Anolis
Canadian expat in Puerto Rico
Forum posts
114
About me
Canadian
Lives in San Juan
Registration: 07 April 2014
Which beaches in PR have public outdoor showers? by bonu
Which beaches in PR have public outdoor showers, after you get done swimming, such as to wash off the salt and sand? Beach name? City located? Price or is it free to use the shower?
In the San Juan area, Escambron in Puerta de Tierra has public showers, and I bet the Balneario Publico in Carolina (not in Isla Verde, but just east) also does. Read More
Suggestions for Vieques by Journeyandbeyond
I have not been to Vieques since 2003. A friend is coming to PR to visit and we wan to take the Ferry there on April 10th and stay for one night. Anybody with suggestions on where to stay that is not too pricey yet not a dump? Also what to do ...
I would recommend renting a car on Vieques, as most of the places that people like to visit (such as beaches, etc.) are best accessed by car. The town of Esperanza on the south side of the island is the best to walk around. There are also many ... Read More
It's been hard to look up schools by ivianabynum
Hey friends! My name is Iviana and I'm currently living in Colorado with my husband and two children. For years, we've wanted to move to Puerto Rico but have been talked out of it or the timing just wasn't right. My whole family is from ...
We did not consider public schools which do not have a good reputation (although evidently there are some good ones here & there); however, private schools are much less expensive than in the U.S. For instance, our daughter's school costed ... Read More
Recycling in San Juan
When we lived in Miramar a recycling truck would come down the street once a week and if we left a bag marked reciclaje it would get picked up. When we later moved to Condado we were in a bigger building and there was no recycling :( I don't ... Read More
Caserios by Live2sparkle
I often see people say to avoid Caserios or public housing areas. How do you know where they are? Anytime you visit places, you don't necessarily know where those areas are, unless you find yourself in the wrong place. It would be better to ...
To answer the question a bit more practically, public housing projects ('caseríos') are readily identifiable in Puerto Rico, usually consisting of many, medium-rise buildings, all painted the same color, and often on controlled access ... Read More
Culebra visit....advice please
If it is in your budget, I recommend flying instead. Flights are cheaper if you take a taxi across town from SJU to Isla Grande Airport (ISG), or find your way (taxi is about $100) to Ceiba on the east coast & fly from there. Just going across ... Read More
Coffee in PR - Tours and farm info? by Sitka
We love Puerto Rico coffee. I think it is great, in fact, just poured a cup of Yaucano for my AM fix. Anyone here have experience or knowledge of PR coffee plantations or farms? We would love to explore some of the PR farms and buy great ...
I think this might be what you have in mind - something like Hacienda San Pedro in Jayuya (https://www.cafehsp.com/pages/hacienda). If you are staying overnight (and you will probably need to as it takes forever to get to Jayuya), you can check out ... Read More
Fajardo quality of life by seoulguy
I notice many more rentals in Fajardo (Clasificado24) than I would have expected, likely due to the economic downturn. Would anyone living in Fajardo care to comment on the current quality of , i.e., access to shopping, healthcare, absence or ...
If you don't plan to drive regularly, the only place in Puerto Rico I would recommend to live nowadays is the metro area. I'd suggest Condado, Ocean Park, Miramar, Old San Juan, or Santurce (in some areas) depending on your tastes & ... Read More
Zika Virus by natsmith
Greetings How is Zika being addressed in PR? Are there reported cases? How bad is the problem? Thanks Natalia
This is literally impossible - & also dangerous misinformation. Were your cases of malaria confirmed by positive blood smears? There is no way that a home remedy of garlic, ginger, & honey could kill the blood protozoan responsible for ... Read More
Zika Virus by natsmith
Greetings How is Zika being addressed in PR? Are there reported cases? How bad is the problem? Thanks Natalia
Yes, I didn't mean to minimize the significance of Zika for pregnant mothers or couples planning to become pregnant. Indeed, it seems to be quite serious in that case. On the other hand, compared to other mosquito borne illnesses now endemic in ... Read More
Zika Virus by natsmith
Greetings How is Zika being addressed in PR? Are there reported cases? How bad is the problem? Thanks Natalia
My whole family had zika this spring. Symptomatically, it was milder than a typical flu. I had a very mild fever than I might not have noticed without the rash all over my chest & back. Symptoms passed probably in about a week. Conventional ... Read More
Fajardo quality of life by seoulguy
I notice many more rentals in Fajardo (Clasificado24) than I would have expected, likely due to the economic downturn. Would anyone living in Fajardo care to comment on the current quality of , i.e., access to shopping, healthcare, absence or ...
There is a huge difference between Fajardo & the metro area - especially compared to high density areas such as VSJ, Condado, Ocean Park, Santurce, & Isla Verde. There is a traditional town center in Fajardo, but the rest of the municipality ... Read More
Iguanas being collected and sold?? by Dawndoro
I was wondering if anyone else had heard about this and/or has any thoughts about this... In the Fajardo-Luquillo-Rio Grande area, I had recently felt like I noticed a decline in my usual sightings of especially the larger Iguanas. Then last night ...
