(links and photos on our website)
Three weeks ago today we all piled into our Honda CR-V in Texas and today I am writing this from our semi-furnished condo in Puerto Rico. So much has happened between then and now that it's hard to know where to begin so I'm going to just focus this post on the bits of information that may be helpful to those who are considering making the same move.
Shipping: We thought we didn't have that much stuff… that is until we started trying to pack it into suitcases! What we couldn't fit into suitcases we shipped using USPS. Our condo doesn't have a mailbox so we had to open a PO Box once we arrived (they wouldn't do it for us online). We packed everything up before we left and gave shipping instructions to my parents. We used media mail for our books and software and then we fit as much of the heavier stuff as we could into large flat rate boxes. Everything else went into bigger boxes and bins and was shipped standard. It's worth printing the labels for the large flat rate boxes at home to save some money. The rest will have to be taken to the Post Office to be shipped.
Auto Shipping: We shipped our car using the Puerto Rico Car Transport service. The shipper they used was Crowley but for some reason the price was a couple of hundred less than going through Crowley directly. Also, their documents kept stressing that NOTHING could be left in the car and that you couldn't leave more than a quarter tank of gas in the car. However, they were a lot less strict than their documents implied. We were all stressed out because we had over half a tank of gas in the car when we dropped it off even after we went to the extreme of trying to gun the engine to burn fuel faster! We also left a booster seat and our jumper cables inside the car because we didn't have room for them in our luggage. But the inspector didn't even open the car door before sending us on our way. The booster seat, cables and the gas was all there when we picked it up a couple of weeks later in San Juan. Another note, before you can take your car you have to pay a vehicle excise tax of 10% of the value of your car. Even though the Kelley Blue Book on our 1999 Honda CR-V is less than $3000, they deemed it worth $6000 so we had to pay $600 in addition to some other fees they tacked on.
License Plates and Driver's License: To get your new plates and driver's licenses you need to go to your regional DTOP “Centro de Servicios al Conductor“ (Driver Services Center). You need to bring your old driver's license, a second form of id (we used our passport), a bill showing your physical address (we just used our cable connection service ticket), all the documents you used and received to pick up your car, and your unlaminated social security card. I think I have used my physical social security card here in the last three weeks more than I have in my whole life! Also, I almost forgot to mention the most important thing to bring: plenty of patience!
Utilities: We were able to get our water hooked up by emailing all of the required documents to the water company. One thing that really bothered me is that they provide no secure way to send your driver's license and social security cards. Even a fax machine would have been better than email which is extremely insecure. Hopefully, we don't end up as victims of identity theft! For electricity we had to go the electric company in person. We went to their office on a Tuesday afternoon and by Friday our electricity was on.
That's some of the practical information on the move that I wanted to pass on while it was still fresh on my mind. I'm planning to share some of my first impressions of living in Puerto Rico in another post. 
David
Notes from the big move
Sounds like easier than other people described
Hi David,
Welcome! Where are you guys? I am in Rincon, with my 2 children (I have 3 but one is in college in Texas). We've been here for about 1.5 months. Jackie Paddock (also in this group) moved here about 2 - 3 months ago. She's from Texas (I am too, but had moved to AZ before here). I'm particularly interested in meeting people who have kids. From your post it looks like you, at least, have one kid?!?! Also - I may have missed this...where are you guys from in Texas? Jackie is Padre. I am Amarillo, Austin, Waco (Baylor).
We went the cheap route. i picked a city I knew I wouldn't need a car in, Rincon. I work from home, so that problem was solved. The school is about a mile from our casa. We use Jackie (hee hee) for rides when we need to go have fun elsewhere! We also shipped nothing. I kept my house that I own in AZ as furnished and rent the house out that way. I had researched the car, and particularly about shipping our piano, but the cost was too high for us.
My landlord helped me set up utilities. That was nice. But - I have yet to receive a water bill! I've already received 2 electric bills. I may have to call the water company. Incidentally, our electric has been running at $150/month. I don't use AC, but the kids put it on in their rooms at night. So, that brings up the cost. But, electric was that much in AZ anyway.
Anyway, welcome again, it has been a great adventure for us so far too. Also - your website didn't show up on the message that came out (that I could see).
Take care,
Liz
OK - I see now..you guys are in Aguada! Right by us
Nice posts David. Keep us informed. We're all (or some of us) are still learning the ins and outs.
Yes, thank you for the information and I'm looking forward to more updates. It does sound like it went pretty smoothly getting everything all set up. All the best to your family!
Rey, I don't know about easy. I'm relieved that these things are done now! I was pleasantly surprised though how quickly our utilities were turned on.
Hi Liz. Yes we have two boys (9 and 10) here in Aguada. How old are your children? We are from San Antonio, TX. Looks like there are a number of us here from Texas! There is a link to my website on the left under my picture. Concerning your water, you should be able to setup an online account at the water company to see if you owe anything (https://www.acueductospr.com/micuenta/register)
Thanks SawMan and Schuttzie!
