NomadLawyer
American expat in Switzerland
Forum posts
693
Contacts
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About me
American
Lives in Canton of Zurich
Speaks English, Spanish
Registration: 27 September 2010
Puerto Rico vs. Expat Havens in the Americas by seoulguy
I have read the posts, and I can see that many are a reflection of (let's face it) the increasing bad to shockingly bad behavior worldwide. This puts would-be expats in an awkward position, perhaps having to make the best choice among the many ...
Here is a bitter example of why PR will remain a better choice as a retirement destination than anywhere else in the Americas outside of N. America. That said, I still think Portugal deserves a look, as does Thailand, which is a popular place for ... Read More
Puerto Rico vs. Expat Havens in the Americas by seoulguy
I have read the posts, and I can see that many are a reflection of (let's face it) the increasing bad to shockingly bad behavior worldwide. This puts would-be expats in an awkward position, perhaps having to make the best choice among the many ...
Portugal is very cheap, in my experience, and crime, particularly violent crime, is also quite low, especially compared to Latin America and the Caribbean. Read More
Puerto Rico vs. Expat Havens in the Americas by seoulguy
I have read the posts, and I can see that many are a reflection of (let's face it) the increasing bad to shockingly bad behavior worldwide. This puts would-be expats in an awkward position, perhaps having to make the best choice among the many ...
Apparently, Portugal beats them all, even with them in the Euro zone. Read More
Opening a business by JaniceT
Evening all. Can you please advice on how difficult it is for saffas to relocate to PR. We are wanting to start 2 businesses and probably buy some land. Im getting a lot of different advice. We heading over end of August to hopefully get the ...
It can be very difficult. I once had to wait months to receive an LLC Certificate of Organization from the PR Secretary of State. There is an express service that claims to do it faster but it also costs four times as much. You can’t open the ... Read More
Legal services in Puerto Rico
To clarify: A lawyer has to pass the state bar to practice at the state level. In most states, that is enough to also practice at the federal level so long as you are sworn in to a district federal court in your state. But because the quality of ... Read More
Opening a business by JaniceT
Evening all. Can you please advice on how difficult it is for saffas to relocate to PR. We are wanting to start 2 businesses and probably buy some land. Im getting a lot of different advice. We heading over end of August to hopefully get the ...
I posted all of the steps to registering a business a few years ago. This being PR, there are a lot of contingent steps that need to be followed, upfront fees that need to be made, and time that needs to wasted. Good luck! Read More
Legal services in Puerto Rico
At the state level, there are a lot of incompetent lawyers, horrendous court administration, and biased judges. The lawyers who practice at the federal level are generally better. You can find good lawyers there. Better to ask a lawyer friend to ... Read More
Vehicular jungle by seoulguy
I couldn't find current statistics on pedestrian mortality, but I did find the following article with stunning statistics: ...
Running over pedestrians and bicyclists is bad enough. And then they just take off leaving them there. Hit-and-runs all over the place. Read More
Can I realistically make my dream a reality? by Ajgreene
Hello all... New member here... I'll get straight to it. I really want to be in Puerto Rico. I love everything about it. I actually just got back from a long weekend trip there yesterday (this is not a hangover post though). I speak no Spanish ...
Hi, AJ. Welcome. 1) Probably not. I generally put the chances of you finding a job that can support your family at less than 10%. 2) Yes, but what will happen in practice is that you’ll burn through your cash reserves and not find a job ... Read More
Possibly Moving to Trujillo Alto Any Advice I should Know?
Your research is accurate- it is residential and non-touristy. It’s neither bad or great. Has relatively good access to the major chain stores and mall. It comes down to the property, really. Read More
Successes in your career in Puerto Rico by Priscilla
Hello, Becoming an expat means starting over in a new country, and a lot of times that also means starting over in your career as well. How have your skills and experiences evolved since moving to Puerto Rico? What does being successful ...
I remember seeing statistics saying that PR’s cost of living was on par with the DC area (where I grew up), which is above the national average. But, you know what they say about statistics... Perhaps the metric adjusted for local purchasing ... 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 ...
Rich and poor alike were affected by the lack of power, water, cell service, blocked roads and lack of supplies. The exception being if you were well-off enough to charter a flight off the island after the storm. Read More
Successes in your career in Puerto Rico by Priscilla
Hello, Becoming an expat means starting over in a new country, and a lot of times that also means starting over in your career as well. How have your skills and experiences evolved since moving to Puerto Rico? What does being successful ...
PR’s cost of living isn’t lower than the States, generally. It’s actually higher than most places in the States. 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 ...