Just to clarify, since this point was not raised above, iguanas (the green iguana, in particular) is an invasive species not native to Puerto Rico. Adult iguanas are indeed mostly herbivorous, but also opportunistically eat whatever they can get, ... Read More
Can Canadians retire full time in Puerto Rico by Rod L
Hi we have been to Puerto Rico twice and loved it , we are now trying to decide where to retire we don,t need to work , and have financial independence can we legally live in Puerto Rico, please only answer if you know factually many thanks
The same immigration laws apply to Puerto Rico as do the United States. This means that as a Canadian citizen without a visa (that is, entering under the tourist visa waiver program) you can only live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin ... Read More
So many questions before accepting a job in Aguadilla, PR. by HinkleyK
I apologize in advance if this gets a little scattered...it seems to be the way my mind functions lately :) A little background: My husband and I have two kids, a 5 (almost 6) year old boy and a 2 (almost 3) month old baby girl and a (almost) year ...
Hi adlin. No offense was intended. I'm sure that you're right that they are becoming more common due to mosquito borne disease concerns (such as Zika), however windows screens have long been relatively uncommon in Puerto Rico for a ... Read More
So many questions before accepting a job in Aguadilla, PR. by HinkleyK
I apologize in advance if this gets a little scattered...it seems to be the way my mind functions lately :) A little background: My husband and I have two kids, a 5 (almost 6) year old boy and a 2 (almost 3) month old baby girl and a (almost) year ...
We lived in PR for a couple of years & are now in Bogota, Colombia - but I would happily go back to PR. I see that lots of suggestions have already been made, but I thought I'd add a couple of comments (in no particular order): - I'd ... Read More
Hotel near airport in San Juan by TravelingJ
When we fly to PR our flight lands after 9 p.m. Can anyone recommend a clean and economical hotel close to the airport? Any favorites that won't break the bank? It will only be for one night.
Is this your first time in San Juan? It is completely safe to take a taxi from the airport at that hour, and later. I say that because obviously it is not true everywhere! If you expect to be tired I'd just recommend you find a hotel in Isla ... Read More
Streaming services by ReyP
I was just reading that HBO Go will be limited to streaming only on Liberty in PR. I was not aware that Streaming services you pay for like HBO Go, Netflix and others were being controlled by Internet providers. Is that so?
I would interpret the story as indicating that Liberty will be offering HBO Now as an optional part of their subscription cable service. If you buy HBO Go directly from HBO (I'm not sure if this is possible with HBO Now), then, indeed, you can ... Read More
Multiple pets..like a butt ton of pets...
There is a list. It is Appendix 4 (beginning on page 88) of this document: http://drna.pr.gov/historico/biblioteca/reglamentos_folder/6765.pdf. The list may have been updated in subsequent regulation, I do not know. A quick glance suggest that some ... Read More
Mail Service by TravelingJ
I know that PR uses USPS. Do they do delivery to your house or do you need to get a P.O. Box? Are the mailboxes secure? In CA we have had a lot of mail theft (letters and packages), luckily I live in a neighborhood where that has happened (yet). ...
I guess I'll add the comment that if you live in an apartment building (at least in San Juan), the mailman will generally have a key & deliver to the mailboxes of the building, just as in the U.S. (This can also mean it is better to receive ... Read More
Cheers to Save-A-Gato by trekrider520
Well, our tour here in PR is coming to an end - we transfer out in a couple of months. While our household goods are being shipped back to the mainland US, we are renting an apartment in OSJ until my wife's last day of work. Every night we ...
Oops, the link doesn't seem to work. Try the following: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2380 Read More
Cheers to Save-A-Gato by trekrider520
Well, our tour here in PR is coming to an end - we transfer out in a couple of months. While our household goods are being shipped back to the mainland US, we are renting an apartment in OSJ until my wife's last day of work. Every night we ...
OSJ is a wonderfully interesting place, and the stray cats are part of its charm; however feeding strays (and thus allowing them to survive and prosper in ever larger numbers) undoubtedly has an enormous and terrible ecological impact on native ... Read More
Farmers Markets by T_om
Anyone know of a farmers market that's run on a daily basis in any parts of PR? Looking for a place that sells fresh products like local fruits, vegetables, fish etc. Tom
If you are in the metro area you can look up "Plaza del Mercado" or "La Placita" in Santurce. I think Viejo San Juan also has a large market, but I'm not sure of the schedule. Read More
Decay by motomataru
The electrical infrastructure here has decayed so badly that practically every day there's an explosion in the neighborhood. Today it was my turn. The high tension wire insulator behind my house simply fell apart, provoking three explosions. Of ...
It seems pretty wet this 'dry season' so far in San Juan (that is, compared to last year). Hopefully there is no water rationing this year! Read More
schools/universities. by canelooo
Helloooooo puerto rico :) my names claudia... I am a very free spirited girl, i always dream of living in all parts of the world. As much as i would like to continue adventures and what not. I need to continue my education. Unfortunatly i do not ...
I'm not aware of any campus in any of the university systems of the island, except perhaps the medical campus of UPR, in which the primary language of instruction is English. Even at UPR-Rio Piedras, the most bilingual campus, most classes are ... Read More
13 native Parrots released into the Rio Abajo Preserve by londonpride
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3410682/Scientists-release-endangered-Puerto-Rico-parrots-wild.html I've been following this some the last few months. Once common in PR, wild parrots have dwindled to endangered, actually worse, ...
