We are looking at an apartment near "bikini beach". Is this area nice? I have an 8 year old, it the area too crowded? Thanks.

I am so glad I am reading these posts! We are heading to St Martin in January and I was thinking of booking in Marigot. Seems that it isn't a favorite. Checking out Orient now! Thanks all!

I know St Maarten very well.
Let me tell you:

- Philipsburg is not safe after 5 PM, I do not recommend to live there.
- Marigot sucks: you can go there during the day for some shopping but stay away by night !! Very dangerous.
- Sandy Ground: I never had any problems with people there as long as they know you. However, if you are stranger to them, stay away.
- The best areas to settle when you are new on the island is Maho, Cupecoy/Mullet Bay, Simpson Bay, Bay Rouge, and Baie Longue.
- Grand Case, Orient Bay and Oster Point are in the average. However, I do not recommend to live there as it is too far from main attractions.
- Nettle Bay was the average but too close to Sandy Ground.

Enjoy!

snarky? is that your favorite word?

Well... I guess HELEN really knows EVERYTHING about the island!! Are you a native to the island, Helen??

I love cupecoy area.

Great post.

Marigot - the worst but only due to the horrendous road works the French side have decided to do just before high season. Marigot is one big traffic jam. I feel so bad for all the businesses there.

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I am a regular visitor to St Maarten for approx. 15 years on the Dutch side. I am very careful of places when going off the resorts I also do not go out in the nights unless one of the locals (friends) are driving. Its like every country you must be careful especially in the nights. I never had a problem and I always feel safe My husband usually rent a car and drive in the day. The bottom line is I feel safe on this island. We always visited the French side and always have a good time (food and shopping)

Janet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I always bring Quick Extender Pro with me and I am a regular visitor to St Maarten for approx.
> 15 years on the Dutch side. I am very careful of
> places when going off the resorts I also do not
> go out in the nights unless one of the locals
> (friends) are driving. Its like every country you
> must be careful especially in the nights. I never
> had a problem and I always feel safe My husband
> usually rent a car and drive in the day. The
> bottom line is I feel safe on this island. We
> always visited the French side and always have a
> good time (food and shopping)

Janet is absolutely right. If you approach things reasonably, you won't have any more trouble than in any other place in the world. St Maarten is pretty safe.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2022 04:31AM by Tumber.

Janet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am a regular visitor to St Maarten for approx.
> 15 years on the Dutch side. I am very careful of
> places when going off the resorts I also do not
> go out in the nights unless one of the locals
> (friends) are driving. Its like every country you
> must be careful especially in the nights. I never
> had a problem and I always feel safe My husband
> usually rent a car and drive in the day. The
> bottom line is I feel safe on this island. We
> always visited the French side and always have a
> good time (food and shopping)

That's really good to follow the norms of your city and also not to travelling at night is good and it's save too, specially for the families.

Janet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am a regular visitor to St Maarten for approx.
> 15 years on the Dutch side. I am very careful of
> places when going off the resorts I also do not
> go out in the nights unless one of the locals
> (friends) are driving. Its like every country you
> must be careful especially in the nights. I never
> had a problem and I always feel safe My husband
> usually rent a car and drive in the day. The
> bottom line is I feel safe on this island. We
> always visited the French side and always have a
> good time (food and shopping)

Yes You are right, we should be careful in night time.