David
Hi Jessica.
I thought others might benefit from the information so I'm replying to your message here.
Looking at my receipts I see that my total impuesto (tax) was $637.50 + $8.25 cargo? + $37.92 (5993 ACCA Ley 138 SC-8?)
We drove with our Texas plates for two days. We even had a police car driving behind us one time but he didn't pull us over. I don't know how long you can drive with the Texas plates before you run into trouble.
We drove from Texas to Jacksonville, FL where the car was shipped from.
Hope it helps and good luck!
David
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Davidtx,
I saw you posted some info about shipping your car. My husband and I are moving to PR in Sept. and are struggling with whether we should ship our car or get a used on once we arrive. Would you mind sharing some details of the shipping process with me? I saw you said it was $600 plus fee...what type of fees did they tack on? Also, can you drive with your texas plates to start or do you have to get it registered in PR right away? Where did you ship it from? We are leaving from NY. Thanks so much in advance. Any details will help!
Jessica
Hi - my son is 10 my daughter 12. Oldest is out of the house.
I had forgotten. I have to look up the original receipt to get my account, but thank you! Duh!! I pay my electric online as well.
Hopefully, we can figure out a way to get the kids together! We have friends in Arecibo. When we go, the kids have such a good time because of the other kids. There are kids on our block as well, but I don't think they will make neighborhood friends until school starts.
Liz
How much was the actually shipping company charging to ship your car, David? Those import fees are under $680 which doesn't sound bad at all!
Welcome to PR!! 
Thank you for the information, we decided to purchase a car in the island instead of taking our car. We found a 2002 Ford Explorer with 80K miles for $3k in great condition.
As an example:
For shipping the car from Jacksonville, we got a quote for $1100. Plus the other costs the government will add. For our 2005 Jeep Liberty taxes were quoted at $1600. If they picked the car from Rhome Texas it was another $700. The liberty have 130k miles on it, same car with about the same miles will cost about the same price in PR.
Hi Adlin - that is closer to the numbers I was quoted as well. I am now a firm believer in bike riding as a way of life for me. There will be times when I need a car and I can rent. Other than that, I'm happy to be riding free.
Adlin - you are another Texan?!!? There are a lot of us here!!!
Liz, I will send you a private message so we can coordinate getting the kids together.
Shuttzie, the actual shipping cost was $1075.
We decided to ship our car because we didn't want to add car shopping to our already mile long to-do-list. We purchased a completely unfurnished condo and have taken more trips to Home Depot and the Mayaguez Mall than I care to count and I estimate that we are STILL weeks from being "setup".
David
etilley23 wrote:Hi Adlin - that is closer to the numbers I was quoted as well. I am now a firm believer in bike riding as a way of life for me. There will be times when I need a car and I can rent. Other than that, I'm happy to be riding free.
Adlin - you are another Texan?!!? There are a lot of us here!!!
Yes, we been in Texas for 17yrs. We started in San Antonio and moved to the DFW area 10yrs ago. Our daughters are older now so it's time for us to start looking at retirement. We love PR and we're looking forward to spend our older years back home.
David, thank you for the figures. Sounds pretty reasonable to me.
I imagine every case scenario will be different cost wise and we'll have to decide when we get to that point comparing costs.
Schuttzie wrote:I imagine every case scenario will be different cost wise and we'll have to decide when we get to that point comparing costs.
The main variable will the taxes, you can go to the Hacienda webside and calculate, but be aware that the quote you get may be different from the price you end up paying.
Welcome to the island! And thanks for the information. What arrangements for cable and internet have you made?
We are not going to have cable TV and internet was so easy I didn't even think it was worth a mention. I called Choice on Friday and by Monday I had internet. I bought my own Wi-Fi router at Sam's and have a strong signal throughout my condo. I'm very pleased so far.
David
Two things I forgot to mention in the original post:
Texas is listed as partial reciprocity concerning the driver's license. However, they did not require that I take the written exam.
The post office gave me a "physical" address along with my PO Box at no additional charge. This was a nice surprise.
David
Welcome to Puerto Rico! Sounds like things are going smooth for you. The most important thing to remember in Puerto Rico is patience and a positive attitude. Once you've mastered that, life here is awesome!! Enjoy and good luck!
Think island time...... 
Articles to help you in your expat project in Puerto Rico
Visiting the island many times over the years and getting to know the towns and different areas before making a ...
Paying Taxes in Puerto Rico
Playa del Condado, Puerto Rico
Six yeas ago we purchased our home in Naguabo Puerto Rico (PR) in the barrio of El Duce. Some of the lessons we ...
The day we decided to move we were a little worry about how expensive it would be. Now we know how affordable it ...
I am writing this guide to assist people understand how a work VISA is done.
