boat and the cost of living problem an island has doesnt exclude you from anywhere...
--------------------
karma is a beautiful thing at times
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Quote:
live on a boat and the cost of living problem an island has doesnt exclude you from anywhere...
I have spent numerous hours looking at boats and am quite intriqued. I even had a couple I wanted to go look at in, of all places, St Marteen.
Alas, the caribbean is only fun for me if The Mrs is along for the bronzage. She is willing to put up with most of my crazy plans. St Croix, Martinique, St Marteen, anywhere to be in The Blue.
Alas, mama dont do boats and has told me I will have to do that with my second wife. Unless Sweet Might Jesus calls my current wife home early, there wont be a second wife. Ergo, boat aint happnin, captain.
|
Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
|
|
gotchs...well mine was born with the seas in her veins, which is how we even met....so the tub for two is definetly in the Caribbean future...but first theres this little detail of raising a child to deal with...LOL
--------------------
karma is a beautiful thing at times
|
JEK
Moderator
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 10718
Loc: Northern Virginia
|
|
Quote:
Bottom line is that I need to think up some scheme that could get me onto St Barth which is where I really want to be anyway.
IV,
Take a page from the Tim book of SBH ownership.
1. Wait for a big blower to come through and grind a house off of its foundation.
2. Scrape away the leavings and apply new building a piece at a time.
3. Spend 50 % of your 32 weeks on the island keeping the house varnished, painted and polished like a new schooner.
4. Await the next big blower.
5. Repeat steps 2-3.
Note Tim has only "enjoyed" steps 1-3.
--------------------
Carnaval 2009: Mardi 24 Février 2009!!!!
JEK
|
tim
Moderator
Reged: 06/18/03
Posts: 5995
Loc: Vélo, Virginia, Vitet
|
|
Jean,
You make it sound like so much fun. LOL!
--------------------
The best moderation is the least moderation.
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
JEK: I should much prefer writing a check and hauling up a carload of wine and champagne to celebrate. Your Buzzard Approach probably has merit. Even so, don't do buzzard well.
|
andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
IV- the best chat lines for SXM is the one on www.thedailyherald.com and www.traveltalkonline.com.
--------------------
Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Merci andynap. I'll go give those a look. I really would like to do an Exploratory Jaunt to L'Isle Amical
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
While I am there, I may pop over to Nevis, about which I have done extensive internet searching but no On-Site yet.
Nevis looks very attractive.
|
nnoska
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 1068
Loc: philadelphia/jersey shore
|
|
ben start a corp. buy a villa with 2 or 3 people and enjoy where you want to be, sirloin and filet aint the same thing and not to be one of thoughs people mike doesn't want to hear how other places suck, (i dont think other places suck i travel as many new places as i can per year but st.barts is st. barts why settle get creative make it happen)
|
JJH
Reged: 09/21/04
Posts: 30
Loc: Michigan
|
|
The Cupecoy Beach Club is outstanding. Call Joe or Carol Casacio at Cupecoy Beach Club, The Market Place 2010 County Line Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Phone No: 1-800-955-9008 Fax: 215-355-8119 email: info@cupecoybeach.com <mailto:info@cupecoybeach.com>
We have stayed there many times, usually at the tail end of a St. Barth trip. Believe it or not SXM actually has some beaches AND restaurants that compare very favorably with SB.
JIM from Michigan
|
andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
|
|
The problem with Cupecoy is the beach comes and goes and you can't tell when. Also, it has become a haven for the alternative lifestyle group- down by the cliffs.
--------------------
Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
|
nnoska
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 1068
Loc: philadelphia/jersey shore
|
|
not that there's anything wrong with that, right andy
|
Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
|
|
Since we last discussed this, I have monitored the web and real estate options. There is a LOT of construction going on over on the Dutch side particularly. Apparently traffic on St Martin has become a nightmare with Those In The Know not even trying certain trips at the wrong time of day.
A lot of what is being built on St Martin looks very nice. There is just a LOT of it. As such, I believe I shall pass on my plans to Go Condo on St Martin an |
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Condo?
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: