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Everything Else Bonaire: Moving to bonaire, Actual costs ETC.
Bonaire Talk: Everything Else Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2007 - 2008: Archives-2008-03-01 to 2008-07-31: Moving to bonaire, Actual costs ETC.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cory Gerrells (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Monday, June 9, 2008 - 12:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ok, It's that time... I need to the following information.

1. What are the costs of moving to Bonaire. (Leaving from Florida) IE, Shipping container costs etc... I'm debating on wether or not it's worth it to bring my furniture, Appliances etc. All are new, but Since most places seem to already be furnished...

2. I have 2 children 1 is 2 next month and the second is 3 months old. What's the situation on getting the rest of the 3 months old shots etc once we are there?

3. Is there a contact for someone that can handle the paper work.. I have searched the forum and tried contacting those I found listed... but no luck getting a response.

4. On the paperwork note... what EXACTLY is required for me to bring. Also, I have asked this before but, can I bring all the paperwork for Myself wife and kids and come by myself to get everything setup? (I would rather not have to bring the kids back and forth..)

5. Are there any places for rent? I have 2 Great Danes... But if it becomes unfeasible to bring them I will narrow them down to 1 (and in worst case 0). I have search remax and sunbelt.. but everything seems to be rented.

6. Exactly how much cash is need in the bank? I heard it was 20k USA. Is that correct? On my next visit I would like to setup a bank account and deposit the required cash into it.

7. I believe one of the requirements is health insurance. Where is the best place to get it? I do not want to get insurance that includes the USA as the cost is just to high.

8. I decided it's not worth bringing my Pathfinder over. but I'm wondering if there are any good sites with used cars for sale. Personally I'm going to ride a motorcycle, but wife/kids need other transport.

9. What is the total amount that I have to put into reserve with the local government? I forget exactly what it's called but it so they have money to remove you off the island if that ever arose and you get it back after so many years in the island.

10. Dog shipping... Great Danes... Who can do it.

11. Average taxes I can expect to pay? I have a small company thats USA based, and I do my work via the internet... so how do I figure income tax etc.

12. How does someone buy a house in Bonaire? What;s required for down/ Credit etc? I'm guessing the USA credit burrows don't mean anything in Bonaire being a different country and all.

13. When do schools start (at what age) What is the cost of having my girls goto school in Bonaire?

14. I work for myself... But how long until my wife would be able to look for something?

16. Figuring and average home, 2/3 bedroom, what would the average utilities run me.

17. I require high speed internet access. What's the cost? If multiple services, who has the fastest and most reliable?

18. I have 3 Macs and other sensitive equipment. Will I need to have a power conditioner?

19. Where is the best place to get the insurance required for a car of bike that I will buy there? Average cost?

20. Is there anything else I should be aware of that I have not asked about?

Sorry for the long post and so many questions. This is a huge move for my family and I just want to make sure that we have all the numbers correct and are secure.

Thanks!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #411) on Monday, June 9, 2008 - 2:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am not an expert on any of the questions you ask nor on your personal situation. That said, it appears you have visited Bonaire once about four years ago. If that is the case, my strong advice would be to go to Bonaire and start asking questions in person. (I would suggest the same thing if you were considering a move to Seattle - or Cleveland.) Live for a week as a local.

Offer to treat some folks to dinner who have moved from the USA to BON -- Jake, Michael, Liz, etc. all come to mind. Go to the local stores to get an idea of what things like furniture, appliances and TVs cost (note: you do get a one-time shot to bring in some personal property duty free when you move). Get an idea of what the schools are like, where you might want to live, etc.

Do some more searches on BT. Look at http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/137781/137781.html?1212956988 For example, there have been recent discussions about getting big dogs to Bonaire(http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/137781/363223.html and http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/363672.html ) schools (http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/36/362176.html) and rentals (http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/137781/355172.html?1209506034 or http://www.sunbeltbonaire.com/rentals.php?nav=&cat=&search=&details=278&offset=5&poffset=0 or http://www.sunbeltbonaire.com/rentals.php?nav=&cat=&search=&details=183&offset=0&poffset=0)
Here is another place to start with some general stuff: http://www.sunbeltbonaire.com/index.php?page=Real%20Estate%20basics

While I may someday be able to purchase a home on Bonaire, I try to remind myself that it is always a lot harder to live somewhere than it is to be on vacation there. Finally, I could never think of a situation that would cause me, by choice, to narrow the number of pets I would move with me...

Good luck!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6316) on Monday, June 9, 2008 - 5:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cory,

As someone who lives on Bonaire, I have to concur with David. Many of your questions would be best answered by coming down in person and doing the research yourself. One of the major reasons is that certain things (like immigration requirements) change regularly, and any information those of us who have lived here for a while would give you would almost certainly already be outdated.

