The Complete Guide to Moving to Puerto Rico

Complete guide to moving to puerto rico

Puerto Rico attracts more than four million tourists each year thanks to its beautiful beaches, natural beauty, and vibrant culture.

Thinking about moving to Puerto Rico? If so, you should start planning and preparing now! While Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, moving to an island has its opportunities and challenges.

Key Highlights

  • Moving to Puerto Rico offers warm weather, beautiful beaches, and a vibrant culture, plus tax benefits for U.S. citizens who become bona fide residents.
  • Challenges include higher living costs, language barriers, and shipping logistics for belongings. Research and preparation are crucial before making the move.
  • Popular places to live include San Juan, Guaynabo, Mayaguez, Fajardo, and Culebra, each with its unique charm and offerings.

 

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Why You Should Move to Puerto Rico

Moving to Puerto Rico is a great experience for those who enjoy tropical weather and living near the beach. The tropical Puerto Rican climate is warm to hot year-round, with pleasant winter temperatures because of its proximity to the equator.

Nevertheless, the weather is not the only reason we think about moving to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico also has a rich and unique culture that you won’t find anywhere else. Art, music, local activities, and great food can be found here. There are plenty of things to do during your free time without the need to exchange your money since the currency is the U.S. dollar.

So, why are people moving to Puerto Rico? You’ll discover several compelling reasons to pack up and move.

  • Warm, Tropical Weather Year-Round
    Puerto Rico is a tropical destination, so you’ll leave winter behind. The weather in Puerto Rico is pleasant all year round. Temperatures range from 75–81° F along the coasts and are just a few degrees cooler inland.
  • Easy Transition For American Nationals
    After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico in 1898. It means a smooth transition if you’re a U.S. citizen. Relocating doesn’t require a work permit or visa. Puerto Rico is like living abroad without the paperwork hassle or immigration concerns.
  • A Chance To Experience Caribbean Culture
    If you have ever dreamed of living on a tropical island, Puerto Rico might be perfect for you. You’ll also enjoy learning about Puerto Rico’s fascinating culture. World-class surfing on the north shore, over twenty forest preserves, a 29,000-acre tropical rainforest, and much more await you in Puerto Rico.
  • Bona Fide Resident
    There are many tax benefits under Acts 20 and 22 for U.S. citizens who are willing to become permanent residents of Puerto Rico. Despite being subject to worldwide taxation, U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico are exempt from worldwide taxation. Under that section, bona fide residents of Puerto Rico can exclude their Puerto Rico-sourced income from federal taxes.
  • A Friendly, Lively Local Culture
    Those who have moved to Puerto Rico say they have felt very welcomed there. In Puerto Rico, you’ll also find a diverse and unique culture influenced by Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Tano traditions. Besides its vibrant art scene, Puerto Rico is also home to a thriving culinary culture filled with unusual dishes.
  • Quick And Easy Access To Other Destinations
    Puerto Rico is more accessible than some other Caribbean destinations. Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport offers flights to the Caribbean, South America, and the continental U.S. The Miami International Airport is just over three hours away, and the New York airport is less than four hours away.
  • Business Tax Benefits And Grants
    Businesses in Puerto Rico can take advantage of tax benefits if they relocate their operations to the island. Over 1,500 people from the continental U.S. have flocked to the island since it began promoting its tax benefits in 2012.

Moving to Puerto Rico

9 Things You Need To Know Before Moving To Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an island that’s easy to fall in love with, but things can be very different when you’re not on vacation. To make the move as easy as possible, here are some tips to make moving to Puerto Rico easier:

  1. Ship Your Car to Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico is not accessible by car. Therefore, you must rent a car, buy a car upon arrival, or ship your car to Puerto Rico.  In most cases, shipping a car or household item takes between 7-14 days, as long as the request is received at least 1-2 weeks in advance. If you are looking for schedules and prices, contact your local marine cargo company or authorized Puerto Rico car transport company.
  2. Learn Some Spanish: In all aspects of their lives, 95 percent of the population speaks Spanish. There is a good chance that some of them do speak some English, but learning at least basic Spanish will make your life easier.
  3. The Cost Of Living:  Puerto Rico has a higher cost of living than the United States, as we mentioned earlier. As a result, it will be necessary to have the proper amount of money set aside and saved. Unlike many other islands, Puerto Rico imports most of its products According to the Cost of Living Index Calculator, U.S. mainland grocery prices are 7.5% higher on the island.
  4. Buy Instead of Renting: Rents in Puerto Rico are often higher than mortgage payments. Therefore, it makes sense to buy.
  5. Education: Puerto Rico has good public schools and 90% of the population is literate. Many families send their children to religious-based private schools if they can afford it. The primary language in both types of schools is Spanish, but English is also taught.
  6. Facilities For Health and Medical Care: Puerto Rico has good medical facilities. Each hotel has a doctor on call. Immunizing against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and rubella is required by law. It is a condition of registering for school.
  7. Getting A Job In Puerto Rico: If you do not have a job, make sure you have written your resume (curriculum vitae) and kept copies of relevant documentation, such as updated references before you arrive. There are lots of job offers in newspapers, specialist magazines, and on the Internet. Here are websites you can use to search for jobs in Puerto Rico.
    SuperPagesPR.com
    Yellowpagespr.com
  8. To-Do Anything in PR, you Will Need a Notary’s Signature: No matter what you’re doing, whether you’re buying real estate, getting a medical cannabis license, or even just filing your rinky-dink “Volume of Business” tax return, you need a notary or lawyer’s signature. As most of the legislators in the PR are lawyers, they seem to want to ensure that lawyers get some compensation for most of their work.
  9. Excise tax: If you are considering moving to Puerto Rico, you should be aware of the excise taxes. Puerto Rico’s excise tax is four percent of the merchandise’s value.

