By Dennis Osborn (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, June 7, 2008 - 12:17 pm: |
How long can a US citizen live in Bonaire?
|
By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #862) on Saturday, June 7, 2008 - 1:29 pm: |
Depends upon how much money and sanity you start with, and how much you're willing to lose over the years. Sorry Dennis, that was just too easy (I've been here since '90). Welcome to BT. A visitor can stay up to 90 days. Getting "residency" (permission to live here without having to leave every 90 days, then come back) depends upon you personally and your situation-for example, are you retiring? Working for someone here? Buying/starting your own business here? Can you prove you can support yourself (you'll need to show your bank account balance)? You'll need to follow and fill out residency permits like any other non-Bonairean (and this may change over the next few years, as the status of Bonaire changes)-the permits require your health status (proof you are HIV free, etc), your personal status (single/married...sounds like an easy question until you try proving you're single), that you have no criminal record, etc. If you post more specifically what your intentions are, then I'm sure others will chime in with advice, and of course, you can do a search--this topic has been covered a lot. If you're buying a house from an on-island realtor, ask him/her; they usually have a list of all the requirements and that'd be a good place to start.
|
By Fid Chinoy (BonaireTalker - Post #51) on Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 12:24 am: |
Make sure you have regular plans to leave the island for a few days at a time or you will go absolutely crazy. Island fever is very real!!!!
|
By Pietri Hausmann (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 7:03 am: |
I've been living here since 1975..and working .. without any problems..word of advice? contact immigration promptly..be upfront and follow the rules and deadlines ..and exercise alot of patience ..
|
By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3149) on Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 8:29 am: |
I have lived here for over 20 years...was in the States in 1999 for a few days and went to a doctors appointment in Curacao in 2004. When I get island fever, I take a ride to Rincon and I am cured! It really helps if you have CNN so you can see what the rest of the world is up to then count your blessing! Fid, you miss us..admit it!!
|
By Kevin W. Williams (Bella Vista Estates) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #551) on Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 11:27 am: |
I'm pretty junior compared to Michael and Ruth, but I've been here 3 1/2 years. Since then, I've spent a grand total of 16 nights off the island. Island fever is something you bring with you, and if you bring it, nothing on Bonaire is going to make you lose it.
|
By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6312) on Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 11:54 am: |
We're hitting 11 years on Bonaire this month, but contrary to Mike and Kevin, we travel extensively off island. It's part of our kids' education to travel to the far corners of the earth. In the last year alone, other than a bunch of new places in North America, we've been to Fiji, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Hawaii, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, France, and England.
|
By sandy (BonaireTalker - Post #100) on Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 12:30 pm: |
Hi all, enjoying the messages this morning...thanks...good stuff...i'm trying to decided if i should request residency or not...if US citizens become residents are they required to pay taxes to Bonaire on their US incomes? Thanks much for any and all information.
|
By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6315) on Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 1:43 pm: |
Yes - the Netherlands Antilles taxes you on your worldwide income, as does the U.S. even when you don't live there. Capital gains are not taxed though. Might be a good idea to check with an accountant here as well as in the U.S.
|
By Susan Davis, InfoBonaire, Bon. Insider (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #199) on Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 4:29 pm: |
I agree with Michael, Kevin, and Jake--I'm in my 16th year here on Bonaire, and I actually don't like it when I have to leave. Island Fever? It's personality-dependent.
|
By Pietri Hausmann (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Monday, June 9, 2008 - 9:10 am: |
and i also agree with kevin, michael, ruth, jake and susan .....life is what you make it.....island fever comes from within .. in my 30 plus years of living here and to include my 8 years of vacationing regularily on Bonaire prior to my move- i never felt the need to leave for a break .. bonaire is special .. and it takes special people to adjust to island life .. if you are thrilled with the simple things and beauty of life and have inner-power - no need to have constant outside stimulation- unlimited patience and a sense of humor then island life is for you. i also dislike leaving the island. i recently was off island for 6 weeks to venezuela for advanced and extensive orthodontia work and even tho with my family i couldn't wait to get back home ... once you get caught in the bonaire rhythm .. you can't stop dancing ..
|
By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3154) on Monday, June 9, 2008 - 9:27 am: |
I did all my travelling and living in other countries before settling on Bonaire. One of my worst nighmares is being at the airport, checking in for a flight off island. I wake up in a cold sweat, pinch myself, let the dogs out and roll back into bed! Susan and Kevin hit it right on the head...
|
By Pietri Hausmann (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Monday, June 9, 2008 - 8:56 pm: |
my worst nightmare is DAE - 30 plus years here- you would think i was the wiser..even after trying to leave bonaire with 2 days DAE cancellations/delays i went forth - but little did i know leaving was the easy part - because i had medical appointments i HAD to leave bonaire... weeks later my departure was from the columbian border of Venezuela ..that was on schedule and and only hour plus flight to Caracas.... then the the 3 day DAE journey began.....YES THREE day journey - details upon request! so i am thinking - better to stay on bonaire because will i ever return? my fate maybe unknown ..
|
By Mark Dimitroff (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 10:48 am: |
My wife and I want to move to Bonaire. We are from the us. We have been trying to find someplace inexpensive for me to stay for a couple weeks,just to sleep and eat while I look for a place to either buy or land to build on. Does anyone have any suggestions? Mark
|
By Seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3424) on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 12:13 pm: |
Welcome to BT Mark. If you go to infobonaire.com, there is a listing of accomodations by price level..There is plenty of info availble about the quality of the various places, and about moving to Bonaire, on the board here.
|
By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3259) on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 5:29 pm: |
Have you spent much time here? You really need to "live" here for more than just a couple of weeks to get to know the island and more important, to let the island know you! What do you consider inexpensive? $50 for a double is probably the cheapest you will find for a decent place.
|
By Mark Dimitroff (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 8:02 pm: |
We have been there 5 times for a couple weeks at a time. I now live in Michigan, I came up here to take care of my mother. I have been a diver for 33 years and I hate the cold. I have been in the repossession business for 28 years and really need to destress. I have lived in a town
|
By Pietri Hausmann (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 6:34 am: |
as great as bonaire seems as a visitors impression..it is a foreign country .. the culture is very different .. english is the 4th language and everything is done very differently here... take your time and as micheal advises live here not visit .. and try to get your impression of bonaire outside the tourist sector .. it is a very very different island....
|
By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3262) on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 9:02 am: |
Sorry Mark, I did not recognize it was you. I think you will fit in just fine...it takes being a bit loony to make it here..and if I remember, you are will be just fine..
|
By Mark Dimitroff (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 9:16 am: |
is this michael that has chat and Brouse.
|
By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6892) on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 6:36 pm: |
Yup, Mark, he's the one and only Michael from Chat 'n Browse! Here's a link to his site with his phone number on the page somewhere! Livin' the dream...that's what it's all about. cb
|
By valerie BRUCELLE (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 1:36 pm: |
I'am Valerie a french girl living in St Barthélémy caribbean island and i would like to move in december to live in BONAIRE i'am a fitness and windsurfing instructor i need help to organise my moving may i need to ask a permission to migration or to other administration?
|
Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites