Anyone with babies or toddlers who live in Aguadilla?

I'm in the other corner of the island and my oldest grandson is in his senior year in high school but I can give some numbers that are valid all over the place.

Electricity is around 20 ct/kWh. In the lower 48 the average is around 10 ct.
Water was discussed in the forum not too long ago. Check these threads: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=625323 and
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=626010
Depending what you're used too, internet is slow and expensive. If you're lucky there's cable TV in the area where you plan to live and then you'll get a good speed for an affordable price. No cable? Prepare to pay 40-60 bucks/month for 5-8MB (down).

Gas is sold by the liter and recent prices I recently paid were in between 61 and 65 ct/ltr ($2.29 -$2.44 per gallon)
Aguadilla is -as you know-  on the west coast and life over there is a little more laid back than in the San Juan metro area. Nice beaches and if you like surfing you'll be in the right place.
Rincon is in the vicinity and may US Americans live there full time or part time. Restaurants and other places to meet  fellow Americans are plenty over there.
Mayaguez is the next bigger town with a couple of malls where you'll find many familiar stores. I know one mall in Aguadilla, not very big but if you like Marshalls, there's one there.

A lot of the information you are requesting is generic in nature and has already been answered in Several posts, you may want to read some of the current posts.

Doing research after making the decision to move in a month is a little disconcerting.

Most national stores and fast food places exist in the island, doctors are subject to the same quality requirements as Mainland US.

Gas is more expensive and a lot of food is more expensive on average 12% more, there is also the equivalent of a sales tax that is about 11.5% which also raises cost. These are caused because PR like Hawaii are islands and anything not produced locally has to be imported, shipping is not cheap.

Are there any specific questions that you would like answered?

Thank you for your help! I have done by best to weed through all the posts and thought I'd make a post to see what else anyone had to suggest or offer, did realize it would upset anyone.

It may be disconcerting but my husband has been offered a job and we are taking it. It is what it is and we will make the best of it.

thank you

My main concern is stores:  we use formula to feed our baby. I looked up Babies R Us and noticed there is one about an hour away from Aguadilla. I didnt know if anyone has been there or know if there are other stores that have baby items as well. Thats why I posted it for people with babies and toddlers. We are going there next week without the baby and I will have to see what is around the area of Aguadilla. I also noticed there is a National Guard base in or near San Juan so hopefully I can use their PX until we figure things out in the long run.

bribri1913 wrote:

My main concern is stores:  we use formula to feed our baby.

There's a Walgreens  on every street corner, CVS drugstores are all over the island, too. As far as I remember they do carry different baby & infant formula food brands.
Then, 90 % of the products in supermarkets come from the US, not sure if they carry baby formula but I can check if you want. What about Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco? They're also on the island.

There's a base (Fort Buchanan) with a big PX on the west side of the metro area, I'd say one hour and a half from Aguadilla (one way) outside rush hours. If you can buy there that would be the closest exchange for you.

Amazon is selling all kinds of baby formula, too and if you're a prime member you get free shipping. Not the two-day that you would get in the lower 48 but most items arrive within a week. The extra advantage (apart from not having to get out of the house) is that you don't pay sales tax or IVU - 11.5%.  I buy a lot at Amazon.

Not sure if this will help you, but there's a Coast Guard Exchange in Aguadilla (located at the Air Station) that might be easier to get to.  I haven't been there - when we lived in SJ we would use the PX on Fort Buchanan and the CGEX in OSJ.

Agree with Gary, a lot of national stores are in the island and carry different types of formulas and baby products. You may or may not find a specific brand of formula but anther brand will likely have what you are looking for.

My wife just came home and said when I asked her: "She's not the first girl who is going to buy baby formula on the island. Every supermarkets sells it!"

Oh and the Babies R US you found (in Hatillo, right?) is more like 30 minutes from Aguadilla (outside rush hour)

Don't forget Walmart. Much cheaper than Babies R Us.

Thank you everyone! This makes me feel so much better... Now just to find a Pedatrician and I'm set. Everything else may fall into place as it comes. We just decided to move last week after he accepted a job offer. We are very excited for this new chapter in our lives.

It is unfortunate that nobody from that area with kids has commented yet, maybe in a few days somebody can come up with a name for you.