Safest place for families moving from the States to Puerto Rico (real estate, high crime)
U.S. TerritoriesPuerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.
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What would be considered the safest place for families moving from the States to Puerto Rico? Dorado, Condado, Guaynabo, Isla Verde, Cabo Rojo? Any thoughts of what would be considered a great, safe family town considering the high crime that seems to have plagued the island. Do safe communities/areas still exist? Orocovis perhaps...more remote areas like that?
I've met several families (both Puerto Rican and non-Puerto Rican) move from other islands in the Caribbean, stateside, China, Korea, Middle East, India, etc. to Puerto Rico. Some have raised their children here and have no plans on leaving. Others have children who speak better Spanish than anything else. If the economy is down and crime is high, why do you think this is so? I know for me, moving to Puerto Rico was like moving back home and a time to reconnect with my roots. I came here frequently as a child and wanted to share the island with my children. But while I've witnessed crime, I've been blessed not to have been the victim of it. And, also blessed to be able to move away from the busy areas of Santurce and Carolina to more quiet areas out west. Also, I've been able to maintain a job and move from one job to the next when dissatisfied, so the economy has not impacted me too greatly. My salary, though nothing worth bragging about :-/, has only increased each job. I was just curious...why are some Puerto Ricans and others moving back to the island or starting new lives on a small island in the Caribbean? I would love to here stories of other families who have moved to Puerto Rico and where they settled...
Last edited by boricuarosa; 06-25-2013 at 06:24 AM..
OP, areas near Fajardo, Ponce, and the entire Metro area down to Caguas are the most unsafe parts of PR. Northwest and west coast are the safest parts of the island. I'm originally from Carolina, and even though the city is plagued with a murder rate rivaling some Mexican cities, I would still live there, but for me it's home so it's different for you
Dorado = creme of the crop, fillet migñon as far Real Estate, English speaking folks, beaches, bilingual schools, great restaurants per sq mile, educated business people, little to no traffic early mornings compared to other cities. Want a Ricky Martin after party, this is where you dance and live (I'm from Bayamón city by the way, 30+ miles away..)
San Juan, Bayamon, Guaynabo = overall, great, more malls per square foot then ANY state in the upper states. Accessibility to the best supermarkets(Costco/Walmart/Sams/CVS/Walgreens), hospitals, colleges, restaurants, fast foods and airport is also better than Dorado city, of course, overall also from any other city
Ponce, Aguadilla, Rincon, Mayaguez and Fajardo are excellent cities overall with the requirements most US families will want. Been here 31 years except for vacations and months of temporary getaways, so any other city I won't live if I were in my 20s, 30s or even my 40's when counting kids, security and overall accessibility even when many communities places were $700+ a month mortgage/rent are now gated with video cameras and security guards.
But if you're really into quiet areas out west and quality areas (beach/restaurants/educated people/malls/real estate) I'll recommend Aguadilla and Isabela when it comes to quiet. Nothing beats buying a land per square foot in those quiet places and being near the beach close to good restaurants, beach and friendly and professional people overall..of course be rude and arrogant and you'll likely get the finger + a bit more when driving
I've heard great things about dorado. I rented a house for a year in cabo rojo and it was great, very safe. I've lived in Rincon for a long time and it is as safe as it gets here. I haven't run into many american business professional types here if that matters to you. This is surf town. There's also plenty of nice little country neighborhoods here. I love the isolation and the peace and quiet here.
Dorado = creme of the crop, fillet migñon as far Real Estate, English speaking folks, beaches, bilingual schools, great restaurants per sq mile, educated business people, little to no traffic early mornings compared to other cities. Want a Ricky Martin after party, this is where you dance and live (I'm from Bayamón city by the way, 30+ miles away..)
San Juan, Bayamon, Guaynabo = overall, great, more malls per square foot then ANY state in the upper states. Accessibility to the best supermarkets(Costco/Walmart/Sams/CVS/Walgreens), hospitals, colleges, restaurants, fast foods and airport is also better than Dorado city, of course, overall also from any other city
Ponce, Aguadilla, Rincon, Mayaguez and Fajardo are excellent cities overall with the requirements most US families will want. Been here 31 years except for vacations and months of temporary getaways, so any other city I won't live if I were in my 20s, 30s or even my 40's when counting kids, security and overall accessibility even when many communities places were $700+ a month mortgage/rent are now gated with video cameras and security guards.
But if you're really into quiet areas out west and quality areas (beach/restaurants/educated people/malls/real estate) I'll recommend Aguadilla and Isabela when it comes to quiet. Nothing beats buying a land per square foot in those quiet places and being near the beach close to good restaurants, beach and friendly and professional people overall..of course be rude and arrogant and you'll likely get the finger + a bit more when driving
I was just in Ponce, that's a place I would not recommend to any tourist. I stayed in the Hilton and went into town. They got 4 cops standing by the old firehouse but glad I only did one night there. Isabella was great. Cabo Rojo was fine also.
There is this stereotype created by mean spirited Puerto Ricans that the island is some sort of Iraq or Syria. Yes there is crime on the isalnd , mostly centered on the drug trade and sadly, poor folks. Because the island is small it might give the impression that violence is as bad as Detroit, Hartford Conn or Camden NJ. but it isn't.
If I were moving to the metro area I'd move to middle to upper middle class areas. That may sound pretentious but that is what Americans do if they move to New York or Chicago. Do they move close to housing projects where there are shoots outs daily, specially in the Summer? Certainly not!
Its sad but true that moving next to "caserios" and marginal areas, is a hazard.
However those are the only places most know when visting the island.
Tourist areas are well policed. however the cost of living there is HIGH! Other areas like Guaynabo, Dorado and Hato Rey are O.K. but costly.
Smaller towns, the further away from metro San Juan ,might be better on your budget. However there is nothing to do there. Streets are desolate after dark because most folks are either home watching "La Novela" or at the multiplex theaters. No one socializes in the plaza anymore, its not 1955.
There is this stereotype created by mean spirited Puerto Ricans that the island is some sort of Iraq or Syria. Yes there is crime on the isalnd , mostly centered on the drug trade and sadly, poor folks. Because the island is small it might give the impression that violence is as bad as Detroit, Hartford Conn or Camden NJ. but it isn't.
If I were moving to the metro area I'd move to middle to upper middle class areas. That may sound pretentious but that is what Americans do if they move to New York or Chicago. Do they move close to housing projects where there are shoots outs daily, specially in the Summer? Certainly not!
Its sad but true that moving next to "caserios" and marginal areas, is a hazard.
However those are the only places most know when visting the island.
Tourist areas are well policed. however the cost of living there is HIGH! Other areas like Guaynabo, Dorado and Hato Rey are O.K. but costly.
Smaller towns, the further away from metro San Juan ,might be better on your budget. However there is nothing to do there. Streets are desolate after dark because most folks are either home watching "La Novela" or at the multiplex theaters. No one socializes in the plaza anymore, its not 1955.
You're 100% correct with everything you said. You know I really like the fact that there's "nothing to do". We have to make our own fun. When you've got a little piece of land you've got possibilities. Just one example I built a home gym in one side of my marquesina.
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