I lived in Panama too. Panama is definitely hotter than PR. Read More
Moving to PR next year by Mandywave
*ive posted a similar article in the FB page as well. Hi guys! I’m hopefully doing this post right. If not my apologies. I’m new here and my name is Amanda. I live in Japan and have been for eight years. I have a partner who is ...
If you move to PR, you and your husband’s chances of finding good jobs are less than 10%. You will probably just burn up whatever cash you have. I highly encourage you not to move to PR unless you have secured a job first. Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico by adamcamp
I am looking to move to Puerto Rico for a gap year in between highschool and college. I currently live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I will be staying in Puerto Rico from the Summer of 2019 to the Summer 2020. My plan is to find a place to stay ...
I’ve met waiters in San Juan who don’t speak Spanish. They’re the only ones though (outside of a few feds). 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 ...
If one spouse is wary, it will not work. Read More
Exorbitant Contruction Materials Price by Elcalipocho
Has anyone been quoted/charged exorbitant contruction material prices after the hurricane? Materials like zinc and metal tubing? Had some friends replace patio covers destroyed after the hurricane... prices were ridiculous.. Like 3 times the price ...
Price "gouging" helps bring supply up to what's needed. When supply increases in response to higher prices, prices will start coming down again. Same price as pre-hurricane = long, long waits for materials. I remember when a major ... Read More
/VA Loans
The only veteran service I've used in PR has been the main VA hospital in Guaynabo (San Juan metro area). It's been good for what I needed but I never had to be admitted - it was only outpatient care - so I can't speak to what it's ... Read More
10 most common/popular/traditional Puerto Rican dishes by Oxmarqt
Feeling the desire to do more cooking at home AND try some different things. What are the most common/traditional meals in Puerto Rico**? Main dishes? Sides? Might as well have some fun with this!! **I need to be able to get the ingredients, or ...
Nothing that delicious in Switzerland - nothing here even comes close! Read More
10 most common/popular/traditional Puerto Rican dishes by Oxmarqt
Feeling the desire to do more cooking at home AND try some different things. What are the most common/traditional meals in Puerto Rico**? Main dishes? Sides? Might as well have some fun with this!! **I need to be able to get the ingredients, or ...
Mofongo with salsa criolla and with carrucho is my fav. This Wikipedia article doesn’t appear to mention carrucho for some reason. The sauce could also be a garlic sauce. It can also come with shrimp, pulpo, chicken, pork, etc. ... Read More
Dating options in PR? by Oxmarqt
First off...Hello. At some point in the next few years I would like to purchase a 2nd home/Condo/whatever in Puerto Rico that will eventually become a main home. I prefer the West half of the Island but not locked into anything. I am currently ...
Just walk outside - it’s very easy to meet people for dating. Easier than making friends, actually. Read More
New Financial Plan for PR by ReyP
The PROMESA board (http://www.promesacodex.com/oversight-board.html) has decided they had enough with the government delays and financial plans, so they have drafted and are about to implement a new financial plan for the island, the university, ...
Yeah, I don’t see any politician being jailed for refusing to pass legislation ordered by a court. A clear violation of separation of powers (not that it’d be the first time a court violated the SoPs, but issuing orders to stop an ... Read More
New Financial Plan for PR by ReyP
The PROMESA board (http://www.promesacodex.com/oversight-board.html) has decided they had enough with the government delays and financial plans, so they have drafted and are about to implement a new financial plan for the island, the university, ...
Personally, I doubt the plan that’s put into action will be anywhere near as solid and sensical as the one proposed by the Board. And whatever plan is adopted will be changed many times post-implementation. What happens if the legislature ... Read More
New Financial Plan for PR by ReyP
The PROMESA board (http://www.promesacodex.com/oversight-board.html) has decided they had enough with the government delays and financial plans, so they have drafted and are about to implement a new financial plan for the island, the university, ...
With the existence of Pell Grants, there's no reason UPR should receive any public funds at all. Read More
Local Consumer Ratings for San Juan
No, only word-of-mouth. Nearly everything works based on personal networks and word-of-mouth. Read More
Is it rude to refuse to speak english? by sontek
Hey! The primary reason for us wanting to move to Puerto Rico is for our kids to grow up bilingual. We are currently on the island and are going out of our way to eat at restaurants and practice our spanish as much as possible. Our issue is ...
As mentioned above, it's tougher learning Spanish in PR, no doubt, for two reasons at least: (1) the Spanish is spoken very quickly, and (2) so many people speak good or even perfect English. I learned in Panama, where few people spoke English, ... Read More
Crime in Ponce by annabfalter
I regret to post that we had a chilling experience two weeks ago. My husband was tired, so we stopped to change drivers along a highway exit ramp on 52/506 east of Ponce. This was about 2 pm, broad daylight, very busy road with many other ...
