Jennifar
I am simply amazed that your request for information about PR sort of initially got hijacked by those who apparently hate the island. At least luvpr2live jumped in to give you another perspective.
I am an Anglo (not the "gringo" Gary calls us)! By the way that Mexican derogatory term is not often used here--we are all US citizens regardless of colour orlanguage. And, by the way, that is one of the wonderful things about living here--almost a complete absence of all that racial hate and fearmongering prevalent on the mainland.
I come ftom Florida. I have lived here almost ten years non stop. I would not even consider moving to the mainland. I like it here. This is a tropical paradise with natural beauty you would be hard pressed to find anywhere on earth. As an Anglo, you will be welcome here. When I was in the other US "paradise", Hawaiii it was roadblocks with locals crying "Yankee go home!"
Now I have never experienced the horrors the naysayers report. I have four residences in different island locations, one in San Juan, so I do get around. Of course there are places you would not want to live or go like anywhere. Most of the bad things are concentrated there. Otherwise life is gentle and delightful, and the culture is more kindly and helpful than on the mainland. I even knew an Anglo also from Florida who lost everything and became destitute (his fault). The government actually built him and his wife a new house free of chargeand put them on welfare.
Schools in many places are not bad. I was a teacher in the states, and believe me the schools there are no better or worse. In some towns you have excellent facilities and excellent teachers (some from thr states). Other places maybe not so good. Like in the states you pick a good school.
Living is cheaper here on the whole. As far as housing and utilities are concerned, younwill pay less here than in most states.
Now, I cannot argue that the economy is not bad and jobs scarce. You should speak Spanish, but I know people who havd come here from the states without Spanish and still got jobs.
It is not easy to get established when you need a job right away--most anywhere.
You will definitely see many things aboug Puerto Rico that are different, but overall you will know that you are still in the United States. It is NOT that different as some are leading you to believe!
If you are resourceful and determined, I hope you will find a way to come here. Some people never adapt to even minor change, so they look for the worst and exaggerate.
I am world travelled, and I can tell you that it woild be difficult to find a nicer place than PR in many many ways. Please ask any specific questions, and I eill try to answer. Good luck!
