We want to move from Minnesota to Puerto Rico

jennafer wrote:

I am not here to hear any "don't move here" type of stuff.

I'm afraid that's exactly what I think I should tell you.

Spanish IS essential since this is the language that we speak here on the island.

Economy sucks, getting a job is difficult for locals, even more difficult for a "gringo". Payment is low. You'd get the minimum wage of--I think-- $ 7.25 IF you find a job.

Public schools are sub standard and 100% Spanish.

Unless you bring a big bag of $$ how are you going to survive without speaking the language, without a job, with three kids and a boy friend who is in college?

EFTinPR wrote:

Don't discount the nay-sayers - this place can be a challenge - but it can also be a wonderful place to work, live and raise a family.

Rich, did you read Jennafer's original post? It's the info that she posted there that made me (and the other "nay-sayers") write that it might not be a good plan to come to PR.

I'm not saying that PR is not a wonderful place to work, live and raise a family. I've been here for eleven years now and I'm happy here.

In your case, being an air traffic controller where English is a must, things were different. Also, since it's a federal job I would bet that you already worked as an air traffic controller before you moved here and got yourself a transfer. Also I would assume that your salary was (almost) just as good as in the States.
That's quite different from Jennie's situation, wouldn't you agree?

I don't think of the other people who responded and myself as nay-sayers. We are realistic..

[edit] I just found that air traffic controllers earn from $ 44K - $ 139K per year in 2012. Enough said..[/edit]

kateabb wrote:

Can I first ask why? What is your reasoning to move here? Do you know people here?

A very good question, Kate!

If you do have family or in-laws here it's a lot easier to get settled and get your stuff organized.

I think that many people assume that PR is a paradise in the Caribbean where you can live on a little money.


Sorry to hear that your move here didn't work out..

EFTinPR wrote:

Spanish is the main language even in some schools.

Excuse me? Spanish is the language in almost all schools. There are maybe a couple of private schools where English is the main language. In all public schools and most private schools Spanish is the language.

EFTinPR wrote:

Christmas is a minor holiday here because Puerto Rico Christmas is actually Jan. 6th. They celebrate Three Kings as Christmas.

You don't know too many locals I guess? Christmas a minor holiday? I don't think so! Truth is that we start celebrating Christmas the latest on the first advent Sunday (Dec. 2this year) and most families start planning for the season straight after Thanksgiving.
The last Christmas party of the season is Octavitas, mid January, I believe eight days after Three Kings day.
Presents are given to everybody on Christmas Eve or Christmas day and kids will get presents again on Three Kings Day.
We (as in Puerto Rico) have the longest Christmas Season of the world!
During the season you can go to a party at least three times per week (if you have local family and/or friends that is) and the normal greeting in those weeks is: "¡Felicidades!" (congratulations).

GreggK wrote:

Hi Gary,  Good to hear so much from you.

Good to hear from you, too, Gregg. It's great to learn that you guys are happy in Orlando now. We're doing just fine here in the mountains of Eastern PR - looking forward to the cooler weather and the Christmas season!

GreggK wrote:

The elections and the political caravans should be in full swing.

You got that right! If you're in bad luck and encounter a "caravana" it's gonna take a lot of time. The best way to go is to join in, get some flags and wave, honk and dance - if you can't beat them, join them.
Of course it's really frustrating if you're on your way to an appointment but then again the person you're going to meet will understand that's you're late when you mention the word Caravana.

GreggK wrote:

One word of caution if you do. If you are ever at a traffic light and the light turns green but the car in front of you doesn't go, don't beep your horn to get him moving.

Absolutely! If you honk to the wrong guy(s) they get out of the car and wave a gun or even worse, shoot at you for honking. People have been killed in situations like this...

luvpr2live wrote:

THERE ARE MORE THAN A COUPLE OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN PR.  THAT IS THE WRONG INFORMATION.  JUST GOOGLE PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN PR.

You should read better before you start yelling.

I wrote:

There are maybe a couple of private schools where English is the main language.

That is exactly how it is.

In almost all schools Spanish is the language, also in private schools.

We're moving WHERE? wrote:

I honk my horn but carefully

Actually that's  a smart thing. Then if you make the wrong person mad I'm sure they will shoot you carefully.

There really isn't such a thing as "drug areas anymore". If you keep up with current events you'll find that the drug problem has become rapidly widespread and far reaching on the island. There is violent crime in many pueblos now that have had a history of being quiet peaceful places. I don't say these things because I'm the resident nay-sayer. This is very serious stuff and should never ever be taken lightly. It doesn't mean you can't go to PR and have an enjoyable life there. But I'm telling you, the criminals there are becoming increasingly violent. And not in a "New York" kind of way.

I suggest you go to PR and try it out. I'm glad I did. Make a list of all the people that tell you that absolutely everything on the island is "wonderful" and seek them out if you run into any difficulties or negative situations. I'm sure they would be glad to tell you that you are just "full of crap" because there is nothing wrong about the island.

The public schools do suck in general. It's a fact.

Go there, visit, have some fun and experience things first hand and then make an informed educated decision. But I'm warning you, please don't ever take the crime situation lightly. It can get you killed in the blink of an eye.

But there is also a lot of fun and enjoyable experiences to be had if you are smart about how you live there and what you do. I personally know some absolutely beautiful Puerto Ricans. I married one. I also know some Gringos that wouldn't want to see the sunrise anywhere else on earth. It will be what you make it. But just be smart in your approach to everything.

Gregg The Nay-Sayer

PS- Hi Gary

We're moving WHERE? wrote:

It always amazes me all the na-sayers on this blog:(... Still can't figure out why they stay here  or anywhere for that matter.

Here we go again, WMW and her "na-sayer bashing".

With all due respect, Dr. Maria, you live in a different world. If you have enough money to live in Condado, if you can have your belongings shipped here, if you still have enough money left to start a new business and if you then can afford to spend (a lot of) time in non-profit projects) yes, life can be wonderful.

I am still here, 11 years and counting and I still love this island. Like you I moved with enough money to pay all moving expenses, enough even to take a sabbatical and then start a new business.

Now, if people want to move here without that financial buffer, without a job, with a family to support that's a different story. You should know - I assume you read papers and watch the news - that Puerto Rico has been and still is in a recession for years now.

Although you claim that on the North Coast and South Coast English is the main language, I really suggest that you find somebody who can take you out of Condado and show you areas where the normal people live. You'll learn that they all speak Spanish and that only some of them speak /understand some English. You might also find out that getting a job for somebody without a good education is really difficult and that those jobs are part time and pay the minimum wage. Even with a full time employment that will gross to $ 280 per week. Do you really think a family can survive on that kind of money?

The "na-sayers" tell people about this and don't, like you seem to do all the time, tell that the lifestyle here is so wonderful and that they should pack their bags and come to the island. It would be nice if you would look at how hard life for normal people is on this island and even more if they're not fluent in Spanish.

It would help you to give a more realistic advice to people who come to this place for help. (You and I didn't need that, did we? We just made our plan, packed our stuff and got on the plane...)

GreggK wrote:

PS- Hi Gary

Missed your post when I was writing mine - Hi Gregg.

GreggK wrote:

There is violent crime in many pueblos now that have had a history of being quiet peaceful places.

Right! For instance here in the quiet mountains in southern Juncos. A couple of days after Christmas it sounded like a war had started. Sounds of assault rifles, single shots, it went on for a couple of minutes. Scary!

Next day we read in the paper that 1 person was killed and three seriously wounded and that 264 shell casings of 5 (!) different calibers were found in a cock fight place down in the valley.

I pass that place more than once daily..