Sadly, yes, I would say that is normal for Ponce. Read More
How to Ship 8 Cats to PR by SirenWilliams
Aside of making multiple flights with each cat in a single carrier, does anyone know of an airline or service that allows shipment of a larger number of cats at once? I'm thinking 3 large checked carriers so they have some room. But is that even ...
Well, they say the Spanish brought cats to OSJ to control the rodent population... may as well bring 8 more. Read More
roofing in puerto rico by Mark&LindaHorta
metal roofing in puerto rico
The old wooden Puerto Rican houses are lovely but sadly they don't hold up for long in the weather. The wood is what makes you feel the historical connection. Read More
roofing in puerto rico by Mark&LindaHorta
metal roofing in puerto rico
That is one thing (the only thing?) PR and Switzerland have in common: The houses are concrete bunkers! Read More
Need for AWD? by jellojello
Hello everyone. My wife and I just moved to PR this past week, and are in the process of getting settled. We are looking to purchase a Honda CRV, and surprisingly to us, the dealerships don't have any AWD in stock. We were told by the ...
People do prefer SUVs because of their more durable suspensions (needed to keep the car going year after year in light of PR's terribly potholed roads). That said, the drive doesn't need to be four wheel, really. Never hurts but it isn't ... Read More
New members of the Puerto Rico forum, introduce yourselves here - 2018 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Puerto Rico forum? Dont know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more ...
Ceiba has such lovely coastline. Good choice! Read More
How to make friends in Puerto Rico by expat.com
We have been talking about [url=https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=891]loneliness when you are abroad[/url], let's now talk about how to make friends (locals and other expats) when you're living in Puerto Rico :top: [b]Which are your best ...
Bear, were the people you were trying to build friendships with Puerto Rican or from elsewhere? It's tough in Latin culture to know when friendliness is based on actual friendship. Interestingly, continental Europeans have the same problem ... Read More
roofing in puerto rico by Mark&LindaHorta
metal roofing in puerto rico
Gatos satos on hot tin roofs. Read More
Dorado vs. Palmas (looking for hands on feedback) by LifeIsAVacation
Hola! My name is Mario and on May 15th I'll be moving down to PR together with my family. I'm actually flying out next week (April 11th to 15th) to look at houses to rent and we've decided we'll be either in Dorado or in Palmas Del ...
Hey, Mario. Maybe it's just me, but I never thought of Dorado as a suburb of SJ. It certainly felt like a separate place with its own character, set apart by a decent distance from SJ. To me, Bayamon, Guaynabo, Trujillo Alto, Isla Verde, ... Read More
PR to Close 283 Schools by SawMan
PR to close over 25% of its public schools, yet no layoffs expected! http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/04/05/puerto-rico-to-close-283-schools-amid-sharp-enrollment-drop.html
As it has always been in LatAm, sadly. Read More
PR to Close 283 Schools by SawMan
PR to close over 25% of its public schools, yet no layoffs expected! http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/04/05/puerto-rico-to-close-283-schools-amid-sharp-enrollment-drop.html
Only the good teachers will quit because they’re the ones who can find other jobs. The incompetent lifers will hold the on until retirement. Read More
A Different Perspective of Living In PR by chrishamrick103
Hey everyone, it's been a long time! I spent about 22K moving my family of 5 to the island in December 2016. We had an awful experience overall and one morning, something just told me to leave the island and I did.... then the hurricanes hit. ...
Limiting my comments to queue cutting: Respect for the queue is a unique cultural rule of only a few countries in the world: The anglophone countries (the US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.), and Ireland to a lesser extent. In Latin America it is ... Read More
Primarily *Spanish* Private Schools in San Juan by fedfam
My wife, my daughter (3), and I will be moving to San Juan next year. We are both moving for work but have no previous connections to the island. When we arrive, my daughter will be four years old and starting Pre K. I'm having somewhat of a ...
Yes, traffic wouldn't be too bad from Condado. This would be the best commute (other than from OSJ). The north side of Hato Rey may not be ideal but it could be a lot worse. It depends on if you can avoid most of the bottlenecks. Read More
Primarily *Spanish* Private Schools in San Juan by fedfam
My wife, my daughter (3), and I will be moving to San Juan next year. We are both moving for work but have no previous connections to the island. When we arrive, my daughter will be four years old and starting Pre K. I'm having somewhat of a ...
