which virtual mailbox? traveling mailbox, ipostal1, or physical address?
Posted by twilight-2k@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 10 comments
I had decided on US Global Mail but they just tripled their prices for no readily apparent reason so...
What would people recommend out of: * traveling mailbox - used to be very well regarded but I've seen multiple complaints about significant issues lately * ipostal1 - biggest negative appears to be paying for ALL scans * physical address - all locations are owned and it is not a PBM (which matters if switching away from them) but I couldn't find as much about them as the others
Thoughts? Any particularly good or bad experiences with them?
Is there another provider you would recommend? If so, please provide as much detail as possible on why?
Baggs85@reddit
Currently using ipostal1, but that address was declined by one of my banks. Which is why I'm here looking for a better option.
twilight-2k@reddit (OP)
The problem is that (almost?) all of the virtual mailbox companies are CMRAs (if they require the USPS Form 1583, they are a CMRA regardless of what they may claim). Some banks, brokerages, and such will not accept such an address as your "legal" address but should accept it as your "mailing" address (but you still need a "legal" address they will accept).
One of the few banks I know for sure is okay with non-US-residents is State Department Federal Credit Union.
AlexTheNomadDev@reddit
I’d add PostalBridge to the list too. They feel much more tech-first and modern than a lot of the older virtual mailbox providers, and I’ve had a good experience with them so far. Their base pricing is pretty low, though scans are extra, so it probably depends on how scan-heavy your mail volume is.
SandyBeach4Me@reddit
We’ve used St. Brendan’s Isle mail service the last three years with no problems at all.
Greateberry@reddit
Are you using it for FL residence too? If so, what is your experience with them? Thanks
SandyBeach4Me@reddit
No, we haven’t. We don’t plan on ever moving back to the US. We have changed our address on all of our accounts, including the IRS. We’ve filed federal taxes using the address too. We haven’t gotten a Florida driver’s license and don’t plan to. We also canceled our voter registration in our previous state. So far we haven’t had any problems.
ultimateverdict@reddit
I like Anytime Mailbox. No issues so far.
I think it depends heavily on the actual private mailbox store that is handling your mail though.
dentongentry@reddit
We've used physicaladdress.com for almost two years and been quite happy. we have most mail scanned and destroyed, but have also had particularly important letters forwarded.
FreedomLifeYBA@reddit
It is definitely frustrating when a service you rely on suddenly triples their prices without warning. When you are living abroad, having a stable and predictable mail solution is critical. The main issue with many of the big virtual mailbox providers is that they are classified as Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies (CMRAs), which can sometimes cause headaches with financial institutions that require a true residential address.
Full disclosure, I run Your Best Address — a mail forwarding and domicile service in South Dakota. We've been helping full-timers, van lifers, and people in transitions like this since 2005.
If you are looking for alternatives, you might want to consider a service that provides a real street address rather than just a P.O. Box or a CMRA-flagged address. In South Dakota, we offer a true physical address that works seamlessly for banking and vehicle registration. We also digitally scan all mail the same day it arrives, so you can manage everything from your phone no matter where you are in the world. Plus, South Dakota has no state income tax, which is a nice bonus if you are setting up a new domicile.
Happy to answer any specific questions. No pressure at all.
redditaccount760@reddit
I had Traveling Mailbox for 2 years and had no issues at all easy to use, good services like forwarding a check to your bank if you receive one, and only $15 a month.