Considering leaving Indonesia for PR
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Hello Group! I'm a US citizen living on Bali, Indonesia and after nearly 5 years, I'm selling my house and making a move to a US Territory. Looking at PR, specifically Rincon. Reason for the move is ever increasing health insurance costs in SEA ($3,500 for a year for basic coverage with a $5,000 deductible). Any claim would likely be declined anyway as I have a pre-existing condition; Rheumatoid Arthritis. I'm approaching 65 and eligible for Medicaid in a few months which should cover the $1,000/month I'm currently paying out of pocket here for RA medicine. Getting and keeping health insurance coverage broad is a nightmare and my premiums have gone up 100% in just 2 years. I really can't stomach a return to the Continental US hence, PR is looking very attractive to me right now. I've read through the comments and was surprised to read the health care is bad in PR. Everything I've read on-line says the health care is very good (bear in mine Indonesia is ranked 92nd in the world for medical services behind Bangladesh). PR supposedly tops the other US Territories for hospitals and health care. I've also read a few Facebook rants about how fed up people are with living in PR although many things people are complaining about are far worse on Bali (Congestion, traffic, bad drivers, horribly polluted ocean water full of plastics and no modern sewage treatment systems, sale of dog meat for human consumption, never drinking water from the tap...on and on.
I'm rambling, sorry. I think it will be a positive move for me and I plan on making the flight to PR to check things out in April. I'm bringing a Bali cat which is another problem for later discussion. Rincon seems to have lower crime, nice sunsets and a beach vibe so a probable place to start my search. I have a few questions, any help greatly appreciated.
I'll need to sign up for Medicaid, is there a need for gap insurance? how easy is it to join Medicaid? are there any advisors you can recommend?
How are Wifi speeds, Satellite Channel availability, power outage frequencies (worth a backup genset install?).
I've read about the inefficiencies and anger towards gringos and it's the same here, unfortunately.
I'm apolitical and US politics is never brought up here on the expat forums or in conversation...Is the same true there?
I'm sure I'm forgetting to ask things I'll later regret. I'm hoping to get a good perspective from the local expats in PR on if it's a worthwhile move based on what I've told you about my situation.
All the best...
Hello YearoftheRat...Naaa, most all of the rants about PR are just plain garbage. We moved here in 2022 and go about our business, people a very, very friendly. Like any place in the world they love there island home, family and culture. Treat people as you want to be treated. Like any place else, there is always an a** hole somewhere, just ignore and live your life. Wifi/internet here is great, up to 1k megs. Lightning fast. We got solar, water filters and 500 gal. cistern/ water tank reserves and control our own predicament on utilities. It's all good. Medical is best in the US Virgin Islands. Good travels!
@techdispatch
Thanks for the reply. OK, makes sense as many expats on Bali gripe as well. I found out today that I can get my medication discounted on PR for $2.00 USD per month while in Indonesia I'm paying $1,000 USD per month plus a round trip flight to Jakarta every few weeks as Bali doesn't have it (Humira) so things are definitely looking up. I hope to make a flight over to visit Rincon in PR and St Croix, VI. Cheers!!
Neal
That's great news my friend. Last month we visited Rincón, stayed for 3 days and had a great time. Hope you will find the enjoyment you seek, Best Wishes!
Just be aware what you save in health care you will spend in cost of living vs Bali. Rincon is all gringo pricing. A hamburger or chicken strips on the beach is going to run you $20. There are lower cost options around town but groceries also very expensive, and housing very expensive. I would venture outside Rincon for less expensive housing. Sounds like you're trying to be mindful of your budget and Rincon is no cheaper than mainland, much more expensive than many places.  You can find ok places in $800 to $1,000 range but small and not prime location. $500 if you want to rough it or tiny studio, just get on zillow.
@techdispatch
I will say this. I joined the Facebook group 'Moving to Puerto Rico' and I've never seen so much hatred towards Gringos in my life on FB and that is saying a lot! I was stunned and finally left and have abandoned all intent to relocate there. Absolutely horrible abuse. Hatred towards the mainlanders was incredibly racist. I was referred collectively as "you guys", and that PR doesn't want "our kind" coming over and taking from the island...an I speak some Spanish and am financially comfortable. I think anyone considering a move to PR from the US should really reconsider. BTW: There is another PR Facebook page called 'Can't Wait to Leave This Island" (paraphrased) which I briefly looked at.
I'm a US citizen only trying to find medication someplace where I don't need to make a flight every 3 months to buy the medicine. The US and it's Territories are a definite "NO GO" for me.
I hope anyone considering the move there reads this, especially if they are Caucasian (non-Latino) and don't speak fluent Spanish.
Listen, you have haters on all social networks. FB is no exception, they even have groups dedicated to hate everyone and everybody. In a recent gathering, people I've known for years were joking about how some of them do the "hater thing" just for fun to get people all rouled-up and laugh at what they write. Most of us were not amused, point is people are not all the same. Heck, I've read posts of so called patriot americans that hate there own country so much they just want to see it all burn. We have many white and black american friends that have retired here for many years and say they will never leave. So, believe what you want, the option is always yours.
@techdispatch
I don't sign up to groups that promote hate. The group "Moving to PR" should not be filled with hate in my opinion. I get it, social media, but to join a social media group for the sole reason to crush people looking for helpful advice is lost on me. Group owner and Moderator are either asleep at the wheel or complicit.
@YearoftheRat
Agreed, for some reason some people just get off on seing others miserable. They all think it will never happen to them.. until it does. Pretty sad. My wife and I were just talking about this a few days ago. Being retired here in Puerto Rico now and not have to struggle with everyday life challenges and financial frustrations I can understand . But we to had to struggle, had our ups and downs. Our 35 years of marriage and raising 3 kids was to say it plain..Hard...but we sucked it up, did not blame anyone and together got to it done. Now, here in this beutifull place we enjoy the fruits of our labor. We do what we want and live a peaceful retirement. Best wishes!
Hello Group! I'm a US citizen living on Bali, Indonesia and after nearly 5 years, I'm selling my house and making a move to a US Territory. Looking at PR, specifically Rincon. Reason for the move is ever increasing health insurance costs in SEA ($3,500 for a year for basic coverage with a $5,000 deductible). Any claim would likely be declined anyway as I have a pre-existing condition; - @YearoftheRat
Foreigners in Indonesia make mistakes. Most are pretty much nothing to care about, but some are big.
One of the massive ones is 'owning' a house in Indonesia (including Bali). It is possible legally, but most don't follow the rules. I suspect bent property agents are the biggest problem. If it's a lease, no issues, but if you bought the place in your name, it's very possibly illegal and subject to forfeiture.
Next up is healthcare.
Expats think cover comes from the big, and very expensive companies. It does if you want to pay stupid numbers to companies that are often hated by hospitals because they don't pay up.
If you want cover at far more reasonable prices, check the banks and similar institutions.
I have been approached many times by agents for expensive companies - Their idiotic sales pitch starts with how much you want to spend, not what services they can off you.
My reaction varies from a reasonably polite 'no, thank you' to, in the case of nagging and not taking a hint, a suggestion they visit prostitutes in Thailand - Sex and travel - get it?
In other words, the OP really should check the legality of his house ownership, then find out what non-rip off health insurance costs.
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