My pleasure, Fedfam. 1. I don't recall if an admissions test was required. I don't think so, at least not for elementary school. Admissions wasn't particularly competitive. It was more a matter of whether the class year had space or ... Read More
Rethinking our relocation to Puerto Rico because of forced heirship by mrwetzel
My husband and I are in Puerto Rico now (our third trip this year) on a house hunting trip. We thought we would be moving to Puerto Rico within the next year. That was until we learned about the forced heirship laws. We both have children from ...
Look at common law jurisdictions in the Caribbean. Read More
Moving to PR in April & Can't Decide Where To Live. by edenkaate
So my boyfriend and I are moving in April, and plan to be in PR next week to look at places with a realtor. We found great listings but can't decide which area is best to live. We've narrowed it down between 3 areas: Isla Verde, San ...
OSJ is my favorite as well. Lots more to do/witness but doesn’t feel too crowded (most of the time). Read More
Jobs coming to P.R. Some good news. by Frankie1adrian
https://www.elnuevodia.com/english/english/nota/linkactivwillcreate3000jobsontheisland-2400507/
“Crypto city”... like that was ever going to happen. We should focus more on deeds and less on press releases. Roosevelt roads has one of the most beautiful coastlines in PR. The Navy knew where to build their bases. (The Army, on the ... Read More
Question about selling in mainland by ReyP
I have most of my logistics all lined up for a move to Puerto Rico with the exception that I still need to sell my place. In a couple of months we plan to put my place in the market and once it sells, head to PR. My fear is that scenario could ...
Escrow account deposit helps but doesn't cover nearly 100% of the value. Read More
Primarily *Spanish* Private Schools in San Juan by fedfam
My wife, my daughter (3), and I will be moving to San Juan next year. We are both moving for work but have no previous connections to the island. When we arrive, my daughter will be four years old and starting Pre K. I'm having somewhat of a ...
Colegio Puertoriqueno de Ninas in SJ is good (there’s also a campus in Caguas) but I felt PS was better when my kids attended there about a decade ago. Read More
Primarily *Spanish* Private Schools in San Juan by fedfam
My wife, my daughter (3), and I will be moving to San Juan next year. We are both moving for work but have no previous connections to the island. When we arrive, my daughter will be four years old and starting Pre K. I'm having somewhat of a ...
Perpetuo Socorro is in Miramar and is a good school that is completely in Spanish until the forth grade (or so - don’t recall exactly) and then shifts to bilingual. A lot of the most well known Puerto Ricans patronize PS, such as ... Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico by Epsimpson950
My husband and I along with my daughter, her husband and their children are all moving to P. R. in May. We are looking for a shipper to possibly bring 3 vehicles to the island for us. I am also trying to find out what the taxes will be once the ...
I believe Rey set up a folder for car shipping in the forum. Our posts on this topic are very detailed. Good luck! Read More
Moving to PR in April & Can't Decide Where To Live. by edenkaate
So my boyfriend and I are moving in April, and plan to be in PR next week to look at places with a realtor. We found great listings but can't decide which area is best to live. We've narrowed it down between 3 areas: Isla Verde, San ...
Isla Verde can get swamped with people and noise pollution, especially on the weekends! Read More
New to Puerto Rico - How to meet people? by mealemany
Hello! I'm from Texas and I just moved to Puerto Rico (Condado area), and I'm looking to meet new people. Are there groups/organizations/volunteering/etc that are available here in San Juan area to meet new people? I searched on meetup.com ...
Martial arts, if you're into that sort of thing. I've posted links to different schools of different disciplines elsewhere in the forum. Read More
Four months after Maria by Gary
Yesterday we 'celebrated' four months after Maria. Still no electricity here, a faith we share with 36% of the island. We have water, 7% of the households do not and the quality of the water is such that a boiling advice is still ...
It will become part of the family lore, passed down to the next generations. Read More
Rethinking our relocation to Puerto Rico because of forced heirship by mrwetzel
My husband and I are in Puerto Rico now (our third trip this year) on a house hunting trip. We thought we would be moving to Puerto Rico within the next year. That was until we learned about the forced heirship laws. We both have children from ...
Hi, SawMan. You're very welcome. I don't have much more to offer regarding these general educational points. A qualified Puerto Rican attorney who practices in this field would know the answers off the top of their head. I could recommend ... Read More
Moving to PR by ReyP
Well we gave up on the Ceiba house we were planing to purchase. The plan was to sell some stocks and use the money to buy the house cash. However there were a lot of delays (since July) due to the seller realtor and a problem with the land ...
