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I've spent alot of time reading through the posts about moving to and living on PR. I lived on St. Croix as a child and have traveled to the Caribbean probably a dozen times over the last 20 years. So, I have some sort of feel for the good, the bad, and the ugly. But, I still have lots of questions.
My husband has been offered a great job in PR that would include a full corporate move package. The communities that have been recommended to us are Dorado, Candade, and Guayuabo. What kind of commute would my husband have in to work in San Juan? I've read about the traffic woes around San Juan.
Would it be safe for me to travel around the island alone with my 2 year old son? I have visions of spending lots of time at the beach with him. Or would I be stuck behind the gates of my community?
My husband and I have always dreamed of living in the Caribbean and were ready to jump at this opportunity. I love the idea of exposing my son to the diverse and unique Caribbean culture and beauty. But after reading some of the posts on this board I am very concerned about the crime, especially with a 2 year old in tow.
You and your 2 year old will be fine. Yes, crime rates in Puerto Rico are high, but with proper precautions you can live your life without being locked up in your house.
I think we should start a sticky on crime in PR, because it really is an issue a lot of people ask about. Many of us have been affected by crime here... at least in my case, it was imprudence. i.e. being drunk at 3am, walking half a mile to my car in Old San Juan, not investing in a car alarm, letting strangers into my house, etc.
To live a happy life, you must take proper precautions and at the same time anticipate the worst. Whenever I go to a beach I've never been to before, I take all my belongings with me knowing that my car may not be there when I get back. I always have a couple bucks in my wallet in case of a mugging. If I start dating, I don't take them to my place until maybe 2-3 weeks after I get to know them.
Crime is probably going to be the least of your worries, though. Cost of living, private english instruction for your child, car and insurance, etc... should be a bit higher on your list.
You and your 2 year old will be fine. Yes, crime rates in Puerto Rico are high, but with proper precautions you can live your life without being locked up in your house.
I think we should start a sticky on crime in PR, because it really is an issue a lot of people ask about. Many of us have been affected by crime here... at least in my case, it was imprudence. i.e. being drunk at 3am, walking half a mile to my car in Old San Juan, not investing in a car alarm, letting strangers into my house, etc.
To live a happy life, you must take proper precautions and at the same time anticipate the worst. Whenever I go to a beach I've never been to before, I take all my belongings with me knowing that my car may not be there when I get back. I always have a couple bucks in my wallet in case of a mugging. If I start dating, I don't take them to my place until maybe 2-3 weeks after I get to know them.
Crime is probably going to be the least of your worries, though. Cost of living, private english instruction for your child, car and insurance, etc... should be a bit higher on your list.
Well said and the advice is relevant here in the USVI also. I could elongate but I now have things to do so must remove myself from CD!
Thanks for the feedback joelaldo. We are still contemplating a move and hope to make a trip down to PR soon. Do you know what the commute would be like from Dorado to San Juan during rush hour?
1. Traffic is an absolute NIGHTMARE. If you live anywhere outside the immediate San Juan area and commute into San Juan, expect at least an hour to an hour and a half each way; and if it rains, forget about it!
2. The road conditions are horrendous, it's like driving on the moon. Also, people on this island have no idea how to drive; apparently, rules of the road are merely a suggestion; and never use your turn signal unless you WANT someone to cut you off.
3. Crime is rampant. We are on record to hit 900 murders this year (last year was 896). This is the only place I've lived where law-abiding citizens live behind bars (covering their windows, doors, etc) and gated communities while criminals roam free. Just last weekend there was a drive-by shooting in broad daylight in Isla Verde - three dead. (I don't care that the dead were all drug dealers, it's the fact that the shooting happened on a Saturday afternoon, in a heavily tourist area, with automatic weapons that's disturbing).
4. Garbage is everywhere. Just walk along Isla Verde Avenue and enjoy the beer bottles, plastic cups, drug bags, dirty diapers, and dog ****.
5. Customer service - doesn't exist.
There is absolutely nothing enchanting about this island, I can't wait to get the hell out.
Living here is surely different than in the main land, but there are many positives and negatives to consider.
If you have good income then you will be just fine. Move to Condado or the nice parts of Isla Verde. Everywhere else you will have to content with the traffic. My solution to a traffic free commute is to go to work early and leave early, some of go in late and leave late, whatever floats your boat. It is a city so deal with it. People who complain about traffic on these forums must have not lived in other large metro areas such as Boston, New York, L.A.
If you move to the nicer areas you will immediately get in contact with the affluent community and that is where you want to be. From them you will get good advise on the schools, doctors, etc. Others can provide more in-depth information about schools.
Regarding crime. "Knock on wood" I have not seen any crime here. Then again, I am not very nocturnal. As I aforementioned, get into a good community and you will be immune to most of the ugly stuff.
It takes getting used to people who just don't give a crap or are extremely egoistic. You will have to accept existence of trash, homeless, and scruffy looking buildings. Than again, did you ever drive through N.Y. or in fact most of California that is littered with homeless?
In summary, money makes PR a livable place. Having no money can quickly turn this beautiful island into a hell hole.
I highly advise you to come down and visit. Especially to visit potential schools for kids, posible living locations, ets.
If you have any questions, message me as I don't want to post too much private information on the public forums.
I want to answer to those very negative numbered sentences above me with the truth.
1. Traffic in PR is better than traffic in NYC, Chicago, LA, or Houston. PR metro area is a very large city.
2. The road conditions are the same as any of those US cities mentioned above.
3. Crime only affects the criminals involved, with rare exceptions and rare nonviolent misdemeanors. It is better than the ghettos in the US cities, which are crime ridden to the teeth.
4. Thats not true. Garbage is not everywhere. Its a very clean place. You made this up completely.
5. Yes it does. Again, you made this up and now its just obvious. Its actually friendly fast and efficient service.
Everything I have said in my previous post is the truth.
1. I am originally from NYC and have spent considerable amount of time in LA, the traffic here is horrendously worse
2. The road conditions here are pathetic, ask any respectable mechanic
3. If crime only affects criminals, why do law abiding people have to live behind bars over their windows? I know many people who have had their cars broken into while parked in Condado and Isla Verde. We're on track to have 900 murders this year. Crime affects everyone.
4. You must be blind, garbage is everywhere. Come walk along Isla Verde Avenue with me and experience the trash firsthand. Ride alone the marginal and look under Baldoriority. Perhaps you think this is normal.
5. You're comment about customer service being "friendly fast and efficient" is absurd.
I moved to PR 3 years ago from LI, NY. This Island imports 95% of all food. If you plan on spending $300-$400 a month in the supermarket, then this is the place for you. I have told many mainlanders to stay away. Cost of living(food utilities rent) is out of control. The police don't enforce any laws unless the FEDS step in and force them to do their job. If you are at all civilized and respect parking signs, school zones, crosswalks, speed limits and civility then PR is not for you. AND if you want your daughter to be pregnant by 19 come to PR. The attitude towards women is the same as the US in the 50's....barefoot and pregnant and on welfare.
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