One of the biggest issues people have during their first days and weeks on Guam, is how to get around until your car arrives.
Having a vehicle on Guam is a must. We’re a small island, but things are spread out and it’s not feasible to take the bus or the subway, because we don’t have either. There’s a very limited amount of public transportation available here. Mostly provided for persons with special needs.
Some newcomers plan to bike to and from, but given the unpredictable nature of the weather here, you’ll at least want to make sure you’ve got some spare clothes. As a motorcycle guy myself, I’ve got to where I’m going many many times soaked to the bone and wishing I’d taken the truck.
More good news. Used cars are quite a bit more expensive here. You would expect, with the constant flow military people coming and going, a cheap car would be easy to find. Not so.
We have car dealerships representing most major brands here already, but people are often looking for something cheaper to get by with just while there here. We call those “Guam Bombs”. That’s one way to go, but be cautious about buying cars directly from craigslist or one of the many unofficial (and unlicensed) “dealers” that park used cars on the side of the road. You just don’t know what you’re getting.
One quite interesting development in the car scene over the last couple years has been the importation of older vehicles from Japan. This is possible because after a vehicle passes 20 years old, they’re no longer subject to Department of Transportation requirements for glass, tires, etc. These are right hand drive vehicles and can be purchased for as little as $4000 -$5000. Or you can geek out and get an upgraded version with new paint and fancy wheels. They’re available in many shapes and sizes.
Check out Isla Imports Guam on Facebook for current availability and pricing.
As always, if you're looking for a property for rent or sale on Guam, or you have a property you need to rent or sell, we'd appreciate your business. Contact us anytime at 671-483-2166 or email [email protected]. You can also chat live with a licensed real estate agent right here on Guam directly from our website.
