DocRob
American looking for information about Puerto Rico
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47
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About me
American
Registration: 07 October 2012
Just got back to Mainland from 2 weeks by DocRob
On la Isla.What a trip! Met more interesting people this time than ever. Some were, ahem, a little strange.Many were not Borinquenos, however. So, for me that's a good sign. LOLObservations this trip:-Land price is to the Moon! $175k for 3 ropes. ...
@sandrarduncanSandra, I was in the middle of a long reply to you when the power company decided to do a line check (damn smart meters) and everything rebooted.So, I lost all the text.Anyway, sorry about the horrible experiences you guys have been ... Read More
Just got back to Mainland from 2 weeks by DocRob
On la Isla.What a trip! Met more interesting people this time than ever. Some were, ahem, a little strange.Many were not Borinquenos, however. So, for me that's a good sign. LOLObservations this trip:-Land price is to the Moon! $175k for 3 ropes. ...
@raynerro335Yes on PF, I joined when at the Ft. during the outage. Figured it couldn't hurt to establish a relationship right off the bat. Will be funneling over some funds as I begin closing some mainland (local) bank branch accounts.Glad to hear ... Read More
Just got back to Mainland from 2 weeks
On la Isla.What a trip! Met more interesting people this time than ever. Some were, ahem, a little strange.Many were not Borinquenos, however. So, for me that's a good sign. LOLObservations this trip:-Land price is to the Moon! $175k for 3 ropes. ... Read More
Wooden houses and Insurance by DocRob
After all the catastrophies hitting La Isla in recent years, I was wondering what effect it has had on obtaining HOI much less mortgage loans on wooden structures.
Well, yes, and on top of it I am not sure if VA will lend on wooden structures. It's just the concrete houses seem so cold to me where wood has character you can't duplicate. I'm looking to be up in the mountains on some land so I think ... Read More
Wooden houses and Insurance
After all the catastrophies hitting La Isla in recent years, I was wondering what effect it has had on obtaining HOI much less mortgage loans on wooden structures. Read More
Can anyone explain options on island property? by DocRob
I know on the mainland if you want to option a property, it usually involves placing an amount of money on the table and contracting that you will buy it in such and such time and amount. If you don't exercise the option, you forfeit the ...
All very good information fellas. I appreciate your insight and experiences. So as not to get too far afield of the OP, what are lenders requiring for length of time on island to qualify for a loan? 6 month residency or ? I'm seeing plenty of ... Read More
Can anyone explain options on island property? by DocRob
I know on the mainland if you want to option a property, it usually involves placing an amount of money on the table and contracting that you will buy it in such and such time and amount. If you don't exercise the option, you forfeit the ...
Thanks Larry, yes property taxes are what I was looking at. You say - "CRIM can go back up to 5 years to collect taxes....and if they decide to do a new assessment and say maybe improvements were made etc, the seller could be in store for a ... Read More
Can anyone explain options on island property? by DocRob
I know on the mainland if you want to option a property, it usually involves placing an amount of money on the table and contracting that you will buy it in such and such time and amount. If you don't exercise the option, you forfeit the ...
Awesome Larry and WW, thank you for the detail. I hope this helps others who are looking to settle on la Isla permanently. It makes sense that there would have to be a agency with some oversight, I just didn't expect it to be Island wide. Here, ... Read More
Can anyone explain options on island property? by DocRob
I know on the mainland if you want to option a property, it usually involves placing an amount of money on the table and contracting that you will buy it in such and such time and amount. If you don't exercise the option, you forfeit the ...
Thanks to all for the feedback. Been a little busy doing landlord things and have to pick my best times to get online. I appreciate that things move on Island Time and that there are ways of doing business that may seem, well, foreign to a ... Read More
Can anyone explain options on island property? by DocRob
I know on the mainland if you want to option a property, it usually involves placing an amount of money on the table and contracting that you will buy it in such and such time and amount. If you don't exercise the option, you forfeit the ...
Please understand, I am not seeking legal advice. Just trying to sort out what the common (or not so common) R.E. practices/listings there are on la isla. If you're a broker or abragado, fine. I won't hold you to your opinion. Just trying to ... Read More
Can anyone explain options on island property?
I know on the mainland if you want to option a property, it usually involves placing an amount of money on the table and contracting that you will buy it in such and such time and amount. If you don't exercise the option, you forfeit the ... Read More
Suggestions for assisting victims of Irma by DocRob
Short of driving around neighborhoods looking for people struggling to get their lives back in order after Irma, what kind of help can one person offer to lend them? I will be down the middle of October and will be there for a week primarily on the ...
