Hello friends, family, and future colleagues! I made a video tour of the apartment I live in currently in St. Maarten to let you see more of what my life is like here. I’ve been living in Aventura Inn since second semester, and I like it so far. It’s about 8 minutes walking from school and 8 minutes walking from the grocery store, and not too far from the beach or lagoon either. Check it out!
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hey Benji,
I’m starting at AUC in May and wanted to get an apartment now that way I dont have to worry about it later. I havent received anything back on my loans yet so I dont really know how much I have to work with. The place I’m looking at getting at Blue Marine is 1500 a month not including utilities. Do you think I would be able to swing that or should I look for a cheaper place? If I were to just accept the max loan amount offered would I still have money to eat haha or am I pushing it with 1500.
Thanks
Hi Harvey,
There are certainly cheaper places that are just as nice (especially if you share with a roommate), and places that are closer to campus, as getting from Blue Marine to campus requires a car. I’d recommend looking into dorms as well. Dorms are really nice too, and buys you some time and convenience to look for apartments when you’re actually on the island. I think if you borrow full loans, you can pull off paying that much for a place, but remember, you will also be paying for power, water, and buying a car, and gasoline, so you may come close to the limit. However, there are certainly students that pay that much for apartments and have done fine with finances.
Benji
Hi Benji,
I am applying to AUC for September 2012. I’ve been looking for apartments near campus. How much did you pay at Aventura Inn? Thanks for your help!
Jarin
Hi Jarin,
I paid $1100/month + about $120/month for water/power at Aventura. However, the price would vary depending on the landlord and which floor the unit is on (first floor is usually cheaper). Please check out http://www.caribbeanmedstudent.com/2009/11/apartments-near-auc/ for more info on apartments.
Benji
Did you bring your car from back home?
Hi Dominique, I did not have a car while I was in St. Maarten, but there are some people that did ship their cars from back in the states, then sold them to other students when they left the island.
Hi Benji,
I am considering living here. But I’ve heard horror stories of cockroaches and alot of bugs. Did you have any major issues while living here? I am so terrified of a cockroach outbreak that I’m considering living in rainbow beach club and paying extra just for my peace of mind.
As a general rule, if you live on the upper floors, you’ll less likely have a bug problem. If you live on the bottom floor, expect to buy lots of Raid!
Hi Benji
what floor of aventura did you live on? i will be living here on the 6th floor. do you think i’ll see alot of cockroaches or will i randomly see one or two from time to time? i’m not sure how bad the situation is. did you see alot of cockroaches during your stay?
Hi Jennifer, I stayed on the fifth floor and I did not have any issues with cockroaches or other crawling bugs – the perks of living high up. The only issue I had was fruit flies, but that’s only because I left fruit out too long.
Benji
I will move there on the lower floors, any suggestions how to keep bugs away? And moscitos I am most worried about?
Are there families in the building?
Raid has always worked for me. Have some bug spray around as well, like Off, which you can get at local grocery stores. The units at Aventura are a little small for families. Most families with kids stay elsewhere.