Puerto Rico to Miami...upgrade or downgrade? (Orlando: hotel, find a job)

[dryoyo]

Hello All, specially Nicole. I understand your thinking. I moved from Puerto Rico about 9 months ago to Arkansas (now, that's life! Low cost of living and very quiet). Then we moved again to Miami, which feels just liek home to us! Indeed it is a jungle, a big city with big city's problems, but haven't found them so bad that we can't bear. Now, our salary doubled, both for me and my wife, and our kids, after being in Arkansas and now here, have learned more english that hey ever did back home. So for us, it's been a blessing. We live in Doral now, but we are thinking on moving up to Weston, saw the area and we love it! The thing is that there are so many places to live, go, see, enjoy, etc. You just gotta do your homework (research) and above all, don't make the jump without having aj ob offer (a good one at that!) or at leasttry to have interviews scheduled. We have had many friends come and gone back to PR, just because they did it without much planning at all. Do your homework, be prepared and you'll be fine, just fine. Of course, having a good education, personal finances discipline and common sense also helps! :-) Hope you can make the jump!

[MIAMIwolf]

Be original, culture shock yourself, you just might prosper....

[carbonblackcab]

NicoleDT,

I worked in San Juan, PR for almost 18 months in 2002-2003. I loved staying in Candado (San Juan). I lived in Candado Del Mar condo and was on the 8th floor with ocean view. Parying ni old san juan was great. I really miss San Sebastian street. Food was great, partying was great and it was a fun place to live for the short term.

I personally like Miami because it reminds me a lot of San Juan. I think Miami has the best of the island lifestyle and mainland economics. :-) There are parts of coconut grove that remind me of PR. Maimi beach (south beach to sunny isles) is a lot like ashford Ave in San Juan.

As far as career opportunities are concerned, there are 100x more jobs and opportunities in Miami than PR. The fact that you are bilingual will help you immensely here in Miami.

[nanokilla]

honestly its better to move to the worst part of sfl than in pr

[Cane Fan]

Originally Posted by carbonblackcab

NicoleDT,

I worked in San Juan, PR for almost 18 months in 2002-2003. I loved staying in Candado (San Juan). I lived in Candado Del Mar condo and was on the 8th floor with ocean view. Parying ni old san juan was great. I really miss San Sebastian street. Food was great, partying was great and it was a fun place to live for the short term.

I personally like Miami because it reminds me a lot of San Juan. I think Miami has the best of the island lifestyle and mainland economics. :-) There are parts of coconut grove that remind me of PR. Maimi beach (south beach to sunny isles) is a lot like ashford Ave in San Juan.

As far as career opportunities are concerned, there are 100x more jobs and opportunities in Miami than PR. The fact that you are bilingual will help you immensely here in Miami.

Dude you have to be kidding Ashford Avenue is maybe 5-6 miles long at best .... and there is barely any multimillion dollar real estate in Condado ... you cannot compare the two .... puleeeeeeeeze !!!!

The Island of Puerto Rico has several nice areas ... especially the mountains going from San Juan to Ponce ... but other than Guaynabo the metropolitan San Juan area does not have areas to even come close to South Beach , Aventura , Miami Shores , Brickell , Key Biscayne , Coral Gables or Pinecrest ... Miami Dade County has a lot of rude , obnoxious people but you cannot question the beauty of the area ... most of San Juan on the other hand looks like a mix of the poorer parts of Hialeah , and Carol City right down to the little "boxy " houses with burglar bars on the windows !!!

And any posters who think Miami is ghetto ( many do ) multiply that by ten and you have San Juan .... last time I was there the reggaeton and "plucked eyebrowed " Daddy Yankee wannabees were in full force !!

Anyone who compares San Juan favorably to Miami Dade should have their head examined

[Cane Fan]

Originally Posted by nanokilla

honestly its better to move to the worst part of sfl than in pr

I agree 100% !!!!!!!!!!!

[portorro]

Nicole, not sure if you are still looking but here is my opinion.

Moving to Miami is an upgrade (btw I am puertorrican as my name implies). Jobs will pay better, quality of life improves, crime is lower and the experience of living in the states will help your overall career prospects if you ever decide to move back.

However, Miami is not just what the Univision telenovelas make you believe. Not everyone lives in Star Island or has an ocean view condo in South Beach. Personally Miami is dirty, run down, congested and unfriendly when compared to the island. If you think traffic is bad in the Baldorioty de Castro or the Autopista de Caguas, multiply that x 10 and that is Miami's rush hour.

I moved to Miami from Dallas 3 years ago. I needed a change from Dallas. I lasted 2 years and it was enough. I have fond memories of South Florida. The city is "magical" in many ways. I partied, went to the beach, had a wonderful job that paid very well. However, opted to return to the city of Dallas. DFW is clean, good paying jobs, quality of life is much better, lots of professional opportunities in a more stable community.

In summary, even though its an upgrade (and I like the city very much), I would not recommend anyone to move to Miami. Look for Orlando, ATL, or even in-land if you have relatives in this part of the country.

Buena suerte.

[MIAMIwolf]

Seriously, the fact that you even used this forum as a way of assessing your options means that you are Americanized - you will fit in no matter where you go. Also, don't feel obligated to move to Mee-jami in any way just because you are coming from Latin America, you might like somewhere else...

[bigchipero]

IF you are a PR citizen, you should take advantage of your free pass to the US of A and go to Miami or New York.

[MIAMIwolf]

You could join the unhappy masses in the MIA or New Yourico, or you could forge your own path. Try somewhere in the Midwest, there are a lot of nice people there, it's not just a rumor.