wpotvin
American expat in Puerto Rico
Forum posts
89
Contacts
5
About me
American
Lives in RĂo Grande, Rio Grande
Registration: 23 April 2014
Managing mailboxes or PO boxes in Puerto Rico by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Something as simple as receiving mail can become a whole new experience when you settle in Puerto Rico as an expat. Mailing management can indeed be different from what you are used to. In order to help other expats and soon-to-be ...
The best way to get a box is to locate the most convenient Post Office for you. Then go on line to USPS.com. You can set up an account there and you can see what is available at your preferred office. Order the box. Print out the reciept and take ... Read More
Bringing puppy from PR to US by alysmberry
Hey friends, I rescued a puppy in Aguadilla and want to take her back to PA. I am flying out of BQN (Aguadilla airport) and wondering how strict they are with puppies. A few questions that come to mind are: New guidelines state dogs have to be at ...
It depends on the airline. If you fly JetBlue, you can buy a special ticket for the dog for $100-150 as long as it is in a carrier and weighs less than 20 lbs. Read More
Is it normal to request my soc sec # for a building permit? by garciahanner
Preparations have started for construction of an addition to a home I own in Puerto Rico. The plans are done and I was sent an information sheet to complete for the permits. I am concerned that a request is being made for my social security ...
There is a 10% withholding tax on any services provided in PR, including professional services such as plumbers, carpenters, lawyers, etc. Your client will withhold the 10% on your invoice if he follows the rules and pays his taxes; otherwise, he ... Read More
I could use a Spanish speaking assistant by VegHead
Hello forum, Ziggy here! I'm in my mid 40's. I'm planning to move down mid August. I'm flying down from the Illinois on the 17th. I would like to secure a rental home for my first year or 6 months. I'm divorced, so it's just me and my cat. I'd ...
Welcome to PR. We have been here for 15 years on and off and don't speak Spanish, so an assistant is helpful, though not a must. Expect to pay $10 - $15 an hour. What area are you looking to live in? The cost will vary substantially based on ... Read More
Fuel Generator or Solar Panels? by techdispatch
This is the question that has kept me awake many nights. At our age, we just don't want to be uncomfortable. We have survived the journey of human life to live as older and hopefully wiser people. After pondering for 10 months we finally made the ...
The solar decision has two elements - the panels and the battery. The short answer is to get the panels but get a diesel generator rather than batteries. Solar companies give away more or less panels and make their margin on the batteries. A good ... Read More
How to pick up our shipped car from San Juan Port? by liuyi9509
Hi I researched everywhere but I couldn't find answer for this. We are using https://www.puertoricocartransport.com to ship our car from states. It is door to port service that we need to drive it home ourselves from port when it arrives. However, ...
My experience: At the port, you get a temporary registration. Then you get it inspected at any inspection center. Many service stations have an inspection service. The inspection is pretty quick and easy. Then you take the documents to the DMV. Read More
create a language school in PR by lizzy7
I am French mothertongue and I speak ENglish Spanieh Italian and Portuguese. I am a language teacher and translator in pharmacutics. I would like to create a language school in PR. Where would be the best place ?what sort of visa should I ask for? ...
You need to consult with a good immigration lawyer in PR. US immigration law which applies in PR is very complicated and you need to start with a good lawyer who works with business clients, not only individuals. San Juan is where you would ... Read More
DOT service dog form by Ladymcredfoot4
We are possibly moving to vieques for husbands job, the new problem we are encountering is we have a service dog, so obviously through the planning and researching I find out that we have to have a dot form for him to fly. Alright, awesome I'll fill ...
It depends on the airline you are flying. You need to fill out and submit the form to the airline at least 48 hours before your flight. Emotional support dogs no longer fly based on that form and must meet additional requirements. Jet Blue has ... Read More
Would love to talk to someone about moving to PR by ElizabethPR
Hi all,I am planning to move to Puerto Rico in about 2 years. I need to finish some course work in the US and learn Spanish. I am looking at Ponce to move to. I have so many questions and would love to talk to someone who is already living there and ...
