Moving to college in San Juan with $5000. Is it enough for the summer?? (apartments, for rent)

[thedude109]

Hello everyone,

I'm attending the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras this August. I have about 5,000 dollars saved up. I also have an online teaching job (I earn about 10 dollars an hour). I'm planning to move down to the SJ metro area in the beginning of June. Do you think 5000 is enough to get settled and last me through the summer? I will be getting financial aid & loans, but they will not get to me until 30 days after school starts (sometime in September).

I've been a serious workaholic these past couple years, and I'm hoping to have a relaxed summer. I don't plan on doing too much, just sitting around the beach drinking rum. I'm hoping to only work my online job extremely part time (maybe earn 600 dollars a month, I'm able to work as many hours a week as I want though).

Do you think my finances are in good enough standing to go over there? Should I be worried?

Also, I keep seeing apartments on classifcados in Rio Piedras for 300-400 dollars a month. Are these types of neighborhoods surrounding the UPR really too dangerous for a gringo to live in?

Thanks for your help,
-Mr. N

[mym]

i have a friend who lives by the denny's right outside the recinto. neighborhood is fine enough. normal big city precautions apply: lock everything.

[davsot]

Originally Posted by thedude109

Hello everyone,

I'm attending the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras this August. I have about 5,000 dollars saved up. I also have an online teaching job (I earn about 10 dollars an hour). I'm planning to move down to the SJ metro area in the beginning of June. Do you think 5000 is enough to get settled and last me through the summer? I will be getting financial aid & loans, but they will not get to me until 30 days after school starts (sometime in September).

I've been a serious workaholic these past couple years, and I'm hoping to have a relaxed summer. I don't plan on doing too much, just sitting around the beach drinking rum. I'm hoping to only work my online job extremely part time (maybe earn 600 dollars a month, I'm able to work as many hours a week as I want though).

Do you think my finances are in good enough standing to go over there? Should I be worried?

Also, I keep seeing apartments on classifcados in Rio Piedras for 300-400 dollars a month. Are these types of neighborhoods surrounding the UPR really too dangerous for a gringo to live in?

Thanks for your help,
-Mr. N

Río Piedras is in San Juan, a really big city with crime. You can live there just fine, just watch out. You probably won't be discriminated as long as you integrate yourself into the community.

[mym]

you can rent cars cheap for the weekend at the enterprise rent a car in rio piedras. a yaris goes for 10$ a day. you'ra gonna wanna explore on the weeknds.

[thedude109]

Excellent! Thanks for the advice. Do you think 5000 will be enough money to get through the summer?

[mym]

5000$ - 3 months, and maybe 600$ a month for rent... i dont see why not. be cheap.

[dasurferboy]

You'll be safe with $5,000 as long as you don't get enchanted by the great nightlife, just be cheap, go where locals go. You'll love the hipster city of Santurce. Try to do watersports like surfing and outdoor sports while you there.

[thedude109]

Any tips on not getting enchanted with the nightlife? lol

[La Boricua Rosa]

You have to be extremely frugal. $5,000 is not that much and can be eaten up in no time. My suggestion is that you head to the beach...that is always extremely relaxing and free. Watch how much you spend on food and do not get a car. You will not need it in the metro area, especially if you decide to live in the tourist section of town. Pretty much everything will be in walking distance. I hope you enjoy your time there!

[WorldTravelingYogi]

5,000 for 3 months is plenty of money. That is over 1,500 a month plus you said you will make 600 a month. Yeah you will be fine!