To address a couple of comments in this thread: 1) 13 parrots were released this year - but these were released to join an established population of 150 or more living wild in the Rio Abajo state forest. This population was established from a ... Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico by Mazzyy
I will be moving to Puerto Rico very soon and I wanted to know if someone can share their experiences with me. What's school have your children gone to? Were you happy with the school? How far from the school do you live? We have two options: ...
Some people have difficulty adjusting; however if you are used to life in Latin America, you & the kids will do fine, IMO. I have visited but never lived in Bogota (I loved it, BTW), but from what I hear it may be even more difficult to get ... Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico by Mazzyy
I will be moving to Puerto Rico very soon and I wanted to know if someone can share their experiences with me. What's school have your children gone to? Were you happy with the school? How far from the school do you live? We have two options: ...
We chose a Spanish language school for our daughter and have been very happy. How old are your kids & is there any particular reason that you would not do a Spanish private school? Read More
Homelessness in PR by ReyP
I was just reading an article about Hawaii. It seems that the unemployment there as of this September is around 3.4 percent and homelessness is 487 per 100,000. That is a very low unemployment rate and a high percentage of people homeless. With ...
To add to Gary's comment, this (staying at home for longer or moving back at an older age) is a general attribute of Latin cultures, and, in fact, of Spanish culture as well! There are a fair number of apparently homeless people in parts of San ... Read More
African Americans in Puerto Rico by Jolo84
Hi guys, are there many African American expats in Puerto Rico? We lived there for 6 years, but we lived on base so there were quite a few African American families. I was wondering about the West Coast area. Thanks
So if we go by that statement, then the vast majority of us ( including you) should not be here in this forum making any questions or making statements like the one you continue to post. We are well aware that we are US Citizens, nobody asked if ... Read More
If you think about the drug trafficking See Narco
Although I believe that some aspects of this show are actually quite historically accurate, Colombia is actually now one of the safer countries in South America & I found Bogota to be terrific to visit. Unfortunately, San Juan has a higher ... Read More
GPS question. by londonpride
How does Garmin's Puerto Rico maps/directons rate--good, very good, horrible?
I have a Garmin that is a few year's old & I would rate it's performance in Puerto Rico as excellent. I have been all over the place in Puerto Rico, including throughout the Cordillera Central at various times, and I am constantly amazed ... Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico with kids by Priscilla
Hi, Moving abroad is an adventure for both parents and children: settling overseas is a challenge for each family member. How was the move to Puerto Rico for your kids? How did they manage to adapt to their new environment? Share with ...
UPR is a public institution - so it is not 'cheaper,' it is heavily subsidized. Private universities such Universidad Interamericana or Sagrado Corazon are more expensive than most private schools (but cheaper than very expensive K-12 ... Read More
Working as a freelancer in Puerto Rico
'piragua' - pronounced "peer - agua" ;) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piragua_%28food%29 Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico with kids by Priscilla
Hi, Moving abroad is an adventure for both parents and children: settling overseas is a challenge for each family member. How was the move to Puerto Rico for your kids? How did they manage to adapt to their new environment? Share with ...
Our experience was really positive. Our daughter attended a small, Spanish language, private Montessori school in San Juan. The price was 1/3 to a half what a similar school would cost in the States. She loved it, although it was an adjustment at ... Read More
Suggested Areas near San Juan. by Gobie029
Hello, My family will be moving to Puerto Rico mid November. Do to my husbands job we have to live within 45 minutes of the San Juan airport. I have been trying to research as much as possible and we will be coming next week to look at different ...
I posted this summary of safety & other things regarding different neighborhoods of San Juan in a previous thread (https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=486632#2666394), but here it is again. Sorry if it is a bit repetitive: Obviously, ... Read More
Your experience of culture shock in Puerto Rico by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Puerto ...
This also may not technically correct, although some parts are a matter of dispute. Puerto Rico arguably part of U.S. - in fact it is 'unincorporated territory' (meaning territory belonging to but not part of the United States). Puerto Rico, ... Read More
Housing in Puerto Rico by funhogjeanne
I was wondering how hard it is to find affordable housing in PR? I'm looking to move for a year. I have three cats and need a two to three bedroom place. Is it easy to find a place where you can have pets? How much should I expect to pay? Damage ...
What brings you to PR? If you just want a tranquil 'Caribbean' life, with snorkeling thrown in, you might want to consider the southwest - say Cabo Rojo or Boqueron - or the offshore islands of Vieques & Culebra. On the main island of ... Read More
Seeking advice Furnished Rental SJ metro area by positivema
Hello, looking for a recommendation on area as well as a real estate agent helpful to new comers to the island. We have been combing through CL and Classificados looking for a place to live which connected us with a few realtors yesterday to view a ...
Vida Urbana (vidaurbanapr.com) manages a bunch of furnished rentals (select 'long term rentals' for rentals 6 mo. or longer). You could probably pay less by following Gary's advice & renting directly from the owner, but this company ... Read More
Safest neighborhood in San Juan Metro? by seoulguy
I cannot find the actual FBI crime stats for the metro area; best alternative is a 2013 article, now out of date, of course, at this site, which provides the sole reason why I'd prefer not to locate in the metro ...
