Any opinions about the Caguas area?

I always get lost in Cagaus - dunno why.
We go to Caguas (or Humacao) when we need something more than the daily groceries. There are two pretty big shopping malls. The DTOP have an office in Caguas  - you can get your driver's license there and handle car registration stuff.
That's about what I do  - apart from getting lost - in Caguas.

Any specific questions I could help you with?

Okay, so since you asked, here are my questions:
1. Someone said something about getting a duplicate license here in California, so that we can surrender one, but keep one. PR won't report the surrendered license, so we'd be good until one expired. Does that sound right?
2. Someone told my hubby that he'd have to go back to the States every 3 months to keep US Residency. That doesn't sound right to me, since PR is a territory.
3. I heard that the US government was going to vote on giving the citizens of PR an opportunity to vote on becoming a state, staying a territory or becoming independent. Have you heard anything there? I never did hear the outcome.
4. We are making a 1 year commitment, then re-evaluating after a year, whether to stay or go. Do we need to worry about income tax while we are there? Or are we establishing residency there by getting a Drivers License?
I am sure I will have more in a bit.
I have been reading your posts. You are very helpful! Thanks!

Photogal10d wrote:

Okay, so since you asked, here are my questions:
1. Someone said something about getting a duplicate license here in California, so that we can surrender one, but keep one. PR won't report the surrendered license, so we'd be good until one expired. Does that sound right?

No, it doesn't sound right - why would you want to do that?

Photogal10d wrote:

2. Someone told my hubby that he'd have to go back to the States every 3 months to keep US Residency. That doesn't sound right to me, since PR is a territory.

You are right. PR is a US territory. So if you're a US citizen or permanent resident you can move here just like that; if you're not you need to get a US residency.

Photogal10d wrote:

3. I heard that the US government was going to vote on giving the citizens of PR an opportunity to vote on becoming a state, staying a territory or becoming independent. Have you heard anything there? I never did hear the outcome.

The law (HR 2499) was accepted by the congress. The next steps would be acceptance by the senate and being signed into law by the president. Read more: http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=hr2499

Photogal10d wrote:

We are making a 1 year commitment, then re-evaluating after a year, whether to stay or go. Do we need to worry about income tax while we are there? Or are we establishing residency there by getting a Drivers License?

You mean US income tax? I don't think so because that's the only tax residents of PR do not pay. You will have to pay income tax here in PR though.

What does PR income tax run? I thought there was no income tax there.
After I posted about the congressional push to give PR statehood, I did a bit more research. At our governments rate, it will take 2 years to get it on a ballot in PR, then another 2 to get any result in action...
Thanks again for all of your help. We are really looking forward to the move! Well, not the packing/moving/unpacking--but you know what I mean!

Oh, and I think the driver's license thing came about because we are (at this point) thinking in terms of being there only a year. Keeping the CA license would make it easier (not having to jump through all the stupid hoops) to get back into the CA groove. Someone said that no one recognizes the PR license, but someone else said that they've never had a problem in the states with their PR license.

Photogal10d wrote:

What does PR income tax run? I thought there was no income tax there.

We don't pay federal income tax but the PR IRS takes about the same amount for local payroll tax/income tax as you would pay in the lower 48.
Check the site of the PR finance dept: http://www.hacienda.gobierno.pr/
There's some info available in English in the right-bottom corner of the web page.

Photogal10d wrote:

Thanks again for all of your help. We are really looking forward to the move! Well, not the packing/moving/unpacking--but you know what I mean!

Yup, I know what you mean.

I hope you will like it here - I do!

Photogal10d wrote:

Oh, and I think the driver's license thing came about because we are (at this point) thinking in terms of being there only a year. Keeping the CA license would make it easier (not having to jump through all the stupid hoops) to get back into the CA groove. Someone said that no one recognizes the PR license, but someone else said that they've never had a problem in the states with their PR license.

The PR license should be recognized in the states of which you can exchange the license for a PR license.

It's the same with countries.
I made my driver's license ages ago in the Netherlands. When I moved to Germany, I exchanged it for a German license and that one was exchanged here for a PR license. The only thing that went wrong is that they mixed up my last name and my first name.
I checked with both the Dutch and German equivalent to the DMV and I got confirmation from both agencies that they would give me a Dutch or German license like I used to have if I should decide to move to either country.

I have been renting cars in several US states and in many European countries with my PR license and never had the slightest problem.

That's kind of what I figured. But, it's hard to differentiate between someone's bad experience and the norm sometimes!
Thanks again for all of your help!

Photogal10d wrote:

Thanks again for all of your help!

It's my pleasure.

You know where to find me if you have more questions: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=245

If you're not already here...

Caguas is a largish and heretofore fairly well-run town. As Gary said, there are many large chains there familiar to people from the US: WalMart, Home Depot, Krispy Kreme (for Pete's sake)...

The previous mayor (who died tragically this year) was trying to make Caguas a "destination." Hence many little museums, a botanical garden/cultural park worth visiting, waterpark, upscale casino hotel, etc., but, face it, they'll never compete with the beaches or San Juan.

It takes a while to figure your way around, as Gary also mentioned. Nothing runs straight here, but it's a small enough city to learn well by getting lost a few times.

What else?

Groceries: WalMart with its crowds your best bet for imported goods. There are a couple health-conscious alternatives, like FrestMart on Munoz Marin.

Schools: Public schools are not well-regarded (though my wife attended Gautier in Caguas). Fortunately, private schools (often Mom & Pop enterprises) are plentiful and (by US standards) fairly affordable.

Let me know if you need any more leads...

We moved this week! We arrived on Monday and our stuff will be here this coming Monday. We were able to enroll our son in a private school a short drive from Caguas and he's already tried out for the soccer team!
All in all, I have found the people here VERY helpful and kind. People have gone out of their way to make sure that we understand what is being spoken in Spanish.
The house provided to us is absolutely beautiful. It has been a wonderful experience, thus far!
The only thing we are having difficulty in finding is a Toyota 4Runner--which appears to be the MUST HAVE on the island. My hubby is set on this particular vehicle, but we need to buy used, as we have a small budget. 
Thank you both for all of your help! It is much appreciated!

As someone who is soon to make the move to PR I am pleased to hear of your initial positive experience. I sincerely hope things continue to go well. Try the Casificadosonline.com to look for a used 4runner. Have you tried any pinchos yet?

Gregg

We have been using classificados.com. It's come in very handy!
We've also tried pinchos. Delicious, but my favorite thing so far is amarillos. YUM! How can something so good be a side dish, and not a dessert?? LOL.
Have you been to PR before? What area are you moving to?