I don't know how much time you have spent in PR, but I would recommend coming down and trying a few places before you decide on a spot. Ponce has a lot of beautiful architecture, though a lot was damaged in the recent quakes. It is also a pretty ... Read More
The cost of Living in Puerto Rico in 2023 by Mickael
Hello everyone, As every year, we invite you to share your experience on the evolution of the cost of living in the region or city where you live in order to answer future requests for information from new members of the site who would like to ...
Rio Mar is in the middle of the tourist region, so rents sub $500 are rare. A lot depends on the level of accommodation you are looking for. You may find a small house in need of some "fixing" not far in some of the "Urbanizations" not far from ... Read More
Accessing live U.S TV shows by saysme
Does anyone know a way to access a live stateside TV lineup? Liberty's "English-language channel lineup" is a joke. I have been streaming stateside TV using an Apple TV but I cannot get 'live' channels. I can only record what I think I might want to ...
I go back and forth between NY and PR. I have used Dish for about 10 years in PR. I get the same US programming on Dish in PR that I get on my regular cable service in NY. The service comes with the Hopper, a DVR box that allows you to record and ... Read More
Need Assistance Finding a Lot Loan by Byron Miguel
Hello all!I received orders last week to move to PR in June. This is a permanent position. I flew down from the states yesterday in search of a lot to build on and found one available in a gated community in Dorado. It has utility connections ...
I question why you selected Dorado as a place to buy. If your base is near there, then that's fine. If it is in San Juan, you might re-think. Dorado has become the place of choice for the tax refugees settling in PR. That's great, except the town ... Read More
Tuition prices or recommendations for private schools by hollyweinstein14
Hi there,My name is Holly and my family and I are moving to the San Juan area in June. We have 3 kiddos and 1, 3, and 9. We have lived abroad in Bangkok as well so we are fairly familiar with some expat related challenges. We currently homeschool ...
The local schools are not great. A handful of private schools teach in English and are well-rated. I don't know tuition prices other than our neighbors who use one complain about the cost. Where you will be living will make a difference, of ... Read More
The cost of Living in Puerto Rico in 2023 by Mickael
Hello everyone, As every year, we invite you to share your experience on the evolution of the cost of living in the region or city where you live in order to answer future requests for information from new members of the site who would like to ...
There is a big difference in costs between living locally and the expectations of living as an expat. Many costs are high and comparable to those in the northeast US. Food, energy, and transport fall into these categories. Housing is totally ... Read More
Lost iPhone...Service with AT&T by jillmedina
I lost my iphone and have service with AT&T from the states, anyone have any luck getting replacement iPhones with AT&T on the island? I am in Rio Grande and cannot seem to find a AT&T mobile store here (even though according to AT&T ...
Liberty, the local cable company in PR recently bought out AT&T. They are working with AT&T and servicing AT&T customers. Read More
Solar with battery systems for home by robertomartinezsr
Hello all:I am looking for any recommendations on a solar panel / battery company in Puerto Rico. I purchased a home in July and would like to move off the grid as much as possible, with solar and battery configuration, to power home in the event ...
I just had a system put in by Power Solar. I was very happy with the work and service. A few suggestions.I had an existing diesel generator at a vacation house I rent out, and they installed the panels to work with my backup generator without any ... Read More
How much would it be to ship a car to the island by fredicastro
thank you for the warm welcome. Well, my name is Ivette and I am in the process of moving back to đ”đ· after 35 years. I left Bayamon when I joined the Army in 1986. And now, my 3 children are adults with homes, careers, and families ...
@senthilbala Doing it yourself usually will save you a good deal of money. The prices of cars, new or used, in PR reflect the import tax and shipping cost that all cars arriving on the island pay. So they are more expensive here. Buying a car on ... Read More
How much would it be to ship a car to the island by fredicastro
thank you for the warm welcome. Well, my name is Ivette and I am in the process of moving back to đ”đ· after 35 years. I left Bayamon when I joined the Army in 1986. And now, my 3 children are adults with homes, careers, and families ...
The cars are more expensive in PR because dealers have to pay the 25% import tax and shipping to the island, so they add that to the price. That flows down to the used car market as well. Shipping a couple of year old used car makes sense because ... Read More
Bringing a car to Puerto Rico by chabs182
Hi Everyone, My name is Chris and I recently moved to Gurabo from Denver. I am wondering if anyone has any info on bringing a car here from the US? Info on the process you went through, as well as costs and other hoops you had to jump through ...