This is a very nice area of Condado. If I was going to live in Condado I might choose Calle Luchetti, which is just south of Calle Magdalena, or Calle Washington, which is at the east end of Calle Luchetti & Calle Magdalena. In Condado, I would ... Read More
Safest neighborhood in San Juan Metro? by seoulguy
I cannot find the actual FBI crime stats for the metro area; best alternative is a 2013 article, now out of date, of course, at this site, which provides the sole reason why I'd prefer not to locate in the metro ...
Of these neighborhoods, I have only *lived* in Miramar, but friends are in OSJ, Condado, Ocean Park, and even Rio Piedras. Miramar is very safe & relatively quiet if you are not close to Ponce de Leon or Juan Fernandez Juncos avenues. It is a ... Read More
Safest neighborhood in San Juan Metro? by seoulguy
I cannot find the actual FBI crime stats for the metro area; best alternative is a 2013 article, now out of date, of course, at this site, which provides the sole reason why I'd prefer not to locate in the metro ...
I posted this summary to a previous thread (https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=473596#2599748): Obviously, one should exercise caution everywhere with regards to safety. Consider the following a rule-of-thumb with regard to the tourist ... Read More
Is the tren urbano paying for itself? by seoulguy
What's more useless than a full-scale public transportation system in an unlivable metro area? Does anyone think that the so-called "tren urbano" will pay for itself in the next 1000 years? Why didn't intelligence prevail and ...
I dispute the premise ;) To the contrary, I find San Juan to be the most desirable/livable part of Puerto Rico. (I wouldn't consider living anywhere else on the island - at least not full time.) The Tren Urbano is great. I doubt it 'pays ... Read More
Puerto Rican Energy Policy by NomadLawyer
There have been a lot of contributions on various topics in the PR forum lately concerning emissions, the use of electric vehicles, and environmentalism in general. In light of this, I have started this topic on Puerto Rican energy policy so as to ...
Here is a nice story explaining: (1) What Puerto Rican consumers pay per kWh compared to other U.S. states & territories (still less than Hawaii, and comparable to some other states). (2) That capacity in PR is 50% greater than necessary. This ... Read More
Puerto Rican Energy Policy by NomadLawyer
There have been a lot of contributions on various topics in the PR forum lately concerning emissions, the use of electric vehicles, and environmentalism in general. In light of this, I have started this topic on Puerto Rican energy policy so as to ...
I'm not an expert on this, but the Via Verde project was fiercely opposed by environmental groups and would have negatively affected a very ecologically sensitive & important region of Puerto Rico (the northern karst) - including for ... Read More
Move to PR by z4luvr
We are considering a move to PR in the fall as a company sponsored move. Empty nesters that always loved the Caribbean and thinking about retiring there. Frankly, PR wouldn't be a our first choice since we don't speak Spanish and on our ...
Absolutely. Pretty much regardless of the source, electric is cleaner. In addition, in spite of the high cost of electricity per kWh in PR your still looking at about half the cost of a conventional internal combustion engine. (Of course, this might ... Read More
Move to PR by z4luvr
We are considering a move to PR in the fall as a company sponsored move. Empty nesters that always loved the Caribbean and thinking about retiring there. Frankly, PR wouldn't be a our first choice since we don't speak Spanish and on our ...
I haven't seen any infrastructure for electric cars in PR (though I have not looked intensely) - nor have I seen any electric cars, for that matter. You do see some hybrids around, though. If you are environmentally conscious & working in ... Read More
Poisonous Giant Toad in PR - aka Marine Toad, Cane Toad & Bufo Toad by DeborahMarchant
Hola Friends of Puerto Rico For anyone who has children, dogs and cats that are outdoors between dusk and dawn, please be aware of and protect them from the poisonous toads in Puerto Rico. Here is more information about these seemly harmless yet ...
Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are dangerous - if you eat one. Don't eat one, and you'll be OK. I have handled hundreds of these animals (literally) with no ill effect - because I've never eaten one. ;) My daughter has also handled many. ... Read More
Where to live when working in Ponce? by mledwards
Hello! I am in the process of exploring an expat position in Ponce. I have a husband and two young girls. I am interested in advice on where to live. We currently live in a VERY safe community in MN with lots of other young kids that my girls ...
Don't do it! ;) That age, 4-6, is the perfect time to learn a second language fluently. In 2-3 years you could give them a gift that lasts a lifetime. I also wouldn't worry too much about integration. We put our daughter in a Spanish ... Read More
Moving from WA state to San Juan, PR for Grad School. Many questions! by mlb03
Hello all :) I heard yesterday that I was accepted to the University of PR medical science campus near Centro Medico for the graduate program of my choice. I am very excited! I believe I start school on August 13th and have many questions about ...
