Caribbean & Mexico

Best Islands to Live On: US Virgin Islands Photos

By Islands Staff

Updated: February 4, 2014

If you’re looking for an easy move to an island, with the possibility for cheap real estate and few legal hurdles, consider the USVI. Our photo gallery of life on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John shows why the U.S. Virgin Islands are on our ranking of the Best Islands to Live On.

Best Islands to Retire On | Best Islands for Starting Over | Best Caribbean Islands to Live On

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Davis Beach hammock

St. Croix, USVI

Relaxing on a hammock on Davis Beach — this is the island life. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Davis Beach stroll

St. Croix, USVI

When you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you know the ebb and flow of life here, including when tourists come. So you can always find the best time to have the beaches to yourself and enjoy a quiet stroll as only a local can. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Point Udall house

St. Croix, USVI

Resorts, villas and homes are tucked into the lush hills of the U.S. Virgin Islands, including here at Point Udall on the east end of St. Croix. Try out life here by extending your vacation. You may soon be ready to move. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Buck Island snorkeling park

St. Croix, USVI

This is a real dream come true: jumping in for the Caribbean’s best snorkeling at Buck Island National Monument practically whenever you want. You can do that if you cross the line from tourist to local. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Fredriksted waterfront buildings

St. Croix, USVI

“Expats” love life in the U.S. Virgin Islands because you have many of the comforts of the mainland, yet the towns and culture here have a uniquely Caribbean vibe, like these waterfront buildings in Fredriksted. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Comanche Mill Yacht-less Club

St. Croix, USVI

See how long it takes for everyone to know your name at the Comanche Mill Yacht-less Club, a bar on the boardwalk in Christiansted. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Brew Pub

St. Croix, USVI

Or become a regular at the Brew Pub. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Bonfire

St. Croix, USVI

This is one of the ISLANDS editors’ favorite photos of what life in the U.S. Virgin Islands promises. Hanging out with new friends and families on a little unnamed beach in a quiet corner of St. Croix, having a sunset bonfire. That’s the island life. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI Best Islands to Live On St. Croix bonfire scenery

St. Croix, USVI

Seriously, who wouldn’t want to live here? For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Croix Best Islands to Live On Point Udall night scenery

St. Croix, USVI

The quiet night falls on Point Udall and you fall asleep with the sea and stars. You’ll never live on the mainland again. The hardest part becomes choosing which U.S. Virgin Island to live on. Keep clicking for Zach’s inspiring photos of life on St. Thomas and St. John, where you could use Trunk Bay as your private beach. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Thomas Best Islands to Live On Charlotte Amalie cruise port

St. Thomas, USVI The cruise port in Charlotte Amalie brings in visitors to the USVI, keeping this such a vibrant place. But locals in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ capital city know the local haunts and the iconic sites. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Thomas Best Islands to Live On Red Hook sailing

St. Thomas, USVI

Sail the U.S. Virgin Islands from Red Hook, a better way to get around your new home than driving on congested highways like those unfortunate mainlanders do. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI best islands to live on st. thomas yacht haven grande mall streets

St. Thomas, USVI

The Yacht Haven Grande complex in Charlotte Amalie gives you a shopping fix if island life starts feeling too isolated. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Thomas Best Islands to Live On Yacht Haven Grande waterfront

St. Thomas, USVI

Exploring Charlotte Amalie is an activity on St. Thomas that never gets old. You’ll feel sorry for the cruise visitors who only have a few hours to walk these streets. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Thomas Best Islands to Live On Charlotte Amalie day

St. Thomas, USVI

We could live here in Charlotte Amalie all day … For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. Thomas Best Islands to Live On Charlotte Amalie night

St. Thomas, USVI

… and night. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI Best Islands to Live On St. Thomas W!kked restaurant

St. Thomas, USVI

So at this point, you’ve probably decided that either St. Croix or St. Thomas would make a perfect island home for you. Maybe you’ve already booked a table at Yacht Haven Grande’s W!kked restaurant pictured here, with a W!kked round of cocktails to celebrate your move to the USVI. May we suggest you consider one more island: St. John. You won’t believe the beaches and homes there. Keep clicking “next”! For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI Best Island to Live On St. John Trunk Bay Beach hilltop

St. John, USVI

Maybe you’ve seen Trunk Bay beach like this. It’s the iconic hilltop view that lives on in postcards, posters and desktop wallpapers around the world. But if you lived here, you could see it like … For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI Best Island to Live On St. John Trunk Bay Beach perfect

St. John, USVI

… this. If you’re here at Trunk Bay on vacation or with a cruise, you have to come to this famous beach when everybody else does. But if you live here on St. John, you make your way over to Trunk Bay when it looks perfect but no one else is there. Trunk Bay becomes your own private beach. When you’re ready to move, ask Zach exactly when he took this gorgeous photo. You could be there then. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. John Best Islands to Live On Trunk Bay walkway

St. John, USVI

Walk out onto Trunk Bay. It’s all yours. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. John Best Islands to Live On real estate scenery

St. John, USVI

While much of St. John is dedicated to the national park, the rolling hills here are dotted with boutique hotels, villas and homes. You just have to find the right one for you. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI Best Islands to Live on St. John real estate homes and villas

St. John, USVI

This really is the life. If you’re not quite ready to buy a home on St. John, rent a villa for an extended time to try out the island life. That’s a cheaper option before you commit. But once you enjoy a view like this, it’s hard to go back. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI Best Islands to Live On St. John Trunk Bay best view

St. John, USVI

Seriously, you could wake up to this view every day. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI Best Island to Live On St. John Cruz Bay scene

St. John, USVI

If you do yearn for a little bustling activity, enjoy the small-town vibe of Cruz Bay, population about 3,000. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

St. John, Cruz Bay

If you’re looking to get out on the water, that’s easy to do at Cruz Bay. Even catch a ferry to neighboring St. Thomas or the British Virgin Islands. That’s one of the many beautiful things about life in the USVI: You’re away from it all yet next to so much. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. John Best Islands to Live On JJ's Texas Coast Cafe

St. John, USVI

If you do get homesick, grab a taste of the mainland in Cruz Bay at JJ’s Texas Coast Cafe. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. John Best Islands to Live On Sun Dog Cafe fish tacos

St. John, USVI

These may be the best fish tacos ever, here at Sun Dog Cafe. They’re worth moving for. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. John Best Islands to Live On Sun Dog Cafe bar

St. John, USVI

… and stay well into the night. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. John Best Islands to Live On Sun Dog Cafe restaurant

St. John, USVI

Stop in at the Sun Dog Cafe whenever you want … For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. John Best Islands to Live On Caneel Bay beach

St. John, USVI

The U.S. Virgin Islands have so many relaxing spots, like Caneel Bay. This could be not just the best islands to live on, but the world’s best place to retire, island or not. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI St. John Best Islands to Live On Coral Bay canoe

St. John, USVI

Here on St. John, you’ll get into the natural rhythm of the island. Row in Coral Bay for a day’s activity. For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

USVI

Could this be your new home? As one couple who moved here from cold Massachusetts told us, “All that planning wasn’t necessary. You can just do it.” For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

St. John, USVI

One last reminder: This could be you on Trunk Bay. Get a move on! For more, see the “ISLANDS Wish List: Move to the USVI” photo magazine. Zach Stovall

More: Best Islands To Live On, Caribbean & Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands

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Best Islands to Live On: US Virgin Islands Photos

St. Croix, USVI

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