I just recently shipped a large SUV from New York to San Juan. I got several quotes, and they all were in the neighborhood of $2,300. I shipped a Jeep down in 2019 for about $1,700. The pickup process has improved because of COVID but can be ... Read More
How much would it be to ship a car to the island by fredicastro
thank you for the warm welcome. Well, my name is Ivette and I am in the process of moving back to đ”đ· after 35 years. I left Bayamon when I joined the Army in 1986. And now, my 3 children are adults with homes, careers, and families ...
I just recently shipped a large SUV from New York to San Juan. I got several quotes, and they all were in the neighborhood of $2,300.  I shipped a Jeep down in 2019 for about $1,700.  The pickup process has improved because of ... Read More
Purchase a home in Puerto Rico by darcybrookins
My husband is in a wheelchair so we found a handicap beach in Lugillo and love the area. How do we purchase a home here? We tried two homes and realtor says 'no available.' Discouraged.
You do not always need a real estate agent in PR to buy a house. I have purchased a number of properties as investments in PR and have never bought from an agent.  The first step is to know the area where you would like to live or ... Read More
House hunting question...roof problems in particular by skholl
After 11 months of obsessively looking at property in PR online, almost daily, I've been here a bit less than 2 wks looking at the houses I had put on a wish list spread sheet. I've learned a lot. It has been both really interesting and ...
The cost of sealing a roof with a quality sealant is about $2.50 to $3.00 psf. The quality of the sealants varies a lot. There are cheap sealants that some contractors will slap on which are only good for 3-4 years. You should get ... Read More
Looking to retire in PR by Dactyl D
Retired looking to relocate to PR for tax benefits. I am married with three kids. My wife will retire soon and the kids will be off to college. Can afford retirement and beach resort style living, but do not want to. Would like a solid, ...
First, speak to a good law firm re the tax benefits before spending much money. I have done it and it is a lot more difficult to make work than you might think. The key issue is that your income has to become PR income and that is not easy for a ... Read More
Rio Mar/Rio Grande Condos by JoeJon
Considering moving to start the 2022 tax year. I speak no Spanish. I prefer to not live in San Juan even though I know it has the most English speakers. I know Dorado and Palmas del Mar are the other recommended locations from people moving from ...
The master Palmas development is made up of several sub-developments created by different builders who built out their neighborhood with different styles and price points ranging from condos to luxury houses. Most if not all of these neighborhoods ... Read More
Best ways to safely transport pets to and fro Puerto Rico by DeborahMarchant
Hello What are some of the best ways to safely transport pets to and fro PR? Any great suggestions? Most commercial and major airlines won't fly animals when the temperature is above 85 degrees.This is because while their cargo hold is ...
Wildane Kennels is one of the oldest and best pet shippers in PR. Call us 1-787-887-2140 or E-mail: < wildanekennels@gmail.com > They will help you and know the precise answer to your question. I fear you may be out of luck, however. I ... Read More
Looking to buy land near Rio Grande by jillmedina
My husband family lives in Rio Grande and we seem to be facing an uphill battle with land we thought we were going to purchase but due to the Probate process I think waiting to build for another 3-5 years is unreasonable. I am checking here to see ...
Drive around areas you might find attractive. I would say half of the properties for sale are not listed but have a Se Vende sign out front. I have purchased 3 properties that way. They are that way sometimes for years and often have an old phone ... Read More
Rio Mar/Rio Grande Condos by JoeJon
Considering moving to start the 2022 tax year. I speak no Spanish. I prefer to not live in San Juan even though I know it has the most English speakers. I know Dorado and Palmas del Mar are the other recommended locations from people moving from ...
While each of the 6 or 7 clusters of villas in the resort have their own rules, the Hotel and at least several of the clusters are pet friendly in Rio Mar. I agree with your logic, and given your objectives, Rio Mar would be a good choice for you. ... Read More
Rio Mar/Rio Grande Condos by JoeJon
Considering moving to start the 2022 tax year. I speak no Spanish. I prefer to not live in San Juan even though I know it has the most English speakers. I know Dorado and Palmas del Mar are the other recommended locations from people moving from ...