After trying to get airline schedules for my paid ticket sorted out, I finally decided to wait. Had been hoping to be on la Isla next week, but with things as they are, there is no way to guarantee my return to the mainland for a prior commitment ... Read More
Hurricane Maria by Julie
Hello everyone, Our thoughts are with you: stay safe! Julie Expat.com team
Thanks Rey. Don't do FB since, well, since... Read More
Hurricane Maria by Julie
Hello everyone, Our thoughts are with you: stay safe! Julie Expat.com team
Curious as to Munoz operations. Still flying? Read More
New storms brewing in the Atlantic by Gary
[img]https://www.foryourpics.com/images/2017/09/14/two_9-14.png[/img] 5 day tropical weather outlook. Too early to say where they will go and how strong they will be. Yup, the most active weeks of the season aren't over yet.
Sitka, here's my memory of that area. Hope it lasts. http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag254/rockydoc2014/817281600_zpseb2c7562.jpg]Cordillera Central looking NNW Read More
New storms brewing in the Atlantic by Gary
[img]https://www.foryourpics.com/images/2017/09/14/two_9-14.png[/img] 5 day tropical weather outlook. Too early to say where they will go and how strong they will be. Yup, the most active weeks of the season aren't over yet.
Where does anyone go to lessen the danger? I still haven't heard from my friend on St. T after Irma. Please stay safe. Read More
Veteran retired in Puerto Rico by PegMcC54
I am a 62yo, fe, disabled veteran retired in Coamo. Los Banos! Que marvillosa! I am looking to build a tiny house (on a trailer) and travel the island! I am into good food, good friends, good fun. Hola!
Toro Negro is Awesome! Which brings to mind something I was trying to get a bead on earlier this month. I read something that said the Bosque National's would soon be shuttering their gates as the financial crisis in PR did not provide the ... Read More
Suggestions for assisting victims of Irma by DocRob
Short of driving around neighborhoods looking for people struggling to get their lives back in order after Irma, what kind of help can one person offer to lend them? I will be down the middle of October and will be there for a week primarily on the ...
Great. Thank you. Information sent. We'll see what comes in for opportunity to help on the ground. Read More
Deja Vu by Guest02
Feel like you done this before? Jose is 500 miles out in the Atlantic, projected as a maybe a Cat3 but headed again right up your Antilles. So 5 days away? PR is already in "the Cone", a little bit further out then PR was at this time ...
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - I was in Hawaii when the 1st album came out and all I had was a little box record player with built in speakers. My friend and I both had blue-eyed girlfriends named Judy back on the mainland. You can imagine how quickly worn ... Read More
Suggestions for assisting victims of Irma
Short of driving around neighborhoods looking for people struggling to get their lives back in order after Irma, what kind of help can one person offer to lend them? I will be down the middle of October and will be there for a week primarily on the ... Read More
Head count by ReyP
Lets see a show of hands of all people that are considering or have definite plans to move permanently to Puerto Rico.
I'll move this to another thread so as not to highjack. Thanks, Rey Read More
Head count by ReyP
Lets see a show of hands of all people that are considering or have definite plans to move permanently to Puerto Rico.
Coming back down in October to do some more scouting. Not sure what damage you guys have endured from Irma, but if I may of some help to anyone around the East side, please let me know. I will rent a car the first day and can get around pretty ... Read More
Loiza or Luquillo? by DocRob
I find that the areas around here have some appeal to me, but didn't get to spend much time searching last time down. I'll be looking for a casa w/ security gate and some amenities near beach. If anybody is familiar with the two areas and ...
FR, I have thought about each of those and still have to consider several things. First, I do not want to move twice and I am so scotch that I do not want to pay storage fees ever again! Still need to locate a locale even if I am renting, though, ... Read More
Loiza or Luquillo? by DocRob
I find that the areas around here have some appeal to me, but didn't get to spend much time searching last time down. I'll be looking for a casa w/ security gate and some amenities near beach. If anybody is familiar with the two areas and ...
Well, thanks that's thoughtful. I am working with a couple of brokers now, but one more can't hurt. I am use to living in the country, so a change to a more densely populated area will be an adjustment. But, I am a water baby and have salt ... Read More
Loiza or Luquillo? by DocRob
I find that the areas around here have some appeal to me, but didn't get to spend much time searching last time down. I'll be looking for a casa w/ security gate and some amenities near beach. If anybody is familiar with the two areas and ...
