I've visited almost all the islands from Grenada to P.R.during sailing trips and now I want to pick a place to go to regularly during the winter months. I want a no-brainer condo arrangement in a place with no cruise ships, casinos, or heavy traffic. <BR>I would like a great beach and small town to bicycle or walk to. Should I be looking at St. Maartin or Aruba or closer to home in Puerto Rico? Love to hear any suggestions.

If you have been to all three of those islands sailing, you would know that they have what you said you didn't want. All 3 have cruise ships, casinos and traffic. You should have visited enough islands on your sails to make this decision yourself and no be asking here.

Try Grand Cayman. It has almost everything that you are looking for. There are cruise ships but not on Sun. Also, you can avoid the cruise ship crowds. It is very peaceful and safe there.

<BR>Grand Cayman is a cruise ship nightmare. The only way to avoid crowds & traffic is to avoid the Georgetown, SMB area altogether. There are at least 3 & more often 5 ships in port every day except Sunday. <BR> <BR>Freddy, what do Aruba, PR or SXM have in common that prompted you to mention them, even tho they obviously do not fit the profile you gave? Is there something in particular that appeals to you or have you been reading condo presentations? Be careful doing that. <BR> <BR>Might I suggest quaint little Isla Mujeres? Don't know what's available in the condo market, but it's a relaxed, easy going place w/ lovely beaches & water. <BR> <BR>You say you've sailed to most all the islands. A sailing vacation is so different than staying on island. If you're serious, spend some time on several islands that DO fit your criteria & where life is truly as you imagine before parting with your $. I've been told Caribbean condos are easy to buy, often hard to unload. <BR> <BR>Unless money's no consideration, I'm betting you'd come out ahead money wise if you just opted for land vacations, at least for awhile. You can rent condos or small homes or even arrange long term agreements at small inns. If disappointment or boredom sets in, you're not locked into a long term investment <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thanks for the replies so far. The reason I mentioned St. Maarten is that I know that they have attractive condos far from the cruise ship docks. Aruba I have never been to but I know that there are direct flights, perfect weather, etc. so I can see how beach bums would flock there, and it's always a featured vacation "package" I think the flat terrain might cause some boredom, ditto for the bahamas. I mentioned puerto rico mainly because I am visiting Culebra soon. If I decide to rent for a season or two, this might be the place to eventually buy. I am still wondering what other spots are on the PR mainland that might fit the bill. I know some old surfers who go to Rincon frequently. A "where to retire" magazine recently featured, Mexico, St. John, and Grenada among other places. I know how expensive St. John can be and how cheap Mexico can be. Grenada is wonderful and tempting but a longer journey from NY and there is rarely a reasonable airfare. I appreciate this forum and I will keep reading it religiously and report in late January about my trip to Culebra. Thank you all.

You might want to do a little bit more research on St. Maarten. <BR> <BR>There are lots of condos, and they are in the area that has all of the casinos, and on the side of the island that the cruise ships dock. <BR> <BR>However, you can always escape during the days to the French side...

You should come to Aruba and see for yourself, before creating a picture of the island which may surprize you. Many visitors continue to be surprise in the constant changes and the high standard of living the island has to offer. Not all of Aruba is flat you should go to the country side, a trip only a few visitors do take when visiting Aruba. <BR>Aruba for beach bums I don't think so, not taking into account that beaches in Aruba are not as crowded for the amount of visitors that do visit the island. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>However I do understand that many Americans are moving to the island and that the population has grown explosively in the last decade that the government is planning on taking meassures. Well long live the ever progressive Aruban economy.

I agree with Jim, <BR> <BR>Aruba has the advantage of being under the hurricane belt and thus making it very unlikely for a hurricane to strike the island. People on the island seem to be very happy and proud with a great sense of respect. I am impressed on how safe and clean the island is and that the Dutch education system is of high standard. Perhaps what impressed me the most is the high standard of living. <BR> <BR>I have a few American friends that do live on the island and they will never return to the U.S., I am also thinking about moving to the island but I need $$$$$ <BR> <BR>