JoeJon, Check out Law 60 (formerly Law 21/22). I believe you need to take some action this year if you want to take advantage of the tax breaks in 2022. Tals to a PR lawyer because it is quite complicated. Read More
Rio Mar/Rio Grande Condos by JoeJon
Considering moving to start the 2022 tax year. I speak no Spanish. I prefer to not live in San Juan even though I know it has the most English speakers. I know Dorado and Palmas del Mar are the other recommended locations from people moving from ...
Other than going through the airport, I have not spent much time in Ceiba. There is a good concentration of restaurants in the area because of the marinas and El Conquistador. There are also some nice-looking condos, at least from the outside, in ... Read More
Rio Mar/Rio Grande Condos by JoeJon
Considering moving to start the 2022 tax year. I speak no Spanish. I prefer to not live in San Juan even though I know it has the most English speakers. I know Dorado and Palmas del Mar are the other recommended locations from people moving from ...
My family and I stayed in Rio Mar a number of times and decided to buy something. We looked at a number of things and ultimately bought a house a short distance from the resort a number of years ago. It is now our second home. Bottom line is that ... Read More
How to pick up our shipped car from San Juan Port? by liuyi9509
Hi I researched everywhere but I couldn't find answer for this. We are using https://www.puertoricocartransport.com to ship our car from states. It is door to port service that we need to drive it home ourselves from port when it arrives. However, ...
Here's how it went for us: 1. Get notice of the car's arrival at the port. 2. Go to the port office at the docks and pick up shipping papers. 3. Take papers around the corner in the same building to get the import tax assessment. 4. Go to ... Read More
Escaping N.J. for PR during covid by JF214
I have spent the whole pandemic in N.J. along with my family and we are considering spending November and December at our home in PR. We have been under strict quarantine and my kids are starting to struggle. Was curious of any thoughts on what the ...
You will be much safer in P.R. The mortality rate from COVID in NJ is around 200 per 100k, the highest in the nation. It is around 20 per 100k. in PR. 1/10 th. There are still restrictions like wearing masks and everybody home a 10 pm but ... Read More
Covid cases in PR by ReyP
See this dashboard if you want to know which region of the island is affected or switch by town and see how many in your town. *** Please note that the secretary of health did confessed that the numbers are not reliable, apparently a person can get ...
PR is one of the safest places to be in the US or elsewhere related to COVID. All of the testing data is both messed up and irrelevant. The only reliable measure of the COVID situation is the number of deaths relative to the population. As of ... Read More
Tax on personal household goods when relocating to PR by Sobedani
We have seen different information on what is taxed when you move it to PR. Some sources state that the entire shipment, if over $2500 , is taxable. Others read that if there is a single commodity or "collection" that is valued at over ...
There is a 25% excise tax for bringing a car into PR. The value is based on the invoice on a new car or a value set by PR on a used one. There is a website to get the appraisal and tax estimate ... Read More
Curfew / lockdown by Sitka
Well, itâs been only a day since the Governor announcement of an island wide curfew and lockdown. The impact has been dramatic, most businesses are closed, no public gatherings, only gas stations, banks, grocery stores, medical facilities ...
Any word or guesses as to when it will be possible to return to the island and have businesses open? Read More
Adopting a pet in Puerto Rico by LoĂŻc
Hello, Are you a dog or a cat person? A pet can add life to a home and make an ideal travel companion during your expatriation in Puerto Rico. However, formalities or regulations might put you off traveling with your pet making adoption a ...
It is more likely that a stray dog will adopt you than the other way around. There has long been a terrible stray dog problem in PR, though at least by my observation it is not as bad as it was five years ago. There are a number of rescue ... Read More
Home decoration ideas for expats in Puerto Rico by Bhavna
Hello, After moving to Puerto Rico, setting up home and turning your accommodation into your personal abode can be a great way to start off your new life and feel at home. We would like to know whether expats are keen on decorating and furnishing ...