Although, of course you should always be vigilant at night in all parts of San Juan, OSJ is one of the safest areas of the metro area. There are some nearby areas (la Perla, obviously, and Puerta de Tierra) that are not safe and should be avoided ... Read More
African Americans in Puerto Rico by Jolo84
Hi guys, are there many African American expats in Puerto Rico? We lived there for 6 years, but we lived on base so there were quite a few African American families. I was wondering about the West Coast area. Thanks
This demographic data, though highly interesting, is a bit misleading. Race is based on self-identification, which is highly different between PR & the U.S. In fact, Puerto Rico is a multi-ethnic society and the majority of Puerto Ricans have a ... Read More
We have arrived! by Siobhan_Nolan
We have been in Puerto Rico now for two weeks. I'll be blogging about life here and our experiences if anyone is interested in taking a look. highsandlowsofexpatlife.wordpress.com/
I would echo this. Do you really want to be in Dorado? It sounds like you might like an area where you can take the baby for a walk in a stroller, walk to the park or the grocery store, etc. Rental prices for a 3 bedroom apartment in Ocean Park, ... Read More
How to cleanse & protect the lungs from the Sahara Desert's dust? by DeborahMarchant
How do you cleanse & protect the lungs from the Sahara Desert's dust?
Not to be too technically picky, but allergies are an immune reaction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergy), so you need an immune suppressant - not an immune booster. You may also find that there is a low correlation between allergies in the ... Read More
Moving from WA state to San Juan, PR for Grad School. Many questions! by mlb03
Hello all :) I heard yesterday that I was accepted to the University of PR medical science campus near Centro Medico for the graduate program of my choice. I am very excited! I believe I start school on August 13th and have many questions about ...
Just a couple of comments in no particular order: 1) Even though the distances may seem small, traffic can be paralyzingly bad in San Juan at times. Since Centro Medico is a stop on the Tren Urbano, which is a very clean, safe, and timely metro ... Read More
Seeking an apartment/house to rent for a week in June. by vagantem
Hi, I been viewing this website a few months. I joined today. I am asking for advice on renting an apartment for a week. I been looking in the San Juan area on-line. I am open to other areas of the island. It seems practically everyone requires ...
The Tren Urbano is super-reliable for getting anywhere on the Tren Urbano route. I use it often. Regular fare is $1.50 per ride. The buses in the metro area are safe, but don't have a great reputation for timeliness (i.e., you may have to wait a ... Read More
Seeking an apartment/house to rent for a week in June. by vagantem
Hi, I been viewing this website a few months. I joined today. I am asking for advice on renting an apartment for a week. I been looking in the San Juan area on-line. I am open to other areas of the island. It seems practically everyone requires ...
There are other neighborhoods in San Juan that are relatively infrequently visited by tourists, but that have some hotels and may have some short-term rentals. Hato Rey is the business district & includes the "milla de oro" (golden ... Read More
Seeking an apartment/house to rent for a week in June. by vagantem
Hi, I been viewing this website a few months. I joined today. I am asking for advice on renting an apartment for a week. I been looking in the San Juan area on-line. I am open to other areas of the island. It seems practically everyone requires ...
Obviously, one should exercise caution everywhere with regards to safety. Consider the following a rule-of-thumb with regard to the tourist neighborhoods of the San Juan metropolitan area. All of Old San Juan is safe & very touristy. A ... Read More
Water Rationing news article by ReyP
I just read a news article from the associated press that people living in the San Juan area were going to have water rationed and that they will receive water every other day, It was blamed to El Nino weather pattern. I have not lived in the ...
I don't know about tax evaluation as we are renting, but the numbers that you will see in the CRIM link I sent you are 10-20x (or more) lower than purchase prices. I would ignore them except to figure out what tax rate the homeowners will pay. ... Read More
Water Rationing news article by ReyP
I just read a news article from the associated press that people living in the San Juan area were going to have water rationed and that they will receive water every other day, It was blamed to El Nino weather pattern. I have not lived in the ...
How are you finding the government assessed home values? There are 'values' for tax purposes on the CRIM viewer (http://www.satasgis.crimpr.net/flexviewers/cdpr_crim/), but these are a fiction with respect to the sale prices (way lower). For ... Read More
Water Rationing news article by ReyP
I just read a news article from the associated press that people living in the San Juan area were going to have water rationed and that they will receive water every other day, It was blamed to El Nino weather pattern. I have not lived in the ...
One issue that you may also find to be the case if you are looking to buy in PR is that many sellers are taking a huge loss on the sale due to the economic situation. Even then, you could argue "well, why not invest in maintenance to reduce the ... Read More
Water Rationing news article by ReyP
I just read a news article from the associated press that people living in the San Juan area were going to have water rationed and that they will receive water every other day, It was blamed to El Nino weather pattern. I have not lived in the ...
That black color on the sidewalk - I don't know what that is. Probably dead algae. You can powerwash that off smooth surfaces, but textured concrete like a sidewalk - it just gets stained over time. I wouldn't worry about it. Virtually all ... Read More
Water Rationing news article by ReyP
I just read a news article from the associated press that people living in the San Juan area were going to have water rationed and that they will receive water every other day, It was blamed to El Nino weather pattern. I have not lived in the ...
Can I ask where you have been looking at properties? Read More
Water Rationing news article by ReyP
I just read a news article from the associated press that people living in the San Juan area were going to have water rationed and that they will receive water every other day, It was blamed to El Nino weather pattern. I have not lived in the ...