@Rey - That's too bad about Loiza. Is it questionable at the beach there as well? @FR - At different times, Cabo Rojo, Villalba, Orocovis, Ponce, Guayama, Playa Santa Mayaguez, Rincon and Culbera & Vieques. I am wanting to continue ... Read More
Loiza or Luquillo?
I find that the areas around here have some appeal to me, but didn't get to spend much time searching last time down. I'll be looking for a casa w/ security gate and some amenities near beach. If anybody is familiar with the two areas and ... Read More
Finally getting time off by DocRob
After reading forums and asking questions all over the web, it's time to make my initial foray to the lsland. I'm setting up plans to make about an 11 night trip and try to cram in all I can. To do that and still stay within my budget, I'll have to ...
Well after 9 days on la isla I finally slowed down enough to post something. Needless to say, I've had a blast and am getting ready to spend Weds night in Rincon, then back to OSJ for a few nights. Have at least 3 hours of vids that will take me 2 ... Read More
Electric bills... by damisme
As we are researching areas to live and as I read more about the electric "crisis" on the island I have sort of a "not so smart" question regarding monthly costs. The home we are considering is very close to the beach. Does it cost more for ...
Came in late on the conversation only to say that I spent an average of $4-$4.50 a day for around 1000 KwH per month here in OK. Granted this past few months the temps here have hovered around 37 F for the most part, but I do use total electric. I ... Read More
Finally getting time off by DocRob
After reading forums and asking questions all over the web, it's time to make my initial foray to the lsland. I'm setting up plans to make about an 11 night trip and try to cram in all I can. To do that and still stay within my budget, I'll have to ...
Alrighty, NL, thanks. I'll keep refining this over the next few weeks. I've got from Sat-Thurs to see Cordillera Central and points west. Here's another possible route with some wiggle room for the points you ... Read More
Finally getting time off by DocRob
After reading forums and asking questions all over the web, it's time to make my initial foray to the lsland. I'm setting up plans to make about an 11 night trip and try to cram in all I can. To do that and still stay within my budget, I'll have to ...
If you are interested, here's a tentative route I've mapped out: ... Read More
Finally getting time off by DocRob
After reading forums and asking questions all over the web, it's time to make my initial foray to the lsland. I'm setting up plans to make about an 11 night trip and try to cram in all I can. To do that and still stay within my budget, I'll have to ...
BK used to have some great flame grilled burgers, but there's not one too close to me so, I don't eat there. But, free wi-fi and a chance to upload some digital vid to the cloud is good. Got all reservations made today, deposits put down and ... Read More
Finally getting time off by DocRob
After reading forums and asking questions all over the web, it's time to make my initial foray to the lsland. I'm setting up plans to make about an 11 night trip and try to cram in all I can. To do that and still stay within my budget, I'll have to ...
My mouth is already watering. Thanks for the gastro tips! My Spanish is better reading than speaking; I am practicing Boriqueno (or how to speak Puerto Rican) off the net. -What did we ever do before youtube? I found tents for rent on Culebra along ... Read More
Finally getting time off by DocRob
After reading forums and asking questions all over the web, it's time to make my initial foray to the lsland. I'm setting up plans to make about an 11 night trip and try to cram in all I can. To do that and still stay within my budget, I'll have to ...
Thanks Greg and Gugs, I guess I need to differentiate regions from cities. I will definitely want to hit a lechon (or 3) along the way thru Humacao or Patillas region, no? The one in Cayey that I saw on a food show-can't think of his name now- may ... Read More
Finally getting time off by DocRob
After reading forums and asking questions all over the web, it's time to make my initial foray to the lsland. I'm setting up plans to make about an 11 night trip and try to cram in all I can. To do that and still stay within my budget, I'll have to ...
Thanks everybody. I guess what I am looking for is a camping spot that has other campers looking out for each other. Sort of like the NFS sites over here. I've read of a few people that have done the hammock thing for a night or two along the way ... Read More
Finally getting time off
After reading forums and asking questions all over the web, it's time to make my initial foray to the lsland. I'm setting up plans to make about an 11 night trip and try to cram in all I can. To do that and still stay within my budget, I'll have to ... Read More
Alaskan family of five moves to Puerto Rico. by williamusps
For pictures and more information check our blog site at *** Day One: Well, we are here, it was a really long day. We arrived at 2:00 am and rented a mini van. That was fun putting everything in it. Kids were great. We drove around all night going ...