In contrast to Spain, where most flats are furnished, Puerto Rican rental properties are typically not furnished. There are exceptions and the advertisement usually prominently identifies furnished properties. Read More
Rethinking our relocation to Puerto Rico because of forced heirship by mrwetzel
My husband and I are in Puerto Rico now (our third trip this year) on a house hunting trip. We thought we would be moving to Puerto Rico within the next year. That was until we learned about the forced heirship laws. We both have children from ...
What many wealthy people do in civil law (forced heirship) jurisdictions is set up an offshore grantor trust in, for example, the Cayman Islands. They then “settle” the trust by placing the assets they don’t want to be subject to ... Read More
Leaving PR to the states at a reasonable price, on a 1 way flight by csmi
With most flights $500+ to the states, such as to Florida, unless you wait 3-4 weeks, what alternatives are there for those who want to leave PR on a 1 way ticket? Many of the cruise lines don't go to Florida in the short term. Any other ...
Sorry - don’t have a direct answer. Only posting to say that if you have a relative to stay with in Europe, now would be a good time to visit flying on a non-US carrier. They haven’t jacked up their prices and you can get a ticket within ... Read More
Puerto Rico flag
the Philippines if there’s a yellow sun in the white triangle. 🇵🇭I can’t see for sure. Read More
We're OK! by Gary
Short update - I don't have time to read. Right now at a client who has internet and I have a ton of emails to take care of. Trying to get the business running again... We made it through the storm OK. Minimal damage to the house, we lost two ...
Sorry to hear that, Gary, but glad to know you have your generator at least. Good luck. Read More
Hurricane News / Warning :( by SimCityAT
Just thinking this might help people in the future. Why not add to this thread where you can get up to date information on hurricanes and storms. Add your links below. Please state if it's I English or Spanish.
NBC is reporting that the Trump admin has suspended the Jones Act. Was reported via tweet so no link yet. Read More
Hurricane News / Warning :( by SimCityAT
Just thinking this might help people in the future. Why not add to this thread where you can get up to date information on hurricanes and storms. Add your links below. Please state if it's I English or Spanish.
Mother-in-law's flight bumped again. Last scheduled to take off today, Sept. 28. Now bumped until Thursday, Oct. 5. So that's four delays in total. Understandable, of course, with the state of SJU and the island's radars. She has ... Read More
Spanish / Bilingual Elementary Schools by sontek
Hello! My wife and I are moving to Puerto Rico next summer. We are from Florida and are both computer programmers, we work remote so we won't be looking for work or anything. The big thing we are trying to plan and figure out is where we ...
This topic has been covered at length on this forum. Look up those posts. Read More
Hurricane News / Warning :( by SimCityAT
Just thinking this might help people in the future. Why not add to this thread where you can get up to date information on hurricanes and storms. Add your links below. Please state if it's I English or Spanish.
International flights from SJU are supposed to re-start today or tomorrow. However, my mother-in-law's flight to Zurich via Madrid (bought before the storm hit), has been cancelled now twice, including tomorrow's flight. Re-scheduled for ... Read More
Any GOOD Attorney's? by chrishamrick103
Does anyone know of a good attorney? I'm about done with PR, I really am. Stress, stress and more stress since we got here. Many of you know how my landlord has ripped us off and we haven't had any luck finding at least a 4 bedroom that ...
I urge you to file a bar complaint if warranted. Bad attorneys need to be disciplined. Read More
Mistakes expats make in Puerto Rico by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you make any mistakes when you first moved to Puerto Rico? What were they? How did you address your mistakes? Did you learn anything from them? With hindsight, what would you do differently? Are there any tips you ...
I found PR to be a good place to refine my Spanish after having gone through the grueling general learning elsewhere. People almost always spoke with me in Spanish. However, I did notice that it isn't an easy place to learn Spanish because, as ... Read More
Mistakes expats make in Puerto Rico by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you make any mistakes when you first moved to Puerto Rico? What were they? How did you address your mistakes? Did you learn anything from them? With hindsight, what would you do differently? Are there any tips you ...
Good luck, Mongo. I don't think you'll find the "pino" in PR to be as good as in Chile. Read More
Nag about Spanish by ReyP
Yesterday's event is a great example why is extremely important to learn Spanish. Lots of expats had no real time news, and were unable to determine on their own what to do next. I and other members published some of the shelters and typed in ...
Another good method is to "read" the newspaper everyday. You won't understand everything but you can more easily know what the context is from the headline, e.g., it mentions "Trump", "Clinton", "Irma", ... Read More
Car Accidents: Friendly Reminder by Justpeachyy
I haven't read any posts regarding car accidents so here's a little info. One- You can call the police and get them on the scene to document everything. Two- Both parties can go to the police station to file a report. Obviously if it was ...