I don't know quite how to respond to this. Due to the high humidity, concrete surfaces, both painted & not, tend to grow algae if not power-washed regularly (which many people do). This applies both to sidewalks & buildings. Also, plants ... Read More
Water Rationing news article by ReyP
I just read a news article from the associated press that people living in the San Juan area were going to have water rationed and that they will receive water every other day, It was blamed to El Nino weather pattern. I have not lived in the ...
There is no reason to be apocalyptic. It has just been an unusually dry dry season on the island this year. It is possible that with climate change these types of extreme phenomena (that is, very wet wet seasons & unusually dry dry seasons) will ... Read More
Hardware Stores with an online website by sylvbrxt
I am new to P.R. and just purchased a home. My new adventure is looking for a hardware store in Cabo Rojo that sells bathroom and kitchen items such as a bath tub, faucets, a kitchen counter top, vanity combo sets, kitchen sink, lighting, etc. I ...
I could be wrong, but in PR I doubt you will find a store with this service other than Home Depot. (I'm somewhat surprised that they do it.) Read More
Relocating to Puerto Rico - Most affordable area to live, West Coast? by IhateTaxes
Hi Everyone! My boyfriend and I are planning to finally trade NYC subsisting for PR living. I've lived all over - in a number of developing countries - so am already prepared for some aspects the move, and am not the type to constantly compare ...
Yes - it is a municipio (municipality) which is a geographic area centered on a town or city, but which may also have other named towns within it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_Puerto_Rico. There's so much info on these boards! ... Read More
Relocating to Puerto Rico - Most affordable area to live, West Coast? by IhateTaxes
Hi Everyone! My boyfriend and I are planning to finally trade NYC subsisting for PR living. I've lived all over - in a number of developing countries - so am already prepared for some aspects the move, and am not the type to constantly compare ...
Is your business something that you will be able to continue to operate from PR? If so, $50-$100K is a huge amount down here. The median household income is less than $18K and >$50K is upper-middle class. There are also plenty of houses in ... Read More
Seeking an apartment/house to rent for a week in June. by vagantem
Hi, I been viewing this website a few months. I joined today. I am asking for advice on renting an apartment for a week. I been looking in the San Juan area on-line. I am open to other areas of the island. It seems practically everyone requires ...
Another site with a bunch of nice nightly (as well as long-term) rentals is vidaurbanapr.com. June is the low season so you should find that your budget of $90/night is more than reasonable for a rental apt. Have you been here before? Do you know ... Read More
Do I need a car in Dorado? by Wonderer
Hello all. I was just offered a job in Dorado PR. It pays $34k a year. I am wondering if Dorado is safe? do I need a car to get around? any info on the overall vibe of the town. Thanks!
I agree that it is a simplification to say that the cost of living is high here. I have said this before, I know, but I think that costs fall into three categories: (1) high in absolute terms (for instance, electricity is more expensive /kWH than ... Read More
Destination Wedding by Jolo84
Hello again, This may be a shot in the dark but has anyone had a destination wedding in PR? My fiance proposed to me last weekend and we are toying with idea of having a destination wedding. From what I hear its a lot cheaper than having it in ...
It's a bit cliche, but we did ours in Vieques. PM me if you have questions or want more info. Read More
I need the ins and outs of preparing to move to the Caribbean. by Qbert
Hello, you can call me Rookie, I pray all is weel with you and yours, I need HEAVY assistance with the following: Looking for a place (ANYWHERE) in the Caribbean to live without the high cost of living as in the states. Of course, it would be ...
Hi Rookie. Although most people live at a lower cost of living in PR than in the States, the cost for the same standard of living is comparable if not higher. That being said, the cost of living is still low compared to many parts of the U.S. Maybe ... Read More
Planning to live the west coast- what about chikungunya? by Marytm
my name is Mary and I live in Santa Rosa California. I am retired I am single and I have a good pension. I plan to go to Puerto Rico next month to visit and to research places to live.I plan to go to the West Coast by Ricon or Cabo rojo I would ...
Chikungunya is no joke, but on the other hand the mortality (i.e., death) rate from the virus is basically zero. (That is, unlike other mosquito borne tropical illnesses, there are no confirmed cases of individuals that have died from this virus.) ... Read More
Palmas Academy in Palmas Del Mar - Anyone with experience? by firefly1
We are relocating to PR with a 14 year old and considering living in Dorado or Palmas Del Mar. There is plenty of info available for the excellent Tasis school in Dorado but almost nothing on Palmas Academy. My daughter and I will be visiting both ...
It is also Semana Santa this week so they may be off. (My daughter's school is off as I think are many others.) Good luck! Read More
Do I need a car in Dorado? by Wonderer
Hello all. I was just offered a job in Dorado PR. It pays $34k a year. I am wondering if Dorado is safe? do I need a car to get around? any info on the overall vibe of the town. Thanks!
If you understand that living in Puerto Rico, although technically U.S. territory, is much more like moving to a foreign country in Latin America (with the positives & the negatives that this entails) than to another state in the union, then you ... Read More
Do I need a car in Dorado? by Wonderer
Hello all. I was just offered a job in Dorado PR. It pays $34k a year. I am wondering if Dorado is safe? do I need a car to get around? any info on the overall vibe of the town. Thanks!