For example, last I knew (January) you had to show you had financial resources of over NAF 45K (about $28K) in an account somewhere (doesn't have to be Bonaire) or a contract for pay on Bonaire in that amount or greater.

But let me try to answer some of your questions.

1. Contact Mercy at AMCAR Freight - 305-599-8866 and also contact Rocargo here on Bonaire (info@rocargo.com).

2. Not all vaccinations available in the U.S. are available here. Check with the hospital here for current vaccination options/schedules.

3. Yes - two folks that I am aware of, but I don't have their contact info. Speak to your realtor or rental agent.

4. See number 3.

5. Yes. Also talk to Sun Rentals, Bonaire Properties, Harbourtown, and Bonaire Sunshine Homes for options.

6. See number 3.

7. See number 3. Also consider having U.S. insurance for major medical, since otherwise any treatment you'd need specialists for would occur in Holland (or maybe Venezuela or Colombia) if not in Curacao. We personally use IMGlobal (www.imglobal.com). We also recommend you speak to Valarie in the insurance department at MCB Bank. She's a fellow American expat and is very good at explaining the bizarreness of insurance practices here on Bonaire relative to what is common in the U.S. (whose practices would seem bizarre to those from Bonaire, no doubt).

8. Go to the local supermarkets and look at the bulletin boards. Note however you cannot get full insurance for newly purchased used vehicles over 4 years old, nor 2nd hand cars which originated used in the U.S. New 4-door pick-up trucks (since we're going through this process ourselves right now) run about NAF 40-45K.

9. 11 years ago it was NAF 800 for adults. No idea what it is now, and if it has to be paid for kids.

10. Heh. Rent a boat. You might also be able to use Amerijet (that's how a friend leaving Bonaire sent her animals up). Ask Rocargo.

11. Talk to an accountant in the U.S. familiar with Neth. Antilles accounting (or at least foreign countries) and talk to an accountant here on Bonaire as well. You'll have to pay taxes in both places for personal income worldwide.

12. Talk to a realtor. Note that you would need on-island income to get a mortgage from a local bank. U.S. banks will not give you a mortgage on a property located outside the U.S.

13. Local schools start in early August, for children ages 4 and up (Kleuterschool/Kindergarten). No cost for public school (or negligible anyhow). However you may want to consider the Pelikaan School (www.pelikaanschool.com) if you want something other than the public school system.

14. See #3. Note that current rules for employment of foreigners (which your wife would be) are extremely restrictive. Contact the folks at DEZA (Department of Economic Affairs) for details - www.bonaireeconomy.org

15. You missed this one, and thus, so did I.

16. Probably a lot of money. Utilities are not cheap on Bonaire, and if you use air conditioners, multiple refrigerator/freezers, and work at home... Could be anything from a few hundred guilders a month to thousands. For our house/office we're now paying more per month than our mortgage was at its highest. Ouch.

17. Depends on how high speed you want the connection. You can get a dedicated T-1 equivalent connection for about US$1400/month, or get ADSL for anywhere from $60-600/month depending on bandwidth requirements and whether it's a personal or business connection. Telbo and Flamingo TV are your only two options for service (the T-1 equivalent leased line is from Telbo). Visit them both when you come here.

18. Yes. I use UPSes from Powerware which have built in voltage stabilizers - 127-135V in, 110V out (still at 50Hz though). Plus they help when you have one of Bonaire inevitable power outages.

19. See end of number 7.

20. Come down for a couple of weeks with the family, rent an apartment or condo, and try and feed yourself in the way you would like so you can see how produce stocking cycles work in local supermarkets, and how things work in general.

I had planned to only answer a couple of questions, but got carried away :-)

Oh - most important thing to have is a lot of patience with bureaucratic matters. Things are not very speedy here in U.S. terms.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #414) on Monday, June 9, 2008 - 9:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

20. Just thinking about the dogs:
a) What shots are required to bring pets to Bonaire? Do they have to be given within a certain timeframe? What sort of documentation is required?
b) Are any other documents or tests required (i.e., a statement from your vet)?
c) Is there any quarantine process or period? An application form or permit?
d) Are there any other pet medications that should be brought from the USA as they are hard to come by in Bonaire? (i.e., heartworm preventatives, flea and/or tick treatments, vaccines, etc.)
e) Are various pet items readily available (i.e., quality food, toys, leashes, crates, etc.) on Bonaire?
f) Is there a quality pet doc on Bonaire?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cory Gerrells (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 5:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great responses :-) Thanks.

I have been doing a lot of research on this and I plan to come over for sometime this summer, for a month, maybe 2 and get the ball rolling on this stuff.

According to http://www.sunbeltbonaire.com/index.php?page=bon%20licenses

"Financial statement that proves your income is sufficient for you to maintain yourself on the island (if you're not applying for a work permit) For Americans a bank account that shows a deposit of Naf. 24,000.- is sufficient. For the Dutch a bank account that shows a deposit of Naf. 45,000.- is sufficient."

