It’s not uncommon to get the call from someone who wants to buy an oceanfront home on St. Thomas. Understandable, for those with the pocketbook to make that choice. But that’s the kind of question that signals to me the buyer may not really know St. Thomas yet. In very few cases can you actually access the water from an oceanfront home. Our shoreline tends to be steep. So, don’t expect to pull your boat up onto your lawn! And unless you’re a high diver, in most cases you’re going to swim in your pool, not the sea. At least not unless you head to Magens Bay. Meanwhile, some of the homes on St. Thomas with the most spectacular views are nowhere near the water. And some of the waterfront homes on St. Thomas, while dramatic, can have a rather, well, uninteresting view. To me, what defines a gorgeous view is what I call the “architecture” in the water. By that I mean a water view where you see shoreline, and small cays and other islands in the distance. Those elements add dimension and a sense of connection to what can otherwise be vast ocean stretches. Our island is very hilly. The North Side is cool, with lush vegetation. The south and east sides of the island tend to be hotter. But from all sides, you can enjoy elevations that can often trump the notion of great views from an oceanfront home in the Virgin Islands. Not knocking being on the water! It’s a blessing. But don’t discount the majesty of views from all parts of this glorious island. They’re everywhere!
