Moving to another state in the United States can already take a toll on your finances, what more if you were to move to a different island? Say, Puerto Rico for instance.
Puerto Rico may be under US territory but there’s literally an ocean separating it from the other 50 states. This island, located approximately 50 miles east of the Dominican Republic (see reference), is known for its vibrant and colorful culture as well as being an all-year round tropical paradise. Pristine beaches, incredible surfing spots, and world-famous festivals; this archipelagic wonder of the Caribbean Sea is sure to be on every travel enthusiast’s bucket list.
Some even fall so in love with this island that they have made the big life decision of moving there for good. That someone could be you.
But before you can live out your dream of settling down on this beautiful island, you need to figure out how you can pack up your current life in the city. And depending on how much you own and would like to keep in this new chapter of your life, you might want to consider planning the move as early as possible so you can avoid the (financial) consequences of poor preparation.
Planning What To Bring
Deciding to move to Puerto Rico is step one. Step two is deciding what to bring with you. You might want to consider how much of a “reset” you want for your life so that you don’t end up bringing extra baggage that will no longer have any purpose where you’re going. Traveling as light as possible would be most ideal if you don’t want to incur high costs on cargo.
Carefully sort through your stuff and identify which of your belongings are actual necessities and which ones can be considered as “clutter.” The general rule of thumb is that if you haven’t looked for an item in the past 6 months or longer, that item likely has no more value to add in your current lifestyle, as read on this article: https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/the-best-time-of-year-to-declutter. More so, once you’ve actually transferred to a different place.
What you should bring, on the other hand, are things that would add value or bring ease to your new life in Puerto Rico. Sturdy appliances, tools, technology (that may not be as accessible in the island), and a means of transportation, a.k.a. your car.
One very useful asset to have when you’ve just moved to another place is a personal vehicle that you can use to go around. During the first few weeks after arriving, you will likely be running around the island to sort through stuff – documentation, paperwork, home supplies, groceries, etc. Having your car, especially if you already own one, is practical and convenient.
But you’re probably wondering, how on earth can you get your car across the Caribbean Sea?
Getting Your Car & Other Belongings Shipped
The easy answer is car shipping. Automobiles are also a type of cargo that you can load onto a shipping vessel. The people who can help you facilitate this process are what we call car shipping companies; they provide specialized services that will help you transport your vehicle safely and hassle-free. When you’re shipping out a vehicle, as well as other types of cargo (large appliances, furniture, etc.), imploring the help of experts in the industry is the easiest choice you can make.
Rather than relying on your own capabilities, that may or may not have fruitful results, these companies are already equipped with the knowledge, experience, as well as network, that is ideal for shipping cars to Puerto Rico and other islands. After all, while Puerto Rico is considered US territory, they have not been fully incorporated so there will be differences in laws, taxes, and other legal matters. This is where the help of shipping companies proves to be most useful.
Preparing Your Car For Shipping
Once you’ve decided what to bring with you and found a company that you trust to ship your car to Puerto Rico, the next thing you have to do is start preparing everything for the journey – including your car. Here are some steps you should follow to make sure that your car gets transported as safely as possible,
- Make sure your car’s registrations, insurances, and permits are up to date.
- Clean out your personal belongings from the vehicle.
- Make sure your car is not carrying much gas. Fill it up by a fourth of your tank’s capacity.
- Take pictures of your car’s current condition inside and out.
- Notify your shipping company if you have any special instructions for the handling of your vehicle.
Once all of that is done, you’re just about ready to start a new life in Puerto Rico – with the same trusted engine, of course!