Whoops. Meant "Hi, Mary" Read More
Car Accidents: Friendly Reminder by Justpeachyy
I haven't read any posts regarding car accidents so here's a little info. One- You can call the police and get them on the scene to document everything. Two- Both parties can go to the police station to file a report. Obviously if it was ...
Hi, Kathryn. I was in Panama from 1996 - end of 1999. 5/87 INF (Light), US Army. Was one of the last US military to leave. Great unit and great duty station, regardless of the jungle deployment side-effects (parasites, trench foot, strange viruses, ... Read More
Car Accidents: Friendly Reminder by Justpeachyy
I haven't read any posts regarding car accidents so here's a little info. One- You can call the police and get them on the scene to document everything. Two- Both parties can go to the police station to file a report. Obviously if it was ...
They're open to veterans and dependents too. Read More
Family living abroad in Puerto Rico, Where to live? by Travelingwave
Hi, My family is planning on living a year abroad in Puerto Rico. We are an active young family (7 years, 5 years, and 1 year old). We are looking for the area to live that best fits our family needs. We would be renting a place. Our goal of ...
Hi, Cynthia. Do you or your husband speak Spanish? Read More
Car Accidents: Friendly Reminder by Justpeachyy
I haven't read any posts regarding car accidents so here's a little info. One- You can call the police and get them on the scene to document everything. Two- Both parties can go to the police station to file a report. Obviously if it was ...
@Kathryn3000. That's a terrible shame. They're by far the best insurance company out there. I last used them several years ago, first on the mainland US, then in PR, finally in the UK. Sad to hear they're leaving PR. They don't ... Read More
Car Accidents: Friendly Reminder by Justpeachyy
I haven't read any posts regarding car accidents so here's a little info. One- You can call the police and get them on the scene to document everything. Two- Both parties can go to the police station to file a report. Obviously if it was ...
All that said, I saw four people hit by cars when I was stationed in Panama: 3 died. Read More
Car Accidents: Friendly Reminder by Justpeachyy
I haven't read any posts regarding car accidents so here's a little info. One- You can call the police and get them on the scene to document everything. Two- Both parties can go to the police station to file a report. Obviously if it was ...
Good advice. Some lady crashed into my parked car in our apartment complex parking lot. She tried to flee but the security guards stopped her and got her info, at which point she fled. I took pictures of everything - close-up, angled, etc. It turned ... Read More
Hola, hola. by Guest02
Retired USCG 6 months ago, final was Sector San Juan. Last 3 years @ Resident Inspection Office Ponce Port State Control vessel inspections on foreign ships in five south and west coast ports: Mayaguez, Guanica, Guayanilla, Ponce, and Guayama. . ...
I used to live (and work there). Speak Spanish. Puerto Rican wife. General love of PR history, linguistics, culture, etc. But couldn't put up with the crime, dishonesty and evasion of responsibility so prevalent in PR society. Not as a ... Read More
Hola, hola. by Guest02
Retired USCG 6 months ago, final was Sector San Juan. Last 3 years @ Resident Inspection Office Ponce Port State Control vessel inspections on foreign ships in five south and west coast ports: Mayaguez, Guanica, Guayanilla, Ponce, and Guayama. . ...
Welcome! There are several veterans on this forum, myself included (Army Infantry). Read More
Quantitative Modeler Job in San Juan by if_nyc
I'm moving to Condado with my husband in early 2018. I'm a quantitative modeler in an investment bank in NYC. Any similar jobs available in San Juan area? I'm not expecting to make the same salary as in NYC but would like to know whether ...
if_nyc: I know a way to look-up nearly every financial institution located in Puerto Rico, including hedge funds (if there are any - I highly doubt it) but it isn't an easy process. If you want to learn how, message me and I'll try to ... Read More
Quantitative Modeler Job in San Juan by if_nyc
I'm moving to Condado with my husband in early 2018. I'm a quantitative modeler in an investment bank in NYC. Any similar jobs available in San Juan area? I'm not expecting to make the same salary as in NYC but would like to know whether ...
Yeah, it all depends on the nature of the activity (e.g., trading or investing?) and what type of income it generates. Once that's decided, you need to know the jurisdictional rules as to where the income is sourced. Then you need to understand ... Read More
Hedge Funds in PR under Acts 20/22 by Sitka
If you have any information regarding PR based hedge funds that present investment opportunity where capital gains are not subject to US income tax, please post here. :cheers: We are looking for sound investments in PR under Act 20/22 that would ...