I haven't seen a particular Caribbean theme here. There is not a great selection of furniture stores here and they are mostly branches of mainland chains. One exception is Tartak which is on Rt 26 right next to the airport. Many people ship ... Read More
Rain water collection systems by Sitka
I am interested in learning about rain water collection systems in PR. Our house has a flat roof with drain down spouts, that would be easy to plumb into a tank. A tank of large size could provide free water for gray water use , garden, car wash, ...
We use a roof collection system to keep a pool filled at a rental house we own. Very simple and works well. We have a water filter installed in the line running from the roof to the pool and were amazed at what was caught. Flat roofs grow algae ... Read More
Clearing your belongings through customs in Puerto Rico by Priscilla
Hello everyone, During oneÂs big move abroad, shipping personal belongings to the host country can be stressful. Customs regulations differ from one country to another and you never quite know what to expect when trying to recover your belongings ...
Yes. The car was a Jeep Wrangler. Read More
Clearing your belongings through customs in Puerto Rico by Priscilla
Hello everyone, During oneÂs big move abroad, shipping personal belongings to the host country can be stressful. Customs regulations differ from one country to another and you never quite know what to expect when trying to recover your belongings ...
IMPORTING A CAR TO PR IN 10 EASY STEPS While not technically a duty, cars have a 25% tax on entry to PR. I just did this. It was not as hard as I thought, but it took most of the day. Here was how it worked for me. You can look up what PR thinks ... Read More
Fence builder/constrcution in Vieques by solgirl
Hi Everyone, Just closed on a property in Vieques and am in need of someone to build a chain link fence around the property, it's a 1/4 acre. Anyone have any leads or know anyone who can do that ? Thank you!
David *** David does a lot of work on Vieques. He has done several large and small projects for me on the main island and is highly professional. I highly recommend him. Read More
Living in Rio Mar? by Tkron
Hello. We are wondering if there are any folks living in Rio Mar complex? We are considering buying there & hope to find new friends to get together with. Thanks!
The Rio Mar complex is very nice. We stayed in Rio Mar Village for many years before buying in the area. We ultimately found a single family house down the road but considered several options in the resort. A few things you should know: There are ... Read More
Buying property in PR , closing February 1 - Need advice please by solgirl
HI, I'm buying a piece of land and finally everything is checked and done. Now i go to the closing but I am not sure how to get the money to the seller since there is no escrow and I am nervous to give it to the attorney, who I never met. And ...
When we have bought properties, I brought my computer and initiated a wire transfer at closing, addressed to the seller's account. This has advantages as small changes in amounts re; fees, utilities etc can be made at the last minute. If you ... Read More
Back to researching land in PR by olddawgsrule
What I'm noticing on the local sites is this statement of 'strings'... What the heck is 16 strings equal to in acreage? For that matter square feet?
I would reiterate the advice to come in person and get boots on the ground. I have bought a small handful of properties in PR and I have offers out on a couple more. None of them were listed on real estate sites. I found areas I liked and drove ... Read More
importing a dog to PR from Asia: requesting help and information by ThePeaFarmer
Hello! I and my dog Lucy will be moving to PR in the Spring of 2019. I think I have found all the regulations. But now I need to get a plane ticket. [b]Has anyone had good experiences with a particular airline? [/b]And advice about [b]which airport ...
I don't know how large your dog is, but if it is under 20 lbs Jet Blue will let it ride with you in the cabin for $100. Read More
importing a dog to PR from Asia: requesting help and information by ThePeaFarmer
Hello! I and my dog Lucy will be moving to PR in the Spring of 2019. I think I have found all the regulations. But now I need to get a plane ticket. [b]Has anyone had good experiences with a particular airline? [/b]And advice about [b]which airport ...
Wildane Kennels ( www.wildane.com ) in PR specializes in shipping dogs internationally. They were originally founded to help US Service personnel move their pets to and from the island. We used them a few years ago on a complicated move and they ... Read More
Penthouse in Ocean Club/Fajardo - need a property manager by Olgahice
Hello, my name is Olga, and Iâm the new member on this site. I live in Oregon for now, but just purchased a penthouse in Ocen Club at Seven Seas /Fajardo. Iâd like to rent it for a short or long term to respectful folks, but didnt have ...