 

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Puerto Rico’s Best Places To Live

Consider moving to one of the following places if you are moving to Puerto Rico:

  • San Juan: A popular city in Puerto Rico, San Juan has a great view of the ocean, great beaches, great nightlife, and more. This city also offers great job opportunities.
  • Guaynabo: Besides being one of the largest metropolitan areas in Puerto Rico, Guaynabo also includes a pleasant suburban area. Housing is affordable and it’s close to San Juan.
  • Mayaguez: There is a lot to do in Mayaguez, which is situated in the center of Puerto Rico, similar to US cities in terms of urban development and job opportunities.
  • Fajardo: It is a wonderful place to live since it is a boating and fishing town on Puerto Rico’s eastern side. A large marina is also located there.
  • Culebra: In our opinion, Culebra has some of the best and most beautiful beaches in the entire world. The area is also less populated and more remote than the others on this list.

Moving to The Island of Enchantment

Moving to Puerto Rico involves a lot of planning, as with any move. Moving anywhere is stressful, complicated, and frustrating. When you move to Puerto Rico, part of your goods will have to be transported by ship (see below for more information). To simplify your move to Puerto Rico, follow these simple steps:

Get Quotes From Moving Companies

If you plan to move your entire household, including your car, to Puerto Rico, you will need a moving or car shipping company.  You can always move your goods yourself to a port in Florida so that you won’t have to pay your movers to move them from New Jersey, Chicago, or Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, this is not a recommended practice, as you should properly pack and pad your items to ensure they last the trip intact. When you hire a professional mover and auto shipper, you can save both time and money.

Comparing At Least Three Moving Estimates

Don’t accept moving company estimates over the phone. They’re often inaccurate. Salespeople should visit your home in person. Moving companies should pack fragile items for you. If your goods are improperly packed, they may suffer serious damage.

Turn Off All Utilities And Services

Find a place to stay online when you arrive in Puerto Rico.

Moving Insurance

Moving insurance is complex. You should purchase adequate insurance coverage and select an appropriate deductible in the event of damage while in transit. In the unlikely event of (heaven forbid) a total loss, a robust insurance policy can protect your assets.

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Don’t Keep Anything Useless

If you are moving household goods to Puerto Rico, keep in mind that moving services are based on shipping weight. A yard sale is one of the best ways to get rid of everything you do not need, use, or want anymore. As a bonus, you will likely save a few more dollars on moving costs by leaving non-essential items behind.

How About Extremely Important Things?

The moving company should not ship certain items to Puerto Rico for you. This is because you won’t have them for at least a few weeks and, if the truck or ship gets wrecked, you’ll never get them back. Below is a list of all the things you should take yourself to Puerto Rico:

  • Medicine
  • Degrees
  • The Birth Certificate
  • Paperwork related to insurance
  • The passport (even though it isn’t necessary to enter Puerto Rico)
  • Forms related to retirements, such as 401(k)s and IRAs.
  • Clothing for 2 weeks at least

Arrival in Puerto Rico

Search for an apartment or home in Puerto Rico immediately if you don’t have one yet! For those of you who have not found a place to live and whose goods have arrived early, we suggest that you rent a self-storage unit. Self-storage units are typically cheaper than having a moving company store your stuff for you.

Finding An Apartment or House in Puerto Rico

Try to find a house or apartment in Puerto Rico a few weeks before you leave the contiguous U.S. Otherwise, you might end up spending several days in a hotel while you search for one. When looking online, if you see a few homes that match your price range (and are in the area you desire), your search will be shortened significantly.

How About Starting a Business in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico does not require you to get a typical job upon arrival. There are plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Land of Enchantment. Here are some of the top businesses you can start in Puerto Rico:

  • Restaurants or bars
  • Airbnb or a guest house
  • Everything Tourism-related
  • Exports & Imports
  • Consulting firm for insurance companies
  • Consulting firm for real estate
  • The grocery store

The process to open a business in Puerto Rico is similar to that of other U.S. states and securing financing is relatively easy.

Conclusion

As you can see, moving to Puerto Rico has a lot to offer. The weather, the people, and the tax breaks are all very attractive. However, the move will be challenging. There may be a longer transition than in other cities.

Puerto Rico offers many opportunities for people who are energetic, optimistic, and high-energy. Once you’ve been here, you’ll never want to leave.

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Mark Dugger

Mark Dugger

Born and raised in Southern California, grew up in an athletic environment where he excelled at football, baseball, wrestling, golf, skiing, and water skiing. He chose computers as his professional calling, accepting the position of Systems Officer for a prominent cruise line. For the next ten years, he would circle the globe multiple times, visiting over 100 countries. Mark joined AutoStar Transport Express just 1 year after it was created. He is one of the pillars the company was built on. He started off as a coordinator, he excelled though the years with his hard work and dedication. His job performance not only grew his career but our company and as a whole. Mark now holds the position of operations manager overseeing the engine that makes our company run.
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