I feel I need to say something positive here in response to Gregg's comments - but I don't know Dorado, so that wouldn't be addressing the question specifically. I do agree that (unfortunately) it is not practical to live in PR without a ... Read More
How have you physically adjusted well to the tropical climate? by DeborahMarchant
Hola group I'm originally from the cool climate of Seattle, and I've been in Puerto Rico for five months now. Physically, I've noticed a frequent up and down in my energy level while living here for a few months. Have you ...
I agree with this. Kick the A/C habit & you will acclimate much more rapidly. (It's better for the environment too, not to mention your electric bill.) I grew up in a climate where 78F was a warm summer day. Here if the temperature in the ... Read More
PR in June! Need rental advice please by Minshall
I'd like to vacation in PR for the whole month of June, 2015. I've got a family of 5, but would like room for another 2 or 3 people if we have visitors. A furnished house or apartment within walking distance to the beach and very fast ...
Do you have experience in PR and, if so, do you already have an idea of what kind of experience you are looking for? For example, do you just want to hang out at the beach in your spare time, or do you want to be close to history, culture, ... Read More
What is an expat? by Mrkpytn
Hi, I am a new member on this site that is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Congratulations. I have been making a presence in Puerto Rico for 15 years with property ownership for 13 years. I had never considered myself an expat as I have/had an ...
Actually, this is not technically correct. Puerto Rico is a territorial possession (unincorporated territory) but not part of the United States. Unincorporated (from latin) means not formed into the body - that is, in this context, not part of the ... Read More
Silly question about shopping :) by Jolo84
Hi all, Forgive me for my silly random questions but does Puerto Rico do Black Friday? Also do people coupon there? Just little random things I like to do... Thanks in advance!!
Yes, I agree with this sentiment - however particularly around the Christmas season & before three kings day in January it is well advised to steer clear of Walmart (IMHO). Read More
Retire to Puerto Rico? by suzeekyu
My husband and I are considering Puerto Rico as a retirement destination. Now, I must say that we have not yet visited the area yet, and would not just up and move before visiting a few times and doing some research. Just hoping to get some ...
I think the noise issue is being a bit overstated here. It is entirely possible to live in a a very quiet area - even in San Juan (we do). That being said, I couldn't agree more with the general sentiment that moving to PR is not like moving to ... Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico from Ireland by Siobhan_Nolan
Hi all, My husband works for a medical device company and we have just found out that he will be moving to Puerto Rico for two years. I need all the information and advice that we can get. We have a six month old baby and don't speak Spanish. I ...
The cost of living actually *low* compared to the States, but *high* compared to what most Puerto Ricans earn (supposedly about 1/2 the state with the lowest median income) - so it depends a bit on your perspective. In real dollars (rather than ... Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico from Ireland by Siobhan_Nolan
Hi all, My husband works for a medical device company and we have just found out that he will be moving to Puerto Rico for two years. I need all the information and advice that we can get. We have a six month old baby and don't speak Spanish. I ...
$3-4K/mo is a lot to spend here, but in a gated community in Dorado you may be able to do it! We rent a very large apartment in a very nice (i.e., safe) area of San Juan, and we are spending half that. That said, I have zero experience with Dorado. ... Read More
Real estate purchase price question by Anolis
My wife & I are preparing to make an offer on a property in San Juan. Since this is a buyer's market (due to the economic situation) we plan to offer under asking price; however without MLS it is a bit difficult to figure out what the ...
We did make an offer at about 20% under the asking price. We felt that this was a fair price based on the comparable places on the market, but we could not reach an agreement on price with the seller. I believe the sellers have a mortgage on the ... Read More
¡Estoy muy confundido! by Gregory L. Schultz
I have been calling rentals on clasificados, and it is quite the challenge. My Spanish is a bit wobbly, and, so far, I have only reached people who are deficient in English. Any suggestions? P.S. I have been using Skype, (0.11 per minute) and ...
Where are you looking & what is your approximate budget? I may be able to recommend a realtor if you post some details as we recently did this ourselves. Even if you are relatively fluent in Spanish, it is always easier to speak in person than ... Read More
Help with neighborhoods/ apartments by jbecaj
Moving to San Juan.....didn't think the news would come so fast since my husband's interview was only yesterday. I am from NYC/NJ and my husband is from south Brazil. We have lived in DC, Milwaukee and most recently Phoenix. We are also ...
Hi jbecaj. Old San Juan is very safe to walk around, even at night; however I'm going to point out the obvious and say that it is about 2 miles from Paseo Caribe. Even if the intervening area, Puerta de Tierra, was safe to walk through at night ... Read More
schools by marathomama
Hi! We plan on a move to Puerto Rico before the next school year. I have two children 8 & 10. I would like some advice about schools around the island. I prefer to send my kids to private English speaking school to start with so the ...
Yes, the cities are hot because of the high proportion of built areas. Concrete absorbs high and re-radiates it which prevents natural cooling at night. If homes were built for natural shading and to better take advantage of the sea breezes A/C ... Read More
schools by marathomama
Hi! We plan on a move to Puerto Rico before the next school year. I have two children 8 & 10. I would like some advice about schools around the island. I prefer to send my kids to private English speaking school to start with so the ...
