I read a story the other day that there is a large and growing community of Americans feed up with what's going on here now in Belize. But there are horror stories, too.
I'm already planning to move to PR when I get 300k in my taxable account. Since PR is technically still the US you don't have to renounce US citizenship or have dual citizenship to reap ,the tax benefits. http://www.westernjournalism.com/puerto-rico-to-become-epic-tax-haven-for-u-s-citizens/ <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/92B8713i_YY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> another clip which I couldn't embed http://www.bloomberg.com/video/puerto-rico-the-next-great-tax-haven-VVtDTfBZTBmAQ5HISg9ZFw.html
That sounds like a pretty good deal. I would be concerned that there is nowhere to go to get away from hurricane storm surge, though.
Amazingly enough people seem to manage. I've been through lots of hurricanes but if I was really concerned i'd fly out or not stay during hurricane season. You only have to stay 183 days to be considered a resident. For me, I think living in an armed gated community would be the way to go so cost of living would be significantly higher than rural Alabama but at some point along the equity/spending curve zero taxes balances it out.
Probably, because outside the gate. PR is an impoverished third world shit hole. I've been there several times BTW.
I understand your sentiments and plan on doing my own recon. Of course some people would say I already live in a 3rd world shit hole with the nearest mall 70 miles away. I'm gonna go where I can afford the best quality of life my money can buy. hopefully the freemarket approach will help the PR economy, lord knows the current US trajectory is looking pretty crappy. If I don't like it I can always move back as easily as buying a plane ticket.
LA (lower Alabama ) is WAY above PR. Not trying to talk you out of it, but a visit prior to moving would be in order my friend.