Moving to PR with kids - where to live?

Take a look at Palmas Del Mar, Humacao. You can see the community on YouTube. Depending on where in San Juan the job is located it can be a 45 to 1hour plus commute I’ve been told but well worth it. The earlier you leave both ways the the shorter the time driving. Btw I’m 40 minutes out of NY my self in NJ.  I have a condo in Palmas.

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Talk to people about traffic too. Some places might be close but during rush hour it can be like NYC, a 30 minutes trip takes 90 frustrating minutes or more.

I wouldn’t suggest anything more than 10-15 miles from San Juan. That leaves a lot of territory. At the high end look at Guaynabo.  It is almost as exclusive as Dorado but much closer, though not on a beach.

Condado, Carolina …. Bayamon… all possibilities. If Dorado is an ok distance, maybe as far as Loquillo, beautiful beaches but,   A commute !

I've lived in PR since 2017 with my daughter (now 11), you couldn't pay me enough to living in SJ proper. We live in Palmas Del Mar where rental prices have skyrocketed this year but hopefully they have peaked and started to normalize. A house with a lawn can run anywhere from 2-8K depending on size and proximity to the beach/view. Then there are villas, townhouses and condos as well. Palmas a private school and also has an amazing homeschool community, lots of youth activities like book, young entrepreneur, chess, running, hiking and surf clubs and equestrian, golf, tennis, pickleball.  Its a great place to raise a family. The drive to SJ is not fun but if you have any flexibility on commute time its not too bad. Just try to get out before 3 on Friday! PR is strict about the mask and the community is pretty hostilely divided over vaccinating which bears mentioning as we don't know how long this covid crisis is going to last.           I will add this, PR is not the U.S. in many ways, if you are come expecting the conveniences of NY, you will be unhappy here. It takes all day to do things that you are used to taking an hour. A doctors appointment may take months to schedule and all day to execute. Making an appointment might necessitate help from a friend who speaks spanish. Grocery stores that have everything you need or even consistent fresh food are a problem so get a Costco membership.  On the other hand, if you want a different pace, a focus on family and the outdoors, this is your place.
I am happy here, but I came "here" because its not "there".

I worked for a realestate company in there when I got here in 2016.  I live in Luquillo. Its kinda crazy living with out a gated community though.  A guy would come out and shoot off his gun every night kinda freaked me out. I called the cops the first time I got seven cruisers. No results.  Next time I got nothing along with a few more times.  Nada. When you buy or rent look at the naighbors. Talk to them ask them what they think. That's the key. Good people.  Not crazy.  I found out later this guy was a scizo. He drove off three owners from this house.  Good luck !

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Hi I’m wondering what you meant  “hostilely divided over vaccinating”? Do you mean in Palmas Del Mar or the the isla in general?  Per the CDC Puerto Rico has the highest vaccination rate in the United States?  Close to 80% of eligible residents at this point.

Btw I also have a condo in Palmas.  Great place to live.

Rio Mar might be some thing to look at.  It's in rio Grande PR. Gated ocean front with all the good stuff.

Hi there. I do not have much to contribute today, but just moved temporarily to Luquillo 3 days ago, its beautiful! Got a great Airbnb for 3 months/most discount for monthly rental. My concern for your move is transporting your dogs. My dog is 13 small/med and couldn't fit in the 25lb carrier under the seat. We did the medical service dog thing and were refused to board the plane in Boston. My son has him now and loves him, but my heart is broken. Best of luck. Any advice on settling in here is greatly appreciated! Thanks!