True enough. I'm biased because I live in a major U.S. city that I don't particularly care for, but that is nonetheless very expensive! It is true that emigration and the excess of real estate inventory have driven home prices way down ... Read More
schools by marathomama
Hi! We plan on a move to Puerto Rico before the next school year. I have two children 8 & 10. I would like some advice about schools around the island. I prefer to send my kids to private English speaking school to start with so the ...
Yes, the economic situation in Puerto Rico has been going downhill since the end of tax incentives in 2006. The unemployment is officially about 14% (compared to 6% in the States), but that only counts those people looking for work. The true labor ... Read More
schools by marathomama
Hi! We plan on a move to Puerto Rico before the next school year. I have two children 8 & 10. I would like some advice about schools around the island. I prefer to send my kids to private English speaking school to start with so the ...
What are the ages of your kids and why not consider a Spanish-language private school? In January we will be putting our daughter in a Montesorri school in Santurce. We visited in the fall & it seemed excellent, but I believe they only go ... Read More
Real estate purchase price question
My wife & I are preparing to make an offer on a property in San Juan. Since this is a buyer's market (due to the economic situation) we plan to offer under asking price; however without MLS it is a bit difficult to figure out what the ... Read More
4-wheel drive rental car from San Juan by Outlier
Hi, Can anyone offer advice on a good 4-wheel drive rental car option for a 7 day trip? I was told 4-wheel drive is needed to handle the island's hilly roads. I'll be driving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport ...
Driving from San Juan to Mayaguez the roads are fine & you have nothing to worry about. Even the rural roads near the coast should be fine with a standard sedan. A sedan over an SUV also has the added security of a trunk. Good luck. Read More
4-wheel drive rental car from San Juan by Outlier
Hi, Can anyone offer advice on a good 4-wheel drive rental car option for a 7 day trip? I was told 4-wheel drive is needed to handle the island's hilly roads. I'll be driving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport ...
In my experience your only option with 4x4 is a Jeep Wrangler. Many companies rent them, but they are usually the most expensive thing you can get. Some of the rental places will tell you not to engage the four wheel drive (they don't want you ... Read More
Trespassers by dolt201
I was in the states taking care of some repairs that were needed on our house there when I got a disturbing call from my wife. She said she was not going to clean the apartment attached to our PR house because there was a snake skin stretched across ...
The Puerto Rican racers (corredores in Spanish) are what we call 'rear-fang venomous'. Many species in this particular snake family share this attribute including (believe it or not) common garter snakes in the eastern U.S.! If you are ... Read More
Trespassers by dolt201
I was in the states taking care of some repairs that were needed on our house there when I got a disturbing call from my wife. She said she was not going to clean the apartment attached to our PR house because there was a snake skin stretched across ...
You did the right thing. The Puerto Rican boa is harmless and, as you say, ecologically and economically beneficial. Although pre-historically they would have eaten other terrestrial mammals such as the now-extinct Puerto Rican hutia; contemporary ... Read More
Tropical Storm / Hurricane Gonzalo by Gary
It looks like we'll get a tropical storm or hurricane on the island this Tuesday. At the end of a very quiet season today Gonzalo suddenly formed and it seems the storm is intensifying rapidly. Hopefully the damage won't be too bad and ...
This is also kind of cool. It shows surface wind patterns and is centered on PR. http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-63.70,19.56,3000 Read More
Buying a second home in PR by Anolis
My wife & I are considering buying a second home in Puerto Rico. We have lots of experience on the island (we have been going, for work & pleasure, for 10 years; I speak Spanish, etc.), but this would be a new thing for us. Can anyone on the ...
Thanks for the comments Gary & Skip. They are very helpful and we will keep these things in mind as we look for places in San Juan. We will also ask our real estate agent for feedback. Read More
Buying a second home in PR by Anolis
My wife & I are considering buying a second home in Puerto Rico. We have lots of experience on the island (we have been going, for work & pleasure, for 10 years; I speak Spanish, etc.), but this would be a new thing for us. Can anyone on the ...
Thanks for the suggestion Bear66. No, we are definitely set on San Juan for reasons of work, school, & friends. I like OSJ for safety and walkability, but we will also look in Ocean Park/Condado area. Gary & GreggK, it sounds like you both ... Read More
Buying a second home in PR by Anolis
My wife & I are considering buying a second home in Puerto Rico. We have lots of experience on the island (we have been going, for work & pleasure, for 10 years; I speak Spanish, etc.), but this would be a new thing for us. Can anyone on the ...
Thank you for the advice on this GreggK. Since you seem to know what you're talking about (more than I would) can an automatic backup generator be installed on a flat rooftop? Since we are looking at OSJ, I ask for obvious reasons. What about ... Read More
Buying a second home in PR by Anolis
My wife & I are considering buying a second home in Puerto Rico. We have lots of experience on the island (we have been going, for work & pleasure, for 10 years; I speak Spanish, etc.), but this would be a new thing for us. Can anyone on the ...
Thank you Skip & trekrider. I have lots of experience in PR, so some of this is not news. We're not leaning towards a place like Capitolio Plaza, but more likely a small multi-unit directly inside the old city. Given your comments, though, ... Read More