That makes sense, Rey, which means you cannot invest with them (nor should you want to - waaaaaaaaay too risky). Read More
Hedge Funds in PR under Acts 20/22 by Sitka
If you have any information regarding PR based hedge funds that present investment opportunity where capital gains are not subject to US income tax, please post here. :cheers: We are looking for sound investments in PR under Act 20/22 that would ...
Good question. Also keep in mind that you generally have to have at least $5 million to invest in a hedge fund. This isn't because they're snobs - it's because they are prevented by federal law from accepting investors who are not ... Read More
Quantitative Modeler Job in San Juan by if_nyc
I'm moving to Condado with my husband in early 2018. I'm a quantitative modeler in an investment bank in NYC. Any similar jobs available in San Juan area? I'm not expecting to make the same salary as in NYC but would like to know whether ...
Hi, if_nyc. Most of my clients are hedge funds but none are located in PR because hedge funds are almost always established as partnerships, meaning you want a common law jurisdiction as the situs of the fund. As PR is a civil law jurisdiction, ... Read More
Another 1 month Rental Question..... by MnMExplorers
But a little more specific then the last one, thought I would start a new thread instead of Hijacking axc123's conversation. My Wife and I (and our 2 cats) will be moving down in Feb-March. We are in the Processes of Booking a 1 month Rental ...
Hello, Mike and Mary. One month's time is possibly enough if you're lucky with the word-of-mouth method (PR's most used method) but don't be surprised if it takes two. Things can move very slowly for no apparent reason. Read More
New members of the Puerto Rico forum, introduce yourselves here June to December 2017 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Puerto Rico forum? Dont know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more ...
Hello, rard. Crime is very high in PR. I lived in Chicago for a time and it is a great city. In my opinion, while Chicago has those high crime neighborhoods you hear about but never enter, PR's high levels of violent crime can happen anywhere. ... Read More
Is Puerto Rico a "colony"? by NomadLawyer
I understand the word "colonial" comes from the Latin "colonus", meaning farmer. Who are PR's colonists? Are the expat blog members, who reside in PR and have their origins in the mainland, colonists? Or must the connection ...
I don't see how it's a red herring, especially as I've started it as its own thread. If I were thinking of moving to PR, this issue is exactly the type of thing I'd be interested in educating myself on, and I believe that the many ... Read More
Is Puerto Rico a "colony"? by NomadLawyer
I understand the word "colonial" comes from the Latin "colonus", meaning farmer. Who are PR's colonists? Are the expat blog members, who reside in PR and have their origins in the mainland, colonists? Or must the connection ...
The trade agreement element is an interesting one but I don't think the lack of authority in this area alone adds up to colonization. As a comparison, the UK (or any member of the EU) cannot enter into their own trade agreements. This is one ... Read More
Is Puerto Rico a "colony"? by NomadLawyer
I understand the word "colonial" comes from the Latin "colonus", meaning farmer. Who are PR's colonists? Are the expat blog members, who reside in PR and have their origins in the mainland, colonists? Or must the connection ...
Perhaps "dependency" is a more accurate term for post-1952 Puerto Rico... Read More
Is Puerto Rico a "colony"?
I understand the word "colonial" comes from the Latin "colonus", meaning farmer. Who are PR's colonists? Are the expat blog members, who reside in PR and have their origins in the mainland, colonists? Or must the connection ... Read More
Family living abroad in Puerto Rico, Where to live? by Travelingwave
Hi, My family is planning on living a year abroad in Puerto Rico. We are an active young family (7 years, 5 years, and 1 year old). We are looking for the area to live that best fits our family needs. We would be renting a place. Our goal of ...
I'll move my comment to its own thread. Likewise, you may wish to reconsider using the term "colony". Read More
Family living abroad in Puerto Rico, Where to live? by Travelingwave
Hi, My family is planning on living a year abroad in Puerto Rico. We are an active young family (7 years, 5 years, and 1 year old). We are looking for the area to live that best fits our family needs. We would be renting a place. Our goal of ...
I understand the word "colonial" comes from the Latin "colonus", meaning farmer. Does PR have any colonists from the states? Are the expat blog members who reside in PR and have their origins in the mainland colonists? Or must ... Read More
considering a job opportunity in PR by memo.more
Recently got my Green Card by marriage, my wife also has Green Card, and looking for jobs in US the only offer i got so far is for a consulting company in PR, I'm fully bilingual 58 yrs old my wife is somewhat bilingual 74 yrs old, the offer I ...
The cost of living in PR is high, about on par with Washington, D.C. As it is higher than in Mexico, your standard of living would drop if you move to Puerto Rico. Read More
Stolen cars by ReyP
Interesting stats on car robberies: According to this article 2,459 cars have been stolen in PR in 2017. The towns with the most stolen cars are: Bayamón, Caguas, San Juan, Arecibo y Carolina in other words mostly in Metro areas. The most ...