I use AirBnB, HomeAway.com and Trip Advisor to list my rental. HomeAway is by far the best producing 3 out of 4 of my rentals. AirBnB is the worst and produces the worst guests. HomeAway and Trip Advisor clients generally are planning months in ... Read More
Looking to move to PR, but hubby is wary, info appreciated!!!! by Veesha
We currently live in Texas, and I DESPERATELY want to move to Puerto Rico. I have my heart set on beautiful mountains. Both my husband and I speak Spanish and have spent most of our lives around the world, but especially liked Latin America. It ...
There is a recent entry into PR isp market. Aeronet (http://aeronetpr.com/ ) provides high speed service via microwave transceivers aimed at antennas near El Yunque. Some of my neighbors who could not get Liberty use it. I looked into it and ... Read More
Moving to PR next year by Mandywave
*ive posted a similar article in the FB page as well. Hi guys! Iâm hopefully doing this post right. If not my apologies. Iâm new here and my name is Amanda. I live in Japan and have been for eight years. I have a partner who is ...
With all of the destruction from the storm, the Federal Government is spending a lot of money regarding the El Yunque rainforest. With a forestry background, I would suggest that your friend contact the El Yunque administration. I know that they ... Read More
Best ways to safely transport pets to and fro Puerto Rico by DeborahMarchant
Hello What are some of the best ways to safely transport pets to and fro PR? Any great suggestions? Most commercial and major airlines won't fly animals when the temperature is above 85 degrees.This is because while their cargo hold is ...
Jet Blue has been very accommodating with our service dog. The normal procedure is to call the airline in advance to tell them you are traveling with a service animal. This is not written anywhere but it smoothes things out. They put a code on ... Read More
Best ways to safely transport pets to and fro Puerto Rico by DeborahMarchant
Hello What are some of the best ways to safely transport pets to and fro PR? Any great suggestions? Most commercial and major airlines won't fly animals when the temperature is above 85 degrees.This is because while their cargo hold is ...
We fly regularly with a legitimate hearing alert dog. My wife is deaf and the dog has had the proper training. Many people are abusing the service animal law and they are cracking down on it, hard. Here are some tips: 1. The dog must be clearly ... Read More
Preparing to purchase beach home by Psych2
Hi, I am heading to Luquillo Beach for 4 months to relax, enjoy the culture and hopefully to locate a beach house for purchase. This will be my 3rd visit to Puerto Rico. Question: What are the most important questions and concerns about purchasing ...
First - find a good lawyer. Check the tax status carefully, research the property type. Many properties were originally farms (fincas) which were granted to families to settle them. The families later subdivided them and sold lots without ... Read More
Fajardo quality of life by seoulguy
I notice many more rentals in Fajardo (Clasificado24) than I would have expected, likely due to the economic downturn. Would anyone living in Fajardo care to comment on the current quality of , i.e., access to shopping, healthcare, absence or ...
Fajardo, in my opinion, would be very difficult without a car. It is very spread out and not set up for pedestrian life. Read More
afraid to move to puerto rico because of the debt crisis? by davidtx
(links and photos on our [url=http://www.blackandgoldcoast.com/afraid-to-move-to-puerto-rico-because-of-the-debt-crisis/]blog[/url]) Iâve been reluctant to discuss the Puerto Rican government debt crisis and itâs effects because, ...
There are two parts to the debt crisis, the past, and the future. The past is the debt itself. PR can only pay what can be paid. Those on the hook are the bondholders. The only rioting in the streets will be on Wall Street and in LA where most ... Read More
UBER has landed in Puerto Rico by frogrock
Just read an announcement in the Caribbean Journal. Uber has landed in Puerto Rico.
This is great, though cars seem mostly available near the airport. There is a Uber reservation service in many cities on the mainland that lets you reserve an Uber in advance. It is called UZURV. I don't know if it is available in PR yet, but ... Read More
Insurance coverage in Puerto Rico by Kenjee
Hello everyone, Moving abroad requires adequate insurance coverage. What type of insurance expatriates need the most in Puerto Rico: health, house or liability insurance? All of them? Do they come as a package? Are there other insurance ...