Which would only be 13519.80 USD... Is this still correct or? My plan is to just come over and open a bank account and have the funds transfered there.

I was also wanting to buy a cheaper house. I'm not a fancy person so I'm talking cheap here... :-) I can do almost al repair work if need be to a fixer upper myself. I would like a place that had a minimum of 3 bedrooms, I would also be looking for a long term rental if I can not find the house I want right away.

I still need to figure out EXACTLY what papers I would need to bring with me to get the ball rolling. I understand the time constraint on filing for residency is very limited, so I would like to be prepared. I will be coming over by myself, but asking for residency for my wife and 2 kids also.

I'm really rethinking the whole truing to bring over our dogs. Instead I believe that will remain with family in the states.

Sorry I misses question 15.. lol. I wrote that pretty late and night.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pietri Hausmann (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 9:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

you have started well .. just ask .. but you must get here and DO the work .. it is not easy but it is up to you .. certainly do not give up the dogs .. all the best .. paradise is a commitment .. it is ALL up to You ..the rewards are great ..but it comes with inside yourself ..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barton B (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 10:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

regarding fixer upper: One thing that might surprise you about houses on Bonaire v. most of the USA - Bonaire houses have very little wood. Usually the only wood is the roof structure, all the rest is cinderblock, rebar and concrete. Remodeling and "fix up" activities can therefore be significantly different than ones experience with the typical USA wood structures.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6323) on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 1:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cory,

I think the Sunbelt site is out of date. As of around January, it was NAF 45,000 for Americans. But things change often, so check with immigration to see what the latest rules are.

And what Barton says is very true - very different building styles here. And building codes? There aren't any that we'd been able to discern. One of the pleasures of island life ;-)

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #865) on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 2:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When you get here, hire a lawyer and an accountant; you'll need both during your residency, unless your Dutch is very good (enough to read legal docs and tax forms).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Davis, InfoBonaire, Bon. Insider (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #202) on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 7:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

And one last bit of advice.......although there are probably many fixer-uppers here, you might be surprised at the cost of them. Be sure and do lots of legwork and visit a bunch of homes for sale with the local realtors. Remember, housing is probably at an all-time high right now on the island......

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #325) on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 12:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Susan
With the reduction of flights to Bonaire, and the increase of time and difficulty for getting on island do you see the price increase of houses coming to an end???

This factor would be something to consider before buying?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #418) on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 2:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

As a US resident, my perception is that much of the price increases I see (including homes on Bonaire) is driven by the comparitive weakness of the US dollar. I could be wrong (I know little about real estate on Bonaire) but it seems to me this is all relative.

So lets pretend there is an imaginary house that is priced at $300,000 NAFL in late November 2005. Since then (30 months later), it has appreciated by 25% (about 10% per year). Now it is worth $375,000 NAFL.

Since the conversion to the dollar has stayed pretty stable (I will use 1.78), two and a half years ago that house costs $169k and now it costs $211k. A 25% increase. All priced in USD.

But if my resources are in the Euro, things have worked out much better for me. 30 months ago, one dollar but .85 Euros. Now it buys .65 euros. (Note: Less than seven years ago, one dollar bought $1.17 euros!)

So, convert the house price to euros and, if I did my math correctly, that house went from $143k euros DOWN more than 4% to 137k Euros. (In fact, the euro based family could afford to buy the house, upgrade all of the appliances, add a flat screen and some furnishings for less than they would have paid for just the house two plus years ago).

Two families -- the US based one sees a 25% price increase while the dutch family sees a price drop of 4%.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #326) on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 2:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

David
Your probably right about the relationship between the Euro and American Dollar. What I was thinking about is the real estate adige "location, location, location"!

If you take the convenience out of getting to Bonaire, over the long haul, people will think it's less desirable?

It would be interesting to see what percentage of homes are owned by non-resident, Europeans and non-resident North Americans?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barton B (BonaireTalker - Post #72) on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 4:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

*** what percentage of homes are owned by non-resident, Europeans and non-resident North Americans? ***

I will make a semi-educated estimate that over 50% of the houses in the Sabadeco developments are "second homes" and not occupied by full-time residents.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3168) on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 5:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think it might be even more than 50%! I think the real estate market here is still on the rise but it all depends on what happens with airlift. That being said, we have gone through similar times and I have yet to see the prices fall too much...the Euro is strong and looks like it will keep on its path.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Davis, InfoBonaire, Bon. Insider (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #203) on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 7:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes, Bill, What Michael says is true. If only the "ease" of getting to Bonaire was the only motivator in the increase of housing, then perhaps it might have a negative effect.

However, there are still so many other facets driving the current "buy up everything on Bonaire", such as the coming political status change, the rate of exchange of Euro to Dollar (to which the guilder is pegged), new immigration to the island from all origins, and which has continued to rise dramatically of late, etc. Susan

 


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