Relocationing to PR (to buy, move, suite)

[traveler00]

Originally Posted by Sandhillian

Health care on the island is very frustrating to me. It's not so much that the quality of health care is lacking, although you do see things you wouldn't see in the states (no gloves used when taking blood in many labs, no lead apron for dental x-rays, etc.). The main complaint I have is that very few doctors give appointments. Instead you are given an appointment day and have to arrive at the office and put your name on a list. You can usually expect to wait 3 or 4 hours for an appointment. Lab results take a lot longer than in the states and usually require a separate visit or visits to a lab or office that does shots, x-rays, ultrasounds or whatever tests you need taken. Generally you will have to go back to get the lab results and then take them in hand to the doctor who ordered them. All of this results in extra fees and time delays. I have been lucky enough to have never needed emergency or hospital care.

It's simply a whole different ball game here. Island life mixed with an gregarious culture and a colonial conditioning... people would go out to the bank, to the utilities companies, and the doctor, and expect to wait.
Meanwhile you talk to the person in front of you (about your ailments, or about politics, while a noisy "El Show de las 12" or some Univisión soap opera plays on a TV on the wall) and you are actually happy for the excuse of having to do something other than work, or have nothing to do at home. Sometimes you may not like it, but there is a widespread powerlessness in the regular citizen, and in the end, nobody really complains and nothing really changes. Furthermore, if you actually complain, you may just be in for the worse service of all, and an offended clerk, manager or bureaucrat picking on you - making sure you know clearly "who's the boss." Yep, you read right; you complain, the complex kicks in, and the person shoots back, and gives you worse service in exchange. On top of that, you ask for a manager, and the manager takes sides with his employee!! I've seen it happen so much that it is not even funny.

Puerto Ricans fare very poorly in both professionalism and service and that is evident in these kind of errands. Of course, (1) with modernism the has been a move (slow, due to the heave baggage) to more efficient services, and (2) there are a few doctors out there that are actually enforcing appointments. But there is still a looooong way to go, and frankly I see lots of cultural resistance (towards anything too orderly, too tidy or even too democratic).

Nothing, little by little, we all get to understand the price of living in "paradise." Some (like me) have opted to, at least, take a good break, but for those like the OP, I do encourage them to enrich themselves with an experience so different to the taken-for-granted mainland living. You'll be wiser in the end.

[Cebucats]

Thank you traveler00 and Sandhillian for both of your posts. As for my "conditioning" to a different lifestyle and expectations I will rely on my 10 years of living in the Philippines.

[traveler00]

Originally Posted by Cebucats

Thank you traveler00 and Sandhillian for both of your posts. As for my "conditioning" to a different lifestyle and expectations I will rely on my 10 years of living in the Philippines.

Go for it! There are always a few things that you will find irresistible about the island.

By the way, let me suggest also Vieques; it's the bigger island to the east, much bigger than Culebra and more of a culture there. Culebra may have THE one beach (Flamenco), but Vieques has sooo many more to explore.

Good luck, and keep us updated on your experience. I find it particularly interesting hearing from newcomers.

[Cebucats]

Sorry I have been absent from this thread for some time. The earliest I can make any move now will be November 2012. Maybe after I vote in the Presidential Elections.

I am up in the air as to PR or Hawaii now. But it will be one or the other. Snow and cold is really getting to me.

I also have to think about my cat(s) and what will be good for her (them). She has just been trained to use the toilet.

Do you have any personal advise on comparison of PR to Hawaii Traveler00??

[gemstone1]

I have lived on Oahu, and been here in PR for only 2 weeks, and would give PR 5 stars, Oahu 1 star. Expenses are the same, property is probably cheaper here, based on what I read health care would be better in HI (unless you go to the VA in San Juan), but so far the people of PR have hands down been nicer/friendlier than the people of HI. Just my experience.

Regards
Gemstone1

[traveler00]

Originally Posted by Cebucats

Sorry I have been absent from this thread for some time. The earliest I can make any move now will be November 2012. Maybe after I vote in the Presidential Elections.

I am up in the air as to PR or Hawaii now. But it will be one or the other. Snow and cold is really getting to me.

I also have to think about my cat(s) and what will be good for her (them). She has just been trained to use the toilet.

Do you have any personal advise on comparison of PR to Hawaii Traveler00??

Unfortunately I don't, as I've never been in Hawaii. But being a state, I figure, geography apart, would be a more familiar place.

[Cebucats]

Hi everyone,

I'm still here and still looking. Have saved some money and improved my credit score. If I come to PR I will most likely go for the West end of the main island. Any new information would still be very much appreciated by me and I'm sure the many who follow this thread looking, as am I, for insights into the island life.

BTW, I have acquired a couple "lost or thrown" cats so any additional information on getting them there and what their life might be like also would be appreciated.

David C

[Nadia_R]

Hi, I am VERY new to online forums, but figured this would be the easiest and quickest ways to get some information...
I am a Canadian citizen and am hoping to move somewhere warm in the near future...does anyone know
1. what the immigration process is like and what's involved; and
2. what the job market is like for auto mechanics?

[La Boricua Rosa]

Try Presby Hospital on Ashford Ave. They have a list of doctors that have offices there and have a fairly good reputation. It is in a wealthy area, which may be why the service is better. Just a guess.

[waste to energy]

Originally Posted by Nadia_R

Hi, I am VERY new to online forums, but figured this would be the easiest and quickest ways to get some information...
I am a Canadian citizen and am hoping to move somewhere warm in the near future...does anyone know
1. what the immigration process is like and what's involved; and
2. what the job market is like for auto mechanics?

I dont know about ins. immigration.
I do know a auto mechanic makes very little to nothing. Maybe 8 dollars per hour. maybe.nothing more than that I can assure you.