Puerto Rico is an insurance hub and there are a lot of decent insurance agencies available. Homeowners or renters insurance is available and I would recommend it the same as you would get anywhere. I found these to be reasonably priced and they ... Read More
Environmental protection in Puerto Rico by Kenjee
Hi, Environmental protection is a challenging issue for all the countries around the world. Would you say this issue is deemed of significance in Puerto Rico? Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective ...
Before PR wastes a lot of "green" energy on lofty issues such as carbon footprints, global warming, and alternative energy, I would like to see some emphasis on basic issues such as cleaning up trash, removing construction debris, ... Read More
Essentials to live in Puerto Rico by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Puerto Rico, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Puerto Rico? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you ...
You can find the usual appliance and lower end furniture companies here ( Home Depot, Best Buy, Ashleys, etc.) BUT while the showrooms are full, much of what is shown has to be shipped from the mainland. Add six weeks. Read More
How can I get into Hot Water? by Sitka
Hi We need to install a hot water heater in our place for shower, sinks, DW, etc.. What is recommended by folks in the know?? I know electric rates are sky high and most likely going up. Propane is an option, (is natural gas available anywhere ...
Our house came with a solar heating system. It was "ok" but inconsistent and warm, not hot. If someone did some wash the night before, the morning shower was bracing. I put in a 240 v electric on-demand system on top of the solar ... Read More
How can I get into Hot Water? by Sitka
Hi We need to install a hot water heater in our place for shower, sinks, DW, etc.. What is recommended by folks in the know?? I know electric rates are sky high and most likely going up. Propane is an option, (is natural gas available anywhere ...
I highly recommend a tankless system. They are available in both electric and gas versions. They are on-demand ie don't run out of hot water. They are also highly efficient as they do not have to keep a tankful of water hot s24/7. They are ... Read More
Making phone calls in Puerto Rico by Maximilien
Hi, When settling in Puerto Rico, one of the priorities is to be able to make phone calls. How to proceed to get a landline installed in Puerto Rico? What are the mobile operators? What is your average monthly budget? Thank you in ...
I get my landline and internet service from Liberty cable for about $99 / month including an upgraded internet speed. More basic internet speeds and phone can be as low as $33 on sale. The landline phone service is unlimited and includes the US. ... Read More
Last will and testament by poor boy
I am making out my will. A do it yourself one off the web. Leaving all to kids. I have been here in Puerto Rico a year. I own a House here, and my grown kids are living in my mainland house. Have any of you folks heard of any problems with making ...
For the most part, the LLC is tax neutral. Income and or deductions pass through to my Federal Income taxes. It did exist for another purpose, mostly liability protection, but setting one up can be done in a day or two and a few hundred bucks. ... Read More
Last will and testament by poor boy
I am making out my will. A do it yourself one off the web. Leaving all to kids. I have been here in Puerto Rico a year. I own a House here, and my grown kids are living in my mainland house. Have any of you folks heard of any problems with making ...
We spend our time about half / half between PR and the Mainland. Our lawyer had us put our PR house and property into a US LLC company jointly owned by my wife and I. If either of us die, the property stays in the company and is not subject to ... Read More
Thievery? Anyone experienced thieves in Fajardo by BearNVa
Has anyone experienced thieves in Fajardo, what did you do and what was the outcome?
I have installed a number of web cams and made sure everyone knew they were there. They were visible, I have signs, the led light is left on and a couple of times I called neighbors to tell them I saw something suspicious in the neighborhood on my ... Read More
Satelite Dish TV reception by ReyP
For those of you using some form of Dish Antenna TV service, how is reception and what about bad weather affecting the signal? In the US there is a lot of advertisement about crappy signal when there is bad weather
No, I get internet via Liberty Cable (Rio Grande). I chose Dish because the channel line up on Liberty had none of the channels which are important to me. Also the Liberty system is ancient and more expensive. There is no real satellite high ... Read More
Satelite Dish TV reception by ReyP
For those of you using some form of Dish Antenna TV service, how is reception and what about bad weather affecting the signal? In the US there is a lot of advertisement about crappy signal when there is bad weather
I have used Dish and have seldom had a problem. We are at a location which gets the "sea breeze" . More like a constant 20mph wind, and it does not seem to challenge the reception. During some major storms, we have had the signal go in ... Read More
Luquillo Kioskos by Jolo84
Has anyone been to the Luquillo Kiosks lately? A friend of mine just came from PR and i suggested that she go there because as a child we would go every weekend. She came back and said how dirty and run down it is now. We're going back in ...