As you may already be aware, a complete marine survey is always a good idea. Chain plates, running rigging, rudder, thru hulls, etc., etc. can be right on the verge of failing and a keen eye goes a long way in preventing future catastrophies ... Read More
House construction by DocRob
Not looking for any highly technical tips here, just wondering. I see all these houses in various parts of the island that mainly have flat roofs and are made of cinder block. Now, I can understand the blocks for walls as it's a lot cheaper than ...
"...I found a nice set of photos of a second floor construction on a house in Vieques:..." Nice! Can you say 3rd floor observatory with a hot tub?:cool: The YT slides made me think that they were probably getting in the dry after 6-8 weeks from ... Read More
House construction by DocRob
Not looking for any highly technical tips here, just wondering. I see all these houses in various parts of the island that mainly have flat roofs and are made of cinder block. Now, I can understand the blocks for walls as it's a lot cheaper than ...
Thanks Gary, great write up. It was interesting to watch the YT slide show. I now have a better apprecation for why the "cookie cutter" approach to these dwellings. So, yep, it looks like a second unit could be constructed on the roof at a later ... Read More
House construction
Not looking for any highly technical tips here, just wondering. I see all these houses in various parts of the island that mainly have flat roofs and are made of cinder block. Now, I can understand the blocks for walls as it's a lot cheaper than ... Read More
Help! Departmento de Hacienda by DocRob
Help! I am considering shipping my vintage motora down with me when I come next Spring. I went to the website for an estimation of excise tax I could be expecting to pay, but it would not give me any detailed info. The only results that came back: " ...
That's good information, Gary. I know it will help others that see this regulatory miasma and just throw up their hands. If that's all the fees then I am going to be saving over $400 a year for autos; does the same ~$170 apply for motoras? Also, ... Read More
Help! Departmento de Hacienda by DocRob
Help! I am considering shipping my vintage motora down with me when I come next Spring. I went to the website for an estimation of excise tax I could be expecting to pay, but it would not give me any detailed info. The only results that came back: " ...
Thanks to all. I have tried to discern the difference between a marbete (registration?) and titulo (title) and a license (plate?). I'm guessing all three are dependant upon one another. To legally drive you have to have a marbete and license which ... Read More
Help! Departmento de Hacienda by DocRob
Help! I am considering shipping my vintage motora down with me when I come next Spring. I went to the website for an estimation of excise tax I could be expecting to pay, but it would not give me any detailed info. The only results that came back: " ...
This is my second post on this today since my puter decided to hang up. Anyway, thanks NL for the input, did not find the threads of which you spoke. I did catch a blog from a guy back in '95 that was affiliated with the Observatory and wrote at ... Read More
Help! Departmento de Hacienda by DocRob
Help! I am considering shipping my vintage motora down with me when I come next Spring. I went to the website for an estimation of excise tax I could be expecting to pay, but it would not give me any detailed info. The only results that came back: " ...
OK, so obviously I am a pretty patient guy... I guess by the plethora of replies (snarky, snark, snark) that anybody that imports Anything into PR is in for one huge surprize, both in red tape and $$$. So, I ask, just to make it easy, should I ... Read More
camping in pr by timjoe48
hi all, i want to camp at various state forests, such as bosque estatal de toro negro, along the ruta panoramica...to camp, i have to get permits from the department of natural resources (drna)...their website is in spanish and doesn't have a ...
Always remember that you are living among people of a different culture. What they do or don't do may not always make sense to you, but it's still their culture so adjust as best you can.Gregg, Is that the old, "When in Rome..." canard? After ... Read More
Help! Departmento de Hacienda
Help! I am considering shipping my vintage motora down with me when I come next Spring. I went to the website for an estimation of excise tax I could be expecting to pay, but it would not give me any detailed info. The only results that came back: " ... Read More
Cost of living in PR by DocRob
[color=#0000FF]Cost of living in PR Greetings and salutations to all here who have written so ardently about the Enchanted Island. I am hopeful to join you all soon and retire there next year. As I mentioned in my network profile I may buy some ...
Thanks Gary for your quick reply. It looks like you are averaging about half again as much on power bills as I'm used to. That will take some conservation on my part, but I also know that we had many hot days here in Oklahoma when I ran the A/C a ... Read More
Cost of living in PR
Cost of living in PR Greetings and salutations to all here who have written so ardently about the Enchanted Island. I am hopeful to join you all soon and retire there next year. As I mentioned in my network profile I may buy some land and build ... Read More