Plan, Plan, Plan
Moving to Margarita Island was involved and required careful planning. My own plan took several years to develop as I worked my way through various information sources and then separated the pearls from the shells.
Major Milestones
- The first step is to really understand the relocation process. Some people use the services of a consultant, of which there are many. I didn't hire a consultant which required more research and created some stress on more than one occasion. Because I did everything myself, I saved a lot of money and feel that the end result was better because now I understand the process and know how to solve problems myself when they arise. I must admit however, that it would have been less stressful to have had a consultant when learning to navigate these tricky waters.
- Before you purchase property, spend plenty of time here as a tourist, not just weeks but months. Each area of the Island has its own personality and its own unique set of challenges. First, let me assure you that ownership of property by foreign nationals is guaranteed in the Venezuelan Constitution, and President Chavez has reassured residential property owners that their property is safe; large unproductive farms and foreign owned factories are another matter. I purchased my condo before spending much time here and I learned later that my home is in one of the less glamorous areas. This fact is of no consequence to me, I live across the street from the beach and have the best view of the ocean I have seen anywhere and I paid less than $90K for my two bedroom, two bath condo. We love living in this little fishing village, but it would not suit everyone's tastes. If you like, I can find a nice beach front property in the area, if you are interested you can contact me, I do not charge for this service. If you buy, it is critical that you have confidence in your real estate agent and it is also beneficial to obtain the services of a lawyer to represent your interests. I used a lawyer but did not go through an agent. There is no escrow here, so buying property will require that you transfer your funds into the account of the seller or his agent's firm before the sales document is signed, an act of faith that made me more than a little nervous. All transactions must now be made in the Bolivar, this complicates the situation a bit but is not that involved.
- Obtaining a visa was one major accomplishment that required a good deal of research and effort. Several enterprising Venezuelan lawyers offered to obtain a visa for me and my family, I never did quite understand how they got my personal email address, but that is another matter. The visa cost varied from $1800 to $3000 per visa and the process circumvented the official application process which I do not recommend. I went through the Venezuelan Consulate in San Francisco and found the process time consuming, but clear cut. There are several different types of visa, I applied for an outside income visa because I receive a pension. Of course, you will need a valid passport for yourself and each family member and additional photos. I had to provide proof of income; $1200 per month for me and an additional $500 for each dependent. I had to provide a letter from my bank that verified an account in good standing and a recent bank statement. I also provided a certified copy of my latest tax return. Each document had to be notarized. I also needed a round trip ticket for each applicant. The process for other types of visas is spelled out on the Venezuelan Consulate web site. We presented our documents in person in San Francisco and received our one year renewable visas that same day for $60 each. Visas can now be renewed without leaving the Island with very little effort. If you would like to know more about the renewal process contact us through our email address.
- Buying a car is not as simple as it is in the U.S., there is usually a waiting list for new cars and low mileage used cars are quite expensive. I elected to buy a used rental car from a Gringo who owns a car rental agency on the Island. If I had been able to wait, it would have been better to have purchased a new car, but I needed to be sure that a car was waiting when I arrived. Unless you are able to buy from someone who speaks English, the title transfer, licensing process, and police clearance will be daunting. Initially, I had planned to ship my car to the Island, but after a great deal of research, I decided against it. I am now sure that this was the correct decision. If you plan to buy a car here, be sure to do your research beforehand. I found the information provided by Bullet Proof Retirement (left column) very helpful.
- Access to telephone, and internet service is a challenge and much more difficult than it would be in the States. It has been over a year and we still do not have a phone, so don't expect to receive the same level of service as you are accustomed to at home. I do have broadband internet by dish which costs around $50 per month. I do not speak Spanish and that complicates everything. I find that people just prefer not to deal with customers who do not speak Spanish, and I understand their frustration. It is essential to have someone who is fluent in Spanish represent you on these matters.
- We have an 12 year old daughter who had to be placed in a private school and that was also a very complicated and frustrating experience, mostly because I didn't understand the system. If you have school age children, you should contact me at least a year before your move to learn about the school situation on the Island. This will allow you to take the correct actions in time for the next school year.
- There are also a multitude of other things that make life here easy such as opening a bank account in Panama if you want to have your Social Security or pension checks deposited in a foreign bank. It is also very important to maintain an address in the US, so think about that and the related tax considerations in advance. You will also need to have a private mail service, commonly known as a “drop box” so that people in the States can send packages and mail in a secure fashion, I can share my own experience on this if you contact me. I hope my thoughts and experiences are helpful to everyone who decides to embark on a Venezuela Adventure of their own.