Ay Bonito is the best in my opinion followed by Ceviche Hut. Read More
Puerto Rico's Sovereign Debt Crisis by NomadLawyer
Well, Gov. Garcia Padilla has [url=http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/06/29/business/dealbook/puerto-ricos-governor-says-islands-debts-are-not-payable.html?referrer=]admitted[/url]what many of us have known for sometime: Puerto Rico cannot pay its debt ...
They say if you owe the bank a $10,000 you have a problem. If you owe them $10,000,000 the bank has a problem. A bankruptcy may be painful, it will also be a blessing. It will formalize what has already occurred. The bond holders will have to ... Read More
Tax Question by travelgurl
I will be moving to Puerto Rico in August. I am a Federal employee. I would like to retain my current state's residency (I may only be on the island for a year or so). I believe that because I am a Federal employee I must pay Federal tax. Is ...
Regarding Taxes: Residency is defined as the place where YOU intend to permanently reside. There are a couple of tests commonly used by tax authorities to define that. If you are in a place more than 183 days (1/2 year) you are presumed to be a ... Read More
Tax on Social Security and IRA distributions by ReyP
While I do realize that soon after I get to PR I will need to still pay Federal taxes and state taxes for the US mainland side, what happens the second year where I am in PR 100%? I will be getting payments from Social Security and plan to add to ...
Yes, if you take early payments and are under your SS retirement before age 65 - 67 depending on when you were born, your SS payments are reduced until you hit that age. The amount of the reduction is made up for by higher payments after your ... Read More
Tax on Social Security and IRA distributions by ReyP
While I do realize that soon after I get to PR I will need to still pay Federal taxes and state taxes for the US mainland side, what happens the second year where I am in PR 100%? I will be getting payments from Social Security and plan to add to ...
The tax situation is complicated but here are a couple of basics: 1 You have to spend 183 days (over 1/2 year) to become a PR resident and subject to PR tax. Otherwise you are subject to your home state tax. The first year after moving, it will ... Read More
Buying a New Car - Taxes
I am considering buying a new car in PR. I am having a hard time getting a straight answer on taxes charged. I know that there is a 25% excise tax payable. The question is do you have to pay the 7% sales tax as well. Dealers have told me yes and ... Read More
Investing in Vacation Rental Homes in Puerto Rico by ReyP
I am considering purchasing a home in the Fajardo area or surrounding towns (Luquillo, Ceiba). As I am not ready to move and retire just yet, I was thinking of renting the place to vacationers like for 2 days to 2 weeks at a time and have it ...
I have rental property in that area. Depending on the place, during prime season, Christmas to April, you can get good occupancy say 60-80%. The rest of the year much less. September to November little or none (prime hurricane season). You will ... Read More
Two month rentals by sever5
How can I find information on good reputable places to find condo or apartment rentals where we could go every year for 2-3 months? Thanks.
Flipkey.com HomeAway.com VRBO.com Read More
buying property without a realtor by chopola
I am interested in a property in PR, no structure, just land. The transaction would go down with no realtor. The seller says they have a lawyer that can handle everything. Do I need to do anything to safe guard my interests. I guess my question ...
A realtor is not necessary. Many transactions happen without them. YOU DO need your OWN lawyer. PR land law and titles are complicated and often cloudy. A title insurance policy is a must in my opinion. They will search old claims which often ... Read More
Relocating to PR by Guest9532
Hello Julien, I am recently retired and will be moving to Luquillo in a few months. I've been trying to find out excise taxes on my car on the website but no luck. I'm leaning towards the idea of just selling it here but I read conflicting ...
The following site will give you the import tax on used cars, which is 25% of the value of the car. This is the official site which gives the PR view on car value. I have used it to estimate tax on my cars and it has a relatively high view of used ... Read More