And many are burned with bodies in them! Read More
Dorado, Condado, Palmas or Isla Verde by keets3560
Hello everyone, my wife and I will be moving to Puerto Rico in 3 weeks. We will stay in hotel for a week or 2 till we find a rental. We have been to Puerto Rico many times as my wife has been working there a couple weeks a year for 10 years now. ...
Agree with cboq: Condado is much nicer than Isla Verde. Read More
Evaluating places to live in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by Lillym6
Hello. We are a couple from NYC looking to relocate in a few years. We are in our late 40s and we plan to work, not retire (yet). We are trying to read, learn, ask as much as we can about PR (mostly West side), and US VI. Renting an apartment or ...
Look at towns around El Yunque. The Utuado area is also nice but not as consistently cool as it is around El Yunque (doesn't rain as much though). Read More
Evaluating places to live in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by Lillym6
Hello. We are a couple from NYC looking to relocate in a few years. We are in our late 40s and we plan to work, not retire (yet). We are trying to read, learn, ask as much as we can about PR (mostly West side), and US VI. Renting an apartment or ...
Agree with Rey re airbnb. Try to stay away from the hotels. They are very expensive (although I once stayed in a motel in Isla Verde for about $35 per night if I remember correctly - room had no windows at all). Read More
Cost of living in Puerto Rico 2015 by expat.com
Hi all, We invite you to talk about the cost of living in Puerto Rico in 2015, with an updated price listing. Don't forget to mention in which city of Puerto Rico you are living in. How much does it cost to live in Puerto Rico? > ...
Meanwhile in Switzerland, I paid 28.90 CHF (about $29.95 USD) for a box of a dozen Dunkin Donuts yesterday. They were worth every cent. Read More
Evaluating places to live in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by Lillym6
Hello. We are a couple from NYC looking to relocate in a few years. We are in our late 40s and we plan to work, not retire (yet). We are trying to read, learn, ask as much as we can about PR (mostly West side), and US VI. Renting an apartment or ...
Good luck, Lillym6. As you two need to find employment, you're plan to relocate to PR will probably fail. I don't say that to be insensitive. But please understand that your chances of finding a job that pays you enough to live beyond ... Read More
New members of the Puerto Rico forum, introduce yourselves here June to December 2017 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Puerto Rico forum? Dont know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more ...
If you love beaches more than anything else, I'd go for Vieques. More practical (yet still not easy) to live on than Culebra and with more beaches too. Read More
Car imported while in military by Wegogogo
Hi! So I imported a car while in the military and they took care of the import tax. Now I'm trying to sell the car and they are saying that the new owner needs to pay the import tax in order to register the car. Seems kind of redundant to me. ...
Makes perfect sense that the non-military buyer would have to pay the import tax (basically meaning the military seller has to lower the offering price). The military ships vehicles and pays import tax so that the service member can use the vehicle ... Read More
3 Months After Leaving PR by chrishamrick103
It's been a while since I've posted here. But back in April my wife and I decided we would move to PR. At the time, it was 4 of us, and we were looking for a 3 bedroom condo due to the easy maintenance. So after I returned, we decided we ...
Indeed, Rey, which is why water rates rise when water efficiency measures are effective. Read More
Working in San Juan. Do I need to live in Dorado to feel safe? by ClanDFW
I may be getting a job in San Juan. I know some of my company peers immediately moved into Dorado area. I don't mind living in this area, as it seems very nice. However I wouldn't mind a shorter commute. However, the guard gated ...
In PR it is legal to treat red lights as mere stop signs after midnight because of the high number of assaults that occur on people waiting for the light to change. The state ostensibly revamped its gun permitting laws after the US Supreme ... Read More
3 Months After Leaving PR by chrishamrick103
It's been a while since I've posted here. But back in April my wife and I decided we would move to PR. At the time, it was 4 of us, and we were looking for a 3 bedroom condo due to the easy maintenance. So after I returned, we decided we ...
I ran up a $400 bill once. A/C 24/7 in a three bedroom apartment. Read More
3 Months After Leaving PR by chrishamrick103
It's been a while since I've posted here. But back in April my wife and I decided we would move to PR. At the time, it was 4 of us, and we were looking for a 3 bedroom condo due to the easy maintenance. So after I returned, we decided we ...
OSJ had small open-air bolero concerts most weekends when I lived there. I loved the atmosphere created by the music, with the surrounding colonial architecture. Lovely. Read More